Hand searches by security of AA.
 

Two month ago I was travelling on AA from CDG to JFK for just two days.I just wanted to have dinner and some shopping. So I just had hand baggage and some newspapers and some school books in a paper bag. I was also wearing some good clothes and was shaved and so on

Before I could check-in I was asked by the security officer the typical questions like where I will stay, what I will do in the US and so on. Then the agent went away with German passport and returned five minutes ago with another officer who took me to a private cabin and asked all the questions again. They searched my bags and my camera and found nothing. Finally another agent checked in for me and one of the security guys took my passport and ticket through the next security check where my bags were x-rayed. I liked that because I didn´t had to queue the long line and was accompied to the gate and the security officer even boarded with me as the first passenger even before the elites!

I felt very unhappy with this situation as I felt like a prisoner. But I think I couldn´t a voucher or something else from AA for this treatment.What´s your opinion?

I think security should be high but this went too far in my opinion.

And I´m wondering who is searched like this and why the officers even boarded with me?
Any other FTérs who got this "special treatment"?

Tim

P.S. Sorry if my English languages skills are not that great....

I think that the airport security staff did the right thing.

Your travel profile is very unusual, and after the attempted bombing, of course CDG security will be on edge.

So after checking you thoroughly, CDG security did its best to reduce the delay by clearing you through the gate quickly. The escort, besides to make up for the delay, is to prevent a third party from approaching you after you clear security.

I think AA/CDG security did the right thing under the circumstances.

This happened before the attempted bombing and I had over one hour after the security search. I don´t blame the staff but it´s not a very good feeling. I hope you understand this.

Tim

Ooops, I missed the "2 months ago" part.

And yes, in your position I'd be pretty frustrated and unhappy as well. I would probably deal with it same as a mechanical delay.

Pretty unhappy about the delay, but understand the airline is doing what they need to do.

American Airlines again? Same airline that evicted a government agent based on racial profiling...

They are pretty good at humiliating their passengers, eh?

I hope this gave you a lesson, pick another airline that has more common sense! Boycott AA!

Oh, please. Boycott AA? How ridiculous.

These days, everyone who falls outside the parameters of normal travel is subject to intense scrutiny. As it should be. I am grateful that the airlines are cooperating with the security needed to get us all through a very tough time.

As for racial profiling, you can say it all day long,over and over, but that doesn't make it true. But please don't allow me to inadvertantly knock the chip off your shoulder.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic, but if you aren't, consider that Tim2008 wasn't denied boarding. They even made up for some time he lost getting through security. Especially for an international flight, I don't think that's such a bad thing.

The problem is grilling someone about "paperwork" when you know **** well the person is a Secret Service agent, albeit one of Arab descent.

Guten Tag Freund!

Your English is just fine. Don't be bashful about using it on FT http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Well, while I feel bad for Tim's treatment, let's look at it this way:

2 months ago = October/November. Effects of 9-11 still fresh in everyone's mind.

A non-American male with tickets from Europe to JFK (site of the WTC bombing) planning to enter the U.S. and stay for ONLY 2 days (most folks coming from Europe stay longer), with NO checked luggage and only a "paper bag" with school books in it?

If I were a security guard with any sense, THAT should be ringing some bells. Again, obviously there was nothing there, but that profile SHOULD make someone suspicious.

Tim, I would imagine if you were coming to the U.S. for 1 or 2 weeks, with 1 or 2 items of checked baggage, and maybe a carry-on bag instead of a paper bag, you wouldn't have triggered the security. That having been said, it sounds like you were treated well and were expedited boarding as a result. Not bad.

This is the type of thing that security SHOULD be looking at, rather than having totally random searches and pointless National Guardsmen doing nothing at checkpoints...

- Sameer