I did a fly 3, fly free run yesterday which involved a turn-around at CMH. At the security checkpoint, I was told I had to remove my shoes and replied "these never set them off." The screener said that not taking off shoes resulted in an automatic secondary screening. I replied "That's against TSA policy, but if you insist, send me to secondary."

So off I go... when the screener approaches, I ask why they are practicing mandatory shoe removal. He replies "It's TSA policy". I say "That's funny, it doesn't happen elsewhere. At SEA, STL and ORD I go through without a problem." He replies "Well, they are supposed to be doing it" and completes the inspection.

I've emailed the TSA and I'm awaiting their response.

Greg

of candy-... punks who think shoe harassment = security.

Spiff, you are back to your name calling again? And I thought the therapy was working. I have no problem discussing matters if you go about them in an intelligent manner. This name calling is so below you.

I don't understand why there is so much inconsistency. I have had the same thing in CVG. When I said that my shoes never set it off, the screener said "Well, you can go through with them on, but you will save yourself a lot of time by taking them off."

Not really knowing what that meant, I went through with them on and was immediately subjected to a secondary screening even though I did not set off the metal detectors. When I asked why this was never a problem in any other airport, I was told "We are one of the few airports that actually follows the rules correctly. It is more than just metal in the shoes that we are looking for."

How can these screeners say that it is TSA policy when it is stated on their website that shoe removal is not required? And how come only some airports know that they are looking for something else? And what is that something else???

Yet another clueless screener who doesn't know that shoes are not the only place that explosives can be hidden. I sincerely hope that such people are back greeting others at Wal-Mart as soon as possible, especially since I don't shop at Wal-Mart therefore lessening my exposure to un-American idiots.

Few things make me madder than automatic secondary for not removing your shoes. The way I see it, if I go through and set off the magnometer (even with their insane settings sometimes) I will be a good boy and play along with the secondary search. But if I go through without "beeping" I damn well expect that it's over and done with. Your probable cause to search me has ended.

This is the very issue that caused me to have words with some power-hungry SEA screeners last winter. The exchange resulted in me being told that I couldn't give my opinion any longer if I wanted to fly that night. Add the first amendment to the TSA's constitutional tramplings.

:middle finger:

My favorite is when it doesn't beep but they say it triggered a "silent alarm" indicating my shoes were just cause to search.

Fools. Just fools.

Here's an update...

After my experience last week, I exchanged two sets of emails with the TSA's "Contact Center". The first one was a rather generic reply about the need for shoe searches and the second suggested I call their phone center for more information.

Today I decided to call, and had little additional luck. The woman I spoke with was little additional help. She ran around in circles and seemed to read pre-scripted lines about the rights of screeners to conduct secondary searching in cases where shoes were 'suspicious' while ignoring my comments about requiring secondary searches of all people who didn't remove their shoes. When I asked to speak to a supervisor, I was rebuffed... as was when I asked for the contact information for the Federal Security Director (FSD) at CMH. She said she could take down my contact information and pass it along but that was it. I thanked her and hung up.

After a few minutes of searching on the Internet, I found both the name and phone number of the FSD at CMH, a gentleman by the name of Thomas Rice. On a whim, I decided to call the number. After several rings, the phone was answered by a voice saying "Hello, Thomas Rice". I was a little surprised -- I figured at best, I would have several layers of secretary's to fight through.

I explained the situation that I encountered and my concerns. Mr. Rice seemed very concerned about the situation and my thoughts on what happened. He agreed with my understanding that not removing your shoes should not be an automatic trigger for a secondary inspection while mentioning the concerns about the need for shoe inspections.

He asked for details of my specific incident. Unfortunately, I had not obtained names or TSA badge numbers -- so he requested the location (down the the screening lane), time, date and description of the screeners involved.

He indicated that he would look into what happened and even if he could not identify the specific people involved would bring it up at a series of town hall meetings he would have with the TSA employees next week. He also said he would provide a written follow-up to me in the next few weeks.

While my experiences with the TSA Contact Center were less than helpful, I'm very glad I took the effort to contact Mr. Rice. I'll post information on whatever I hear over the next few weeks.

Greg

There is still absolutely no need for shoe screenings.

It's like having a person walk through the metal detector, but it only checks you from the waist down, because a terrorist once tried to strap a gun to his leg.

Appallingly stupid.

What we need to do is compile a list of the direct lines to all the FSDs so we can call them directly. Clearly, the TSA "complaint line" is as useless as tits on a bull, so bypassign them would be a great option.

Here's what I found... It's only the Great Lakes Region, but it's a start!

http://www.faa.gov/Arp/agl/pub_time/time0301.cfm

GregL,

Good for you!

I'm glad that you called the FSD and at least expressed your opinion. The more passengers who make their voices heard, the better. Even if you just receive platitudes, it can still make an impact.

-Mats.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interweb/a...ntact_List.xls

Excel format, 78k

^ ^ ^
Spiff, is there ANYTHING you cannot do?

No phone number?