Excuse me if I already spend more time than I would like in airports around the globe. As I mentioned before, I will accept responsibility for any flight I miss due to my own negligence. Furthermore, as I clearly noted earlier:
The aircraft did not have to be towed or taxi back to the gate, contrary to your erroneous belief. Although it was about to push back, it had not yet moved an inch. The jet bridge, on the other hand, which had been retracted, was re-attached and the aircraft door re-opened to accommodate me. As it was, even with the additional time it took to get me on board, my luggage stowed, and me seated, we arrived on-time at MEM.

I post to it all the time from Sea Monkey, which is the former Mozilla suite and cousin to Firefox. So it's not just an IE blog.

If you are afraid to write to the TSA, the "terrorists" are winning. If you are afraid to write to your senator, the "terrorists" have already won.

I've got news for you; the terrorists have already won. They have turned us into a nation of Chicken Littles.

bingo ^

Welcome to our side - sorry it had to come from suffering such an experience, but at least now you know what we've all been hollering about for years.

Had you spoken up, you might have landed face-first on the ground courtesy of the airport cops. As others pointed out, the #1 rule when dealing with the TSA is never speak to them - never initiate a conversation, never volunteer information, and always avoid eye contact.

I'm guessing that you will sign up at our soon-to-be-minted 527 Group ;)

Since the TSA is unaccountable for its actions and the behavior of its screeners, your options are limited beyond sending a standard 'vent' letter to what is likely a set of very unsympathetic legislators. Given that SAT is a smaller-sized airport, you might want to see if you can book a few minutes with a member of the airport authority - quite often they are local members of the business community. After giving them a rundown on your experience, you can ask them to escalate to the airport director. I'm suggesting you consider this route, since San Antonio is a smaller-sized city and it's possible you might know someone on the authority board, or be connected to a board member through some professional contact.

The board can push the director who can push the FSD who is the only one who can hold the screeners accountable at this point....just be aware, if the screeners get dinged for this, you could be at war with them every time you go to the airport, but if you can stomach the fight, it would be worthwhile. If they try to mess with you again as a result of your official complaint, another escalation might actually get them pink-slipped.

This is SAT? It thought that SAT was supposed to be one of the sensible checkpoints because you know who is there.

speaking of you know who (Voldemort? Who knows)... I would have expected a reply by now

You Know Who hasn't posted anywhere since his last suspension several weeks ago. Took his toys and went home.

Although NWA allows online check-in for international flights, the printout says something like "Verify Documents" on top. i figured that this would upset our friends at the TSA, so I reprinted at the kiosk. Also, I never show my passport for the domestic leg of an international trip. It gives the TSA too much opportunity for scrutiny and questions.

My experience exactly. It was a TSA'er at Terminal 2 of SAT that also lectured me for arriving less than 2 hours before my 6:30 AM flight (notwithstanding that the security screening facility doesn't open that early).

Moron.

Agree.

You might be better pursuing it with Kay Bailey, as opposed to Cornyn. Pursuing the issue with your elected representative should NOT result in an SSSS'ing. I've written complaints to both before (and got the cockroach letter in response).

If you're a big campaign contributor, consider using that as access - they have a vested interest in keeping you happy. Perhaps direct some campaign contributions elsewhere. And make sure they know why.

Exactly. This administration - and this party - have created a culture of fear. And that's being used to give people authority to delay and harass with no accountability.

It's particularly troubling that his information was not only written down, but also photocopied. That, right there, is a diminuation of rights.

:td: Oh, come on now. I've been through SAT a LOT. SAT Lawyer has been a frequent poster in the WN forum. WN leaves from the same concourse as NW. There are a million reasons that someone may run a little late (not the least of which is the construction at and around the SAT airport :td:).

From the OP, it appears that TSA deliberately harassed and delayed the OP when he noted that he was running late. There is no reason for TSA to "learn" him. They could have noted the departure time and assisted in getting him through quickly. Being irritated is no reason to justify the kind of treatment that OP received.

Frankly, I'm glad the flight was held - the time was miniscule (and I'll bet that it even arrived at MEM on-time). NW did a great customer service for someone harassed by the TSA, and undoubtedly helped the system in ensuring that OP made the original international connection. It's not like there are tons of options out of SAT.

40 minutes is USUALLY enough time to clear the Terminal A checkpoint. At worst, it's a 20 minute wait (unless they decide to close one of the screening lines like they did to me one time).

SAT Lawyer, I'm of the camp that says this incident deserves a letter to your senators. At the very least, being willing to stand up and defend the rights of Americans is warranted.

Will SAT Lawyer take action? Will he come back here to give us an update? Will Brazil win the next World Cup? Will we ever find out the secret of the island on the series Lost? Inquiring minds want to know! :)

I've seen it done, more so by USCIS but I have heard of the kind TSA folks doing it. Its a distinct possibility that some potentially (probably) dishonest people now have your address and tons of personal information. With this in mind, if the detainee becomes victim of a property crime or identity theft, those possessing such info might be a good place to start investigating. I literally shudder to think of the amount of identity theft that has gone on by allowing people who couldn't get a job at the post office to have access to such sensitive information.

But but but ... these people have had extensive background checks and have been cleared to SSI! Surely we can trust them! :D

I don't know anyone who wouldn't be nervous if they were landside in line for security and was watching their flight boarding. Seems perfectly normal to be nervous to me, given the circumstances. Especially when you had an international connection at the other end of the flight.

I haven't heard from Bin Laden in a while, can anyone go check on him? Perhaps he laughed himself to death, and we can finally get those troops' butts on a plane home.