FlyerTalk Forums - Why longer security lines could be a reality

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KDS (Post 20386328)

EWR Checkpoint B-1 (Delta) does not do this anymore. Even if the lines are over 40 minutes long, the TSA "management" refuses to use WTMDs to help decrease the line wait. And TSOs still stand around and don't open another line.

I've seen less and less examples of TSA opening up the WTMDs over past year than I'd seen previously. I chalk it up to TSA just telling us to "suck it up and take it just because they can dish it out to us."

Yep. I've seen it exactly ONCE in the last year. At JFK.

The TSA is basically a jobs program. Longer wait times will only create the illusion of the need for more jobs which in turn creates a need for a higher budget. Where is this variable?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Global_Hi_Flyer (Post 20360469)

In most airports I travel through, they DO NOT do this. The lines are allowed to back up with no use of the metal detectors. In some airports there is a directive that - regardless of backups - the metal detectors are not to be used (except for children/families and other specified exceptions).

e.

I was told today by a TSA supervisor that "heaadquarters" has provided written instructions to screen 100% via AIT... 7,8 people waiting, only employees thru the WTMD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyvsspy (Post 20391773)

The TSA is basically a jobs program. Longer wait times will only create the illusion of the need for more jobs which in turn creates a need for a higher budget. Where is this variable?

I think there's more to it than just TSA's desire to 'grow' its staff. The slowdowns aren't because there aren't already plenty of non-contributing staff standing around with nothing to do. The problem is the machines themselves - they are much slower than the WTMD, even without the frequent follow-on gropes.

I suspect someone (Chertoff) has a new and very expensive machine in the works right now. The time to unveil the machine is after all BSX have been replaced with (slow) MMWs (max waste of taxpayer dollars) and lines have gotten so long that even the occasional entitled Congressman's family starts b**ching.

At the same time, there will be a renewed push to get flyers to pony up additional dollars for access to Pre - and I wouldn't be surprised to see the price of that 'service' go way up.

Here it is: L3 ProVision 2 about the size of WTMDs to fit in tight places.

http://www.sds.l-3com.com/advancedim...rovision-2.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyvsspy (Post 20434177)

Here it is: L3 ProVision 2 about the size of WTMDs to fit in tight places.

http://www.sds.l-3com.com/advancedim...rovision-2.htm

What convenient timing....:rolleyes:

First, replace all BSX with MMW. Then replace all large MMW and WTMD with smaller MMW. The excuse will be that they are safe, no privacy issues, more effective than WTMD and take up less floor space, so there can be improved throughput. (There won't be, of course, because TSA will still keep half the lanes closed so there will be enough TSOs free to stand around and gawk, bark, and monitor their cellphones).

According to that web page, the ProVision 2 has:

Quote:

Same great detection as the widely deployed ProVision ATD

I'm not sure if that's supposed to be a selling point...? ;)