I tried to get a complaint form to no avail -- but I do have the FSD name and address where I am sending a letter of complaint.

To put things in context, when it was announced I was a selectee, a screener eagerly jumped forward with a wand, herded me over to the chairs on the carpet with the yellow foot markers and tried to start right away. I interrupted and said to him I'd like to have my posessions within sight prior to starting. He then raised his voice and told me I was being difficult.

Another screener finally ran the tray forward, which contained, (1) coins/keys (2) cell phone and (3) a document holder (with passport inside) (4) pack of cigarettes/lighter - the screener then sarcasticly said that's it? The screener continued and said something along the lines of "being difficult over some coins and a phone" I then raised my voice somewhat and said my passport was in the document holder, and difficult or not, I don't let it out of my sight. At this point the "SSSSelecteee" screening started - I was wanded & shoes were x-rayed.

Last year I had another screener at EWR yell at me "It's not metal we're looking for" when I refused to take a pair of flip flops off... FWIW.

Not exactly professional behavior, IMHO.

SDF_Traveler

Were you wearing socks? Maybe they check people in bare feet for foot fungus? I dunno..

Screeners must identify themselves. As TSAMGR said, call for a supervisor and point the screener out to him/her. The supervisor will identify the screener in his/her report.

In the constant effort to detect explosives and other dangerous items, I can see TSA trying new innovations. Gotta admit, though, that ETDing boarding passes doesn't cut the mustard with me.

There are other ways to detect explosives.

By the way, simply washing your hands doesn't do the job. Yes, our technology is THAT good. The "false-positives" aren't necessarily false. The machine detected what it is supposed to detect. A lot of you just don't realize that glycerin, which can be quite deadly when mixed with nitro, is also found in skin care lotions. Same applies for many other ingredients which can be put to good use (pain medication, skin care, heart medication, etc) or for diabolical use. When an ETD machine alarms, all it's saying is: "I found what you programmed me to look for...YOU figure out the rest."

Actually I was wearing socks - When wearing shoes which have metal shanks in them, I used to make a habit of wearing sandal's to the airport and then switching out at a later point to make screening easier.

In this particular incident, I was getting ready to enter the WTMD, the screener says, "What about your shoes", I reply, "I'm wearing sandal's mam, no metal in them" and lefted a foot to show her. She then proceeded to raise her voice and yell at me "It's not metal we're looking for". I almost got smart with her and said, "this is a metal detector, correct?" - but kept my mouth shut. I did find a screening supervisor and made a complaint at the checkpoint. I now have a pair of shoes I purchased specifically for travel - lightweight and no metal shanks which conform with the TSA SOP for screening purposes.

For whatever reason, of the airports I use frequently, EWR being one of them, I have had my share of problems with the TSA at EWR. Other airports I use frequently, SDF, DTW, & ORD, I have nothing but praise for most of the screeners. My ORD travel is domestic, but lately I have been using DTW and EWR a lot as gateways for international travel followed by BOS, MEM, MSP, & JFK as other gateways. Looking back at my travels this past year (LCY, LHR, LGW, BUD, AMS, BCN, MAD, DXB, KUL, MEL, SYD, etc), I've probably cleared security just as many times outside of the US as within the USA. Fortunately I've always had good experiences with airport screening outside the USA with the exception of a couple ICTS screenings (FAA mandated airline security for US carriers).

Cheers,

SDF_Traveler

On Sep. 9, EWR Terminal A (United), I walked through the metal detector with my new, airport-friendly shoes on. No beep, no hassle.

Bruce

Thanks, Bart
 

Bart -

Thanks for your comments with respect to ETDing boarding passes. I am for anything which will actually improve detection of explosives -- but when the TSA tries something "new" like this, I often have to question whether it passes the test, or if it's more window dressing.

As you feel this doesn't cut mustard, what do you feel would be a good improvement? I wouldn't mind walking through a trace detection machine, as I understand these exist -- I don't know how accurate they are, but certainly worth exploriing. I also know there are scanners in development which can determine the chemical composition of items as they pass through -- these particular scanners seem like they are worthwhile exploring.

As far as the trace detection in use, you're correct - when it makes a positive hit, it does so because it found something which was searched for. As mentioned before, I've personally been through a positive ETD with my checked luggage, which wasn't a great experience on my behalf, but the alarm was cleared.

I can only hope with increased use of ETD machines for boarding pass screening, when they do alarm, I hope the alarm resolutions are conducted in a manner where the passenger is treated with respect until the alarm is cleared or something is found.

On a few occassions I have had an "image match" with the x-ray and my carry-on. Typically the bag is searched and the alarm cleared when this does happen without much issue. On one particular occassion the screener seemed convinced I had something on me, but after 20 minutes and a LEO being called on-site, my bag was cleared. To me this was intimidating. In this incident, I had a key chain and keys which formed an image which appeared to be a gun on the x-ray, which was later explained to me by another screener as I politely inquired what had happened once my bag was cleared (This was at LGA).

Best,

SDF_Traveler

Did they take your name and record your ID in this 'incident'?

Bruce,

I've never used EWR Terminal A (that I recall, at least). However, your experience at EWR A sounds similiar to my experiences at EWR B. EWR C is another world.

My experiences in EWR Terminal B for domestic and international flights (NW, VS, MH, KL, etc) have been good and consistent; no shoe removal - walk though, no beep, no problems, all of the time.

My experiences in EWR Terminal C (CO & XJ) is where I've experienced complete inconsistency and occassional hassle. While C is the largest of the terminals and the busiest, it's amazing how the experience can differ once you go an AirTrain stop over. ;)

The checkpoints in C are often quite hectic, while it's typically much more peaceful over in B - should that make a difference.

Best,

SDF_Traveler

I don't recall being asked for ID (other than when entering the line), but I do recall them requesting my boarding pass during the check.

In the end it was interesting when a TSA screener took the time to show how my keys and keychain were laid out in the carry-on, which would cause it to appear as a weapon.

Best,

SDF_Traveler

What about when the supervisor isn't willing to give out the screener's name? That happened to me, and only after I pointed out to the supervisor that I had plenty of time, and was willing to exit the area and go through this whole charade once more so I could see the screener's name tag, was the supervisor willing to give me the name.

Crazy. I would have asked the Supervisor for his/her name too.

Ask the Supervisor for his name then ask for the Screening Manager. If the Screening Manager refuses then ask for a LEO.

No one should refuse to give their name and number.

I once had a passenger ask to see my SIDA badge to report me for something. I refused and pointed to my name tag and he got in a huff about it. I told I refuse to let you know my last name but I'm required to give my first name and number here, take that or talk to my supervisor. The guy was a real ... and asked for my supervisor.

The Supervisor told him about the same thing I did.

Maybe their needs to be a clarification. The Screener must give his name and number on the name tag. Even if they don't have a name tag on (which means they are violating procedures unless it wasn't issued) they must give the information.