Interesting observation on Security...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: YWG
Programs: NWA
Posts: 5
Interesting observation on Security...
Just flown in on the Red Eye from SFO to MSP and found this interesting observation on the security screening on West Coast airports (including hawaii)
Has anyone else noticed that West Coast airports have different screening procedures than the rest of the US?
For example,
In the last 6 months I have been to SFO, SEA, SAN, HNL & LAX and they all make it manditory to remove your shoes and place them on the conveyor belt. Even in HNL I was wearing flip flops and they wanted me to remove them. But for everywhere else it wasn't a problem
Does the West Coast have different security procedures?
Just curious...
RTF
Has anyone else noticed that West Coast airports have different screening procedures than the rest of the US?
For example,
In the last 6 months I have been to SFO, SEA, SAN, HNL & LAX and they all make it manditory to remove your shoes and place them on the conveyor belt. Even in HNL I was wearing flip flops and they wanted me to remove them. But for everywhere else it wasn't a problem
Does the West Coast have different security procedures?
Just curious...
RTF
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: YWG
Programs: NWA
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by UpgradeMe
Any reason this is in the NW forum?
because I fly Northwest?
My apologies in advance if there is a forum on Airport Security. I didn't look to see if there one.
RTF
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 643
This should really be moved to Travel Security- look for it under "Travel & Dining" section.
That said, I see no difference between East Coast & West Coast- they're both inconsistent. I fly SEA to EWR about once a month, and SEA to SAN/BOS/DTW quite often, and I get asked to take my shoes off maybe 60% of the time at each airport. I usually travel wearing car shoe mary janes- very thin sole, but at least they slip on/off easily. As far as I can tell, it just depends on what mood the screener is in that day.
That said, I see no difference between East Coast & West Coast- they're both inconsistent. I fly SEA to EWR about once a month, and SEA to SAN/BOS/DTW quite often, and I get asked to take my shoes off maybe 60% of the time at each airport. I usually travel wearing car shoe mary janes- very thin sole, but at least they slip on/off easily. As far as I can tell, it just depends on what mood the screener is in that day.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC, HNL
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT, DL PM, BA Gold, UA Gold, Bonvoy LT PLT
Posts: 669
They can ask you to take off your shoes, but it is not mandatory unless the TSA has changed policies. In any case, if they ask you to take off your shoes and you don't, then you will get secondary search. I never take off my shoes because they have absolutely no metal in them and I do not want to walk barefoot or in socks on an airport floor that doesn't look like it is ever cleaned.
#6
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
TWAforever:
Exactly. My wife and I refuse to take off our shoes and unless they hit the hidden button to set off the detector, we never get the secondary search because we never set off the detector.
You are correct that it is only a "suggestion" that you take off your shoes, not mandatory. I suspect it is because they are lazy and don't want to spend the time to have to reprocess or secondary search ma and pa Kettle who walk thru the detector with all kinds of metal in their shoes.
Exactly. My wife and I refuse to take off our shoes and unless they hit the hidden button to set off the detector, we never get the secondary search because we never set off the detector.
You are correct that it is only a "suggestion" that you take off your shoes, not mandatory. I suspect it is because they are lazy and don't want to spend the time to have to reprocess or secondary search ma and pa Kettle who walk thru the detector with all kinds of metal in their shoes.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: fort worth, tx AA Gold,Best Western-Diamond, HH- Gold, Marriott-Silver
Posts: 2,737
I have flown out of LAX (NWA terminal 2) twice a month for the last two months, including last weekend on the REDEYE to DTW and they always say it is fine to leave my shoes on. I always wear the same pair of reeboks and the ONLY airport in the country that SUGGESTS I take them off is D/FW. However, they SUGGEST everyone take them off. I have been round and round with the Supervisor at D/FW and he says that D/FW is following SOP, so obviously every other airport in the country I have flown through is NOT. I think it is a farce.
The "rule" or SOP is If the sole of the shoe "appears" to be one inch thick or more it is supposed to come off and/or be secondary screened. The one inch is up to the screener to decide. Anyone that sets off the machine is supposed to go to secondary. D/FW is just over the top.
The "rule" or SOP is If the sole of the shoe "appears" to be one inch thick or more it is supposed to come off and/or be secondary screened. The one inch is up to the screener to decide. Anyone that sets off the machine is supposed to go to secondary. D/FW is just over the top.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 453
Originally Posted by wldtrvlr
I always wear the same pair of reeboks and the ONLY airport in the country that SUGGESTS I take them off is D/FW. However, they SUGGEST everyone take them off. I have been round and round with the Supervisor at D/FW and he says that D/FW is following SOP, so obviously every other airport in the country I have flown through is NOT. I think it is a farce.
Alex
#9
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: AUS
Programs: DL Diamond, DL MM
Posts: 578
On thing about LAX that is different, though, is the requirement that you show your ID at the gate before boarding. I think they are the only airport that requires this....correct me if I'm wrong.
Any reason why?
K
Any reason why?
K
#11
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: fort worth, tx AA Gold,Best Western-Diamond, HH- Gold, Marriott-Silver
Posts: 2,737
Originally Posted by Kaeokai
On thing about LAX that is different, though, is the requirement that you show your ID at the gate before boarding. I think they are the only airport that requires this....correct me if I'm wrong.
Any reason why?
K
Any reason why?
K
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#13
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC, HNL
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT, DL PM, BA Gold, UA Gold, Bonvoy LT PLT
Posts: 669
Originally Posted by Vulcan
TWAforever:
Exactly. My wife and I refuse to take off our shoes and unless they hit the hidden button to set off the detector, we never get the secondary search because we never set off the detector.
You are correct that it is only a "suggestion" that you take off your shoes, not mandatory. I suspect it is because they are lazy and don't want to spend the time to have to reprocess or secondary search ma and pa Kettle who walk thru the detector with all kinds of metal in their shoes.
Exactly. My wife and I refuse to take off our shoes and unless they hit the hidden button to set off the detector, we never get the secondary search because we never set off the detector.
You are correct that it is only a "suggestion" that you take off your shoes, not mandatory. I suspect it is because they are lazy and don't want to spend the time to have to reprocess or secondary search ma and pa Kettle who walk thru the detector with all kinds of metal in their shoes.
The problem that I have had is that they suggest I take off my shoes, I decline explaining that there is no metal in them and I have been through 50 other airports without any problems. I walk through, DO NOT set off the detector and they still lead me to the secondary serach area and I do not have SSSS on my boarding pass.
I agree with you that they are trying to bypass more secondary searches because if they don't ask for shoes to come off, everyone will leave them on and the infrequent traveler wearing steel-toed shoes is going to set off the detector.
I am not trying to create more work for them, but, maybe I am overly frightened of germs, I refuse to walk in socks or barefoot across an airport floor, some of which visually appear very scuzzy. I have seen used gum, dirt stains, unknown stains, fresh beverage spills etc....all right where one is supposed to walk through security without shoes.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RST
Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold
Posts: 4,839
Originally Posted by TWAforever
The problem that I have had is that they suggest I take off my shoes, I decline explaining that there is no metal in them and I have been through 50 other airports without any problems. I walk through, DO NOT set off the detector and they still lead me to the secondary serach area and I do not have SSSS on my boarding pass.
The alternatives are not to fly or more secondary searches. Its your choice. When the war on terrorism stops being reactive, maybe more common sense will prevail. I am waiting for the laptop bomber to really mess with things.
#15
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Originally Posted by fromYXU
....When the war on terrorism stops being reactive, maybe more common sense will prevail. I am waiting for the laptop bomber to really mess with things.
We are such a bunch of silly reactive non-thinking fools.
(that was not a personal attack, but instead on the majority of those in charge of TSA, including Congress and the millions that THINK we are safer)