...compared to the private, contracted ID checkers? Are the lines longer now compared to 2001-2006, when contracted ID checkers checked IDs? Because I remember seeing people complain about slow lines way before TSA took over the ID check, so what's the difference now? Is it real - more slower... or is it no difference, that we just happen to see some slow ID checkers, and that most are pretty quick? When I flew from Sacramento on January 21st, the lines were pretty quick, all x-ray lanes were open, and ID checking/BP signing took only about 15-30 secs - and yes, that included the blacklight check.

So, what do you think?

Does the sun rise in the East???

yes

sí

oui

نَعَم

да

是

Yes.

1. ID checking is for the airlines, not security.
2. TSA is not capable of checking ID anyway.
3. The dog & pony ID show is much slower than anything the airlines / prior security ever did.
4. TSA uses it as part of their intimidation process - another layer of intimidation, not security.

I have noticed it slow down compared to before.

While I hate the TSA pawing my identification, it has not slowed me getting through the line any faster, as after the ID line there is ALWAYS a pileup of people waiting to get through the xray/WTMD.

What has slowed the entire process is:
1. the removal of shoes
2. The removal of every man's belt (plus some ladies belts, jewelry, too), then remembering to remove coins, cell phone, wallet, etc from the pockets of shirt, pants
3 Everyone taking off their coat (remember when they told us to carry them through the WTMD?)
4. Removal of laptop from case
5. Finding enough bins to put all of the above into on the belt
6. Divesting stroller of all junk, taking kid out of stroller, and placing it (not kid, the other stuff) onto belt.
7. Waiting for the 2-3 other people to go through the WTMD in individual monitored manner with arms at sides.
8. Recovery of hearing from being screamed at by 2-3 TSA agents.

And finally replacement of all that stuff where it came from on the other side of the xray.

I have only experienced the TSA TDC once and it was a lot slower than it used to be. So yes, TSA slows doen the process, no doubts about that.

Yes, TSA checking ID has slowed down the lines. At PHL terminal D, on Thursday evenings back in late Sept 2007, the line was only about 10-15 mins, and that was because the x-ray and WTMD were backed up. After TSA took over the ID checking sometime in the 2nd week of October 2007, the wait was over an hour just to get to the ID checker. Since the TSA took so long to check IDs, there was no line-up at the x-ray anymore.

Look at queing theory and the rate determining step. More often now, since TSA took this inane function over, at busy airports you can see almost open or lightly loaded WTMD and X-ray stations, with the majority of the line formed behind the "travel document check station" This is simple proof to me, in addition to the obvious hostile stares, multiple scanning of docs with loupes and black lights and the sheer energy involved in the ID idiocy that the circus has expanded its scope, and as a result takes longer.
I also see the result in longer overall wait times at lightly loaded airports.

Today at SeaTac I was in a very short line really, about 15 people ahead of me. There was no express line for first class, but with 15 people, who cares? That is until it took me 35 minutes for TSA to check 15 people's ID. I timed it carefully........ very, very slow. When it was my turn, I was there for a good 3 minutes while my passport was checked. I finally asked if something was wrong. She said no, then stamped it and off I went...... makes me wonder if the people who are checking ID's have trouble reading...

They are doing it slowly because they have a lot to check. There is a very detailed checklist, and one has to double or triple-check. After all, the TSA is what prevents the terrorists from attacking.

And should the TSO not shine the blacklight at the idea for a sufficient duration and with appropriate gravitas they will be reprimanded.

In other words, the system is set up specifically to slow things down, while not providing any additional value/benefit to the safety efforts; ID means nothing

What the hell is TSA doing stamping passports? That's the job of Immigration officers, which TSA dumbos are not.

OK, so the consesus is that TSA taking over the ID checking has indeed slowed down security lines. Here's a few questions for you guys:

1) What can we do about it? Complain to TSA and/or our airlines?

2) Why do you think they have made ID checking slower? I thought TSA's goal was to put us through security as fast as they could, to make it simpler for us. Also, ID checking and BP signing didn't take long at all for the contracted ID checkers - why for TSA? Is there a specific reason behind this? Even someone who can't read very well can do this quickly - it's not at all hard to match names and faces and to sign a BP.

3) Do you think TSA is checking IDs for the airlines for revune protection, or actually having a hidden agenda- to promote Secure Flight and DHS's goal for Real ID? What is their actual purpose for taking over the ID checks; what was wrong with the contracted ID checkers doing it?

EDIT: I've added a comment to the latest TSA blog, and surprisingly, it was posted. Here's what I said:

They are not stamping passports, they are stamping the boarding passes.

At birth I was given my father's name, with JR added at the end, i was therefore always known by my middle name. My drivers license has my first name and middle initial, which caused enough trouble for TSA from the begining, that I have traveled even domestic with a passport for years.(Sorry for being a sheeple, path of least resistance, also not much personal info on that passport) That being said, I believe that TSA has taken over ID checking as a taxpayer giveback to the airlines, with the hope of an occasional victory over Joe Public, tewwowist, who may be hiding something from uncle sam, but is no threat to security. Yes the line is longer, does not nationalizing any business hamper the performance?