TSA Wants to Know Where I'm Going
Aug 8, 2007, 7:29 pm
#31
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Aug 8, 2007, 7:32 pm
#32
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I buy that. It's been quite evident from the reactions I get when I wear my KHIAI t-shirt thru security. I don't go looking for grief, but I give it back when it's given.
Aug 8, 2007, 7:45 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Alexandria, Va. USA
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A year ago as I approached TSA screening at Buf I handed the screener the first of the two boarding passes I would be using for the trip and my driver's license. He told me he needed to see all of the boarding passes I had. I complied. There was only a short line and I was air side in just a few minutes.
My problem is that I don't know when they have stepped over the line. I thought this was intrusive. I think I just need to show the boarding pass needed to get into the concourse of my departing flight.
My problem is that I don't know when they have stepped over the line. I thought this was intrusive. I think I just need to show the boarding pass needed to get into the concourse of my departing flight.
Aug 8, 2007, 8:37 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2002
Location: DTW
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Wirelessly posted (My IV to the Net: BlackBerry7250/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
I would say, No, they don't.
But then I am sure they could then ask, Do you want to fly today?"
But rather then having them see it and be tempted to ask for it, just put it away.
Originally Posted by Orion
A year ago as I approached TSA screening at Buf I handed the screener the first of the two boarding passes I would be using for the trip and my driver's license. He told me he needed to see all of the boarding passes I had. I complied. There was only a short line and I was air side in just a few minutes.
My problem is that I don't know when they have stepped over the line. I thought this was intrusive. I think I just need to show the boarding pass needed to get into the concourse of my departing flight.
My problem is that I don't know when they have stepped over the line. I thought this was intrusive. I think I just need to show the boarding pass needed to get into the concourse of my departing flight.
But then I am sure they could then ask, Do you want to fly today?"
But rather then having them see it and be tempted to ask for it, just put it away.
Aug 8, 2007, 9:06 pm
#38
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Aug 8, 2007, 9:16 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SIN / SFO
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At IAH a few weeks ago, I was repacking a video camera after going through the x-ray, and a TSO asked me why it wasn't in a specific (widely-used) type of camera bag. So I told him I usually do use one of those, but had to repack because of the STUPID one-bag rule connecting through London.
He then told me about his work with some particular kind of video equipment with the DC police and we had a nice chat for a couple of minutes as I was repacking gear on the floor.
I'm still not sure if he was just a nice guy or practicing his SPOT techniques, but that -is- the way it should work.
He then told me about his work with some particular kind of video equipment with the DC police and we had a nice chat for a couple of minutes as I was repacking gear on the floor.
I'm still not sure if he was just a nice guy or practicing his SPOT techniques, but that -is- the way it should work.
The TSO who did the bag check had me unzip the top, and then just started talking to me about photography in general. He talked to me about lenses, cameras, and recommended a book on some basics since I said I was still learning how to use my DSLR after having only a point-and-shoot previously.
After a one or two minute pleasant conversation, he told me to enjoy my flight.
Not sure if it was SPOT or not, but if it was, *that* is the way it should be done.
Aug 8, 2007, 9:47 pm
#40
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Aug 8, 2007, 9:48 pm
#41
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PHX this a.m., UA, T2, TSA is checking ID's instead of some company hired by the airlines. Is this a result of the recent security breach? Maybe you FT's who frequent PHX can shed some light.
But here's the kicker: TSO asks me, as he's checking my boarding pass, "where are you going today?" Even though I get asked this question on int'l routes, I was surprised to hear a TSO, looking at a domestic BP, asking me where I was going, to which I responded in a nice tone of voice, "home." Not good enough, he wants to know 'where are you going?" Now I'm ticked, and I say "it says on the BP where I'm going. Why?" "Just want to know." Silence on my part. He stares at BP for at least 30 add'l seconds, scribbles on it, and I move on.
Before you jump to conclusions (and I was worried about his scribbles) no secondary screening...
But here's the kicker: TSO asks me, as he's checking my boarding pass, "where are you going today?" Even though I get asked this question on int'l routes, I was surprised to hear a TSO, looking at a domestic BP, asking me where I was going, to which I responded in a nice tone of voice, "home." Not good enough, he wants to know 'where are you going?" Now I'm ticked, and I say "it says on the BP where I'm going. Why?" "Just want to know." Silence on my part. He stares at BP for at least 30 add'l seconds, scribbles on it, and I move on.
Before you jump to conclusions (and I was worried about his scribbles) no secondary screening...
Aug 8, 2007, 11:05 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 105
That's nice to hear - always makes me feel better to read/hear about decent TSA officers. Not every TSA officer out there is a nutcase out to get us - many of them ARE holding down jobs for their kids and families, and studying on the side. It's the bad apples (which TSA has quite a few of) that ruin our perceptions of TSA.
I'm quitting my job as a screener and in September I'll be doing something else. The job as a screener was getting more and more intolerable. I think the final straw came when I learned that TSOs will be assuming the duties of: ticket checker, liquids tester, and bin runners. We don't have enough screeners to get people out of the fishbowl or do bag checks or sometimes to rotate out someone who's been on x-ray or WTMD for an hour. And the hiring by TSA of only part-time screeners has been disastrous, at least at my airport. Most of them are quitting or planning to quit because they cannot sustain being forced to work 5 days a week but only being allowed to work 5-hour days. These new hires have the option of working full-time, "split shift", if they want to start work at 4:45 am and work until 10:30 am and then be back at 1 pm and work until 4:30 pm (um, like, let me see if the Chinese labor camp has a better offer). Some new, good quality screeners have requested if they could at least work 6 hrs. x 4 days per week. They were denied. Meanwhile you have full-time uber-loafers who don't do a damn thing, b!tch about passengers and treat them like dirt, text message on x-ray, WTMD, and every other position and they're getting these $3000 Kip Hawley PASS bonuses!
So, I'm out of TSA and I'm out of FT. This is my last post and, au revoir friends, I'm signing off.
Aug 8, 2007, 11:21 pm
#43
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Thanks Andy, I hope that I was one of these screeners you are referencing.
I'm quitting my job as a screener and in September I'll be doing something else. The job as a screener was getting more and more intolerable. I think the final straw came when I learned that TSOs will be assuming the duties of: ticket checker, liquids tester, and bin runners. We don't have enough screeners to get people out of the fishbowl or do bag checks or sometimes to rotate out someone who's been on x-ray or WTMD for an hour. And the hiring by TSA of only part-time screeners has been disastrous, at least at my airport. Most of them are quitting or planning to quit because they cannot sustain being forced to work 5 days a week but only being allowed to work 5-hour days. These new hires have the option of working full-time, "split shift", if they want to start work at 4:45 am and work until 10:30 am and then be back at 1 pm and work until 4:30 pm (um, like, let me see if the Chinese labor camp has a better offer). Some new, good quality screeners have requested if they could at least work 6 hrs. x 4 days per week. They were denied. Meanwhile you have full-time uber-loafers who don't do a damn thing, b!tch about passengers and treat them like dirt, text message on x-ray, WTMD, and every other position and they're getting these $3000 Kip Hawley PASS bonuses!
So, I'm out of TSA and I'm out of FT. This is my last post and, au revoir friends, I'm signing off.
I'm quitting my job as a screener and in September I'll be doing something else. The job as a screener was getting more and more intolerable. I think the final straw came when I learned that TSOs will be assuming the duties of: ticket checker, liquids tester, and bin runners. We don't have enough screeners to get people out of the fishbowl or do bag checks or sometimes to rotate out someone who's been on x-ray or WTMD for an hour. And the hiring by TSA of only part-time screeners has been disastrous, at least at my airport. Most of them are quitting or planning to quit because they cannot sustain being forced to work 5 days a week but only being allowed to work 5-hour days. These new hires have the option of working full-time, "split shift", if they want to start work at 4:45 am and work until 10:30 am and then be back at 1 pm and work until 4:30 pm (um, like, let me see if the Chinese labor camp has a better offer). Some new, good quality screeners have requested if they could at least work 6 hrs. x 4 days per week. They were denied. Meanwhile you have full-time uber-loafers who don't do a damn thing, b!tch about passengers and treat them like dirt, text message on x-ray, WTMD, and every other position and they're getting these $3000 Kip Hawley PASS bonuses!
So, I'm out of TSA and I'm out of FT. This is my last post and, au revoir friends, I'm signing off.
Just because you're leaving TSA doesn't mean you have to leave the forum though. Hope you do decide to stick around.
Super
Aug 9, 2007, 12:12 am
#44
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
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Here's how I plan to play the SPOT Game:
TSO: "What's the purpose of your trip?"
essxjay: "Why do you ask?"
TSO: "What's the purpose of your trip?"
essxjay: "Why do you ask?"
IF the TSO's response is a statement, I respond with, "Oh."
ELSE If the TSO's response is another question, I ask one (or more) of the following:END IF
Lest someone take exception to such tactics, I can think of far worse replies (such as, "It's none of your effing business," or some other. *g*)
ELSE If the TSO's response is another question, I ask one (or more) of the following:
- "Why specifically are you asking ______________?"
- "Are you SPOTting me?"
- "Why do you 'need' to know?"
- "Am I free to leave?
Aug 9, 2007, 5:16 am
#45
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Thanks Andy, I hope that I was one of these screeners you are referencing.
I'm quitting my job as a screener and in September I'll be doing something else. The job as a screener was getting more and more intolerable. I think the final straw came when I learned that TSOs will be assuming the duties of: ticket checker, liquids tester, and bin runners. We don't have enough screeners to get people out of the fishbowl or do bag checks or sometimes to rotate out someone who's been on x-ray or WTMD for an hour. And the hiring by TSA of only part-time screeners has been disastrous, at least at my airport. Most of them are quitting or planning to quit because they cannot sustain being forced to work 5 days a week but only being allowed to work 5-hour days. These new hires have the option of working full-time, "split shift", if they want to start work at 4:45 am and work until 10:30 am and then be back at 1 pm and work until 4:30 pm (um, like, let me see if the Chinese labor camp has a better offer). Some new, good quality screeners have requested if they could at least work 6 hrs. x 4 days per week. They were denied. Meanwhile you have full-time uber-loafers who don't do a damn thing, b!tch about passengers and treat them like dirt, text message on x-ray, WTMD, and every other position and they're getting these $3000 Kip Hawley PASS bonuses!
So, I'm out of TSA and I'm out of FT. This is my last post and, au revoir friends, I'm signing off.
I'm quitting my job as a screener and in September I'll be doing something else. The job as a screener was getting more and more intolerable. I think the final straw came when I learned that TSOs will be assuming the duties of: ticket checker, liquids tester, and bin runners. We don't have enough screeners to get people out of the fishbowl or do bag checks or sometimes to rotate out someone who's been on x-ray or WTMD for an hour. And the hiring by TSA of only part-time screeners has been disastrous, at least at my airport. Most of them are quitting or planning to quit because they cannot sustain being forced to work 5 days a week but only being allowed to work 5-hour days. These new hires have the option of working full-time, "split shift", if they want to start work at 4:45 am and work until 10:30 am and then be back at 1 pm and work until 4:30 pm (um, like, let me see if the Chinese labor camp has a better offer). Some new, good quality screeners have requested if they could at least work 6 hrs. x 4 days per week. They were denied. Meanwhile you have full-time uber-loafers who don't do a damn thing, b!tch about passengers and treat them like dirt, text message on x-ray, WTMD, and every other position and they're getting these $3000 Kip Hawley PASS bonuses!
So, I'm out of TSA and I'm out of FT. This is my last post and, au revoir friends, I'm signing off.