I just went through security at DFW. No lines, so much for that Thanksgiving rush, but I was selected for a "random" laptop check.

Before they could start to look at my laptop, I was told to hand over my boarding pass so the screener could take down my personal information.

When I asked why they needed this even if there was no alarm, I was just told "it's our procedure; something the Government has come up with".

The supervisor couldn't/wouldn't explain what happens to the records, more than they are kept "in their office". To say for what purpose and for how long, would be to defeat the "security purpose" and she couldn't do that. When she said "I surely understood that", I answered I perfectly honest: NO, which of course didn't go over very well.

It may not be that big of a deal, but I am not really comfortable with having to give up even my name to the "Government" without knowing what it is used for. Yeah, yeah, implied consent and all that nonsense, but tell my why you want the information.

Is there any way to find out?

They take it in case there is an "incident." It is all part of the "layered" security in place now. They can backtrack and cover the bases to find all who might have been involved. The forms are kept in a notebook for a pre-determined amount of time and then discarded. At the airport I worked at, they were kept for 30 days. I figure if the plane lands ok, get rid of them then, but thats just me.



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Don't take life too seriously, afterall, you won't get out alive.

We take down names of people who come in late for flights so the airlines can't blame us for delays. We also take down names of people who drop their own stuff so we can protect ourselves from fraudulent damage claims.

You should not feel comfortable surrendering data to this organization. The TSA is not famous for managing or safeguarding data:

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/...eadlines-trans

[This message has been edited by HugeAss (edited Nov 28, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by HugeAss (edited Nov 28, 2003).]

I need more coffee.



[This message has been edited by HugeAss (edited Nov 28, 2003).]

I had this happen to me several months ago at IAD when I dared ask for a hand inspection of film. It took two screeners to write down information from my boarding pass into some sort of a log book. (I was amuzed that it took TWO screeners to write down the information!) I'll be better-prepared for this record-keeping next time and make sure I write down their names and badge numbers (might have to fake it just to make my point.)

I also believe that one could file a FOIA and/or Privacy Act request demanding that the TSA provide a copy of the "file" they have on you.

If they had asked for additional information (such as that contained on my driver's license), all three of us would still be at the checkpoint.

Probably training.

At D/FW we throw it away at the end of the day as far as I can tell. They write down only the name and flight number in case you take off and leave your item, then you can possibly be found if it was yours in the first place. No other info is taken unless an alarm goes off.

all is lost

[This message has been edited by Fenito (edited Dec 21, 2003).]