Shoes vs. Bins
Jun 7, 2010, 5:19 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
TSA should NEVER handle your items prior to their entering the x-ray. In order to prevent them from doing so, I maintain control of all my items until the belt moves them into the x-ray. On occasion, a TSO tries to be helpful and re-arrange my items. I usually interpret this as a genuine attempt to help me, but I try and politely point out that some of the items are fragile, and I would rather leave things as they are.
On one occasion I had a TSO get smarmy and forcibly move my things around. I loudly stated, "do not touch my possessions, please!" She replied, "fine, but you are going to pay for this, you stupid idiot" and proceeded to make me go through secondary screening. Fortunately, in this case, the Sup was standing right there, and made her apologize to me.
In general, once I assert I want my shoes in the bin, the TSO usually relents.
On one occasion I had a TSO get smarmy and forcibly move my things around. I loudly stated, "do not touch my possessions, please!" She replied, "fine, but you are going to pay for this, you stupid idiot" and proceeded to make me go through secondary screening. Fortunately, in this case, the Sup was standing right there, and made her apologize to me.
In general, once I assert I want my shoes in the bin, the TSO usually relents.
Jun 7, 2010, 6:39 pm
#33
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 255
It is confusing at each airport ir seems to be different.
Then you go to Europe and in FRA they request that I do NOT take off my shoes even though I know they will set off the metal detector. They insist I walk through the xray, get pulled aside and wanded (surprise the shoes set off the wand) go over and take off the shoes, want my feet and put the shoes through the xray machine.
German efficiency at work.
Then you go to Europe and in FRA they request that I do NOT take off my shoes even though I know they will set off the metal detector. They insist I walk through the xray, get pulled aside and wanded (surprise the shoes set off the wand) go over and take off the shoes, want my feet and put the shoes through the xray machine.
German efficiency at work.
Jun 9, 2010, 7:44 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
Jun 9, 2010, 9:32 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Domestically, within the last year, I've gone through security at jfk, lga, las, msy, sfo; none of these have ever balked at placing shoes in a bin--except for jfk, about 8 months ago they were being very insistent on putting shoes directly on the belt. At jfk a few weeks later, they were showing a tsa "movie" showing how to proceed through security and one segment showed that shoes were to placed IN the bins--from that point on they have not hassled pax about shoe placement.
Another tsa inconsistency, most airports now specifically tell you to put your bp's away after being checked (with id)--except lga, still requires that you show it as you go through the "detection" device.
Another tsa inconsistency, most airports now specifically tell you to put your bp's away after being checked (with id)--except lga, still requires that you show it as you go through the "detection" device.
Jun 9, 2010, 9:37 pm
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
If you're wearing expensive shoes, it is very annoying to have the TSA screener take them from the bin and throw them on the belt. (Sometimes not even with the soles facing down!)
I put my shoes in a bin because I don't want them to get scratched or banged up in the machine. LAS and MCO screeners, for some reason, hate the fact that some Americans like or need to wear expensive shoes and generally take them out and throw them on the belt.
I put my shoes in a bin because I don't want them to get scratched or banged up in the machine. LAS and MCO screeners, for some reason, hate the fact that some Americans like or need to wear expensive shoes and generally take them out and throw them on the belt.
Jun 22, 2010, 11:21 am
#39
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 186
Since this whole shoe thing started, I've made it a practice to remove my shoes before I get into the security line at all; I put them in my carryon and leave them there until I reach the gate. (I'm a barefooter from way back; a bit of dirt doesn't bother me as long as there is nothing I'm likely to cut my foot on.) This practice has been especially useful when I'm flying with my young kids; it eliminates just that much more stuff that I have to keep track of while moving through the checkpoint.
Last week at STL I was surprised by a TSO who demanded, "Where are the baby's shoes?" M: Packed in the rollaboard; I'm carrying her. TSO: Well, unpack them and put them on the belt. M: That's going to be difficult -- they are over there on your side. TSO: I'll let it pass -- THIS TIME. Now, where are YOUR shoes? M: In the same rollaboard. We don't wear shoes in airports. TSO: [Very puzzled expression and rolled eyes.]
Note that I had two add'l prs. of shoes of mine in that rollaboard; no one questioned those.
Last week at STL I was surprised by a TSO who demanded, "Where are the baby's shoes?" M: Packed in the rollaboard; I'm carrying her. TSO: Well, unpack them and put them on the belt. M: That's going to be difficult -- they are over there on your side. TSO: I'll let it pass -- THIS TIME. Now, where are YOUR shoes? M: In the same rollaboard. We don't wear shoes in airports. TSO: [Very puzzled expression and rolled eyes.]
Note that I had two add'l prs. of shoes of mine in that rollaboard; no one questioned those.
Jun 22, 2010, 12:21 pm
#40
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
I have never had to remove my shoes in Germany. At LHR and EDI they often look down at my shoes (not certain why) but have never asked for them to be removed. I usually travel in GEOX brand ballet flats or loafers which do not set off the WTMD.
I do recall a few years ago before the shoe carnival that some American shoe stores had a machine to see if your shoes would set off the WTMD (Rockport brand store, perhaps? Does anyone remember that?)
I do recall a few years ago before the shoe carnival that some American shoe stores had a machine to see if your shoes would set off the WTMD (Rockport brand store, perhaps? Does anyone remember that?)
Jun 22, 2010, 12:30 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag™ DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
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Posts: 12,509
Jun 22, 2010, 12:37 pm
#42
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,953
Last week at STL I was surprised by a TSO who demanded, "Where are the baby's shoes?" M: Packed in the rollaboard; I'm carrying her. TSO: Well, unpack them and put them on the belt. M: That's going to be difficult -- they are over there on your side. TSO: I'll let it pass -- THIS TIME. Now, where are YOUR shoes? M: In the same rollaboard. We don't wear shoes in airports. TSO: [Very puzzled expression and rolled eyes.]
Jun 22, 2010, 9:30 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: none
Posts: 1
Jun 24, 2010, 7:43 am
#44
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: UA GS, WN A-List, AA Exec Plat, National Emerald
Posts: 1,020
The best theory about the 'shoes on the belt' is that the TSA was reacting to the concerns of the OMGGERMSTHINKOFTHEKIDS contingent. That's the story I heard from TSA when this policy started.
They didn't think it through, and willingly said F--- Y-- to pax who have expensive shoes they want to keep nice, at the expense of parent hysterics.
They didn't think it through, and willingly said F--- Y-- to pax who have expensive shoes they want to keep nice, at the expense of parent hysterics.
Jun 24, 2010, 8:06 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,129
The best theory about the 'shoes on the belt' is that the TSA was reacting to the concerns of the OMGGERMSTHINKOFTHEKIDS contingent. That's the story I heard from TSA when this policy started.
They didn't think it through, and willingly said F--- Y-- to pax who have expensive shoes they want to keep nice, at the expense of parent hysterics.
They didn't think it through, and willingly said F--- Y-- to pax who have expensive shoes they want to keep nice, at the expense of parent hysterics.