IAH - Term E - Security Line
 

Went through the main security lines at Terminal E this morning.

The machine on the right is some new technology. They had me do things like remove my belt (which I never do) as well as put my paper boarding pass in my bag rather than leave in my shirt pocket.

In the machine, you have to turn 90 deg, put your hands above your head (and of course, then 'can you do it higher') and then step out and wait for the answer. In my case, I failed and got the pat-down (first time in maybe over a year).

This machine may have been there for a while - I don't know and have never noticed it myself. Since the Elite check-in/bag-drop/entrance is on the left side, I rarely if ever move to the right (today there were two families in front of me but the other machines all had 1 or 2 people).

Just a heads up - I'm going to avoid this machine if I at all can.

Smart move. That is the "strip search" machine where the TSA folks are looking at you essentially naked:
http://www.tsa.gov/blog/uploaded_ima...rge-769935.jpg
(click for larger version)

I'm surprised you failed; I wonder if it is just a training issue.

it sucks because you suposedly can't have ANYTHING in your pockets

they said to me "remove your wallet" , I said "I dont have any" , "so what is it in your pocket" .....then I remove some money...........

very hard to do as there is no real visual que of 'you are ok' or not......


my wife and I came together through security , she went in the usual line, I did not notice the difference and stepped into the 'wrong' line

it took me so long she thought they were holding me for something and she went straight into the PC terminal E :D

Time to start going through the C security connector.

See-thru Security
 

Next time I am at IAH, I will be sure to take my medication before, so that they can get their fill of my imitation of Woody Woodpecker, the most excitement those overpaid nerds of nepotism will see in their day of drudgery.

actually the one you are TOLD to imitate is Mickey Mouse, you know, 'raise your hands, palms facing the machine......like Mickey Mouse.........'

I did have a handkerchief in one of my pockets........

Or just say no. You are allowed to decline the strip search in exchange for a proper groping.

I saw one of these in use at ABQ a month ago, and the time it took for each person to get the OK to proceed to picking up their belongings was ridiculous. This is a MUCH slower method than the current screening, not to mention the privacy issues it brings up.

2 weeks ago in E, the lines to the left were long, so we headed to the right. As I was unpacking my bag, I saw the machine & grabbed my stuff & said to my wife "lets move over". The agent was a total biotch and told us that "once you're in this line, you have to stay here." I asked why and she told me that's the procedure, with an attitude. The was very agressive when she told us to remove our belts and such. Then the guy in fron tof me kept having issues with the machine & another agent told us to move to another line. I was a being smart, and said "but the mean lady over there said we cannot leave this line once we're here" as I pointed to her and said it loud enough for the original lady to hear. Neither of them said anything as we shifted lines, but I my wife was going to KILL me.

women!

who can possibly understand them?

never ending complaining about everything and then WHEN we do something or even SAY something we get the 'why do you have to be a pain?' look

geesh

is that what we call the upstairs checkpoint that NO ONE is ever at?

Oh, I wish it were only a look. I got an ear full all the way to the PC. Unfortunately, it was an 8AM flight, so I couldn't get her wine to make her forget or get some amaretto for myself.

I try to avoid all the TSA toys like the plague.

I've successfully avoided the failed air puffer machines, and now this hands in the air machine. I'd trade the stick 'em up, for the ability to keep my shoes on, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.

The only one I did like was the Analogix cat scan carry on scanner at CLE. Sadly, the TSA folks didn't have the sense of urgency needed to make it work, so they ripped the machine out.

Despite the best efforts of CO's government relations and CLE Ops to keep it, as many pax loved not having to remove liquids or laptops from carry on bags for screening.

Good for you! That's total BS what that agent said. People switch lanes all the time.

If my husband had said what you did, I probably would have started laughing and got us both in trouble.:p

If we don't get bullied by the TSA or any other type of 'rent a cop'/obey me or else/minimum wage type........we get the look/scream/etc from the Mrs.

Oh the life of a married man. So its 1:47 @ Michigan, 11:47 at home.......at its 7:48 PM @ London (or in other words , past 5 oclock 'somewhere' over the Atlantic).....this story made me remember about 5 different 'incidents'......time for a beer :p

Yes. However, it's a catch-22 because there are only 2 lines it can at times get pretty backed up.

+1

whooooa cowboy! that's quite a generalization there!

Remember, you have the right to refuse an examination by the machine regardless of what line you're in. If the machine is in use and you refuse, you get a patdown, but it's better than an X-ray while some doofus in the back room saves your picture to upload on the Internet later.

If you refuse and a screener gives you a hard time, immediately escalate to the supervisor and screening manager - and demand they call the airline Ground Security Coordinator to assist in the escalation if they continue harassing you.

Remember - beyond denying you access to the sterile area, TSA employees are absolutely powerless. The only power they have is what you grant them.

I like others have mentioned think these talk way longer than the regular lines and means you have to take off more. I am so wanting to just walk through with my briefs one day.

:eek: