I was going to say there's a glossary at the top of the forum that makes for entertaining reading, but it's not there any more. Did I just imagine it?

Anyway, the acronyms I do know:

WBI - Whole Body Imaging (can be either Backscatter x-ray or Millimeter Wave). The TSA likes to call this AIT (advanced imaging technology).

MMV - Millimeter Wave

WTMD - Walk-Through Metal Detector

T-A - I'm not sure; perhaps the poster means Terminal A?

NOS - "Nude-o-Scope" aka WBI aka AIT aka Backscatter or MMV


There are pictures of both devices here . Recognizing the machines may help you avoid that particular line.

You are correct that the sticky notes indicate some lines have WBI machines and some don't. Since you are flying out of Terminal C, the sticky shows that Terminal C, Checkpoints 1, 2 and 3 have MMW, but the last poster says that you can self-select yourself into a line that only has the metal detector. Lucky you! (I'm being serious - I wish I could self-select out at my home airport on Saturday).

Good luck!

I've asked if we could have an updated one back. ;)

Ahhhh.... enlightenment! ;) Thanks!

Thanks a bunch!

You guys are awesome, and so is this forum.

Talk to you soon and good speed to all

What's different about EWR (C) is that they (TSA) will be asking to show your BP after WTMD or WBI.

I've just returned from EWR - Term. A

I get through WTMD, TSA agent asks for boarding pass again. This is of course absurd. The woman who checked the first time was so close by she could have turned around to verify my identity. I didn't point this out though. I just said it's in my jacket because the signs all say to remove everything from your pockets. I pointed out that at MDW, I didn't have to produce a boarding pass twice. Guy sends me out to get my BP.

My suitcase went through x-ray, my jacket did not. TSA agent standing in front of tray with my jacket asks if I have a problem. I repeat the conversation I just had. Guess what, now I have to wait because there is something "suspicious" in my suitcase. I mention that it seems the TSA is retaliating against me for complaining. The TSA agent assures me that's not the case. A few minutes later the story changes and now I'm just waiting for a supervisor to speak with me.

Supervisor arrives. I repeat my story again and point out that the TSA, a national security force, should have uniform procedures. He tells me they can do whatever they want at EWR, and then tells me I can go. You'll notice that the "suspicious" item in my luggage was suddenly no longer an issue.

This just kind of summarizes everything wrong with the TSA.

Unprofessional
Arrogant
Arbitrary rules
Little if any supervision and training, not even for the supervisors
Retaliatory actions if you complain.

I will be flying into EWR from an international flight and leaving on a domestic one. Will I have to go back through security after customs? This seems to vary by airport.

Yes. You may have to take a train to your terminal. International comes in on C or B.

Lines are really long at C. You might do better by checking out the three different check points to see which line is longer. I think there is Elite Access at only one check point.

I arrived on Friday in B, my flight was out of A, but my son was leaving from C, so I was able to persuade TSA to let me go through the C Elite Access check point. I saw only WTMDs at that check point (I think C2, but I'm not sure).

I find the folks in the maroon jackets really officious. They aren't TSA. Just thank them if they direct you somewhere you don't want to go and continue to go.

Went through the CO EliteAccess C3 checkpoint this morning (5:30am). Lines weren't too long, and I was easily able to avoid the one MMW installed in the far right lane ^ Also dealt with the absurdity of showing my BP to the moat dragon :rolleyes: