I was wondering if secondary screenings at the departure gate are still routine or was my experience in October 2004 at Logan Airport unusual. On that day, I did not set off the metal detector nor was I selected in any way for secondary screening in the metal dectector area. I did notice that my boarding pass was marked "Zone 3" which I thought was unusual because I fly often and I am almost always in Zone 6. The next strange event was that when the airline called Zone 3 I noticed that I was approaching the gate alone instead of with the usual herd. I was inches away from entering the boarding tunnel when two TSA agents, one male and one female literally appeared out of nowhere and forced me to come along with them for "extra security." Next thing I know, they have me behind the gate bulkhead, a claustrophobic area, while the female agent makes me assume the position, wands me, pats me down, and the male agent goes through all my stuff. Of course, they would not tell me why they chose me at the gate when I breezed through the regular security area. Anyway, it was for me a terrifying experience and I hope not to fly again until the pat downs are stopped.

That definiately sounds unusual. I'm assuming Zone 3 was your boarding group (were you on Delta?). It could be that the screeners had a quota to fill, and since you were the only passenger from Zone 3 to board, you were the lucky selectee.

It may have just been bad timing. I doubt you were singled out or anything. I can understand the anguish you endured. The T-S-A'ers could have explained things to you.

Wondering...welcome to FlyerTalk and the Travel Safety/Security Forum!
I'm sure you'll get many opinions as to what occurred in BOS. My take is that it was strictly random. The routine gate screenings have gone away for the most part but I still see the occasional "surprise" secondary gate screening at various airports.

Thank you for your kind reply. Yes, I was traveling on Delta that when the search occurred. I noticed that on my return flight I was once again in Zone 6, but the boarding agent announced that if anyone had a zoneless boarding pass, they should board in Zone 3. Fortunately for those folks, there were no TSA at the gate that day.

You're welcome. I wouldn't be alarmed next time you get a zone 3 boarding pass. I don't think that had anything to do with your gate screening.

I really haven't witnessed much Gate Rape these days, thankfully. I had to participate in one session a few years ago, and wasn't too happy about it. The hacks in charge of the airports (FSD's etc) must still like to pull this one off the shelf somtimes and try it out.

Wondering,

I hope you are able to stick to your guns and not fly until the gropings/pat-downs cease. I would certainly write to the airlines you fly and tell them this.

Also, I know it's Monday Morning Quarterbacking, but a lot of us have adopted the approach of requiring the TSA agents to change their gloves (plenty of posts on this forum) before they touch you and/or your stuff. It's about the only way to assert any kind of authority towards them that they can't refuse. At a gate rape such as yours, this would have been especially annoying for them because they would have had to go all the way back to the initial checkpoint to get new gloves. I'm sure they would have laid the guilt trip on you of missing your flight if you insisted on new gloves. Next time -- go for it!

TSA is far more likely to spread a flu epidemic or SARS than they are to find a terrorist with their screenings. What would happen to a private business if they rooted through people's belongings, especially toiletries, using the same gloves over and over?

When we are sent for a gate screening, we have to pick up equipment. That equipment includes gloves. If for some reason we didnt have the necessary equipment, we could send the person back or escort them back to the checkpoint.

FliesWay2Much,

Thank you for your suggestions. Yes, I intend to stick to my guns and I have already written my letter to Delta.

Eyecue,

In the incident I described, no TSA had to sent to the gate. My BP was not SSSS and I had cleared the main checkpoint with no problem. The TSA who picked me for gate screening were lurking out of sight until the very last second. What sort of proud workers lurk about waiting to grab innocent people? Also, being sent back to the checkpoint would have guaranteed that I miss my flight. That is a pretty high price to pay for the common courtesy of clean hands.