A Tale of Two Checkpoints
 

Two TSA checkpoints that is.

At PHX I got the dreaded SSSS (yes, they still automatically do the SSSS for one-way bookings, sigh...). But the staff there couldn't be more friendly. We chatted about how dumb terrorists are. They weren't too invasive in their screening and they were genuinely friendly throughout. I did not have to take my sneakers off at any time.

At LAX today at T2, I wore shorts, no belt, and light collapseable sneakers (Nike Free). This is no problem anywhere else, but the TSA guy barked at me to take my shoes off. Normally I refuse, but after the nice experience at PHX I decided to be nice too. So I threw them into the scanner and walked through. This time I beeped the WTMD for whatever reason. He said I had to to the corral. My feet were cold so I went to get my shoes that had made it through the scanner. He YELLLED at me to stop. That got me angry so I said "no thanks" and went to put my shoes on. One of the other agents grabbed my shoe and they guy yelled at me again. So I sat down on the belt and said "I'm not going anywhere til you bring me my shoes."

Then he yelled for a supervisor who asked me what the problem was and I said my feet are cold. She told them to give me back my shoes, but I still had to go to secondary screening.

Two checkpoints, both operated by the TSA. One got the job done in a very friendly non-confrontational manner, the other caused a problem with an attitude. Some say that inconsistency is a weapon against terrorism. I say that is a garbage excuse for unprofessionalism.

I had not heard this unique interpretation. Sort of from the "even a blind pig sometimes finds an acorn" school of thought. :(

Oh geez, it's all what Kip Hawley is about.

In the December 22nd, 2005 changes Hawley touted that things will be different from airport to airport, changing from day to day. :rolleyes:

And we're supposed to believe this -- from an agency that can have one airport with an SOP update on the first of the month, whereas other airports might not get it for another week or two.

Hawley was (and still is) in full CYA mode. He knows the tide is turning towards more SENSIBLE security. It might not happen tomorrow, but the tide IS turning.

Just compare the checkpoints at LAX's T5 & T6 and you will see a difference.

At T5, I never have had a problem. ^

At T6, they must have read a different set of rules and I encounter a problem whenever I go through their checkpoints. :td: