our staffing levels are too high right now. We have to cut. last year at Thankgiving we had over 900, this year we will be just over 700.

I don't want to sound like piss and vinegar, but this exact misunderstanding of the SOP...the Bible, the way things are supposed to be (and its arbitrary application) is the core of the frustration of most TSA animosity.

The new sop says that we are too screen shoes that are over the criteria IF the passenger chooses to wear them through the metal detector and the passenger doesnt set the metal detector off. However the sop says that the passenger has to be handed off to an available screener without contact with other passengers. DEN has deemed this to be a problem and so they get the full monty.

That's what I mean. Slower lines leaving the impression that you need all that staffing. I wish the IG would make it to DEN and see the SOP violations there (and hopefully run across a couple of the rudest screeners I have seen).

The changes that your FSD refuses to abide by were apparently designed to speed things up and, presumably, leave space to trim staff levels (presumably by the trend of trimming TSA budgets).

So if all 400+ other airports can do this, is DEN simply incompetent, and/or is there a rogue FSD who thinks he knows better?

I went through security at DFW last week. The TSA guy barked out, "we suggest you remove your shoes before going through the metal detector." I ignored his "suggestion" and went through with them on anyway. After I went through, he said, "step over there for secondary screening. I asked you to remove your shoes, and you refused." The last time I checked the dictionary, "ask" and "suggest" did not mean the same thing!

Morrissey, Morrissey, I worry about you. I really do. And all those other folks out there who believe the ol' Funk and Wagnall's Dictionary still applies to our language and Constitution. Since some folks are not quick on the uptake, I'll write these next items VERY SLOWLY...

1) "We suggest you take off your shoes..." = "Or else, you damned lying PAX! And don't hold up OUR line..."

2) "Random" = "You pissed me off."

3) SSI = Hide 'n Seek with your right to due process.

4) SSSS = Public Example Punishment. YOU get to try to figure out why.

5) Pledged Dignity and Respect by TSA = Our estimation of PAX intelligence. If they can make you think there's ANYTHING dignified or respectful about a CP, if you were a dog they could get you to buy a muzzle.

6) "Do you have a PROBLEM with any of this, Sir?" = "I understand legal coercion MUCH better than you do, you damned, ignorant, lying PAX. Comply or I'll do more than VEIL my travel threats."

Glad to help clear things up.