Exactly what is the jacket removal policy? I have seen men in suit and sport jackets allowed to wear them and walk through the metal detectors in most airports. Some airports make you take them off. Anyone with an overcoat has to take it off and be scanned with the bags, shoes and other miscellaneous items such as cell phones and laptops. However if you are wearing a leather or suede sport jacket (not an overcoat) they ask you to remove them.

It's my understanding that the official policy is all jackets and baggy tops must come off if the person is wearing something underneath. YMMV as to actual practice. (See, e.g., shoe removal policy and practice.)

The official policy since about September 20 or so is that all jackets must come off unless you are wearing nothing underneath, according to the TSA website and the posters here who claim employment by the TSA.

Nevertheless, I've seen it enforced inconsistently. I've been told to remove my jacket at some checkpoints, not been told at others, and subject to secondary at some for failing to remove my jacket. Some checkpoints just let me slide with my jacket. Not too easy to get 44,000+ people to sing from the same hymnal. But at least the inconsistency keeps the terrorists off guard.

Do we ever claim that you are presenting yourself as a FF when in fact you may be an armchair quaterback/coach potato?

So you're saying that the 3 to 14 people demanding to see boarding passes at the checkpoint aren't looking to see that I have Executive Plutonium status?

From
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/e...image_0083.xml

Coat Policy

TSA�s new protocols also require all passengers to remove outer coats and jackets for X-ray before proceeding through the metal detectors. Included are suit and sport coats, athletic warm-up jackets and blazers. However, if a sport coat or blazer is being worn as the outermost garment � not being worn over a blouse or sweater, for example � it does not have to be removed.

Sweaters and sweatshirts may remain on unless they contain a significant amount of metal or their size and bulk could potentially be used to conceal dangerous articles.

As previously stated (numerous times) your BP is checked to make sure you are/are not a selectee and are in the correct lane. The ticket checker should steer you to the correct lane, the WTMD screener ensures you are in the right lane (check on ticked checker). Another screener at the end of the lane (mostly on a dedicated or integrated lane) makes sure you were processed correctly check on ticket checker and WTMD). Some airports who have the ticket checker at the front of the queue have a queue screener at the end to steer you into the right lane.

While this process may seem to be overkill it ensures selectees are properly screened at the checkpoint and the need to screen selectees at the gate or have them come back to the checkpoint can be eliminated thus making it easier all the way around.

I would argue that many FF's are both armchair quarterbacks (in more than one way) and couch potatoes. I'm sure you see more of them (potatoes) go through checkpoints than me.

So assuming I don't want my expensive, just back from the dry cleaners, sport coat to be put in one of those filthy and occasionally smelly gray plastic bins, can I just wear it through the metal detector and opt for secondary screening instead?

Some of those plastic bins are positively disgusting.

I'm not a screener, but my understanding is that you can wear the coat through the metal detector. Then they will make you take it off when you reach the other side.

Additionally, they will touch you whereever they please, even if no alarm beeps. I'm assuming you are male: male searches can involve touching your nipples, feeling your genitals and massaging your backside.

You'll have to make your own call, but it's a humdinger of a catch-22. And I'm not sure that you'll save your coat from the gray bins; they might make you take the coat off and then walk it back and send it through the metal detector themselves.

Hmmm. Maybe it's time to invest in a decent hanging garment bag rather than risk wrinkles (by packing the sport coat) or filth (those repulsively dirty TSA plastic bins). Don't know why if they're going to wand/frisk me anyway they can't inspect the sport coat by hand too (after I've requested they use fresh gloves)?

I may be in the minority here but, if done properly (as in other countries), the patdown doesn't really bother me.

Coming back from LHR recently was such a treat - didn't have to take off my belt or take off my shoes to go through the detector. (I really hate getting airport floor nasties on my socks). Either my belt or shoes buzzed the metal detector at LHR but after a very professional, polite and quick patdown by the BAA security guy I was cleared and on my way.

Hey, I resent that accusation. I am not a couch potato. I am more of a love seat potato......

So what does a proper patdown entail and proper as in best for security or more comfortable to the passenger? One time I did a pat down search on a retired corrections officer and he told me that we do poor patdowns. He wasn't being obnoxious just mentioned that the kind of patdowns he used to do were much more likely to find concealed items. He was referring to visitors entering the prison not the prisoners themselves by the way.

I don't think you're in the minority. A proper patdown as done in other countries doesn't really bother me either. This year I've cleared security at:

LHR, LGW, LCY, AMS, BUD, FCO, BCN, MAD, DXB, KUL, SIN, MEL, SYD, and a handful of other airports overseas. No shoe removal, no belt removal, no silly business. If I did receive a patdown, it was professional -- my backside was not massaged and my genitals not groped.

My flights between points outside of the USA (from short Intra-European to long-haul trans-oceanic between points outside the USA) are a treat when it comes to security. I have even been able to visit the flight deck on some flights, talk with the pilots, watch some teriffic views, and see how things work up-front. I've even been on a flight where the cockpit door was kept open during the the majority of the flight with a jumpseater, pilots, and FAs talking. I'm certain this would freak some people out, but I was fine with it. Life without paranioa exists outside of the USA.

SDF_Traveler

Translation: "While this process may seem to be overkill, it allows us to spend our complete budget for the year so we can ask for more money next year."