Amusing LIT (Little Rock) Experience
 

Okay, so Little Rock, Arkansas is not a major metro area, but dang were their security lines long this afternoon.

But cannot fault them for preparedness. Had a elderly lady wandering up and down the two lines offering quart sized ziplocs. She had handfuls of them. Warning of the perils of the 3oz restrictions. Ironically she had a British accent.

As you got closer to the main security lines, on comes a very large gentleman with a bellowing voice. As he individually inspects random ziplocs he proclaims what is good and what is bad. All the while he's proclaiming "I'm just here to help you get through the line. We're here for your protection. There are bad people out there." He finds one egregious traveller with multiple ziplocs. He uses this person as an example of what not to do. While bellowing he proclaims each violation of the rules. He's friendly the entire time and the PAX corrects his errors. He never stops bellowing advice on how to properly manage your carry-ons or your baggie.

I was in this line for 40 minutes. This guy never stopped bellowing helpful instructions or tending to line management.

I cracked up even more an hour later after the friendly British woman sent out several requests for additional ID screeners over the PA system. She did so in a friendly manner. After the fourth request Mr. Bellows sent out a PA "This is a MANADATORY request for an additional ID screener at level 2". Didn't hear another PA request.

So while annoying, Little Rock totally adhered to regulations but did so in an understanding manner. Saw several people get through with gallon ziplocs with only a few items in the bags (even after Mr. Bellows inspection). He even pointed out "You don't need to put that in a baggie but thanks for the effort!". How Mr. Bellows has a voice at the end of his shift I will never know.

I think we just found our winner for the "find the silver lining" award...

There's one guy in Houston that's similar, but without the volume. I called him Mr. Smiley (although I eventually found out his name to forward a compliment) because he always has a huge smile and talks nonstop to the line. I make a point to go through his line when I see him working. It's a running stream of "Good morning, sir, how are you today? Good morning ma'am, how are you? I'm going to have to ask you to take off your outer coat and put it in this bin here, thank you. Good morning, sir, how are you? Have a nice day" and so on. He keeps his line moving quickly without ever yelling at anyone, but explaining all the screening requirements. I see many polite screeners at smaller airports, but it's impressive to see someone keep that much energy at a large busy airport.

I guess we appreciate the cheerful and outgoing screeners because they tend to be the exception to the rule, which is a shame.

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Kudos to you and other TSA screeners who want to avoid confrontation, not encourage it. I don't like getting yelled at by anybody.

I used to go in and out of LIT once a month and there was one guy who talked really loud and thought he was hilarious. Might be the same guy. Lame Texas jokes at 5:30 AM did nothing to improve my outlook.

Bart, keep up the good fight. Semper Gumby!

i like the guy who manages the line at SFO's international terminal. Don't know his name but he is always polite, efficient, constantly moving and monitoring and imho clearly gets things going efficiently. And most important of all, he does it without looking like he is "bossing" you around, he just communicates honestly and nicely. I've told him multiple times have pleasant i find his attitude in managing the line to be.

Ah, yes. Sweethearts, all, those screeners... So interested in "Customer Service" and your pleasant trip. A booger, ain't it, that part of this Service is confiscation and public frisking and shakedown?

Never mind. Don't let Lumpy disturb your snoring. After all, the TSOs do keep smiling sometimes, and that makes it all better.

Lullabye, and good night.

I travel out of LIT at least once a week and have never seen this guy. I do regularly see the "elderly" lady with a British accent.

What time of day was this?

Are the "bad people out there" terrorists or people with generally harmless liquids and gels?

I'm pretty sure they already know that. It just that people are so much easier to manage when yelled at by people with guns (or people backed by people with guns).

LOL! Too true, Platinum. Remember, "...tis easier to seek forgiveness than to ask permission..."