Give me the proof...
 

TSAMgr & JDiver, when you give me the proof that the shoes/clothes that didn't set off the alarm before (sigh - since 9/11 rarely - to the point that I foolishly bragged on this forum) & now does every time/are suddenly a security risk - and back it up w/ why (I really want to hear the why on stuff that was ok before now isn't)- then I'll respect. Until then, sorry.

Complete balderdash. I have a metal knee, have been wanded about as much as anybody in the country, and have only been asked a few times about implants. I almost always need to volunteeer this information after I sit down and raise my right leg, and find it hard to believe that sometimes it seems of little interest to the screener. I think that some of these guys do not even care to listen to anything a passenger has to say and have completely tuned us out. When they get to the leg, they frequently will look up and explain that they need to pat me down, at which stage I bite my tongue and instead of calling the jerk a jerk, I simply repeat that I have a metal knee.

This BS has been happening to me a lot longer than SkiAdcock, and I know how she is beginning to feel. I am sick and tired of the wanding and patdown every time I fly and somebody, somewhere should get a grip and figure out what to do in cases like mine. From what I have seen at the security checkpoints, there apparently is not enough intelligence or willingness in the TSA to try to figure out how to save not only my time, but an equivalent amount of theirs. But maybe it doesn't matter to them. Maybe shaking down people like me is all they want to do, and they are willing to let the situation continue indefinitely.

The screeners are following procedure.

Look at the whining here...

This is the level of screener intelligence that we are seeing all over the country. They simply assume that it is normal for the same person to be screened a hundred times a year by unpleasant people without getting the least bit perturbed over the "procedure." The statement that it is not liked and it is time for a change is seen as whining since all these people are doing is their "job" and things are really OK the way they are and there is no need ever to evaluate and change what is not really working. TSA "work" appears to be mostly makework jobs for sluggards who can't handle themselves in the private sector and need to place themselves at the teats of the nanny state.

I don't have to prove anything to anyone here nor do I care about your respect. You are asking for an explanation based on a description on an Internet message board. You were given general information, if you can't accept it, that is your problem.

Monitor,

I'll try to address you here. The procedure is when pat down the area if it alarms and a knee always alarms. I understand you have documents and the such but it's what we have to do. I generally can tell if it's knee because of how the wand reacts and I just inform I'm going to pat down the area.

There honestly is no way currently to clear you other then a pat down. If we just had you present doctor's information and such it still wouldn't be enough because as stated on this forum, this stuff is easy to forge. Even then, if for some reason we left you be because we know you have a metal knee then it gives you the open pass to carry a gun on your body anytime.

There is a system in place, a backscatter xray, that might stop the harrasment you feel your getting. But most of the public has shot this system down and won't be able to help you.

Maybe a trusted passenger program but we already heard the reaction to that.

BTW, I'm a screener and I'm not a jerk just because I pat down your knee to clear. I'm doing my job and clearing a alarm of the WTMD and the alarm of the wand. In this case I don't feel anything wrong is being done.

screenerx has delivered the company line in a very pleasant manner and I'm guessing that he is one of those who make the wanding experience more tolerable than it usually can be.

However, the manager who posted above him has adopted the unthinking obdurate "this is the book" stance that is the bane of those who need to deal with the civil service. This guy is a decision maker and all he can do is indulge in ad hominem attacks and steadfastly proclaim that this is the way it is and that's all. He apparently thinks that what information he has presented is the be-all and end-all and the real experience of the passengers is of no account. It is clear that this is the kind of guy they need to get rid of in a hurry.

monitor,

I understand the company line pisses people off.

But your case is honestly a hard one to work around. The fact is if TSA gave you a exempt card because you have a knee replacement, then it would have to give one to hundreds of thousands of Americans. That just leaves to big a door open to allow firearms and such through onto a plane.

And then the general public could argue along the lines of "why should I be screened just because I left my cell phone in my pocket?" or something like that. Pretty soon the whole screening process would have to be gotten rid of.

Like I stated, there is a machine that could clear you without the patdowns and such but the general public is against it. Why should TSA purchase these machines that cost huge amounts of cash if only maybe a few hundred out of thousands are going to use it in a given day? Please, to all posters, no comments on along the lines of "TSA doesn't have a problem wasting money on useless things, why this?". We're talking about a years, maybe two years budget going to these things.

I honestly apologize for your experiences and I feel you have more right to complain then anyone, I screen a guy about every two weeks because he has metal hips and I feel sorry for him to. But I also know its something that needs to be done and is no possible way around it. Because if one day they said let him be, he could decide in the future "Heck, TSA sucks at this, I should bring a gun on board to protect myself."

I know that we are told that these devices are set the same at all airports, but I just don't believe that is the case. I flew SEA-OAK-SEA yesterday. I wore flat suede shoes that I where whenever I travel because they don't alarm anywhere. Got through just fine in Sea, but then alarmed in OAK that night.

We've all had this argument before. The company says the machines are all set the same. I think that the surroundings at each airport effect how the WTMD work and make be causing this problem.

Ah, an ...umption from only a post or two. Try going back and doing a search of some of my postings. I don't say this is the way it is and that's all. I have posted information so that passengers are informed. I have stated that some methods and procedures were being done wrong and given ammunition to passengers to ensure they do not become a victim. I get tired of being attacked when I am trying to help. Do I post what is required? yes, does this mean I absolutely believe in it, hell no but many here can't see past that. They see TSA in the screen name and automatically we are to blame for everything.

I have stated over and over again many here are preaching to the choir. You have front line personnel here who are getting beat up for trying to help and spread information. Have I been pissy lately? yes, I am trying to open a terminal in a few days which will have several new or will have several piloted innovations to make the passengers experience better. What came up with many of these ideas? WE THE LOCAL TSA!!.

So I get pissed that I am busting my butt for what appears to be a bunch of ungrateful arses.

No I don't have to prove to someone here why her outfit alarms when the only thing I have to go on is her description.

She was given correct information that the equipment has not been adjusted or sensitivity changed. I can not help her any further but that is not good enough.

If she doesn't want to respect me because of that there is nothing I can do, nor do I have to care (eventhough I did care enough to give her an answer).

Yes they are but the WTMD are set within certain parameters and must meet those requirements. I sat with the WTMD technician last week while doing this on new WTMDs

Well, I think we've carried the rivets thing as far as it can go. And I don't actually dis-respect the screeners (ok, I do think those that wand bare feet are silly :p ) & occasionally you get one that's into a power trip, although in fairness I don't encounter those that often, unlike some others who have posted in this forum.

My posts above were created due to frustration, since previously I rarely set off the magnothingy & now I do every single time wearing clothes/shoes that didn't set it off before (as w/ the above whose shoes didn't set it off at one airport but did at another), and I didn't think some of the screener posters were agreeing in their explanations. We've encountered that before (ie, conflicting info), which is why some folk get frustrated or have a harder time believing it.

Short of doing time travel backwards so that TSAMgr can ascertain for himself that what I wore didn't set off the magnothingy now sets it off, we're probably at an impasse. ;) :) and time to move on. Some interesting information all around.

Cheers. Sharon