Electronics and security lines
May 13, 2008 | 7:42 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Your laptop must be in a separate bin, although I have had agents slide my 2 laptops into one bin at their own discretion (although once at PDX a screener placed both in one bin and the bin was rerun and I was reprimanded to not using separate bins). The laptops must be out of all sleeves and protective shells and fully visible to the screener.
May 13, 2008 | 11:31 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 562
This is the truest statement, and it answers every question. Do I take out cords and small electronics? Every screener is different. Do I take out my Kippie bag? Every screener is different. Laptop out of it's sleeve? Every screener is different. I personally don't care if a laptop is in a sleeve, as long as it is the only thing in the sleeve (no cords, BB's, books, etc.). Other TSO's follow the SOP to the T and say "no". Taking a laptop out of the sleeve and laying it on top of the sleeve in a bin appear on xray the same way it would if it was in the sleeve.
Even if you did everything exactly by the book, that is no guarantee that you will not have any problems. Dumb, I know.
May 13, 2008 | 9:39 pm
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor Area
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sefrischling-let us know when the piece you're working on airs on GMA- I'd love to see it! Maybe you can bring up the fact that so many of these TSAs are telling us different things at different airports, or even different things at the SAME airport! The electronics question is quite valid- when I was told to use a bin for every electronic bit I had, I was a tad confused. Set them straight and good luck!
PS- I'm sure many of us would be happy to help in this piece- I know I wouldn't mind speaking my mind and asking what's going on!
PS- I'm sure many of us would be happy to help in this piece- I know I wouldn't mind speaking my mind and asking what's going on!
May 13, 2008 | 11:09 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2006
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thaliajen,
I'll let you know when the piece airs. My part is simple, demonstrate how secure your bags while in the terminal and how to safely avoid being a thief's mark in the airport, and in the TSA screening checkpoint....as well as how to get through a TSA check point.
There is a very brief piece where they interview a women who had her iPhone stolen and I helped her sort out how to get the cops to review the tapes for security (they still could not ID the thief) and a piece where the interview the TSA. I plan on adding a detailed series of questions to their list. I need the TSA to be somewhat happy so I can use their check point for the demo though.
I have been contacted by a few other news outlets, hopefully one will let me ask a series of in-depth questions (I have a list I have been compiling since I started covering homeland security as a full-time news photog).
I'll let you know when the piece airs. My part is simple, demonstrate how secure your bags while in the terminal and how to safely avoid being a thief's mark in the airport, and in the TSA screening checkpoint....as well as how to get through a TSA check point.
There is a very brief piece where they interview a women who had her iPhone stolen and I helped her sort out how to get the cops to review the tapes for security (they still could not ID the thief) and a piece where the interview the TSA. I plan on adding a detailed series of questions to their list. I need the TSA to be somewhat happy so I can use their check point for the demo though.
I have been contacted by a few other news outlets, hopefully one will let me ask a series of in-depth questions (I have a list I have been compiling since I started covering homeland security as a full-time news photog).
May 14, 2008 | 3:02 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA/SJU/MCO
Programs: AA LT PLT; DL GLD, UA nothing, B6 Mosaic; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 3,333
Aug 14, 2008 | 2:52 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Louisville, KY, US
Programs: QF Plat - OW EMD | DL Gold / Starwood Gold
Posts: 6,106
On Tuesday I had to have 6 bins go through security b/c they insisted each electronic item have its own bin. So, I had an Ipod, a BB, laptop, camera, video camera, and DVD player. (I was coming from a family event.) The man behind me looked like he was going to kill me! I offered to let him through but he shook his head. I don't know if he was mad at me or the TSA.
And if I were NOT a Plat or other Elite, I would have had even more stuff with me. With the one bag allowance, people are stuffing more into their carry-ons and taking up more time at the security line and the check-in.
I usually fly the same routes, so I'm wondering, is this electronic new rule at ALL airports? So far I have been forced to separate my electronics at DTW, MKE, and LAS. The latter being the worst as those lines to get to the CO area are LONG!
Anyone else having trouble with these rules? I had to wait while checking in at MKE b/c the couple ahead of me had more than 1 bag apiece and only one person working the CE check-in. By the time they repacked stuff into their carry-ons and paid for one extra bag, I could've checked in and been sipping a diet coke at the NW Club.
And if I were NOT a Plat or other Elite, I would have had even more stuff with me. With the one bag allowance, people are stuffing more into their carry-ons and taking up more time at the security line and the check-in.
I usually fly the same routes, so I'm wondering, is this electronic new rule at ALL airports? So far I have been forced to separate my electronics at DTW, MKE, and LAS. The latter being the worst as those lines to get to the CO area are LONG!
Anyone else having trouble with these rules? I had to wait while checking in at MKE b/c the couple ahead of me had more than 1 bag apiece and only one person working the CE check-in. By the time they repacked stuff into their carry-ons and paid for one extra bag, I could've checked in and been sipping a diet coke at the NW Club.
I snipped a bit of the original message, but it finally happened to me.
All electronics out meant all electronics out. At CAK I ended up with a "train" of at least eight full-size bins plus additional "change size bins" going thru the x-ray machine. They insisted every electronic item needed its own bin and even started to separate my stuff into more bins because I put a camera and a spare battery in the same bin.
Small airport syndrome?
Aug 14, 2008 | 3:03 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Aug 14, 2008 | 3:21 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Louisville, KY, US
Programs: QF Plat - OW EMD | DL Gold / Starwood Gold
Posts: 6,106
They did the full loupe and blacklight study on my ID. After the TDC, the loader who kept separating my items even went as far as asking me if I had any weapons on me.
The worst part was getting everything re-assembled.
It was my first trip into and out of CAK; otherwise, a really nice and small regional airport.
Aug 17, 2008 | 5:55 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Upstate NY or FL or inbetween
Programs: US former CP Looking for a new airline to love me
Posts: 1,694
When I passed thru earlier this week there was a bit of a line, but most of it seemed to be a result of them being really picky. At most other airports, even with two lanes open, there would be no line because the screening process is much faster.
They did the full loupe and blacklight study on my ID. After the TDC, the loader who kept separating my items even went as far as asking me if I had any weapons on me.
The worst part was getting everything re-assembled.
It was my first trip into and out of CAK; otherwise, a really nice and small regional airport.
They did the full loupe and blacklight study on my ID. After the TDC, the loader who kept separating my items even went as far as asking me if I had any weapons on me.
The worst part was getting everything re-assembled.
It was my first trip into and out of CAK; otherwise, a really nice and small regional airport.
Yeah, Other than the shooting, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln ?? 
Aug 17, 2008 | 11:49 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 736
At CAK the TSO looked at my BP for a good 2 minutes. I was about to say "wow, I'm PHLflying and I'm flying to Philadelphia, exciting stuff!". They also gave a secondary to a woman escorting her son who was a soldier en route to his base. Great stuff!