Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > Travel Safety/Security > Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues
Reload this Page >

SFO TSA removing passport cover

Register
Social Groups
Search
Today's Posts
Mark Forums Read
Vendor Directory

SFO TSA removing passport cover

   
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:45 pm
  #1  
AVN
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Paris
Programs: To be determined
Posts: 13
SFO TSA removing passport cover
Ran into something new at SFO today.. The really important, feel good, flashlight using blue shirt felt he needed to rip my passport out of its cover to determine that it was real.. I have not encounter this at any other airports, or other international departures..

If I did not know any better, I would be tempting to ask what kind of education they have in document fraud..
AVN is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 2:55 pm
  #2  
Global_Hi_Flyer
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
Yet one more reason to use a passport card.
Global_Hi_Flyer is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 3:03 pm
  #3  
DillMan
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AA EXP, AAirpass, & CK 2MM, MR Plat Premier, DL Plat, US Plat, UA RECOVERING GS
Posts: 2,620
Unless you want to go to a country that requires visas/visa stamps. Then it would be a slight drawback.
DillMan is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 2:49 am
  #4  
Flahusky
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MCO/FRA
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 799
Originally Posted by DillMan
Unless you want to go to a country that requires visas/visa stamps. Then it would be a slight drawback.
How so? Passport is packed in carry on. TDC doesn't need to see it.
I pass the USA TDCs by presenting my CAC or PassPort Card regardless of where I'm going. Never have been asked for my PassPort book.
Flahusky is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 8:10 am
  #5  
mnmme
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: UA 1PP MM
Posts: 328
Raises an good question "Does TSA have the "authority" to make you show a passport book if your BP is an international destination"?

Or is name on accepted ID matching any BP enough?
mnmme is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 8:24 am
  #6  
Michael El
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
The OP was more than likely just using a passport as ID and the clerk pulled it out of the cover. The passport covers I've seen come off pretty easy so I'm not sure why it's a big deal.
Michael El is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 8:38 am
  #7  
Darkumbra
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 569
Originally Posted by AVN
Ran into something new at SFO today.. The really important, feel good, flashlight using blue shirt felt he needed to rip my passport out of its cover to determine that it was real.. I have not encounter this at any other airports, or other international departures..

If I did not know any better, I would be tempting to ask what kind of education they have in document fraud..
Fairly common. I've seen this about a half-dozen times
Darkumbra is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 2:00 pm
  #8  
fschmidt
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MEM
Programs: DL Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 177
Passport card for me -- regardless of destination.

Wallet with all other ID and passport is LOCKED in my carry-on. In fact, everything except my passport card and my immediate boarding pass are locked in carry on. Nothing in any pocket.

Either one-striper accepts passport card or I ask for a three-striper.
fschmidt is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 2:04 pm
  #9  
STBCypriot
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Happily living in Frenaros Cyprus having escaped the near-death experience called Sofia Bulgaria
Programs: Etihad Guest Gold, DL FO and 1MM, and a bunch of others at a low level
Posts: 2,060
Originally Posted by mnmme
Raises an good question "Does TSA have the "authority" to make you show a passport book if your BP is an international destination"?

Or is name on accepted ID matching any BP enough?
No. TSA is not immigration. They only have to verify that your ID matches your boarding pass.

This, of course, doesn't mean that they won't try to make you show them your Passport (power trip, don't know the rules, etc.). I would refuse and stand firm on this, even calling a supervisor or LEO if I had to.
STBCypriot is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 5:12 pm
  #10  
N965VJ
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
1M
40 Nights
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA:SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night:Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,523
Originally Posted by mnmme
Raises an good question "Does TSA have the "authority" to make you show a passport book if your BP is an international destination"?
No.



Originally Posted by Michael El
The OP was more than likely just using a passport as ID and the clerk pulled it out of the cover. The passport covers I've seen come off pretty easy so I'm not sure why it's a big deal.
The blue cover on my passport is sewn to the pages. I keep it in a leather case that it slips into. The OP used the words "rip" when removing the "cover" so perhaps we need some clarification.
N965VJ is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 9:12 pm
  #11  
Barbahrooba
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3
TSA Procedures
Does anyone feel as though the TSA goes too far with their searches or can they be even more pro-active?
Barbahrooba is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2011 | 11:42 pm
  #12  
mvoight
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,424
Originally Posted by Flahusky
How so? Passport is packed in carry on. TDC doesn't need to see it.
I pass the USA TDCs by presenting my CAC or PassPort Card regardless of where I'm going. Never have been asked for my PassPort book.
I just don't see the need for both a passport book and a passport card.
mvoight is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2011 | 12:22 am
  #13  
Michael El
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
Originally Posted by mvoight
I just don't see the need for both a passport book and a passport card.
Many do not want to present their driver license to the TSA as it contains their address etc. The passport card is easier to carry than a passport book and is an acceptable form of ID at the TSA checkpoint, unless you find an uninformed clerk. YMMV
Michael El is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2011 | 1:53 am
  #14  
Flahusky
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MCO/FRA
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 799
Originally Posted by Michael El
Many do not want to present their driver license to the TSA as it contains their address etc. The passport card is easier to carry than a passport book and is an acceptable form of ID at the TSA checkpoint, unless you find an uninformed clerk. YMMV
+1 exactly, and there are many prying eyes around besides the TSA that could use that information for less then honorable deeds.

Also for those situations when 'carded' while out and about(even in my home state). While rare it still happens.
Flahusky is offline  
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2011 | 11:35 am
  #15  
N965VJ
FlyerTalk Evangelist
20 Countries Visited
1M
40 Nights
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA:SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night:Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,523
Originally Posted by Barbahrooba
Does anyone feel as though the TSA goes too far with their searches or can they be even more pro-active?
TSA ID checks are nothing but security theatre; the only thing they are protecting is airline revenue.
N965VJ is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.