TSORon

I wish I could answer that, but it is one of those "SSI" things I am not allowed to discuss. All I can say is that there are some pretty good reasons for the activities taking place. Much of this type of screening takes place without direct interaction with the passengers, but some do and it seems obvious to me that the OP's flight was one of those.

Most of the folks here are going to chose to believe what they wish to believe, so I’m sure that no matter what information I provide or “can” provide they will chose to take the worst possible stand about these screenings.

SurlyJoe

I've got to say, Ron, I really love your persecution complex. It really brightens my day!

TSORon

Being one of the few "token" TSO's who willingly wander into this den of (insert word of choice here), it shouldn't surprise you or anyone who reads here often. I admit, I get the worst of it, and in most cases that is because I am open and honest about my disagreement with the general consensus here (some of it is because I am human and make the occasional error, like the PETN vs TATP thing the other day). I am an outspoken advocate for the TSA and what it does, that alone is enough to initiate a "dog pile" here.

Anyway, I'm glad I was able to make your day a bit lighter. You are more than welcome to stop by my Facebook page for a more "frank" and "robust" conversation if you like.

FliesWay2Much

The briefer of the PowerPoint charts is a retired Army colonel JAG who now works for Francine -- enough said.

goalie

Like EWR and flight to Mexico, south Florida and/or South America because TSO's at EWR were told to profile "Mexicans" and "other assorted Hispanics"

Pesky Monkey

They look for the Middle Eastern Looking Guy™

AirShuttle6162

they were setting up to do this on my IAH-PHX flight the other day, they pushed their little cart down the terminal to the gate and set up shop. Interestingly enough they didnt even give any of us pax in F a second look, so im assuming they just checked the id's of the coach pax. Workfare at its finest...

RadioGirl

Yes, actually, it's been discussed here extensively over the years, but as you're new to FT and as scope'n'grope has dominated the discussions for the past six months, I can understand why you haven't seen it.

There's a useful thread here: TSA's airline passenger identification policies where FT TS&S celebrity Phil documents the issue in detail. Short version: TSA doesn't actually require ID documents to fly, but they sure try to make it sound like they do. Most people therefore have the impression, as you did, that ID documents are mandatory. And although legally you can fly without showing an ID document, some TSA people will make your life miserable for trying.

As his signature line indicates, Phil was arrested in ABQ when he attempted to fly without showing an ID document, was tried and acquitted. That story is here: Flyer “Processed” (Arrested?) in NM After Declining to Show ID

A belated welcome to FT, by the way.

LeapingFrogs

Thank you! I do remember that story, it was actually a local story for me, I'd regrettably forgotten it until now. Really, it's a shame on me.

I honestly haven't flown since July of 2010. I came back to the States after some extended international travel, and haven't been to an airport since. I was previously a very heavy air traveler, mostly for business, but occasionally for pleasure too. When airports like Heathrow and others started deploying scanners, I purposfully avoided them. Now I can't avoid them, and can't fly. I won't. I've had momentary lapses of reason where I've looked at my air miles and started to book a flight to see a friend or go on vacation thinking maybe I'd take the security gamble, but I can't and I won't. I've cancelled four business trips since October. It's really demoralizing and it's tough. This is the longest I've gone without going somewhere for over 20 years.

N965VJ

Slide #9 of that PowerPoint states this:

Head of TSA may designate any employee a LEO to carry a firearm, make arrests, execute search warrants § 114

What's that about?


You're on Facebook? Shoot me a link!

DeafBlonde

Add: ...who is disguised as a 95-year-old woman wearing a Depends undergarment.

jkhuggins

Trying to ask this honestly, without sounding snarky, and without asking you to reveal SSI ...

Are you, as a TSO, told the reasons for these activities? Or are you simply told that there are good reasons for these activities?

I'm just trying to figure out if you, individually, are able to assess for yourself whether such added screening activities are warranted and/or effective, or if you (like the rest of us) are asked to accept the judgment of others in this area.

TSORon

In the past, when the program began, we were given a list of reasons why a flight might end up on the list of those needing the additional screening, but we are not privy to the reasons for any individual flight.

OldGoat

Thanks for responding. Your answer is intriguing. Previously I thought flights were more or less randomly selected as a part of "Layers of SecurityTM" Now I understand that individual flights are selected, but that those who do the screening don't know the reason.

After racking my brain, I can't think of a reason why an individual flight, whose passengers were all screened from Secure Flight through the checkpoint, would need an individual and specific ID check of each and every passenger. But I do understand that you can't tell us.

I do know that if the gate ID checks found anyone important who should not fly, TSA would trumpet the fact from the rooftops. They haven't yet, which indicates to me that the indicators they used to select the flights have been false positives.

Maybe TSA needs a new motto: "False Positives to Believe In"

Wally Bird

You're obviously not thinking like a DHS 'expert'.