Random Security Checks
 

Has anyone else noticed how much more intense the Random Security Checks are? Last weekend I had to open my pants and have the ole' crotch area patted down, twice in the same day! In three of my last four trips, I have been chosen for the Random Security checks more than once in the same day...

I am really starting to grow weary of all this.....sorry for the venting.

The worst part is you are delayed boarding the flight...so much for pre-boarding priveleges. And usually all the overhead space is gone by the time I get on...Sigh!

Maybe word is starting to get around about your...ummm...crotch. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Thanks, Kanderna,

I wanted to say it, but I restrained myself!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by RKG (edited 03-06-2002).]

kcnwgold, which airport(s)?

Many are aware that the new DTW is quickly earning a reputation for assaulting/molesting female travellers in the name of "security".

I have experienced this at MCI, DUL, MSP, LAS and LAX. I flew through DTW the day the new airport opened and didn't have anyone stop me at all.

The "random" security checks, though inconvenient and bothersome to some, are extremely helpful and important to the safety of everyone.

Several days ago a gentleman was boarding a flight from DTW to STL. He had a small carryon bag which he brought through security and also a checked bag.

He was "randomly" selected and sent to the screening table. He was quite beligerent about being targeted because of his ethnicity. All I can say is that he appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent.

At first he refused to open his bag but as he stood there he realized he had to cooperate.

In his bag were two glasses, two rags, a bottle of lighter fluid and a lighter! The security people confiscated the lighter fluid and the lighter and only after he boarded did they mention what he had in his bag.

Immediately the red flags went up. We went down to ask him to come off the plane and talk to the FBI but he wasn't sitting in his assigned seat. We saw him in a seat further back and asked him to come with us. He said we had the wrong person. Again we asked him to come off the plane. He said no. I explained that he should come off the plane immediately with his carryon bag or he would be escorted off by the authorities. He then said he had no carry-on!

After going round and round for about 5 minutes he reluctantly stood up and took his carry-on out of the bin.

His checked piece of luggage was removed from the plane and he was escorted away by the FBI.

Now, had he not been "randomly" selected by the computer, he would have gotten on the plane and who knows what could have happened! His behavior was quite out of the ordinary, seeing as he changed seats when he got on, said he didn't have any carry-on luggage, etc.

To make a short story long, the random security checks are sometimes bothersome, but they are quite helpful and important.

P.S. I'd like to know why the T.S.A. screeners did not catch the lighter and can of lighter fluid at the X-ray machine!

PARSpro-

Thank you for your story....however, I don't know if I should be more concerned over the many security checks that should have stopped this individual from getting on the plane that didn't do their job. Why didn't the first security screening catch the items this individual had? Why didn't the screener at the gate looking at all of the paraphanalia and think molatov cocktail? (sp?) For me, that just goes to show that the new security is really not working.

What if the screeners hadn't decided to chat after this flight was boarded? This guy shouldn't have got as far as he did.

I have changed the way I dress so I don't wear clothes that require a belt and I don't have metal anywhere on my body. I put all change, my wallet, watch in my carry-on until I arrive at my destination. Not being able to make the wand beep seems to upset the screeners more than if it does beep...to the point where now they want me to pull down my pants to inspect....I just don't get it.

I also don't like the fact that the security screeners are patting many people down without changing the rubber gloves between each passenger. God knows what that individual is carrying to my person from anyone they have touched before.

I will continue to fly but I will not be enjoying the new rent-a-cop's going through my things at every connecting point and patting me down just because I don't beep.

Just my thought on all of this mess....

KCNWGOLD

If the United froum weren't down now, you could go into a thread concerning wine removed from checked luggage and read about all sorts of prohibited (and "prohibited") items.

It appears at some airports, screeners are confiscating liquor, claiming it's flammable. Of course, it's regularly served on board the plane, but try explaining that.

Allowing lighter fluid through the checkpoint (same screeners, BTW. TSA has just taken over management for right now) is pretty weak.

Because they are all federal employees now, who have made the entire aviation system so much safer for all of us. Thank you, Tom Daschle!

I was one of only 8 revenue passengers on the 6am ATL-DTW flight last week and ALL EIGHT of us were *randomly* selected for screening.

Not yet. In most cases, the feds are now the overseers of the contracts with the screening companies. Used to be that the airlines maintained those contracts.



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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm gettting there fast.

Does anyone know how they choose people for security screening prior to the flight? I'm OnePass Platinum, and I've flown 22 segments on Northwest this year; and I got put on the list for screening almost every time. Someone once told me that if you change your seat, you're automatically flagged; does being upgraded count? I don't get it, I don't fit any profile and the CSRs can't explain it either.

I believe Gordo calls it "Enhancement"...if they flag all of you plats then they only have to pick a few of us Silvers to make up the rest of the "Selectee" quota

by eye. It doesn't involve a computer. In >80% of cases it is the first person up, yesterday I was selected while 3rd in line from the agent.

To avoid being selected simply hang back until they are busy then march up and go!

Seems like profiling would have worked too.