I was at dinner the other night and asked a couple of friends why they did not visit family in Europe for the holidays this year. They said that after last year's experience, they had to take a year off. Last year, they left Manhattan four hours before their once-a-day TATL flight on CO, only to have their cab get stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel for over two hours due to a wreck.

At EWR, they got to the insane security line 45 minutes before departure. A TSA guy told them the line would take 45-60 minutes to clear. At that point, they went searching for a helpful CO EWR employee (don't worry, none was found) to assist them navigating the security line. I believe the exact answer they finally received was "it's not my problem" (even though no seats were available on CO to their destination for three days). They then ran back to the TSA guy they originally had spoken to. He told them there was nothing he could do.

Walking away, convinced they would miss their flight and possibly their entire trip, they were approached by another TSA employee who told them that if they would "help her", she would help them. She took them to the front of the line, apparently, with many knowing glances from other TSA employees, who must have gotten a cut of this woman's, um, initiative. After they cleared security, she went to shake my friend's hand, and they passed her $50.

While bribery is horrible, not to mention illegal, I wonder who would not take that deal - pay $50 to get through security to hedge against a completely ruined vacation.

Although no bad story about EWR really is that surprising, this seemed to be a new low. Perhaps I've missed a few threads, but I've never heard of someone having to commit a crime to catch their flight at EWR.

A couple of questions:

- Can't CO do something to help people on the verge of missing their flights through the security line? I'm assuming they can as I have seen it happen at IAH. Hell, even Air France did it for me (without my having to ask) in Paris when I had about 20 minutes to get a once-a-day connecting flight.

- Has anyone in a bind been approached by a TSA employee with a similar offer?

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I have regularly 'expedited' through security to the front of the U.S. immigration line in NAS by 'tipping' a skycap. Once, one told me straight out that I needed to 'tip' him sufficiently, because every airport employee we passed along the way (including security) gets a cut. Flame me if you will, but that's how it works there. Sometimes I think the whole country runs on tips. Never had any idea the same thing could happen in a U.S. airport with TSA. Truly astonishing.

Sounds like they are learning form the political parties.

Nope....I guess none of them relish the prospect of heading to a Federal Prison.

should be Arrested !! By your own words you said "They bribed the TSA" ! They are the problem by offering according to you a "Bribe" ! Others have called it a tip, which I agree that it is.. So I'll tip (no, not your friends) & your friends can wait for their cavity search.

If that's not a case for using the midtown/downtown heliport...I don't know what is!

I've gotten stuck in mid-town traffic, jammed in the tunnel, and circled the island repeatedly by a new shuttle driver who didn't speak English. While EWR to Manhatten is only 45 min plus depending on traffic, 4 hours is cutting it close to get from Man to EWR, especially if it is a 1/day flight. Too many variables.

But- I don't fly out of there every week, only 4-6 times a year. Maybe others are more comfortable.

I do, however, always fly CO out of EWR, as they have repeatedly assisted me in the above mentioned problems. And it seems like something always happens, regardless of cab, shuttle, friend. (haven't tried the helo) Never had to bribe. With my luck, I'd end up on "Cops" or something.

Wouldn't the trains be faster?

Wow, that is a massive no-go for Federal employees as I have had briefed to me ad nauseum. I've had the TSA steal from my bag, take Federal property from me at a checkpoint, and generally treat me like dirt (Apparently a serving soldier is likely to be a terrorist), but this is definitely up there.

Don't quite understand the complaint here.

So, the OP's friends were late. They appeared to pay for an expiate service to get to the front of the line faster. Happens every day (yes even here in the US) for airport security, a table at a restaurant, etc. It happens.

If folks don't think this happens every day, you�re kidding yourself.

There is actually a paid service here in NYC to get you through the airport faster and go to the front of the security line where the guys bully up front and get away with it. Don't think for a second they just get away with this. It happens because someone is obviously getting a cut.

As someone who flies through NAS 10-15 times a year I would like to know what you are talking about. First off Co does not have skycap's at NAS and any person that helps you is a local. They need to check you in and once that happens you will then go to the line with everyone else. If they somehow can move you to the front of that line you still need to go through security and metal detectors before you get to immigration. At that point no sky cap is allowed and they cannot help you. I have already been through NAS 4 time since November and the situation you talk about does not exist.

Tips, bribes ...alll are the same. I know a TSA officer who regurlarly 'takes care of me' because he used to work in security where I work. Coming from Europe, this tipping 'culture amazes me' - by and large it constitutes a bribe as lack of tipping would generally otherwise result in a poorer service so one is bribing to get better.

I think the key part of the above statement is the word after. If they had paid before going through security, it would have been a bribe. Since they were already cleared through, giving anything to the employee was an optional tip. I'm pretty oblivious to these kind of things and wouldn't have had the cash in hand to do a handshake tip. I probably would have just shaken their hand with a profuse Thank You! and gone on my way.

The passengers and TSA employee had an implicit agreement that money was expected to change hands if the employee was to help the passengers cheat the line (and everyone in it). It doesn't matter if it happened before or after the cheat.

The TSA employee should be prosecuted and fired. Your friends put convenience ahead of ethics. A lot of people do it and it's not right. A lot of the problems in the United States right now is that people feel like they can "cheat the system". It really doesn't matter how small or trivial the "cheat" is, it all adds up. It's low class on the part of your friends, and a Federal crime on the part of the TSA employee. Plain and simple. This is not how most Americans want our Federal government to work. We all have gripes w/ the TSA, but if we make the system a bribable one, that's even worse. I can't believe there are people out there who can justify it - it just goes to show the sleaziness of some. Too bad we can't expel them from the USA for cheating. For everone one of these creeps we expel, we could make available a work visa for an immigrant who will come here, play by the rules (or get expeled), and do jobs we won't. Unfortunately, we're stuck with your ethics-challenged friends.

Earlier this month, I was late for a connection in Miami. The TSA line at CO's concourse is always a mess when I go through there. I got up to the front of the line by showing people my boarding pass and loudly (and somewhat pathetically) saying I'm late and asking their understanding. I had no problem gettting to the front in less than 30 seconds or so. Even the guy just getting to the scanner pushed his bag and tray back so I could cut in front after hearing me coming his way (I hadn't even intended on asking him to cut since he was already there). People will (albeit some grudgingly) let you though if you ask. You don't have to cheat.

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A little off-topic but anyone coming from Manhattan that has anything less than a massive amount of luggage is setting themselves up for disaster if they take a cab. NJ Transit trains are fast, cheap, reliable, and the hands-down best choice to get to EWR from New York and from a ton of places in Jersey.