Security Differences: MKE vs DCA
 

Had my first experience with the new procedures yesterday and today.

MKE: required to remove everything from pockets, including non-metal things (my hankerchief must be a security risk). required to remove my belt. Told that I could hold my wallet in my hand while I went into the NOS. Entered NOS; another TSA told me that the wallet would have to go through the x-ray because it was too thick (not allowed to put it into my computer bag and have the bag be re-scanned; TSA just handed me a tray to place wallet in, then taken out of my sight for a couple of minutes, with a number of people between myself and my wallet). My computer bag is one of the TSA-approved, wherein the computer itself is in a seperate pocket so that it doesn't have to be removed. They didn't remove it. BUT, they had to remove and inspect the portable scanner in the other side, which I've routinely taken through screening without specific inspection over the last number of months.

DCA (the nation's capitol): NOT required to remove non-metal from my pockets, not required to remove belt. No NOS. They did a swab test for explosives on the palm of my hands. Wanted to inspect the portable scanner. Overall, much less extensive and much less intrusive than in Milwaukee.

Go figure!

Yeah, sorry. Our airport's TSA is full of geeks on a power trip. One wanted to write my name down because I had 1/4 inch of water left in a water bottle I planned on filling from a bubbler down the concourse. He wanted to confiscate it & I told him no. He made me drink not even a gulp of water.

So me (being the obvious threat to national security that I am) questioning the goverment employee's precious AUTHORITAH, that requires him calling my airline & writing my name down & info? I don't effing think so.



I'm not sure if MKE still does this, but when I did security there, the boss used to hide FAA test pieces in her purse. If you were on xray & you flunked that, you got pulled from xray & made to do exit wall all day. zzzz. So maybe they still try & trick them with the FAA pieces in bags & whatnot, or maybe they have a Mystery Shopper come through (an FAA employee) and they are scared of not catching that person.

This is my concern right here. Why?