I've done that, but don't tell anyone.

Hotel shower caps make great disposible checkpoint booties.

The TSA also has no control over the methods that the airports use to clean the CPs. At my airport they have a cleaning service, which does just the basic cleaning (floors, trash removal...that's about it). The CP's are disgusting. When I start my shift, I will use a anti-bacterial wipe and clean the things that I use. The phone, handheld radios, the keyboard on the computer, the mouse, the desk, stapler, arm rests on the chairs...anything that I may touch with my bare hands. (I have a bad habit of always putting my fingers in my mouth). I wash my hands 80 times a day, and don't touch anything without gloves on. And honestly, though we are not required to do so, the screeners at my CP will clean the bins with alcohol if we have the time to do it. But, not every CP has the luxury of "down time".

Yeah, it is a disgusting place. I have seen many restaurant workers leave the bathroom without washing their hands, and then you see them working without gloves on. You have to take care of yourself, there are people out there who are not concerned with their own hygiene...and they could care even less about yours! Come to the airport prepared to protect yourself from the disgusting conditions, don't expect anyone to do it for you.

Actually, up until recently, I wore work shoes with shanks, so I had to take mine off, too, to be screened at the start of my shift. Even doing so four days a week (which probably is more often than most people fly) I somehow managed to avoid catching a deadly foot fungus!

And there's nothing that says YOU can't wear gloves, too!

I expect to find harmful bacteria in a high-traffic public building, and I take sensible precautions to avoid illness.

Finding out the water supply is contaminated came as a bit of a surprise, and until we were notified, I had no reason to believe I had anything to worry about from this quarter.

Won�t work in the U.S. You CAN use footies, baggies, etc., though.

So, how many of these infections actually have been traced back to an airport checkpoint?

I�m not saying it couldn�t happen � I just don�t think the risk is substantially higher than than in a hospital, restaurant, theatre, or other public place with a similarly high traffic level. Including � planes!

Sometimes, not even that � last time I flew, the seat pocket in front of me was stuffed with used Kleenex from a previous passengers. EWWWWWWW!

Excellent advice, worth repeating!

I wear gloves at all times at the checkpoint. I change them often, certainly every time I have to touch a person or go into a bag. I use sanitizer or spray my hands with alcohol between gloves changes. I make an effort not to touch my face, hair, clothing, etc. (not just mucous membranes) with my gloved hands. I very rarely get sick ...

Perzackly!

That�s because the tail is wagging the dog. These people REALLY don�t hate the TSA because they�re worried about germs; they�re only ranting about germs because it provides a convenient vehicle to bash the TSA.

More good advice. You also could seal your carryon luggage inside plastic bags � dispose of the bags upon leaving the checkpoint or (better idea yet!) after disembarking from the plane. Although, if you�re staying in a hotel room � hmmm, those aren�t the most sanitary places, either. OK, never mind!

In comparison to all the hand-wringing about germs that I see on this forum, the number of passengers who appear concerned enough to even wear disposable booties is quite small � I�d estimate less than half of 1 percent.

In closing, my condolences to AINTITFUNNY on her loss.

If your afraid of Germs then flying is probably not the best thing to do..While I agree their is a chance of something being spread at the CP I would be much much more worried about the spread of it on an aircraft.
Cheers
Howie
ps. Sorry to the poster who lost their loved one because of MRSA..

To someone who mentioned cleaning a aircraft would take to long. thats kinda wrong because if they lysol or even citrace (my preference because it smells like oranges) and let it sit for about 5 minutes the contact disinfection would be significant would use about 1/4 a can per widebody plane. Then deep disinfection say at the end/start of the day would probably need a can per plane, if there not going to physically wipe down each seat, armrest, and tray table.

That's really annoying, since they insisted on a doctor's note from me (at ORD). I looked on the TSA's website and couldn't find anything about clearing security with my shoes on and not having a note. Is there anything there? Thanks.

Mike

According to the Mayo website, one of the leading causes of this being so dangerous is: "Antibiotic resistance
Although the survival tactics of bacteria contribute to antibiotic resistance, humans bear most of the responsibility for the problem. Leading causes of antibiotic resistance include: Unnecessary antibiotic use. Like other superbugs, MRSA is the result of decades of excessive and unnecessary antibiotic use. For years, antibiotics have been prescribed for colds, flu and other viral infections that don't respond to these drugs, as well as for simple bacterial infections that normally clear on their own. "

So, basically, being a germaphobe can lead to the opposite result from that which is desired. That is precisely why so many children are so sick these days - parents that are way too cautious. Some caution is warranted, but many people go way too far.

The Mayo also states that contact sports are a big risk factor for this superbug. I don't see anybody limiting that! Why? Because we want to do that. It is much easier to have a third party to blame for something. I am very sorry for the death of anyone, but the fact of the matter is that this post is in regards to TSA security cleanliness issues and there is no proof that this was the cause of the husband's contact with the bug.

I agree with the poster that suggests if you are concerned - don't fly. In fact, stay home and have everything delivered to you and put through a sanitizer before admitting into your home. That is the only way to be sure in this day and age. And it has the added benefit that you are taking responsibility for your own life and not blaming others.

Sorry to be so harsh, but when we cannot control something, we try to malign it. The fact of the matter is that we will never be able to avoid all germs nor make all people practice satisfactory (to each of us) cleanliness, so the only option is to get used to it and protect ourselves as best as we can.

Personally, if I notice someone on the plane that shows ANY symptom of sickness like a cold, I take Nyquil that and the next night as a preventative.

OK, this might get me banned, but I would much rather wrap screeners in plastic, put booties on screeners, and dunk screeners head first into a vat of hand sanitizer.

No doctors note is required. If you have a medical condition, state that fact, and the TSO is *supposed* to respect it. The TSO at ORD was wrong.

Why? Whatever works for ya, I guess. Odd fetish...

The absence of proof does not mean that something didn't happen. The practical difficulty of tracing an infection back to a TSA checkpoint has no bearing on the probability of the infection originating their in the first place.

Common sense says that the plastic bins at there checkpoints are easily able to spread infectious agents from the soles of shoes to other items owned by other people. Why not supply a disposable paper liner to allow those of us who choose to take responsibility for ourselves to protect ourselves from disease? Do you think the TSA's $6.8 billion 2008 budget could handle this extra expense?

Some people might say that speaking up against the easily mitigated (paper liners?) unsanitary conditions at TSA checkpoints is taking such responsibility. Speaking up might result in a change for the better. For everyone. Even if we can't prove to you're satisfaction that we acquired an infection from a filthy TSA bin.

So Nyquil contains an anti-viral agent now? Which ingredient might that be?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NyQuil
http://www.vicks.com/nyquil-cold-flu.php

(bolding mine)
Then TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF! You said it, not me.

Yes, I did say it. And I'm not sure why your repeating it. And from the condesending tone of you're response my guess that you work for TSA.

Repeating my question hoping toward a meaningful answer:

Going slightly OT. Mark it is not parents that are to blame for giving kids to many antibiotics, the parents are simply being cautious and getting there kid checked out. The problem is with Doctors for prescribing them for everything even when there not needed for everything from a simple cough due to allergies to viral infections that antibiotics will do nothing for.

I do interfacility transfers of kids from smaller outling hospitals to pediatric specific hospitals. I cant tell you how many times i have shown up and the doctor has ordered antibiotics (Rocephin, Invanez, Zocyn, Cipro, ampicillian - the first 3 are relatively new on the market, but being severely over used IMHO), and or already run them into the kid when they don't need them. What makes it even worse is that when i get them to the pediatric hospital the receiving Doctor and nurse ask me why the kid was given antibiotics in the first place and more times then not, the kid was given a dose higher then the recommended adult dose. I have had this hospital question the referring facilities as to why they where giving antibiotics and the only response has been "thats our protocol" for which the receiving docs have ripped the transferring docs for being so stupid and told them to not give the antibiotics as there not needed and over using the drugs and causing more problems down the road.

I just think it is funny how you mix "taking responsibility for ourselves" with relying on a government agency to supply you with the items needed to take responsibilty for yourself. Could they fit it in their budget? Maybe, probably. Do they care? That's the real question.
Yes, the bins are gross and dirty. Yes, the CP's are disgusting. Yes, lots of people walk barefooted on the gross, disgusting floors. Should we supply booties (some airports do)? Well, we do make you take off your shoes. Should we supply baggies because you are required to travel with your liquids that way (some airports do supply baggies)? Should we start supplying people with suitcases or boxes since you need to have your clothes-n-stuff in something when you travel?
Taking responsibility for yourself also means being prepared. If you dont want your stuff in a gross bin, don't use one. Put your stuff in your carryon. Leave your laptop in the "TSA friendly bag". Use a newspaper (as someone suggested).Bring your own booties. Don't rely on the TSA to provide you with the items you need to comfortably pass security while maintaining a higher than average need for hygienic standards.
I am not knocking you on this, I agree it is gross. But you gotta take care of yourself.