DTW initial security checker now TSA?
Nov 13, 2007 | 10:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*
Posts: 7,511
DTW initial security checker now TSA?
Just noticed this this morning at DTW, maybe I just haven't been observant... at lower security, the first security checker (the one that checks itin vs. id) was TSA, and not a contractor. Is this new? The only contractors I saw were pushing wheelchairs around.
BTW, my streak of unlevel tray tables is still going, this one was so bad I bothered to take a pic with my iPhone, with an open laptop for reference. Anyone know how to adjust these, so I can bring some tools, and level these myself? It's getting that bad...
Steve B.
BTW, my streak of unlevel tray tables is still going, this one was so bad I bothered to take a pic with my iPhone, with an open laptop for reference. Anyone know how to adjust these, so I can bring some tools, and level these myself? It's getting that bad...
Steve B.
Nov 13, 2007 | 11:29 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,725
I think the change at DCA happened on October 18. But the contract people who used to check ids still have jobs (at least the woman with the long black hair at terminal 1 in DCA still does). Now instead of checking ids she marshalls the line. And the lines have been reconfigured so that 2 xray machines now lead into one magnetometer. At terminal 1 it means there can be 4 lines for peak periods and seem to assure a greater likelihood of a 1st class/elite line. I guess it also means more jobs for TSA because it seems like there are two of them checking ids and one watching them check ids. Part of the new behavioral screening?
Last edited by mot29; Nov 13, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Nov 13, 2007 | 11:52 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: He who dies with the most miles wins!!
Programs: WorldPerks Demoted again to SE, DL 3.1MM Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 11,678
This seems to be happening almost everywhere. DAY switched several months ago. TSA is taking over initial screening.
Nov 13, 2007 | 1:02 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 132
I think this might be part of the TSA's new "visual profiling" deal ... where they look for nervious behavior etc. (there have been a number of news articles about this recently). Usually there is the "ID checker" and then off to the side is the "observer".
Nov 13, 2007 | 1:24 pm
#5
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 52,700
This probably belongs into the TS/S forum, but the new screening is just one big job machine... employ 2-3 people for maximum wage more instead of one minimum wage. The questions they ask are simply silly... ('so where are we going today', for example)
Nov 13, 2007 | 1:27 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,915
slippahs
nwa WorldPerks forum co-moderator
Nov 13, 2007 | 3:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,338
OP: Did you notice longer lines, or did the whole security in general feel more slower due to the ID checkers? Any SPOTTing?
Mot29: Yes, TSA now does DCA. Do you mean there are more x-ray/magnetometer, or less than when the contracted workers were checking ID's?
Oliver2002: I don't think TSA can ask you where you're going. You have the right to refuse to answer. It's none of their business, right?
Mot29: Yes, TSA now does DCA. Do you mean there are more x-ray/magnetometer, or less than when the contracted workers were checking ID's?
Oliver2002: I don't think TSA can ask you where you're going. You have the right to refuse to answer. It's none of their business, right?
Nov 13, 2007 | 4:58 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Million Mile Nobody, Marriott Platinum Elite, SPG Gold
Posts: 25,228
Just noticed this this morning at DTW, maybe I just haven't been observant... at lower security, the first security checker (the one that checks itin vs. id) was TSA, and not a contractor. Is this new? The only contractors I saw were pushing wheelchairs around.
BTW, my streak of unlevel tray tables is still going, this one was so bad I bothered to take a pic with my iPhone, with an open laptop for reference. Anyone know how to adjust these, so I can bring some tools, and level these myself? It's getting that bad...
Steve B.
BTW, my streak of unlevel tray tables is still going, this one was so bad I bothered to take a pic with my iPhone, with an open laptop for reference. Anyone know how to adjust these, so I can bring some tools, and level these myself? It's getting that bad...
Steve B.
Nov 13, 2007 | 7:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,725
Used to be that when there was a first class, elite line open, in my experience it fed through the puffer/magnetometer combo on the right side. On Saturday, the first class, elite line was the far left and didn't feed through the puffer.
FWIW, flying out of ORD terminal 2 yesterday, it looked as if they had set up the same arrangement, two xray machines with a single magnetometer between them.
But who knows how they may mix things up.
Nov 14, 2007 | 4:33 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,389
I believe that the original concept was for TSA to man the ID/BP check (or TDC) station all along. I remember being trained on TDC duties five years ago when TSA first started out. However, it probably was delayed due to manning, contracting issues (as in airlines honoring existing contracts) and other mundane matters.
Nov 14, 2007 | 8:58 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Dirt Status w/ All
Posts: 5,049
TSA was doing ID check when I went through DTW two weeks ago - McNamara terminal lower level. I felt much more secure with the stern TSA checker instead of the friendly NW personnel that used to chat. This was on a Tuesday afternoon, so no line at all. He was also thoughtful enough to circle all three of my seat assignments on the three boarding passes that were printed on my OLCI paper.
Nov 15, 2007 | 9:07 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*
Posts: 7,511
Northwest terminal.
Can't complain. Lined moved efficiently, everyone was polite as ever. It was so efficient, it warranted mentioning.
Steve B.