Question about TSA complaint
 

I tried multiple times to email a complaint to the TSA regarding a recent unpleasant (more so than usual) opt out experience. The contact link for TSA kept giving me an error message. So, filed my complaint directly with the airport. In order to do this I had to give my name and email address. I only used a first initial, but my last name is there. I just received a response from the airport saying my comments have been forwarded to the TSA.

So. Here’s my question. Can the information they have somehow be used to identify me, and if so will it land me on a “list” of some sort?

"Yes," and "maybe." Might want to look into what happened to Stacey Armato after she filed a complaint about the TSA clerks at PHX.

.. or Drew Griffin of CNN after he did a less-than-flattering report on the TSA.

Gee. Thanks for the comforting remarks... You guys are inspiring tons of confidence in me for my next flight out!

:p

Welcome to the United States of TSA. Where you have no constitutional right at the airport and expressing your constitutional rights OUTSIDE of the airport will also result in you losing your constitutional rights.

Don't worry about it. The TSA will just "round file" your complaint like they do all the other ones.

I'm sure that's where all my other complaints ended up.

But those complaints weren't a concern because there was nothing that could identify me. This one - because I sent it through the airport system - had a different format that wouldn't let me send it without my name and email address.

I guess I'll find out soon enough. I fly out tomorrow evening, then twice before the next week is out.

Fun times may be ahead!

I think I can reassure you on this point, actually. I have sent a number of complaints regarding screening via the TSA's online complaint form, including my email address and full real name. In fact, I've sent so many complaints addressed in such abusive language (not vulgar, just pointed emotional descriptions of what they are doing to travelers - TSA has richly earned such descriptors) that the TSA has stopped responding to me altogether. I used to get letters back about each complaint, but now they ignore me. And for all that, I haven't been singled out at the checkpoint and have been able to SDOO in the one or two times I've flown since the sexual assault patdowns started.

No more SDOO at HOU unfortunately. NoS is primary for every lane. I fly almost every week and it has steadily gotten worse. Maybe my comments will go to the great Don'tCareWhatYouThinkIt'sOutOfAnAbundanceOfCaution round bin. I have complained consistently since the "new" gropes started, but always anonymously. I guess time will tell!

The answer is no and no.

Are you serious, or just being sarcastic?

With a first initial, last name, and email address, OF COURSE a government agency can personally identify you. There are 12-year-old hackers who could do it. Depending on how much presence the person has on the internet, you might even be able to do it with Google.

As to whether his complaint will get him on some sort of list, again, OF COURSE IT WILL. Whether the list of "people who complained about TSA" is used to bully, harass, or retaliate is a matter open for discussion.

Personally, I don't believe that it will be used for such an activity, at least not right now, because TSA seems to care so little about what the public thinks that bullying complainers isn't worth their time. But there is no guarantee that the situation won't change as the political winds shift, and TSA grows increasingly more invasive and intrusive into our society.

But, basically, the answers are Yes and Yes.

Edited to add: I Googled my own first initial, last name, and email address, and found enough info in the first 3 links to personally identify me easily. Try it on yourself; you'll be surprised at how much you can find out about someone with so little info, all because we put so much of ourselves online these days.

Correct.

And an email address makes it far easier to implement a covert intercept order should a government agency decide to investigate you.

I got a response...
 

"Good morning,

I hope you are doing well this morning. I am the Customer Support Manager here at Houston Hobby Airport. I would like to first and foremost apologize for your experience while going through the screening process. We sincerely appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention. We take comments like yours very seriously because we are deeply committed to ensuring that all passengers are treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter and move towards finding a resolution."

Yeah right. I'm really going to follow up with them. I have to fly out of this airport on a near-weekly basis. I'm so sure I want to "move this towards finding a resolution." :rolleyes:

I got one of those from a TSI at BWI nearly 3 months ago. I emailed him all the info he asked for and I never heard from him again.

Even if you responded to their message, don't get your hopes up for a resolution. I'm still waiting on the last two complaints I filed. And no, I'm not holding my breath. :td: