Actual Day 1 Experience with Trusted Traveler at DFW gates C 26-39!
Oct 4, 2011, 6:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DFW, SEA and AA in between
Programs: AA-3MM-ExPLT
Posts: 1,146
Actual Day 1 Experience with Trusted Traveler at DFW gates C 26-39!
Actual Day 1 Experience with Trusted Traveler at DFW gates C 26-39!
dramatis personae: Me (clueless at 6:40am), lots of TSOs, couple suits, very small line.
Two people ahead in the PriorityAAcess line, hand docs to the 1 striper running TDC (ith a 3 striper watching). So far I'm still clueless.
NEW: for ALL pax, TDC validated barcode on paper BP with the same scanner used for mobile BPs. Got the green light.
That apparently automatically identified me as a pilot program participant (for the record, only AA ExPlt, no other special creds, but I did opt to have my information shared with TSA when AA solicited participation).
I was told, you are using the line "over there" and directed to the far right, where a TSO eased the blue sign blocking access (which said "something or other Pilot Participants"). Clue-phone rang, penny dropped...
The TSO escorted (walked with) me the 10 feet to the dedicated x-ray and WTMD while he informed me that I did not need to remove shoes (plus there were two floor signs) and that I did not need to remove my laptop (it's one of the TSA approved unzipables, so I did so anyway out of habit).
Clearing the WTMD, there were a dozen suits taking pictures and monitoring. The lady with the big camera realized there was a Pax waiting for his bags at the x-ray and says "oh" and quickly brings up the camera. I asked her if I was the first, she said "No, first day".
Very smooth. OMG it worked?
dramatis personae: Me (clueless at 6:40am), lots of TSOs, couple suits, very small line.
Two people ahead in the PriorityAAcess line, hand docs to the 1 striper running TDC (ith a 3 striper watching). So far I'm still clueless.
NEW: for ALL pax, TDC validated barcode on paper BP with the same scanner used for mobile BPs. Got the green light.
That apparently automatically identified me as a pilot program participant (for the record, only AA ExPlt, no other special creds, but I did opt to have my information shared with TSA when AA solicited participation).
I was told, you are using the line "over there" and directed to the far right, where a TSO eased the blue sign blocking access (which said "something or other Pilot Participants"). Clue-phone rang, penny dropped...
The TSO escorted (walked with) me the 10 feet to the dedicated x-ray and WTMD while he informed me that I did not need to remove shoes (plus there were two floor signs) and that I did not need to remove my laptop (it's one of the TSA approved unzipables, so I did so anyway out of habit).
Clearing the WTMD, there were a dozen suits taking pictures and monitoring. The lady with the big camera realized there was a Pax waiting for his bags at the x-ray and says "oh" and quickly brings up the camera. I asked her if I was the first, she said "No, first day".
Very smooth. OMG it worked?
Oct 4, 2011, 11:13 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
And there are some other added benefits to being in the TT program, as I understand.
Oct 4, 2011, 11:14 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
Actual Day 1 Experience with Trusted Traveler at DFW gates C 26-39!
dramatis personae: Me (clueless at 6:40am), lots of TSOs, couple suits, very small line.
Two people ahead in the PriorityAAcess line, hand docs to the 1 striper running TDC (ith a 3 striper watching). So far I'm still clueless.
NEW: for ALL pax, TDC validated barcode on paper BP with the same scanner used for mobile BPs. Got the green light.
That apparently automatically identified me as a pilot program participant (for the record, only AA ExPlt, no other special creds, but I did opt to have my information shared with TSA when AA solicited participation).
I was told, you are using the line "over there" and directed to the far right, where a TSO eased the blue sign blocking access (which said "something or other Pilot Participants"). Clue-phone rang, penny dropped...
The TSO escorted (walked with) me the 10 feet to the dedicated x-ray and WTMD while he informed me that I did not need to remove shoes (plus there were two floor signs) and that I did not need to remove my laptop (it's one of the TSA approved unzipables, so I did so anyway out of habit).
Clearing the WTMD, there were a dozen suits taking pictures and monitoring. The lady with the big camera realized there was a Pax waiting for his bags at the x-ray and says "oh" and quickly brings up the camera. I asked her if I was the first, she said "No, first day".
Very smooth. OMG it worked?
dramatis personae: Me (clueless at 6:40am), lots of TSOs, couple suits, very small line.
Two people ahead in the PriorityAAcess line, hand docs to the 1 striper running TDC (ith a 3 striper watching). So far I'm still clueless.
NEW: for ALL pax, TDC validated barcode on paper BP with the same scanner used for mobile BPs. Got the green light.
That apparently automatically identified me as a pilot program participant (for the record, only AA ExPlt, no other special creds, but I did opt to have my information shared with TSA when AA solicited participation).
I was told, you are using the line "over there" and directed to the far right, where a TSO eased the blue sign blocking access (which said "something or other Pilot Participants"). Clue-phone rang, penny dropped...
The TSO escorted (walked with) me the 10 feet to the dedicated x-ray and WTMD while he informed me that I did not need to remove shoes (plus there were two floor signs) and that I did not need to remove my laptop (it's one of the TSA approved unzipables, so I did so anyway out of habit).
Clearing the WTMD, there were a dozen suits taking pictures and monitoring. The lady with the big camera realized there was a Pax waiting for his bags at the x-ray and says "oh" and quickly brings up the camera. I asked her if I was the first, she said "No, first day".
Very smooth. OMG it worked?
Oct 4, 2011, 4:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
This is still the pilot program, so things can eventually change when the policy goes national, but officially as of now you can leave your LGAs in the bag. But for this I don't expect a change.
And there are some other added benefits to being in the TT program, as I understand.
And there are some other added benefits to being in the TT program, as I understand.
Oct 4, 2011, 6:49 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
I love the part about keeping my shoes on, but unfortunately my travel shoes have enough metal that they alarm the WTMD. Looks like if this program grows, I will have to buy some new shoes that are WTMD-friendly.
Oct 4, 2011, 6:58 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
Every place I go, they alarm. Most often the screeners look at my shoes, suggest that I take them off and leave them on the 'sterile' side of the WTMD and come back through. Some just look at my shoes, ask 'Aerosoles?' and smile. (I am not referring to TSA, obviously)
(By the way, I did toss those annoying shoes and am back to my beloved GEOX which don't annoy any WTMDs)
Oct 4, 2011, 9:18 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DFW, SEA and AA in between
Programs: AA-3MM-ExPLT
Posts: 1,146
Oct 4, 2011, 9:25 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DFW, SEA and AA in between
Programs: AA-3MM-ExPLT
Posts: 1,146
Oct 5, 2011, 5:35 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 553
Oct 5, 2011, 7:07 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DFW, SEA and AA in between
Programs: AA-3MM-ExPLT
Posts: 1,146
Oct 5, 2011, 1:55 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
From what I am gathering there is no reasoning of how someone that was invited to the program has been approved. It also seems you will know if you have been selected the next time you fly out of DFW or MIA (AA) or ATL (DL). I guess I won't find out until I fly out of MIA in December.
Oct 5, 2011, 2:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,331
First, I do not think it has to be anywhere close to 75% of the passengers. Not even close at all.
Prior to RBS beginning, I read many post here, written in dismay, at the "anything for security" attitude much of the general public ALREADY held. Add to that the general, with a few exceptions, responses FT members received when contacting their Congressmen/women. Very few here can be said to be happy at the responses the received. And all this prior to RBS.
I wonder if the "75%" figure you came up with is greatly influenced by your personal wishes and/or beliefs, without looking at this in a practical way? Not trying to be mean, just realistic.
Add to that general attitude of anything for security the beginning of RBS and all that is coming (the Trusted Travel program is simply a first SMALL step) and it should be pretty clear what will happen on the PR front.
People on this site seem to let their anger get the best of them. They read a story of someone being "abused" at an airport during the screening process, and lets state that for the purposes of this conversation its true. And they claim this is the beginning of the end. I've read such post for a few years now. But it never turns out that way, does it? The general anything for security continues, and sure, some people in our country have shift their attitudes, but we both know not nearly enough. And time has a way of shifting attitudes, of making people more accepting - you know this too; may not like it, but you know it.
When I learned of all the things that Pistole has planned for RBS, I was both shocked and happy. And I knew right away that he was operating on many levels. One, he better understand security and knows from a practical side what needs to be done regarding screening of people and property. Two, he understood the PR side of screening, and what his changes will affect in our country.
I will state this, if TT was the only thing coming/happening, I would agree, it wouldn't do too much. But thats not the case.
Prior to RBS beginning, I read many post here, written in dismay, at the "anything for security" attitude much of the general public ALREADY held. Add to that the general, with a few exceptions, responses FT members received when contacting their Congressmen/women. Very few here can be said to be happy at the responses the received. And all this prior to RBS.
I wonder if the "75%" figure you came up with is greatly influenced by your personal wishes and/or beliefs, without looking at this in a practical way? Not trying to be mean, just realistic.
Add to that general attitude of anything for security the beginning of RBS and all that is coming (the Trusted Travel program is simply a first SMALL step) and it should be pretty clear what will happen on the PR front.
People on this site seem to let their anger get the best of them. They read a story of someone being "abused" at an airport during the screening process, and lets state that for the purposes of this conversation its true. And they claim this is the beginning of the end. I've read such post for a few years now. But it never turns out that way, does it? The general anything for security continues, and sure, some people in our country have shift their attitudes, but we both know not nearly enough. And time has a way of shifting attitudes, of making people more accepting - you know this too; may not like it, but you know it.
When I learned of all the things that Pistole has planned for RBS, I was both shocked and happy. And I knew right away that he was operating on many levels. One, he better understand security and knows from a practical side what needs to be done regarding screening of people and property. Two, he understood the PR side of screening, and what his changes will affect in our country.
I will state this, if TT was the only thing coming/happening, I would agree, it wouldn't do too much. But thats not the case.
If so, then you can drop the R from the program's name.
Oct 5, 2011, 2:55 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
Does this RBS program still put the onus on the traveler to PROVE to TSA in advance that they are not a risk, rather than the TSA proving that they ARE before being permitted to implement invasive search methodology on the traveler?
If so, then you can drop the R from the program's name.
If so, then you can drop the R from the program's name.