Latest security slowdown
 

This morning, at AA's DFW C1 checkpoint, the xray was moving well, folks were clearing the WTMD with no problem, but the TSA was stopping the next person from going thru the WTMD while there were too many people (two) still gathering their belongings from the xray belt.

Once one of them got themselves together and left the security area, then they would let one more thru.

Ugh.

Yup... But did you notice what was happening on the Metal Detectors? They were allowed to go through... You and I both picked the wrong line this morning :(

Just cleared DFW security (D) (after INTL flight) and noticed the same thing; no one could go through the metal detector until their belongings cleared...

While I was in MEX, they hand searched everyone's carry on prior to boarding (usually it is random), which meant we took 1hr to board everyone.

Peace!

I refuse to release my laptop through the x-ray machine until I'm clear to go through the metal detector.

TSA sometimes insist and have tried to grab it. I keep ahold of the gray bin and just look at them and say: "Someone tried to steal my laptop at DFW last year during screening and now I never let it get ahead of me. Luckily TSA grabbed them, but I would have lost my job. See, it's free now, thanks and have a nice day."

I do the same thing. I will not go through the metal detector until my possessions are safely in the xray machine. Along with a laptop I wear an expensive watch and I have a new Treo 700 that wasn't cheap either.

IME, the walk thru metal detector is never the chokepoint; the slowdown is the snail's pace with which the TSA examines bags in the x-ray. Many checkpoints have gone to one WTMD per two x-ray lanes in recognition of the speed with which people can clear the WTMD. Easily 6-10 people per minute v. a minute or more per pax at the x-ray machine.

And I NEVER walk thru the WTMD until my stuff is safely inside the chute of the x-ray. Never have and never will, no matter how many people erroneously think I'm slowing things down.

Me three. And I give the stink eye to anyone in line behind me who tells me to get moving.

No, what I saw, in some cases, folk's stuff had already gone completely thru the machine, but since the two in front of them were still gathering their stuff, they were being held from entering the WTMD.

I give the stink eye to those behind that do that and also to the people that decide to stop right at the end of the xray machine and spend 5 minutes getting dressed instead of grabbing their stuff and moving to the tables they have set up by at the end of the check point for just that.

Same here which meant my stuff was sitting there, exposed while I was NOT permitted to go through the WTMD.

Take my shoes but not my mac, please!

While this won't work with a laptop, why not put your watch and cellphone and other valuables in your computer bag/backpack before you get in line? That way they aren't out in the open for others to see and take. I put everything in my bag before I get in line, not only does it mean that my valuables aren't floating aroung, but it also allows me to clear the x-ray counter quickly, go to a quiet and uncongested spot, and then put everything back to normal.

THAT is intolerable. Someone needs to remind those slugs to get moving.

I generally try to do this because I will just then go to the AC and pull everything out and regroup. But sometimes I simply forget.

I am confused about people putting watches in the baskets for the XRay. I have a Rolex and Stern and several other watches .. and I have NEVER had to take them off for the Metal Detector.

I got a new belt with a larger buckle (yea stupid) and that now is setting things off .. so I take it off with my shoes. I have never taken a watch or a neck chain (ok small gold but still) off.

I am one of those people who carry their mobile phone in my carry-on (I am not attached at the hip). So everything (sans belt) is ready for security.

Those of you with watches .. are you certain (as in recently tried) that they need to come off?? That is about the last thing I would remove...

That's exactly what I do with my watch, cell phone, keys, etc. ^