ATL TSA didn't let me keep an eye on my bags
Mar 4, 2011, 4:17 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Make a verbal demand, louder each time until they stop the belt or let you through. Loudly demand a supervisor. Stand in the way of other folks so they can't go around you - basically stop the line from moving.
Don't editorialize or call names, just state more and more loudly until you're yelling that you can't see your stuff, that you MUST see your stuff, and that it's policy that you be able to see your stuff.
It WILL get attention.
File a complaint, but expect no action. I got no response to my complaint about the same thing to either TSA or my elected representative (occurred at LAX last week, no response as of today).
Don't editorialize or call names, just state more and more loudly until you're yelling that you can't see your stuff, that you MUST see your stuff, and that it's policy that you be able to see your stuff.
It WILL get attention.
File a complaint, but expect no action. I got no response to my complaint about the same thing to either TSA or my elected representative (occurred at LAX last week, no response as of today).
Mar 4, 2011, 6:11 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Posts: 183
Update on this strategy at DCA tonight:
I had my things on the table ready to go through the machine and asked the clerk where he was sending me. He pointed at the backscatter so I told him nicely I was opting out and I'd wait on this side until the female assist was available.
I do believe they made me wait to punish me but I didn't care. Finally got through with my things and got the groping over with.
Oddly enough, this grope also included the bottoms of my feet. We don't get that at BOS or at least not at the Delta terminal.
I had my things on the table ready to go through the machine and asked the clerk where he was sending me. He pointed at the backscatter so I told him nicely I was opting out and I'd wait on this side until the female assist was available.
I do believe they made me wait to punish me but I didn't care. Finally got through with my things and got the groping over with.
Oddly enough, this grope also included the bottoms of my feet. We don't get that at BOS or at least not at the Delta terminal.
Mar 4, 2011, 7:23 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 959
Update on this strategy at DCA tonight:
I had my things on the table ready to go through the machine and asked the clerk where he was sending me. He pointed at the backscatter so I told him nicely I was opting out and I'd wait on this side until the female assist was available.
I do believe they made me wait to punish me but I didn't care. Finally got through with my things and got the groping over with.
Oddly enough, this grope also included the bottoms of my feet. We don't get that at BOS or at least not at the Delta terminal.
I had my things on the table ready to go through the machine and asked the clerk where he was sending me. He pointed at the backscatter so I told him nicely I was opting out and I'd wait on this side until the female assist was available.
I do believe they made me wait to punish me but I didn't care. Finally got through with my things and got the groping over with.
Oddly enough, this grope also included the bottoms of my feet. We don't get that at BOS or at least not at the Delta terminal.
Just out of curiousity, what exactly did they grope? Breasts? Wasteband? "Resistance"?
Mar 5, 2011, 3:34 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Posts: 183
This was the first time my feet got thoroughly groped and I felt vindicated in having had her change her gloves.
Mar 5, 2011, 9:43 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
One of these days someone is just going to have to basically ignore the TSO and go stand next to your items on the luggage belt until they can "find" someone to pat us down.
When are we going to start demanding that we stop being treated like criminals just because we're flying?
I am really getting sick and tired of the TSA and their bullsh!t.
When are we going to start demanding that we stop being treated like criminals just because we're flying?
I am really getting sick and tired of the TSA and their bullsh!t.
Mar 5, 2011, 10:32 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,425
disgustingly invasive and a waste of time. knowing that they're likely not watching what goes into the cargo hold, does it make you feel safer....
Mar 5, 2011, 10:56 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,204
All seems like pretty standard. We couldn't have the same procedure at every airport, because we have to Keep The Terrorists Guessing™. It's quite absurd that trying to mind your stuff gets you barked at.
Mar 5, 2011, 11:25 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 959
Lately--as in the last four weeks--every grope has been quite firm, all have involved the neckband of my shirt (I deliberately did NOT say collar because a tee shirt doesn't have one and yes, that's been checked too), most definitely waistband of my pants, circling my breasts . . . really it would be far shorter to say every inch of my body gets touched, including my hair (which is cut in a short bob).
This was the first time my feet got thoroughly groped and I felt vindicated in having had her change her gloves.
This was the first time my feet got thoroughly groped and I felt vindicated in having had her change her gloves.
Was the "circling" of breasts with the front or the back of the hand? Did she touch your "hooha" (labia) and/or buttox? If so, with the front or back of the hand?
Mar 5, 2011, 11:43 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Posts: 183
Usually--not always but usually--it's the back of the hand. Yes, the labia is touched as are the buttocks. Breasts have been both circled and flat out felt up almost as thoroughly as the annual breast exam.
Mar 5, 2011, 1:53 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,425
Mar 5, 2011, 8:39 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,396
One of these days someone is just going to have to basically ignore the TSO and go stand next to your items on the luggage belt until they can "find" someone to pat us down.
When are we going to start demanding that we stop being treated like criminals just because we're flying?
I am really getting sick and tired of the TSA and their bullsh!t.
When are we going to start demanding that we stop being treated like criminals just because we're flying?
I am really getting sick and tired of the TSA and their bullsh!t.
Mar 5, 2011, 9:04 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
Flying back from SAT last month, the woman in front of me was wearing a hoodie and told TSA that she didnt have another shirt underneath. No backscatter in operation. So, they call for a female assist for a patdown--after her items are heading through the xray.
They keep her aside while her stuff is just sitting at the end of the belt. she cant see it at all. She doesnt have a good line of sight and passengers are also blocking her view. She complains--to no avail. Wife and I notice her purse is partially unzipped and offer to zip it closed. Nothing was taken--we saw her after security.
But, again TSA, kept a passenger from their belongings--out of sight of them and ignored protests.
They keep her aside while her stuff is just sitting at the end of the belt. she cant see it at all. She doesnt have a good line of sight and passengers are also blocking her view. She complains--to no avail. Wife and I notice her purse is partially unzipped and offer to zip it closed. Nothing was taken--we saw her after security.
But, again TSA, kept a passenger from their belongings--out of sight of them and ignored protests.
Mar 5, 2011, 9:09 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
But I know most people can't be bothered to interfere with much of anything on a stranger's behalf...
Mar 5, 2011, 9:31 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
I think the best thing travelers can do in such cases is start asking very loudly, "WHOSE BAGS ARE THESE? THESE ARE UNATTENDED BAGS! I THINK THEY BELONG TO THAT PERSON OVER THERE! WHY ISN'T SHE ALLOWED TO GET TO HER BAGS?!?"
But I know most people can't be bothered to interfere with much of anything on a stranger's behalf...
But I know most people can't be bothered to interfere with much of anything on a stranger's behalf...
me
