Thoughts about Thanksgiving travel 2010
Nov 20, 2010, 1:39 pm
#1
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Thoughts about Thanksgiving travel 2010
There has been a growing tide of concern and complaints here and in the media. But crunch time is this coming week. What I saw from travel last week and read is that the TSA is rolling out new procedures and new equipment at a very high level the week or two before the busiest time of the year.
From what I have seen neither the TSOs nor the travelers know how to "use" the scanners and they take a lot longer than metal detectors to screen someone. With that going in place right before Thanksgiving Im expecting a total fiasco in terms of security screening times, even without substantial numbers of people opting out. If the latter happens it will be a perfect storm. TSA cant handle huge crowds that well even with metal detectors. I doubt they could do it with the new equipment even without the issue of it being new just because it seems to take longer per passenger. But put it all together and it will likely be a memorably awful day to travel. Glad I am staying home.
From what I have seen neither the TSOs nor the travelers know how to "use" the scanners and they take a lot longer than metal detectors to screen someone. With that going in place right before Thanksgiving Im expecting a total fiasco in terms of security screening times, even without substantial numbers of people opting out. If the latter happens it will be a perfect storm. TSA cant handle huge crowds that well even with metal detectors. I doubt they could do it with the new equipment even without the issue of it being new just because it seems to take longer per passenger. But put it all together and it will likely be a memorably awful day to travel. Glad I am staying home.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:10 pm
#2
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It should be a very interesting day. Personally, I wonder if TSA will not use the scanners on NOOD, either to prove something, or because they know that lines will be out the door.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:12 pm
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There has been a growing tide of concern and complaints here and in the media. But crunch time is this coming week. What I saw from travel last week and read is that the TSA is rolling out new procedures and new equipment at a very high level the week or two before the busiest time of the year.
From what I have seen neither the TSOs nor the travelers know how to "use" the scanners and they take a lot longer than metal detectors to screen someone. With that going in place right before Thanksgiving Im expecting a total fiasco in terms of security screening times, even without substantial numbers of people opting out. If the latter happens it will be a perfect storm. TSA cant handle huge crowds that well even with metal detectors. I doubt they could do it with the new equipment even without the issue of it being new just because it seems to take longer per passenger. But put it all together and it will likely be a memorably awful day to travel. Glad I am staying home.
From what I have seen neither the TSOs nor the travelers know how to "use" the scanners and they take a lot longer than metal detectors to screen someone. With that going in place right before Thanksgiving Im expecting a total fiasco in terms of security screening times, even without substantial numbers of people opting out. If the latter happens it will be a perfect storm. TSA cant handle huge crowds that well even with metal detectors. I doubt they could do it with the new equipment even without the issue of it being new just because it seems to take longer per passenger. But put it all together and it will likely be a memorably awful day to travel. Glad I am staying home.
I'm betting that within TSA all leave and liberty has been cancelled for the 23rd and it still won't be enough people to man the airports.
The only party to blame for the non-weather related delays are John Pistole and his TSA screeners.
Thank TSA for making air travel one of the least desirable methods available.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:13 pm
#4
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we are traveling on the 23rd from SFO
and i am leaving more time to go thru every day...started at -2 hrs, now -3 hrs, considering -4 hrs.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:26 pm
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DEN has had at least one of those scanners for almost 2 years. That is why it is so hard to understand what the fuss is about. Was it the pat down that brought everything to a head? You are correct about them being slower than a wtmd. That is perhaps the biggest drawback. The media has been reporting the wrong information about opt out day and saying the people are going to opt out from everything on the 24th just create a backlog. I can not see the point of that. If they opt out of ait that is one thing, opt out of the alternative patdown and you will be asked to leave the CP. It could be a huge waste of resources.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:30 pm
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No longer.
& it is the environment created by TSA that is 100% responsible for that.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:34 pm
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DEN has had at least one of those scanners for almost 2 years. That is why it is so hard to understand what the fuss is about. Was it the pat down that brought everything to a head? You are correct about them being slower than a wtmd. That is perhaps the biggest drawback. The media has been reporting the wrong information about opt out day and saying the people are going to opt out from everything on the 24th just create a backlog. I can not see the point of that. If they opt out of ait that is one thing, opt out of the alternative patdown and you will be asked to leave the CP. It could be a huge waste of resources.
Not only do you have an aggressive new patdown, you have far more people being patted down than before. Also, when you alarmed the WTMD, you usually got a second chance - you know, the alarm went off and the TSO would remind you to empty pockets, etc, to help you clear. Now many people get sent to the NoS and still get a full-body frisk, even if the anomaly is something in their pocket - or nothing at all.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:39 pm
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Hi Eyecue,
I think the physical invasion of privacy has a great deal to do with it, but I think people might not have always been as aware of some of the drawbacks of AIT as they are today. I think the outrage that you are seeing in people is because the basic human right of privacy and not to be touched inappropriately is being trampled on. People will only be pushed so far before they have enough. I think we may be witnessing that moment.
JBC78
I think the physical invasion of privacy has a great deal to do with it, but I think people might not have always been as aware of some of the drawbacks of AIT as they are today. I think the outrage that you are seeing in people is because the basic human right of privacy and not to be touched inappropriately is being trampled on. People will only be pushed so far before they have enough. I think we may be witnessing that moment.
JBC78
Nov 20, 2010, 2:42 pm
#9
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Maybe it's not just the new patdown. Maybe it is also that the scanners are now primary. We were originally assured that they would only be used to resolve secondaries. If they still were only being used to resolve WTMD alarms, you wouldn't be hearing nearly as much kickback and the lines would be moving a lot faster because far fewer people would be going through them (or being patted down).
Not only do you have an aggressive new patdown, you have far more people being patted down than before. Also, when you alarmed the WTMD, you usually got a second chance - you know, the alarm went off and the TSO would remind you to empty pockets, etc, to help you clear. Now many people get sent to the NoS and still get a full-body frisk, even if the anomaly is something in their pocket - or nothing at all.
Yep. Good summary of the changes.
Originally Posted by chollie
DEN has had at least one of those scanners for almost 2 years. That is why it is so hard to understand what the fuss is about. Was it the pat down that brought everything to a head? You are correct about them being slower than a wtmd. That is perhaps the biggest drawback. The media has been reporting the wrong information about opt out day and saying the people are going to opt out from everything on the 24th just create a backlog. I can not see the point of that. If they opt out of ait that is one thing, opt out of the alternative patdown and you will be asked to leave the CP. It could be a huge waste of resources.
Not only do you have an aggressive new patdown, you have far more people being patted down than before. Also, when you alarmed the WTMD, you usually got a second chance - you know, the alarm went off and the TSO would remind you to empty pockets, etc, to help you clear. Now many people get sent to the NoS and still get a full-body frisk, even if the anomaly is something in their pocket - or nothing at all.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:47 pm
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Thanksgiving trips now officially canceled because I won't put my girls through what I have seen the TSA doing this month.
Congratulations, US airlines - less revenue for you!
Congratulations, US airlines - less revenue for you!
Nov 20, 2010, 2:50 pm
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Nov 20, 2010, 2:51 pm
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Please let your airline know the reason that you canceled your trip!
Nov 20, 2010, 2:55 pm
#13
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DEN has had at least one of those scanners for almost 2 years. That is why it is so hard to understand what the fuss is about. Was it the pat down that brought everything to a head? You are correct about them being slower than a wtmd. That is perhaps the biggest drawback. The media has been reporting the wrong information about opt out day and saying the people are going to opt out from everything on the 24th just create a backlog. I can not see the point of that. If they opt out of ait that is one thing, opt out of the alternative patdown and you will be asked to leave the CP. It could be a huge waste of resources.
And I'm glad you pointed out the speed. There are some idiot PR people for the TSA who have either danced around or just flat-out said that the speed of it is equal to walking through a WTMD. It's simply not the case, and shows that some of the PR folks are lying through their teeth.
About opting out of everything, judging by what has been seen and said, I think your supervisors will make a big stink out of anyone who opts completely out. Complete with a few supervisors, a few suits and cops that will be invited to the party. Is everyone like that needed? I think the onus on whether it's too many people is on your management.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:57 pm
#14
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DEN has had at least one of those scanners for almost 2 years. That is why it is so hard to understand what the fuss is about. Was it the pat down that brought everything to a head? You are correct about them being slower than a wtmd. That is perhaps the biggest drawback. The media has been reporting the wrong information about opt out day and saying the people are going to opt out from everything on the 24th just create a backlog. I can not see the point of that. If they opt out of ait that is one thing, opt out of the alternative patdown and you will be asked to leave the CP. It could be a huge waste of resources.