The "secret" WTMD line at LAX international terminal (TBIT)
Nov 20, 2013, 6:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CEB & LAS
Programs: CX GO, TSA Pre✓ Afflictions: TSASS
Posts: 734
The "secret" WTMD line at LAX international terminal (TBIT)
Every time I pass through LAX on my way to another country, I check in with my carrier (usually CX) and head back to the right corner to go through security.
First you talk to a contractor who puts you in the correct line, then you go down a short hallway and talk to the TDC. As recently as about a year ago you could still do an SDOO by keeping to the left after the TDC (source). But some time in the past year LAX/TBIT switched to 100% NoS machines there (well, they still have a WTMD, but it's hardly ever used, even during peak times).
What's interesting is that once you get close to the machines, if you look off to your left, there is another separate "secret" screening area with only WTMDs and no NoS machines. They generally don't take people off the main line, this area has it's own separate entrance. You can see it after you get through security if you look backwards towards the entrance.
On my last trip through TBIT I looked all around for the entrance and I couldn't find it (before entering the checkpoint), which leads me to believe it's only for people with medical complications or VIPs or something. It definitely did not appear to be in use by pilots or FAMs. I tried handing the initial contractor my TSA Notification card (describing my TSASS, of course) but they didn't even want to look at it, just said show it to the next guy. So they definitely aren't directing all medical cases over there, maybe just severe ones?
So I'm wondering, has anyone else noticed this? And what is the policy that determines who gets put in that line?
First you talk to a contractor who puts you in the correct line, then you go down a short hallway and talk to the TDC. As recently as about a year ago you could still do an SDOO by keeping to the left after the TDC (source). But some time in the past year LAX/TBIT switched to 100% NoS machines there (well, they still have a WTMD, but it's hardly ever used, even during peak times).
What's interesting is that once you get close to the machines, if you look off to your left, there is another separate "secret" screening area with only WTMDs and no NoS machines. They generally don't take people off the main line, this area has it's own separate entrance. You can see it after you get through security if you look backwards towards the entrance.
On my last trip through TBIT I looked all around for the entrance and I couldn't find it (before entering the checkpoint), which leads me to believe it's only for people with medical complications or VIPs or something. It definitely did not appear to be in use by pilots or FAMs. I tried handing the initial contractor my TSA Notification card (describing my TSASS, of course) but they didn't even want to look at it, just said show it to the next guy. So they definitely aren't directing all medical cases over there, maybe just severe ones?
So I'm wondering, has anyone else noticed this? And what is the policy that determines who gets put in that line?
Nov 20, 2013, 8:51 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,424
Every time I pass through LAX on my way to another country, I check in with my carrier (usually CX) and head back to the right corner to go through security.
First you talk to a contractor who puts you in the correct line, then you go down a short hallway and talk to the TDC. As recently as about a year ago you could still do an SDOO by keeping to the left after the TDC (source). But some time in the past year LAX/TBIT switched to 100% NoS machines there (well, they still have a WTMD, but it's hardly ever used, even during peak times).
What's interesting is that once you get close to the machines, if you look off to your left, there is another separate "secret" screening area with only WTMDs and no NoS machines. They generally don't take people off the main line, this area has it's own separate entrance. You can see it after you get through security if you look backwards towards the entrance.
On my last trip through TBIT I looked all around for the entrance and I couldn't find it (before entering the checkpoint), which leads me to believe it's only for people with medical complications or VIPs or something. It definitely did not appear to be in use by pilots or FAMs. I tried handing the initial contractor my TSA Notification card (describing my TSASS, of course) but they didn't even want to look at it, just said show it to the next guy. So they definitely aren't directing all medical cases over there, maybe just severe ones?
So I'm wondering, has anyone else noticed this? And what is the policy that determines who gets put in that line?
First you talk to a contractor who puts you in the correct line, then you go down a short hallway and talk to the TDC. As recently as about a year ago you could still do an SDOO by keeping to the left after the TDC (source). But some time in the past year LAX/TBIT switched to 100% NoS machines there (well, they still have a WTMD, but it's hardly ever used, even during peak times).
What's interesting is that once you get close to the machines, if you look off to your left, there is another separate "secret" screening area with only WTMDs and no NoS machines. They generally don't take people off the main line, this area has it's own separate entrance. You can see it after you get through security if you look backwards towards the entrance.
On my last trip through TBIT I looked all around for the entrance and I couldn't find it (before entering the checkpoint), which leads me to believe it's only for people with medical complications or VIPs or something. It definitely did not appear to be in use by pilots or FAMs. I tried handing the initial contractor my TSA Notification card (describing my TSASS, of course) but they didn't even want to look at it, just said show it to the next guy. So they definitely aren't directing all medical cases over there, maybe just severe ones?
So I'm wondering, has anyone else noticed this? And what is the policy that determines who gets put in that line?
Nov 20, 2013, 4:53 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CEB & LAS
Programs: CX GO, TSA Pre✓ Afflictions: TSASS
Posts: 734
I'd say 90% of the time it's running at full capacity with a line full of people waiting. Those people don't get pulled off the main line, they came in through another entrance from the ticketing area (if you look carefully you can see through the door back into the ticketing area). So I'm fairly certain it's not just an overflow area, there's some other trick to it.
Nov 21, 2013, 7:58 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
I know exactly what you are talking about and I have no idea how to access that checkpoint without assistance from an airport employee.
Twice I have been directed by TSA to that metal detector only checkpoint and once an airline employee was helping me make my flight (was really late) and after having my docs checked she yelled he is late late late and needs to be screened ASAP.
She lead me into that "special" checkpoint and I was screened there is no time flat and barely made my flight.
Dan
Twice I have been directed by TSA to that metal detector only checkpoint and once an airline employee was helping me make my flight (was really late) and after having my docs checked she yelled he is late late late and needs to be screened ASAP.
She lead me into that "special" checkpoint and I was screened there is no time flat and barely made my flight.
Dan