Gate searches -- still?!? AAARRRHHHGGG!! (merged)
#91
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
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Random gate checks have officially returned. The TSA Manager at SNA (one of the good airports, in my opinion) confirmed that it is a directive from DC that he would not share as SSI. According to him, they have not found any instances of items that should have been located at the checkpoint. He is doing the program because DC told him to do so as a pilot program.
#92
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 340
After that, we boarded our flight, I got a 1st class upgrade, and that was the last time I ever used the airlines. Since then, the T-310 has been our primary mode of long distance travel.
#93
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Keep filing those complaints, folks!
TSA Complaint Line 1-866-289-9673
Let's get these disgusting, un-American searches and those responsible for them terminated with prejudice.
TSA Complaint Line 1-866-289-9673
Let's get these disgusting, un-American searches and those responsible for them terminated with prejudice.
#94
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 340
Well, I feel so much safer now that I know that TSA can protect me from our own federal agents. Incredible.
Why do I think I would feel safer with your agency in charge of airport protection, rather than TSA? THIS is why we need professional LEOs like yourself handling security, and not these amateur Dick Tracy wannabes.
Why do I think I would feel safer with your agency in charge of airport protection, rather than TSA? THIS is why we need professional LEOs like yourself handling security, and not these amateur Dick Tracy wannabes.
The other side of the coin is that when I flew armed which I did a lot in those days is not wanting to bring extra attention to myself. Some airlines wanted to pre-board me and I had mixed feelings about that. The pro side was that I avoided the onslaught of people attempting to board, con was that all eyes were on me when I went down the jetway by myself. It was hard to avoid that because the ticket agent said to identify myself to the gate agent.
Oh well, those days are behind me now.
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
The other side of the coin is that when I flew armed which I did a lot in those days is not wanting to bring extra attention to myself. Some airlines wanted to pre-board me and I had mixed feelings about that. The pro side was that I avoided the onslaught of people attempting to board, con was that all eyes were on me when I went down the jetway by myself. It was hard to avoid that because the ticket agent said to identify myself to the gate agent.
Fortunately, in the TSA era, there's virtually no need to carry any hard copy classified stuff anymore. I can't imagine what it would be like in today's environment carrying as much classified stuff as we did 10-20 years ago. Can you imagine a gate-groper ripping open a pouch? Or, being separated from the Holiest of Holies while someone is doing a "random or retaliatory" secondary on you? Or, some screener yelling across half the airport to his supervisor, "Hey, Joe! What do I do with this package of Top Secret stuff this guy says he's carrying?"
#96
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 340
I used to take the same approach back in the days where I had to carry classified information on occasion. The best policy was to not draw attention to yourself. I always carried the stuff appropriately wrapped in my standard briefcase that I locked. Also, our security people did a great job keeping up with the exact words the FAA required on a courier letter in order to prevent a security screener or a cop from opening the package. The hassle carrying classified was to figure out your back-up plans if you missed a connection or got weathered in somewhere with no place to lock it up.
Fortunately, in the TSA era, there's virtually no need to carry any hard copy classified stuff anymore. I can't imagine what it would be like in today's environment carrying as much classified stuff as we did 10-20 years ago. Can you imagine a gate-groper ripping open a pouch? Or, being separated from the Holiest of Holies while someone is doing a "random or retaliatory" secondary on you? Or, some screener yelling across half the airport to his supervisor, "Hey, Joe! What do I do with this package of Top Secret stuff this guy says he's carrying?"
Fortunately, in the TSA era, there's virtually no need to carry any hard copy classified stuff anymore. I can't imagine what it would be like in today's environment carrying as much classified stuff as we did 10-20 years ago. Can you imagine a gate-groper ripping open a pouch? Or, being separated from the Holiest of Holies while someone is doing a "random or retaliatory" secondary on you? Or, some screener yelling across half the airport to his supervisor, "Hey, Joe! What do I do with this package of Top Secret stuff this guy says he's carrying?"
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Mike
#98
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Ah, I have to disagree. Gate checks haven't "returned." They were always there. You can find multiple reports and similiar thread topics ("Are gate checks back?") from 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002. Gate checks aren't new; they have always been around since the inception of TSA.
Not that I agree with it.
Not that I agree with it.
Random gate checks have officially returned. The TSA Manager at SNA (one of the good airports, in my opinion) confirmed that it is a directive from DC that he would not share as SSI. According to him, they have not found any instances of items that should have been located at the checkpoint. He is doing the program because DC told him to do so as a pilot program.
#99
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,177
I have to believe (though I do not know for sure) that the rules would be similar to carrying confidential documents, which I often have to do in paper copy because they need to be signed. When my briefcase is searched, the confidential documents are sealed in a pouch marked "Privileged and Confidential -- Prepared for the Use of Counsel." The TSA may X-ray this pouch individually, but they cannot open it without a an written order from a judge (some type of warrant). I am not an attorney, so I don't know any of the law behind this, but this is what my firm's legal department tells us.
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
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I was carrying stuff well into the "Peace Dividend." Regardless, thank heaven for SIPRNET and JWICS!
#101
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
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Posts: 3,654
Couriers are still used. There are certain devices that need transporting from place to place that have to be hand-carried. According to some friends, there are also some documents that are still hand-carried, instead of being forwarded over SIPR/JWICS, that still require two-person courier teams.
#102
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
Ah, I have to disagree. Gate checks haven't "returned." They were always there. You can find multiple reports and similiar thread topics ("Are gate checks back?") from 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002. Gate checks aren't new; they have always been around since the inception of TSA.
Not that I agree with it.
Not that I agree with it.
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
Couriers are still used. There are certain devices that need transporting from place to place that have to be hand-carried. According to some friends, there are also some documents that are still hand-carried, instead of being forwarded over SIPR/JWICS, that still require two-person courier teams.
The strangest thing I had to do during that time in my life and career was to accompany two weapon control system computers for a tactical nuclear system. It was decertified and declassified, so, at least there wasn't a 2-person rule. As it was, each of the systems was contained in about 3'x'3'x6' metal box capable of withstanding small arms fire. So, each box weighed about 80lbs. The transportation shop did a great job crating them up.
So, I had to take these things, check them in, and fly from LHR to SEA on old Pan Am (nonstop), clear customs, and then fly to the contractor facility in San Diego. The NCOs had fixed me up with all the required documentation. The Customs guy started giving me a hard time about these two crates and the shipping documentation. By this time, I had about all I could take with this Customs weenie. I mustered up all the gumption of an Air Force Captain, looked him in the eye and said, "Look, pal. I don't think we have a problem smuggling high-tech INTO the country, do you???" He shut up, stamped the forms, and I was on my way to San Diego.
Geez -- I must be getting old. I'm telling war stories...
PS: Sorry -- this is a long way from gate gropes in 2009.
#104
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
What do you mean exactly?
I am going out on a limb and I will stick with my statement. While I acknowledge that there have been rare exceptions, based on my observations at various airports, and my discussion at SNA today, I believe that they have "officially returned" in a quantity which will be materially different. (Advance apologies, to you, if I am proven mistaken.)
#105
Suspended
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The use of couriers is but a fraction of what it used to be, but some of that still goes on even with commercial flights.