Gate searches -- still?!? AAARRRHHHGGG!! (merged)
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,114
I was wondering about this. What would they find to confiscate? And if they did, wouldn't you expect them to make a big deal about it? After all, if they find contraband on you post-WMD, presumably either a) they dropped the ball or b) you might be the 'big catch', someone's smuggled something into the sterile area and passed it off to you.
Wish one of our resident TSO's would drop in and tell us what's up with this nonsense.
Wish one of our resident TSO's would drop in and tell us what's up with this nonsense.
I'm not TSA (I have my self respect) but I suspect they have finally realized that supposedly secure areas of airports are so porous that any type of contraband can easily be introduced to aircraft.
The problem is that gate checks will not reduce the security problem.
Only by checking all airport workers (TSA, airline, ramp, contractors, food service and all the rest) for having items that they should not will the problem be reduce. Workers should have to clear an inbound inspection/tool inventory and a similar outbound inspection. Of course TSA will not do so because it would be harder than screwing with the traveling public.
TSA will continue playing games attempting to convince the Kettles that TSA has a handle on security.
Of course anyone with any power of observation knows that TSA couldn't buy a clue!
#48
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,704
I'm not TSA (I have my self respect) but I suspect they have finally realized that supposedly secure areas of airports are so porous that any type of contraband can easily be introduced to aircraft.
The problem is that gate checks will not reduce the security problem.
Only by checking all airport workers (TSA, airline, ramp, contractors, food service and all the rest) for having items that they should not will the problem be reduce. Workers should have to clear an inbound inspection/tool inventory and a similar outbound inspection. Of course TSA will not do so because it would be harder than screwing with the traveling public.
TSA will continue playing games attempting to convince the Kettles that TSA has a handle on security.
Of course anyone with any power of observation knows that TSA couldn't buy a clue!
The problem is that gate checks will not reduce the security problem.
Only by checking all airport workers (TSA, airline, ramp, contractors, food service and all the rest) for having items that they should not will the problem be reduce. Workers should have to clear an inbound inspection/tool inventory and a similar outbound inspection. Of course TSA will not do so because it would be harder than screwing with the traveling public.
TSA will continue playing games attempting to convince the Kettles that TSA has a handle on security.
Of course anyone with any power of observation knows that TSA couldn't buy a clue!
Excellent observation.
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
You might want to think about that comment for a moment.
The next time the TSA does something to make itself look dumb (failed Red Team testing, TSAer bringing a gun to work, a screener being arrested), you don't think they will be working the media doing damage control to save face with the public?
Also remember, they spent millions on threads, badges and man hours for classroom time for their new uniforms. Even the TSA PR folks said it's to command respect. They did this instead of purchasing better screening equipment.
The TSA knows that if the general and traveling public turned sour on them in a large-scale way, they would be in big trouble.
The next time the TSA does something to make itself look dumb (failed Red Team testing, TSAer bringing a gun to work, a screener being arrested), you don't think they will be working the media doing damage control to save face with the public?
Also remember, they spent millions on threads, badges and man hours for classroom time for their new uniforms. Even the TSA PR folks said it's to command respect. They did this instead of purchasing better screening equipment.
The TSA knows that if the general and traveling public turned sour on them in a large-scale way, they would be in big trouble.
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,114
Not wanting to get into a long discussion but hyperbole is the use of exaggeration when making a statement.
I don't feel that I have exaggerated anything.
I did clearly let the reader know that I am biased when discussing TSA.
I indicated that a lot of what people see TSA doing is for show and has little to do with security.
Finally, I indicated that TSA is either lacking in basic security analysis or unwilling to deploy the results of that analysis.
It's just my opinion.
#51
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,211
Is everyone having the usual success ditching the gate checks by either doing the waiting game or using Elite boarding lanes (if you're qualified)?
Even though they really are a pain, the gate checks have always been the easiest of the TSA games to get around.
Even though they really are a pain, the gate checks have always been the easiest of the TSA games to get around.
#52
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Avoiding the gate checks by playing a modified waiting game has worked pretty reliably for me. Using the elite boarding lines hasn't been a sure-way of avoiding the gate checks unless also playing a modified waiting game.
#54
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: WN A List
Posts: 42
Tsa screening at gates in san diego today
The practice of deploying TSA personnel at gates was evident in San Diego this morning for flight 811, which was overbooked to PHX. At least three TSA employees milled aorund the gate scrutinizing passengers well before the incoming plane landed. The gate agent announced that there would be selective screening during boarding and that there was a booth or screened area. I didn't see any such area and the pat downs I saw were in full view. Passangers were randomly selected for pat downs. I saw no luggage being scrutinized. To answer a question on this board, the passengers who were NOT selected for screening continued to board so the selected people lost their numerical priority in boarding.
#55
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...rrrhhhggg.html covers how the TSA workfare program had to find something to do with the thousands more standing around after the security checkpoint haraSSSSment screening-related staffing requirement was reduced.
#56
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
as i posted elsewhere, if i am "SSSSelected......"so, what did you folks miss at the checkpoint?"
feh
feh
#57
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 340
Gate searches have occured in ELP as well years ago.
Imagine their surprise when I was selected and when they checked my carryon bag and found my handgun. They thought they struck gold..............................until they examined my boarding pass that had "Armed LEO" printed on it.
Imagine their surprise when I was selected and when they checked my carryon bag and found my handgun. They thought they struck gold..............................until they examined my boarding pass that had "Armed LEO" printed on it.
#58
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
Gate searches have occured in ELP as well years ago.
Imagine their surprise when I was selected and when they checked my carryon bag and found my handgun. They thought they struck gold..............................until they examined my boarding pass that had "Armed LEO" printed on it.
Imagine their surprise when I was selected and when they checked my carryon bag and found my handgun. They thought they struck gold..............................until they examined my boarding pass that had "Armed LEO" printed on it.
#59
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,953
File a complaint. Every time you see it, every time you experience it, every time you even hear of it. Call. Complain. Let the complaints pour in until this disgusting practice is terminated, and those cretins responsible for it punted through the doors to the curb.
TSA Complaint Line: 1-866-289-9673
TSA Complaint Line: 1-866-289-9673