brandinius2

DTW earlier this week. Last few times I've been there, they've necked down the lines to force you through the Scope or opt out - used to be you could go through the old fashioned way. I think when it's busier, they revert to the old way of doing things but I suspect that will go away soon as well.

I always opt out. This time, the guy said, OK, stand right there (beside the first-line metal detector, near where your stuff goes through the belt.

I said in response, "I will not be able to see my stuff when it goes through," which he ignored, so I repeated it.

"Sir, there are 15 TSOs on the other side, your items will be safe." I laughed, and replied, "I don't trust you."

I'm straining now to see my items, can't see any of the bins. I'm still standing there, and nothing is happening. I look at the TSO standing just past the metal detector and give her the "...?" look. She says to the first guy, "Did you call for a male assist?" Which the guy finally does. Clearly, he was retaliating and making me wait just because he could.

So...advice, please? How to handle this kind of thing when it happens again?

Walk through the metal detector so I can see my stuff but walk around the Scope? Likely, Barney would then say I interfered with security, blah blah blah.

Loudly shout, THEY'RE STEALING MY LAPTOP!?

I am thinking get the guy's badge number and report him as well, but all of this takes time, and he'll drag it out even more I'm sure, and meanwhile, my items are on the other side, way out of view, and open to theft by anyone.

Ideas? What can I and can't I say/do if I want to fly today?

tehiota

Perhaps carry a small piece of paper and small pencil and start writing down badge #s/names as you go through the process ?

And when they say there are 15 TSOs over there, ask him where you male assist is. If they're 'busy' doing other things, than they're too busy to be watching your stuff. (laugh) If they're not, you get you male assist.

Nola Rice

DTW is notorious for one crank at every checkpoint. I do not let go of my stuff until I am ready to make my move. December the guy wanted me to put my stuff through and I said, won't be able to see it-waiting until the magic machine is free (yes I was a nudie). He told me to go through the regular machine to speed things up and the bag x-ray babe screamed at me for not putting my purse in the bin correctly. Huh.

Next time, still a virgin nudie, I went through and got yelled at cause my fingers for the nudie machine were not in right position (every time I looked at her to see the right position she yelled at me to look forward) so when that debacle ended and I was still standing there waiting to see if I passed the nudie photo shoot I get yelled at from the bag x-ray lady that my shoes were in the bin and she could not see the bottyom of the soles. Huh.

Husband behind never got yelled at and his shoes were in the bin too.

It's a Detroit thing.

Never forget a few years ago on the shuttle bus with some of the TSA people and the way they talked about each other and their jobs I was aghast. Could not find a way to tape or picture it quick. Right after that they were not allowed on that shuttle service any longer. They were the worst example of employees I have ever seen.

Detroit does have some good ones though they will not stand up to the renegades.

redii

Something is definitely weird at DTW... I've never had experiences anywhere else that come remotely close.

Here's my most recent experience:

Large lines were queued for the NOS, but the WTMD wasn't closed. Instead of having it roped off, a TSO stood immediately inside the secure area physically crowding it in an intimidating fashion. I walked up to it instead of getting in the gigantic NOS line, he slid to the side, and I walked through. One person followed me, but as soon as I had done this, it was forgotten about and everyone behind us just got in line for the NOS.

Moo.

I think that's what bothered me the most -- they're able to report that both were open and that the overwhelming majority of PAX chose the NOS willingly (of course, their physical intimidation won't be in that report).

TheGolfWidow

The last time they separated me from my belongings, I just started walking towards the conveyor belt. I was told that I could not go to it or touch the things, so I said "Then, you'll need to bring them here. I can't be separated from my things." If that hadn't happened, I would have started walking towards them again. Either my things are going to come to me or I am going to go to them.

tev9999

Drive to Flint? (For the moment at least).

Hedwigkin

I've had two instances of this type of shenanigans.

The first was at ORD, where I was separated from my belongings waiting for the "male assist" to arrive. The wait and the pat down were both retaliatory in nature. In that time, the bin containing my laptop and belt were stacked with the empty bins for transport to outside the sterile area.

The second time was earlier this week at SFO. Having learned from my ORD experience, I kept saying progressively louder and louder "I can't see my belongings" until I was ushered throught the WTMD by a series of 4 visibly annoyed TSOs. I wouldn't answer the lead TSOs questions about opting out or take my eyes off my belongs. Sure enough, the gentleman behind me in line obviously confused by my absence and our similar bags, attempted to stack his computer bag on my carry-on. I then began shouting, "that's my bag, he's taking my bag" until two TSOs finally intervened with the other passenger. The only good thing about the situation is that one of the TSOs was being trained. The trainer informed him that passengers should always be able to see there stuff so that things like that don't happen.

My advice on watching your stuff is just to make a big deal about it. It has happened that other passengers (and TSOs) have walked off with belongings that aren't theirs. Whether intentional or not is a moot point. I hold up sending my things through until I know whether I'm getting the NOS/Opt-out or the WTMD. My phrase is, "I opt out, I've done this before, I know the retaliatory pat down procedure, and I want to be able to see my belongings at all times." At SFO the first TSO at the WTMD immediately ushered me through to watch, though the female behind did not and just shrugged her shoulders and asked me to step aside. At that point, I moved to block the WTMD in a legitimate effort to see my stuff and kept repeating "I can't see my belongings".


As an aside, the highlight of the SFO experience was the pat down though. Due to a medical condition (kidney stones), I informed them that I was senstitive from below the ribs to the testicals. They were so confused on what to do since I wouldn't do a private screening. It took three TSOs and a clipboard to decide what to do - which ended up being "touch very lightly". Rather than have them touch my waistband, I rolled it over for them. The molester assured me he wouldn't touch my testicle (which he did) so I flinched in pain. For the rest of the patdown, he barely touched my clothes. In fact it was so light, that I didn't even feel it on my skin.

brandinius2

Again, underscoring the theater aspect. If I can pretend to have sore testicles, I can sneak a lot in there.

"I opt out, I've done this before, I know the retaliatory pat down procedure, and I want to be able to see my belongings at all times."

I like that; but at DTW, it's so damned loud and hectic that by the time I used the phrase twice, my stuff would be through.

khurley

I think our only option is to hold on to everything, including shoes, until the molester shows up. I had a very similar experience earlier this week at DCA.

phoebepontiac

Cripes, if a visual waistband inspection is possible, why don't they offer it to everyone???

(Rhetorical question. I know the answer.)

MFMeow

I saw the exact same thing at DTW my last trip through last week. WTMD not roped off, but big TSO standing in front of it looking threatening. Then right before it got to be my turn, they roped off the NOS and started sending everyone through WTMD.

The trip before that (in January) DTW had the WTMD roped off and were forcing everyone through the NOS. The line and wait were unbelievable, I almost lost it.

I have no patience for anything that causes me further delay, and this absurd herding of everyone through the NOS process that takes way longer, when there are pax backed up dozens deep into the terminal, just does not fly with me. There is absolutely NO reason they can't have both WTMD and NOS open. Most all of the other airports I go through have both running concurrently. If the NOS is open, next pax goes through NOS, otherwise, you go through WTMD.

I do not like the attitude of the TSOs at DTW at all. Very heavy on the intimidation-games and "you must respect mah authoriteh" attitude.

I am generally very respectful to TSOs, but when they start up with the attitude, game over. Respect is a two way street.

I always hold my stuff back on the XRay belt until it is time for me to go through to the other side. They can bark all they want, but my stuff does not go through until I do.

Global_Hi_Flyer

This appears to be the latest SOP.

Same thing happened to me at LAX T-4 yesterday. TSA had shut down all but 2 screening lanes just as folks were arriving for AA's afternoon bank. All elite/premium passengers were forced through the strip-search machine, all non-elite/non-premium passengers were allowed through the WTMD.

Came my turn, screener was pushing my bags (2 computers, plus bags) into the x-ray. I opted out. Same as DTW, you can't see the exit of the x-ray from there, and the woman in line before me had an identical laptop to mine, very easy to confuse (or result in theft).

Screener told me to stand aside and not go through. I told him that I had to see my belongings. He again told me to stand aside, and the x-ray continued to churn. I started to raise my voice, and was told I'd have to wait a few minutes. I finally yelled that I had to watch my belongings and I wanted a supervisor RIGHT NOW!.

That finally accomplished making the x-ray belt stop with my stuff in the tunnel. The brought someone to escort me around the machines - and they collected my stuff, slamming the computers together in the bin with my jacket.

The grope was rough, even though I asked them to be careful with my back. He spent in excess of 5 minutes groping me, including a rather rough squeeze of my groin. After they were done, there was no supervisor available.

I've already filed a complaint with TSA and my congressman.

celticwhisper

I think I'd have replied at the end with "Is that all you got?" just to take a jab at the lifeform doing the patdown who thought he could get back at you by being rough. If I were as enraged as you were at the time I'd probably have followed that up with "I hope that scanner gives you bone cancer, you fascist waste of life." Once your screening's done, after all, what can they do?

nachtnebel

Could you tell him to stop and ask for another screener since he was being retaliatory?

Dragonine9

See msg #1034 (my post) in the NudeOScope opt-out stories (merged thread) that is always near the top of the Travel Safety/Security forum. I was fully prepared for the worst - had studiously perused this site and had a TSA Complaint Form with me - and ended up breezing through DTW North Terminal by paying attention - and some luck. Hope you have a good experience, too.