Go back to using the highlighter on the bag tag like they used to do! 20 Highlighters - $10.00
Speciailzed Stickers per day - $my guess would be hundreds?????

Waisted expenses at our cost! No wonder they want to bump up the Security Tax, I think 5-10$ is already too much to pay for it. Stick the tax to the pleasure travlers not the business travlers.

~icorproadie

If they use stickers, I would consider keeping them on the bag for the next time through. In that way, the TSA would think that the bag has been cleared when it hadn't.

With baggage tags, they are removed after each trip (unless you want your bag to go someplace else from you). So that would seem to make much more sense.

Uh, the stickers are affixed to the baggage tags. It would do no good to re-use the same baggage tag because the dates, times and destination would not match. Also, we would see the sticker prior to loading, which would draw our attention. I usually remove old baggage tags to prevent any mix-ups by the airlines.

It is affixed to the luggage tag not the bag itself. If you want your bag going to where you just came from, go right ahead!

~icorproadie

I've noticed in the last 4 or 5 weeks that my checked bag always has the holographic sticker (from IAH to CLT and vice versa). It never previously had any sticker, and I also have noted that other checked baggage from the same flight does not have the sticker.

Well, I haven't seen one yet, so I was basing it on the ICN stickers that they stick on luggage when coming back into the States.

If the sticker would draw your attention prior to loading, then why at some airports does it take so many to double-check my boarding pass to see if it has SSSS on it? I would think that would also be noticed first time through.

Even with the stickers, I could see taking it off my luggage tag and placing it on the luggage for the next time. May not make a difference, but it might save an internal check.

It would seem to me that it would still make the most sense to use a marker instead on the luggage tag.

Ah, that's the beauty of these new stickers; once they're stuck to something, anything, they won't come off.

Is it possible you're thinking about carry-on as opposed to checked luggage? I don't see the connection between your boarding pass and checked luggage which is why I'm asking.

I check tags for two primary reasons:

1) To make sure that it is the correct tag for the airline I'm screening for. We have checked baggage pods located in close proximity and passengers sometimes come to the wrong pod. So I sometimes have to direct them to the correct screening pod.

2) To note the flight times. When we're busy, I have to make sure that the earliest flights are screened first so that they are loaded on the plane on time. Our goal is to have the bags back in the airlines' hands no later than 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure times. The airlines agree to put late tags on bags checked in within this 30 minute window. Since TSA is financially liable for any missed bags, I take the extra measure of marking the times on the tag itself of when I received the bag whenever they are within the 30 minute window but don't have a late tag attached.

The problem with markers is that anyone can use one to mark a tag unless we go to a color code system. For example, today we'll use red, tomorrow blue, etc. The problem here is that there is always 10% that don't get the word or will post the day's color code somewhere where everyone can see it which defeats the purpose of having a code. TSA tags are much easier. Airline baggage personnel know to notify their supervisor immediately if they don't see one on a bag . It's simple.

What I object to is TSA's obsession with uniformity by spending additional money to have these cool-looking holographic TSA stickers when the plain Jane ones we currently have suffice.

I haven't used them yet. I guess we have to exhaust our current supply of tags first. One of the "time savers" we use is to pre-position our tags by attaching them to the edge of the stop pad at the end of the CTX as well as along the top edge of the ETD machine. That way, all the screener has to do is just peel them off and stick 'em to the tag instead of peeling them off of the reel. It saves time and hassle, especially when during peak periods. I hear you can't do that with these new tags. Once you peel them off, you have to stick them or else you can't use them. Is that true?

Wow I will be sure to hand you my bag next time I am in SAT and running late! Thanks for actually taking notice of the bags and if they need a rush screening.

~icorproadie

I appreciate your thoughtful responses and from what I hear I only wish the other stations would emulate SNA.

I was trying to make an analogy between checking the checked baggage tag and checking one's boarding pass. It would seem that if the checked baggage tag only has to be viewed once, then the boarding pass should only have to be viewed once by the TSA (a maximum of twice if you include the airline ID checker) to ensure whether it is marked SSSS. Unfortunately, a number of stations check more than once.

And even at the same station, there is inconsistency. Last Thursday I flew COEX out of IAH B in the morning. Showed my boarding pass and ID to the ID checker and that was that. That evening on my way back out of IAH B, I passed by the security line and a TSA person was barking for all to keep out their boarding pass to be viewed by TSA after the ID checker. Same line, same day but different requirements.

Sounded like they would come off in many pieces if someone tried to remove one that was alrady stuck on, probably as a security measure to keep people from trying to remove them from one tag and put them on another, etc.

Yes, Bart, that's true. We used to stick ours to the edges of the machines as well and you just can't do that with these. They're scored, so you have to pull them off the sheet in a certain direction or they tear and then you can't use them. Once you pull one off, you have to stick it on the bag tag and once it's stuck to something, that's it. They stick to your shoes, your fingers, your pants, you name it. I still haven't been able to master using them while wearing gloves; I tore more than I used, until I just gave up and removed my gloves when it's my turn to unload the machine.

RDU has the pretty holographic ones. First checked bag in a long time.

Ahh, but have you read what is embedded in the hologram??

(I got one when I checked a bag at MKE)

"Genuine" and "Original"

Felling safe yet?