Security screening on arrival?
May 22, 2011 | 4:48 am
#31
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They used to post signs at the checkpoint "security in xxxx is substandard" or something to that effect because it didn't meet basic minimums.
I want to say they were FAA signs, but with TSA running checkpoints now I don't recall seeing any such signs lately.
At any rate, I could understand the reverse screening. Even if terminating in SIN, it could also be used to locate drugs/weapons/other contraband being brought in.
I understand some European airports also do reverse screening on Intl flights with questionable security at origin.
May 22, 2011 | 5:17 am
#32
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Past several trips through, I've encountered 1 hour queues just to reach the initial "immigration" both. Lines sometimes snake beyond established queues back towards inbound gate areas & moving sidewalks.
By the time you get downstairs, luggage is already waiting.
On my last trip through, it took 2 hrs from landing to TSA checkpoint in concourse E.
You either hit ATL off-peak or you just got lucky.
Good thing is ATL CBP agents are normally friendly and professional.
May 22, 2011 | 6:37 am
#33
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The excuse (after almost 10 years) is that it is the way the airport is setup (international pax terminating travel at the first US airport they land at must go through the 'sterile' area to exit the airport, hence the need for passing through TSA again on exiting. (Same situation recently with exiting train passengers in Savannah - they were directed to exit the train station through the sterile area, so they had to be screened- even though they did not have to be screened to get on the train originally and even though there was an exit that did not require going through the 'sterile' area of the train station).
It is not a specific 'screen on arrival' policy of TSA. Not yet anyway.
Of course, during that 10 years, there's been no construction at any of these airports. No one has ever seen plywood corridors and 'excuse our mess' signs.
IIRC, ATL is doing some construction (new international terminal?). When it is done, supposedly you will not have to rescreen to exit the airport from an international flight. I think you will still have to go through TSA to make an international-domestic connection (sigh).
I have never been exit-screened at any airport outside the US (and yes, I have been to DEL recently; haven't been through SIN).
It is not a specific 'screen on arrival' policy of TSA. Not yet anyway.
Of course, during that 10 years, there's been no construction at any of these airports. No one has ever seen plywood corridors and 'excuse our mess' signs.
IIRC, ATL is doing some construction (new international terminal?). When it is done, supposedly you will not have to rescreen to exit the airport from an international flight. I think you will still have to go through TSA to make an international-domestic connection (sigh).
I have never been exit-screened at any airport outside the US (and yes, I have been to DEL recently; haven't been through SIN).
In some airports this is simply a minor construction issue. In others, it's major and isn't going to happen in our lifetime.
May 22, 2011 | 11:12 am
#34
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It's not stupid at all. Has to do with airport design. Rock bottom rule is that you can't be in sterile area of airport unless you are cleared through TSA. Thus, if exiting the airport from arrival formalities means walking through a sterile area, then you clear TSA.
In some airports this is simply a minor construction issue. In others, it's major and isn't going to happen in our lifetime.
In some airports this is simply a minor construction issue. In others, it's major and isn't going to happen in our lifetime.
May 22, 2011 | 12:47 pm
#37
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That's the law. Period.
May 22, 2011 | 1:42 pm
#38
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If so, the next time I travel south of the border... hello tequila, rum, cuban cigars!!!
(just kidding, but I am curious to the answer of my question)
May 22, 2011 | 2:17 pm
#39
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Probably not. The security searches this discussion relates to are standard TSA checks for entering the sterile area of the airport, but you knew that, right?
May 22, 2011 | 3:14 pm
#40
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Yes, I am very aware of the topic of this thread. Just curious abou what I asked. Sorry if that bothers you.
May 22, 2011 | 3:17 pm
#41
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No, which is why I said: "The only requirement for a US citizen to enter the US is proof of citizenship. Customs inspections are permitted as administrative searches."
May 22, 2011 | 3:56 pm
#42
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*Citizens are 'examined'; aliens are 'inspected'.
).With regard to the post-FIS checkpoints at ATL (and CVG?), those who arrive at the checkpoint have already been examined (or inspected and admitted) by CBP. The TSA and airport authority are then forcing said persons to go through TSA screening before being permitted to exit the airport. If someone were to sue, the courts would rule it illegal and would tell the airport authority to find a different way. "We're building a new terminal that will be finished sometime in the future" does not excuse the current illegal (and unconstitutional) setup.
May 22, 2011 | 4:56 pm
#43
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CBP can perform the searches necessary to examine the citizen* as an administrative search and the citizen is obliged to submit to said search-- the only thing required of the citizen is proof of citizenship.
*Citizens are 'examined'; aliens are 'inspected'.
Above.
He is a member of the California Bar. (That was established in another thread in which he told the details of a personal encounter with airport police).
I'm also answering-- (sorry if that bothers you).
With regard to the post-FIS checkpoints at ATL (and CVG?), those who arrive at the checkpoint have already been examined (or inspected and admitted) by CBP. The TSA and airport authority are then forcing said persons to go through TSA screening before being permitted to exit the airport. If someone were to sue, the courts would rule it illegal and would tell the airport authority to find a different way. "We're building a new terminal that will be finished sometime in the future" does not excuse the current illegal (and unconstitutional) setup.
*Citizens are 'examined'; aliens are 'inspected'.
Above.
He is a member of the California Bar. (That was established in another thread in which he told the details of a personal encounter with airport police).
I'm also answering-- (sorry if that bothers you
).With regard to the post-FIS checkpoints at ATL (and CVG?), those who arrive at the checkpoint have already been examined (or inspected and admitted) by CBP. The TSA and airport authority are then forcing said persons to go through TSA screening before being permitted to exit the airport. If someone were to sue, the courts would rule it illegal and would tell the airport authority to find a different way. "We're building a new terminal that will be finished sometime in the future" does not excuse the current illegal (and unconstitutional) setup.
And I wasn't asking anything about the checkpoint at ALT. I'm not really concerned about that one bit. I am confused about one thing, and I'll try to explain it better, and hope someone with a legal background explains (we all have opinions, and no one here is afraid to state them, but in this case, some opinions carry more weight than others).
PT said the ONLY requirement is to provide proof of citizenship for a US citizen to enter the US. But then states that as an administrative search their property (I assume property) is subject to search. So, as I read it - and keep in mind I am NOT a lawyer - there are 2 possible requirements: proof of citizenship, and search of property if selected. So where does the "ONLY" come in? Or what am I missing here?
May 22, 2011 | 5:13 pm
#44
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PT said the ONLY requirement is to provide proof of citizenship for a US citizen to enter the US. But then states that as an administrative search their property (I assume property) is subject to search. So, as I read it - and keep in mind I am NOT a lawyer - there are 2 possible requirements: proof of citizenship, and search of property if selected. So where does the "ONLY" come in? Or what am I missing here?
First, you present passport (proof of citizenship) at immigration, get cleared. You are now officially in the US.
Second step, you pass through customs. At that point, you're already legally 'in' the US. Customs is about property. You may or may not get an administrative customs search. If you 'fail' a customs search, you may be subject to penalties and some of your property might not be allowed into the US, but you're still already 'home' on US soil, and it 'only' took you a passport to get there.
I can see how his wording could be a bit clearer.
I don't know what happens if you try to refuse an administrative customs search, but I guess it's not too much different from trying to refuse any administrative search anywhere.
May 22, 2011 | 5:28 pm
#45
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I missed that.
It appears he worded in a confusing (or possibly inaccurate) way.
PT said the ONLY requirement is to provide proof of citizenship for a US citizen to enter the US. But then states that as an administrative search their property (I assume property) is subject to search. So, as I read it - and keep in mind I am NOT a lawyer - there are 2 possible requirements: proof of citizenship, and search of property if selected. So where does the "ONLY" come in? Or what am I missing here?