Why laptops out of bag?
May 9, 2004 | 10:00 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 730
Originally Posted by TSAMGR
As an FYI, many of the X-Ray machines (especially the Smith-Heimann) calibrates itself by backing the belt up then proceeding forward. This happens often especially if a bag is cut on the screen. This is not controlled by the operator so when putting your laptop on the belt make sure the belt is moving forward and don't just load it behind a bag and walk away. We have tried to position the tables so the items won't fall but sometimes they get bumped and moved. I have sent a complaint to the manufacturer and suggested some type of stop at the end but don't expect much.
Regarding the laptops, up here when I was working we had all electronics removed (still appears to be policy as I just flew last week). When I first started, however, we didn't remove any electronics and I often had difficulty seeing through bags with laptops. I felt more comfortable once they were required to be removed.
May 10, 2004 | 12:05 am
#32
Used to be Sydneysider
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: CPH
Programs: AS MVP/Gold (and 75K aspirant)
Posts: 2,984
Originally Posted by GradGirl
What I don't understand is why the TSA doesn't provide padded containers for our very expensive and delicate equipment. We are forced to take our laptops out of their padded cases which were designed to handle bumps and drops. The screeners don't seem to treat the laptops as the fragile and costly items that they are.
I always insist of grabbing it directly from the roller. This has caused problems when I am selected for secondary and not allowed to touch my stuff!
May 10, 2004 | 4:06 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,673
[QUOTE=screenerx]The Rapiscan series does have a steel table right before the belt to stop this. It's really nice, in that it won't let a item be pushed off when the machine goes in reverse like it does.QUOTE]
The Smith Heimann has a steel roller table also but it is only a few feet long. Once the bags are stacked up it is useless to save the last bag.
There use to be a "bin loader" position but since the staffing levels are low it has been eliminated in most airports.
The Smith Heimann has a steel roller table also but it is only a few feet long. Once the bags are stacked up it is useless to save the last bag.
There use to be a "bin loader" position but since the staffing levels are low it has been eliminated in most airports.
May 12, 2004 | 8:14 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Near Chicago and Under the MDW and ORD Flight Paths, IL, USA
Programs: UA recovering Premier
Posts: 948
Padded Laptop Bins Exist... uh, Somewhere...
I know I've been traveling too much when it occurs to me that I was at some airport recently where the laptop bins were foam rubber padded (take your pick between ORD, SEA, CVG, DTW, MSP, DFW, AUS, MCI). The only thing that I wondered about there was the likelihood of that material building up a static charge (I wonder about those plastic bins, as well).As for pulling out all the electronic gear... oh man! SFO was doing that initially and it was a pain. I carry a laptop, a digital camera, a Blackberry, a Nextel phone and a variety of wires, spare batteries, and chargers for all that gear. You all don't want me in front of you if I have to unload all of that, plus my belt and shoes.
Interestingly, I can't think of the last time my laptop got swabbed or my laptop bag got hand searched.
May 13, 2004 | 2:41 pm
#36
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,673
Originally Posted by HKG_Flyer1
The squinting and staring at the screen, I don't mind so much. It tells me that they're really paying attention.
They have to be paying attention. We can tell.
I can't go into how.