Is the 30 minute rule back at DCA?
Mar 22, 2008, 4:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: alexandria, va
Programs: aa exp, 4.4mm; hh diamond
Posts: 166
Is the 30 minute rule back at DCA?
I just got off UA484 (DEN-DCA) this afternoon. The captain announced before takeoff that the TSA requires all passengers to remain seated 30 minutes prior to landing at DCA, and then made announcements at 1 hour and 45 mins prior that everybody had better take care of business because we were nearing the half hour mark. Sure enough, the FA's enforced it! On the way out the door, I told the closest FA that TSA had abandoned this policy like 2 years ago. He replied, "I guess it's back". I think they're FOS. Any thoughts?
Mar 22, 2008, 4:16 pm
#2
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,970
Since this might not be only a UA-related issue, I am going to move this to the Travel Safety/Security Forum.
Thanks for your understanding.
iluv2fly
Moderator, UA
Thanks for your understanding.
iluv2fly
Moderator, UA
Mar 22, 2008, 4:20 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
It is not back. There is a number at the TSA that you can call to report the crew. Check out this thread from the CO forum for more details.
Mar 22, 2008, 4:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Plat, 1MM
Posts: 2,182
Here's the TSA press release announcing that the rule is lifted:
http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/20...ease_0607.shtm
That's the only thing that came up doing a search on "30-minute rule" on the TSA site. Also, Wikipedia seems to think it's still lifted, for whatever that's worth.
http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/20...ease_0607.shtm
That's the only thing that came up doing a search on "30-minute rule" on the TSA site. Also, Wikipedia seems to think it's still lifted, for whatever that's worth.
Mar 22, 2008, 5:43 pm
#6
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Please turn in any employee who attempts to invoke this ridiculous and rescinded rule. Contact the FAA (bogus security announcement), the TSA (unfairly blaming useless agency for non-existent rule) and the airline for employing idiots who cannot keep up with current rules or make up stupid rules out of a heightened sense of paranoia and stupidity.
Invoking a bogus "security" rule should be a felony, and any pilot who does so should have his/her airman's card revoked. He/she is obviously mentally unfit to fly.
Invoking a bogus "security" rule should be a felony, and any pilot who does so should have his/her airman's card revoked. He/she is obviously mentally unfit to fly.
Mar 22, 2008, 5:52 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: alexandria, va
Programs: aa exp, 4.4mm; hh diamond
Posts: 166
Thanks, FortFun, I emailed UA CS with details, but did not rat them out to TSA, since I figured this could be handled internally - didn't ask for compensation, either, since I really didn't have to pee. My guess is that this was a crew that didn't fly into DCA frequently, and was staffed by Easter holiday fill-ins.
Mar 22, 2008, 5:58 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: alexandria, va
Programs: aa exp, 4.4mm; hh diamond
Posts: 166
Please turn in any employee who attempts to invoke this ridiculous and rescinded rule. Contact the FAA (bogus security announcement), the TSA (unfairly blaming useless agency for non-existent rule) and the airline for employing idiots who cannot keep up with current rules or make up stupid rules out of a heightened sense of paranoia and stupidity.
Invoking a bogus "security" rule should be a felony, and any pilot who does so should have his/her airman's card revoked. He/she is obviously mentally unfit to fly.
Invoking a bogus "security" rule should be a felony, and any pilot who does so should have his/her airman's card revoked. He/she is obviously mentally unfit to fly.
I usually side with your rants, but I don't think this inconvenience rises to the level of a felony. I do look forward to hearing what the spinners at UA CS have to say, though.
Mar 22, 2008, 6:06 pm
#9
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Sorry, but too many people have had their civil liberties and occasionally civil rights destroyed in the name of bogus "security". It's time to make BS security 'rules' stated by a person in power/authority to be a criminal offense. A criminal offense that violates civil liberties and civil rights should be a felony. It's the only way these jackasses are going to learn.
Mar 22, 2008, 7:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat.
Posts: 493
Thanks, FortFun, I emailed UA CS with details, but did not rat them out to TSA, since I figured this could be handled internally - didn't ask for compensation, either, since I really didn't have to pee. My guess is that this was a crew that didn't fly into DCA frequently, and was staffed by Easter holiday fill-ins.
I'd still call the TSA and let them know; not because it will get them into any real trouble...but because a Chief Pilot will pay a little more attention to a note from the TSA than from "some passenger."
Mar 23, 2008, 10:54 am
#11
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Passengers making false threats about bombs and hijackings are routinely charged with serious crimes, usually felonies. Pilots and other airline/airport employees in positions of authority who make false statements with regard to bogus security measures should be similarly charged.
Mar 23, 2008, 11:40 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,139
I highly doubt the TSA is going to care about this, at least not in a sense they need to correct anything.
At CO, we have a professional presence from corporate on this site, who has taken care of these issues directly - and for what it's worth, CO does consider this rule rescinded and finds no value in enforcing it after the fact.
Over at UA (or AA and DL for that matter), I doubt you'll find a sympathetic ear - any attempt to call them out on it will result in a canned mail response praising security measures while declining to comment on security matters.
Just my opinion...
At CO, we have a professional presence from corporate on this site, who has taken care of these issues directly - and for what it's worth, CO does consider this rule rescinded and finds no value in enforcing it after the fact.
Over at UA (or AA and DL for that matter), I doubt you'll find a sympathetic ear - any attempt to call them out on it will result in a canned mail response praising security measures while declining to comment on security matters.
Just my opinion...
Mar 23, 2008, 6:57 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SLC/DCA
Programs: DL DM (and NRSA), UA NA, HH Dia, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,764
Interesting twist on this flying ORD-DCA today. FirstOfficer didnt come out and say the 30 minute rule but he talking his way all around it. At 30 minutes out the seatbelt light came on and FAs were making sure all were seated...
Mar 23, 2008, 7:01 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The rule is that you are to remain seated while the seatbelt light is on. If they turn the light on at 30 minutes out then you're stuck with it. The DL shuttle - my most common flight to/from DCA - generally turns the light off pretty early in the flight and leave it off most the time. If another crew chooses not to, so be it, but enforcing it as a strict 30 minute rule is wrong.
Mar 23, 2008, 9:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
The rule is that you are to remain seated while the seatbelt light is on. If they turn the light on at 30 minutes out then you're stuck with it. The DL shuttle - my most common flight to/from DCA - generally turns the light off pretty early in the flight and leave it off most the time. If another crew chooses not to, so be it, but enforcing it as a strict 30 minute rule is wrong.
