Ask a TSO a question...
Dec 27, 2009 | 12:31 am
#76
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 381
"What kind of training do ID-checking TSOs receive?
I'm on an unlucky streak of nobody recognizing my NEXUS card as valid ID over the past month or two, and given that it's at the very top of the list of acceptable IDs I'm really curious whether there's extensive training on what's allowable or if the TSA just hands the ID checker a blacklight and says "only let passports and drivers licenses through"
I'd be particularly interested to know if there's a document kept at the checkpoints I can refer clueless ID checkers to so they can validate that my NEXUS card really is a legit ID..."
I'm on an unlucky streak of nobody recognizing my NEXUS card as valid ID over the past month or two, and given that it's at the very top of the list of acceptable IDs I'm really curious whether there's extensive training on what's allowable or if the TSA just hands the ID checker a blacklight and says "only let passports and drivers licenses through"
I'd be particularly interested to know if there's a document kept at the checkpoints I can refer clueless ID checkers to so they can validate that my NEXUS card really is a legit ID..."
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...documents.shtm
You can be sure that their training is minimal. You need to look at an ID far longer than the 10-15 seconds they do to check for fraudulent IDs. The FBI has complete labs and technicians to do this but you still won't get an answer back in 10-15 seconds.
Dec 27, 2009 | 3:18 am
#78
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 576
That would be a hard question to answer. If it was based upon their system many of the TSOs would never know. I have not worked with any Isaeli security but it would be interesting to have a open discussion with them.
Dec 27, 2009 | 11:31 am
#80
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,496
There are certain elements of the systems that are similiar, but I can find no concrete info stating that TSA is modeled after the Israeli security system in place at TLV. Certain aspects of our society would most likely not allow that type of a security enviorn to develop here. The people living in Israel grow up with a much more intense exposure to varying forms of terrorism and attacks than we do here. Again, long winded way of saying I can find nothing that says that.
Dec 27, 2009 | 4:46 pm
#81
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Phoenix AZ
Programs: US UA AA DL CO
Posts: 326
Does your picture on your license HAVE to look like you?
I'm curious that they ID checker makes sure the ID is legit, not expired, and matches the boarding pass. However, they only glance at me for a second or two. In my opinion, my DL picture doesn't really look like me anymore. And passport photos are even worse.
What does an ID checker do if they don't think the face matches the ID?
What does an ID checker do if they don't think the face matches the ID?
Dec 27, 2009 | 4:55 pm
#82
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,496
I'm curious that they ID checker makes sure the ID is legit, not expired, and matches the boarding pass. However, they only glance at me for a second or two. In my opinion, my DL picture doesn't really look like me anymore. And passport photos are even worse.
What does an ID checker do if they don't think the face matches the ID?
What does an ID checker do if they don't think the face matches the ID?
).
Dec 29, 2009 | 9:32 am
#83
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
screening of tsa employees at the wtmd
i dropped off goalie-parents this morning (12/29/09) at sfo and observed the following while waiting for them to clear security at 5:10am
upon reading the redacted sop manual (which according to the tsa is outdated
), i saw this under "4.3. SPECIALIZED CHECKPOINT SCREENING PROCEDURES":
so with the above, my big (n.b. big) concern in the non-screening of tso's when they report for work. i have no problem with a once screened tso entering and exiting the secure area "for a reasonable period of time" without being re-screened but not at the start of their shift so if you are at liberty, could you share what is supposed to happen as i am going to contact the media and show them my cell phone video as i'm sorry "but that ain't right"
- 3 separate groups of 5 uniformed and badged tso's reported for work
- each group of 5 tso's went thru the wtmd separately and approximately 5 minutes apart from each other
- some showed their i/d's and some did not and the wtmd gate keeper did not even glance a look at the i/d's (and one i/d was even facing backwards-trust me, i spotted it and watched this person on purpose)
- every (n.b. every) tso alarmed but was not stopped for secondary screening
upon reading the redacted sop manual (which according to the tsa is outdated
), i saw this under "4.3. SPECIALIZED CHECKPOINT SCREENING PROCEDURES":
4.3.13. TSA PERSONNEL
A. TSOs who enter the sterile area through the screening checkpoint must undergo screening at the beginning of their shift. TSOs who exit the screening checkpoint to perform work within the scope of their screening duties (such as assisting with passengers or collecting divest bins) need not be rescreened upon reentering the screening checkpoint. Where the FSD has waived TSO rescreening, TSOs who leave the screening checkpoint area and are completely out of sight for rest breaks, lunch, etc. need not be rescreened upon returning to the screening checkpoint after presenting their TSA employee ID or local airport ID for review by a TSO or designated TSA representative. However, where the FSD has elected to waive TSO rescreening, the FSD must implement random screening of TSOs returning from breaks.
A. TSOs who enter the sterile area through the screening checkpoint must undergo screening at the beginning of their shift. TSOs who exit the screening checkpoint to perform work within the scope of their screening duties (such as assisting with passengers or collecting divest bins) need not be rescreened upon reentering the screening checkpoint. Where the FSD has waived TSO rescreening, TSOs who leave the screening checkpoint area and are completely out of sight for rest breaks, lunch, etc. need not be rescreened upon returning to the screening checkpoint after presenting their TSA employee ID or local airport ID for review by a TSO or designated TSA representative. However, where the FSD has elected to waive TSO rescreening, the FSD must implement random screening of TSOs returning from breaks.
Last edited by goalie; Dec 29, 2009 at 9:39 am
Dec 29, 2009 | 11:13 am
#84
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: TSA TSO
Posts: 455
Even some of the guys in TSA BOS wanted to give a go with having TSO do behavior detection and it was given the green light as a pilot and eventually rolled out nationwide after HQ considered it a good idea.
AFAIK, BDOs are the only Israeli security inspired concept. Everything else is more or less based off of ICAO standards which has been the norm.
If we were based off Israeli security then we'd have those pressure chambers to toss baggage into that they use to set off bombs that use barometer as the switch.
Jan 1, 2010 | 9:10 am
#85
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,496
i dropped off goalie-parents this morning (12/29/09) at sfo and observed the following while waiting for them to clear security at 5:10am
upon reading the redacted sop manual (which according to the tsa is outdated), i saw this under "4.3. SPECIALIZED CHECKPOINT SCREENING PROCEDURES":
so with the above, my big (n.b. big) concern in the non-screening of tso's when they report for work. i have no problem with a once screened tso entering and exiting the secure area "for a reasonable period of time" without being re-screened but not at the start of their shift so if you are at liberty, could you share what is supposed to happen as i am going to contact the media and show them my cell phone video as i'm sorry "but that ain't right"
- 3 separate groups of 5 uniformed and badged tso's reported for work
- each group of 5 tso's went thru the wtmd separately and approximately 5 minutes apart from each other
- some showed their i/d's and some did not and the wtmd gate keeper did not even glance a look at the i/d's (and one i/d was even facing backwards-trust me, i spotted it and watched this person on purpose)
- every (n.b. every) tso alarmed but was not stopped for secondary screening
upon reading the redacted sop manual (which according to the tsa is outdated
), i saw this under "4.3. SPECIALIZED CHECKPOINT SCREENING PROCEDURES":so with the above, my big (n.b. big) concern in the non-screening of tso's when they report for work. i have no problem with a once screened tso entering and exiting the secure area "for a reasonable period of time" without being re-screened but not at the start of their shift so if you are at liberty, could you share what is supposed to happen as i am going to contact the media and show them my cell phone video as i'm sorry "but that ain't right"
Jan 1, 2010 | 9:33 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,971
Well, SPOT/BDO started here in BOS as a pilot. Mind you, after 9/11, Massport hired Rafi Ron who started training the Troop F (the Mass. State Police Troop for BOS) troopers in behavior detection and profiling of the Israeli model minus the added racial profiling part.
Even some of the guys in TSA BOS wanted to give a go with having TSO do behavior detection and it was given the green light as a pilot and eventually rolled out nationwide after HQ considered it a good idea.
AFAIK, BDOs are the only Israeli security inspired concept. Everything else is more or less based off of ICAO standards which has been the norm.
If we were based off Israeli security then we'd have those pressure chambers to toss baggage into that they use to set off bombs that use barometer as the switch.
Even some of the guys in TSA BOS wanted to give a go with having TSO do behavior detection and it was given the green light as a pilot and eventually rolled out nationwide after HQ considered it a good idea.
AFAIK, BDOs are the only Israeli security inspired concept. Everything else is more or less based off of ICAO standards which has been the norm.
If we were based off Israeli security then we'd have those pressure chambers to toss baggage into that they use to set off bombs that use barometer as the switch.
Jan 1, 2010 | 10:32 am
#87
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
I don't have anything to give you on this except - The SOP posted online IS actually outdated. As for the monitoring of credentials, that is supposed to happen at all times. All persons entering the checkpoint/SIDA area are supposed to show their ID material to the entry control personnel. If you observed soemthing that you think is not being done correctly, then you should report it to the FSD staff at that airport. I am certain the contact numbers for SFO are available... I can't find it right this second and I am about to get to work, however Covenant Security has a contact number for SFO, and I am certain that they can give you the TSA contact number for that airport. The number for Covenant is 1.800.335.1454. I am not certain what I can discuss about the screening/not screening other than it began on 9/11 when we changed the uniform and has been in effect since. I hope that the above info helps you!
i get a response back