With almost 5,000 posts here you think the role of TSA apologist will get you anywhere? :p :D

PTravel was entirely within his rights.

BTW, PTravel (or whoever else may know)...

Just who are these (annoying) people that UAL has at LAX as you enter the terminal? Those presumably entry-level employees that all I ever see them do is badger you about boarding passes? They apparently aren't TSA, but don't seem to have UA nametags or ID's. Are they contractors for customer service or what? A few have been pretty condescending at times.

They work for a company called AirServ, who is contracted by UA. I agree that some of them are pretty bad.

We're told that the US is the land of the free and the home of a brave. I'm sure I've even heard those lyrics in a song somewhere.

But from this kind of TSA activity, land of the free is completely out the window. And if you're brave enough to question things, you're castigated by 50% of the people who comment on standing up for your *cough* rights.

***dupe.

Ah so, thanks! Did a little quick searching on them and it all becomes clear: this is the current incarnation of Argenbright Security. Yep, that explains a lot... thanks again!

Warning! Outbreak of MRSA and MRDO at all checkpoints across america!!!
You need to watch that CNN news clip where they tested random aircraft, I hope your flying in a body condom.

mmm well actually i have swabbed both and compared to a TSA checkpoint the aircraft are way cleaner.

Then if it wasnt for the ban that defies science I would be able to carry this instead of a hand sanitizer that kills about a tenth of what citrace does and quicker (which is definately needed when handling the bins). As a paramedic I wash my hands about 10x more then most people because theres no way in heck im going to pick up a super bug and end up in the hospital to get it treated.

I'm not sure why this is so difficult. In my carryon (the computer bag that always gets secondary), are medications that I take which go in my mouth, my Bose headset which goes over my face, my Shure earbuds which go inside my ear, my Altoid mints that go in my mouth, etc. In other peoples' carryons are things like dirty underwear, diaper wipes, hair brushes, tooth brushes, etc. Accordingly, I would prefer someone have relatively clean hands when they go from inspecting someone else's bags to inspecting mine.

It's more the way the checkpoint officials lied about the complaint forms which irks me than anything else. The whole bit about "the policy changed recently" is a blatant lie, and one for which the screeners always feel safe they will never be called on because they will just insist SSI.

That's one of the biggest problems with the notion of SSI and unpublished rules and procedures for the checkpoints. While a terrorist can easily do several dry runs to scope out the policies (meaning publishing them would NOT make us less safe, contrary to the assertions of the TSA and their apologists), having published rules which passengers and screeners must abide by would go a long way to ensuring a better security screening experience.

Way too often I have personally experienced, and had related from other fliers as well, the way the "policy recently changed" excuse has been used. For example, during the days of "optional" shoe removal, I had an agent tell me my 1/2" soles were too thick ("the profile recently changed") and that I had to remove my shoes. She then physically blocked the WTMD and wouldn't let me go through and take the extra screening (again, "this is the new protocol.") Both were outright lies. Complaints via e-mail and the TSA web site go nowhere; I got identical form letters back when complaining, then when answering the form letter response to thank them for their punctuality but then to point out their "answer" ignored the actual issue I raised and didn't actually address any of my complaint.

I've had that happen with electronics (berated for not removing a portable hard drive from my bag--"the policy has changed" when I pointed out it was only laptops and large electronics), liquids (was told I could not have a 100mL bottle, that "the policy had changed" to only 3 fl oz, not 3.4), etc.

In short, anytime you try to question a mistake made by a screener, you get the "policy has changed" answer. And most supervisors seem willing to stand by the screeners who make those mistakes, in an "us vs. them" sort of attitude, even when they know the screener is wrong.

:D

Well said! ^

I'm convinced that the bacterial pneumonia I suffered last year was a direct result of the airport/DL airline experience, given the incubation and timing.

Agreed. They're also betting heavily that time isn't on your side, and you'd rather make your flight than be a hassle.