Tucson TSA
 

I just went through Tucson and was pleasantly suprised to be greeted with a smile and a pleasant "good morning" as I went through security. That was nice.

"Fire that man, Smithers." :D

Bruce

I've posted about Tucson TSA before. I fly through here every week and this is, without question, one of the best TSA stations I've seen (except for one "Tin Hitler" who shall remain nameless) :D

^ - this should be a model for the other TSA stations.

And I would like to acknowledge the Hawai'i TSA: "Vigilance with Aloha."

Are you sure? Most of the TSA folks in Hawai'i are known for their distinct lack of Aloha, especially at HNL and OGG. I found some decent screeners at KOA, but that was probably due to them baking out in the sun all day.

Oops, I guess it's cause I know them all! (small island) - but I wouldn't want to paint it!

My vote for the nicest TSA staff (that I've encountered): DAY

The pits: TPA

Do you still have to show your ID/BP three times within a distance of 30 yards?

Go to EUG, where your BP is inspected three times, and is confiscated until you pass through the WTMD. That's all within 20 yards, max. And for every passenger.

One airport I have never, ever had a problem with any sort of attitude or nonsense is ROA. I have, however, witnessed nonsense there a couple of times (ther BP checker handing SSSS people a little tag to carry through the WTMD with them, which would cause it to alarm, for instance--what kind of "logic" was that?)

Most of the small airports I travel to seem to be that way; the screeners are "more connected" to the passengers and seem to want to do their jobs well yet remain pleasant, whereas those at a large airport seem to just want to do a job (and not do it well, either).

I've found MSP to be not too bad, although I fly out at the same time every week, so they more or less know me (especially the ID-checker guy, who is not technically TSA anyway). SEA was always pretty friendly when I went through there frequently, although again it was at a slow time late at night. IND I found to be more anal than most; I was asked to remove my driver's license from the ID case I carry it in, because the expiration date wasn't showing clearly (when the license expires, it's still a form of identification; I've just lost my driving privileges until/unless I renew it--so why should this matter for flying?). I've never been asked to do this anywhere else. (Not sure if this was a TSA person or not.)

I have to give a big thumbs up on DAY ^

This is also due to the fact that they are only filling a few small planes per day and more likely than not avoiding the egotistical more-important-than-thou flying types. FAY is always extremely pleasant and quick to go through, even if it does mean a connecting flight in CLT or ATL.

If IND is Indianapolis airport (not sure, never flown into there), maybe it is because that airport is run by BAA. Yes, the same BAA as in BAA Heathrow, BAA Gatwick, etc.

Nothing personal etch, but I'd just take the compliment and go with it - trying to make this a "Patriotic hardworking ex-military TSA worker" against the "egotistical more-important-than-thou frequent flyer" will jusr make this thread the same as every other one bashing the TSA (and rightfully so, in my opinion)

Nope, just the standard ID/BP check and BP upon going through the
metal detector.

BUR has gone downhill
 

I used to find the security at BUR tolerable, quick, and painless, the TSO's actually had decent personalities. That hasn't changed, but today I am here, and they are doing gate checks on bags, using 1 TSO and 2 National Guardsmen - what a complete waste. Of course, I imagine that the Guardsmen would rather be here on a security charade than dying in Iraq for a democracy charade.

Thanks, but I'm not TSA at all. Nor do I intend to work there in the future. I do get dismayed, however, when I see folks who are ordinarily probably good people turn into mean spirited egotistical jerks. It does bug me to see and hear the snide comments to the TSA person, who is usually following instructions, however ridiculous they may seem. I fully support those who fight the system using their vote and letters to the congresspeople. People who disrupt the flow of security just to prove a point are rude and inconsiderate of the passengers behind them who have a flight to catch.

I've been at rough checkpoints before, and I've found that a smile and a decent tone of voice often make the whole experience so much nicer. I'm not suggesting we have a mass 'Cumbayah' at the checkpoint, but a little decency will perpetuate itself.

Just my 2 cents.

Duly noted. And I agree :)

BOI TSA is Great
 

The TSA agents at BOI are great. Boise is still a fairly small city and people just tend to be friendly, whether they work for the TSA or any other organization. (There are exceptions, of course.)

Except the problem is that it's the TSA employee who is trying to prove a point most of the time, at least IMHO. Just prior to 8/11, I had on a pair of tennis shoes that were probably borderline as far as having to remove them. I had been through other airports with them and allowed to keep them on and they did not alarm the WTMD. I was in PHX at terminal 3 and came through the WTMD right as the TSA noticed I still had them on. I did not alarm but they sent me for additional screening. Fine, I thought. A quick swab of the shoes and I'm on my way. No dice. I got the full pat down, hand held, swab of the shoes, empty my pockets, etc, etc. I asked why I was getting the full treatment when I didn't alarm and the response was "because no-one else is being screened and we can do this to you".

It sounds like you ran into a power-tripper. They unfortunately are out there too. I know that experiences like that can be very demoralizing as well. Hopefully employees like that who abuse their powers get ostracized out of the employ of TSA.

I've had the unfortunate experience of working security before, and I can tell you that most of the time it is a boring, repetative and mind numbing process. The phrase 99% sheer boredom and 1% sheer terror do not even come close, especially on a 12 hour shift. Thats why I've got some empathy for the TSA employees.

But, it is disheartening to hear that you were treated like this and that they actually had the gumption to say that to you. I wish you smoother travels in the future.

I'll add Burlington VT to the list of friendly airports - like most small airports, the screeners are quite pleasant.

People who follow ridiculous instructions should protest or get another job. They'll get no sympathy from me. And, risking Godwin's Law for just a moment, I'll mention that war criminals have had little success claiming that they were just following instructions. They are still war criminals.

Bruce

Yeah, we know they are out there. We run into them far too often ourselves. And you can hope all you like, but the TSA is so desperate for staff that they hardly ever fire anybody.

I like your use of the word "ostracized." I actually had a recent incident where a group of TSA employees ignored another employee who was obviously on a totally unnecessary power trip. In effect, he was ostracized -- and it was the right thing to do. I wish it happened more often.

Bruce