Dealing with being SPOTed
Jun 16, 2008 | 8:19 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
After having just watched Star Wars again, I am sorely tempted:
SPOT - Where are you going today, sir?
DD438 - (slight wave of hand) These aren't the droids you're looking for.
SPOT - Do you think this is a joke?
DD438 - (slight wave of hand) He is free to go about his business.
SPOT - Sir, what are you doing?
DD438 - (slight wave of hand) Move along.
Of course, I will probably just stick with my normal - just a stare with no verbal utterances.
SPOT - Where are you going today, sir?
DD438 - (slight wave of hand) These aren't the droids you're looking for.
SPOT - Do you think this is a joke?
DD438 - (slight wave of hand) He is free to go about his business.
SPOT - Sir, what are you doing?
DD438 - (slight wave of hand) Move along.
Of course, I will probably just stick with my normal - just a stare with no verbal utterances.
Jun 16, 2008 | 9:08 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,972
OTOH if you value dignity and liberty, I recommend non-verbal communication. Shaking of head, holding out BP, rolling eyes etc. are OK.
You'll get a secondary, maybe a LEO interview, maybe miss your flight. Worth it IMHO.
Jun 16, 2008 | 9:48 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
The TSA always asks me "how are you today" kind of questions. I'm polite but if they start asking where I am going or what I'm doing, I just say whatever is printed on my BP.
"Where are you going today?"
--"New York"
"What's in New York?"
--Lots of stuff. Broadway, the Empire State Building, good restaurants, Central Park...
And keep on like that until they get tired of my list.
"Where are you going today?"
--"New York"
"What's in New York?"
--Lots of stuff. Broadway, the Empire State Building, good restaurants, Central Park...
And keep on like that until they get tired of my list.
Jun 16, 2008 | 11:52 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The land of the snow and ice
Programs: AS MVPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 181
Jeez, you guys put too much effort into this.
SPOT: How are you today?
Me: Uh huh.
SPOT: Where are you going?
Me: Uh huh.
SPOT: Where are you going?
Me: Uh huh.
SPOT: WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Me: Uh huh.
Took an SSSS (2 minutes) and a chat with a LEO (1 min) after that, but it was worth it.
Henry
SPOT: How are you today?
Me: Uh huh.
SPOT: Where are you going?
Me: Uh huh.
SPOT: Where are you going?
Me: Uh huh.
SPOT: WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Me: Uh huh.
Took an SSSS (2 minutes) and a chat with a LEO (1 min) after that, but it was worth it.
Henry
Jun 16, 2008 | 12:55 pm
#21
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
I hope you folks who tell spottie to go pound sand are also filing complaints if you are harassed in any further manner.
Jun 16, 2008 | 1:07 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The land of the snow and ice
Programs: AS MVPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 181
Henry
Jun 16, 2008 | 1:11 pm
#23
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
If by pound sand, you mean what I said above ("uh huh"), and by harrassssed, you mean the ss-nonsense-ss and a short chat with a cop, then I haven't actually filed a complaint. The LWO and I talked about this for a minute, and agreed it was of little actual use, and that was that.
Henry
Henry
I suggest filing a complaint:
- At the airport with TSA
- On the phone with TSA
- By email with TSA
- With your airline
- With your elected representatives
Jun 16, 2008 | 1:40 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,957
Jun 16, 2008 | 3:00 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,487
Jun 16, 2008 | 3:10 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 3,944
"How are you today, ma'am?"
"OH! You poor man!" (digging into handbag)
"What are you doing, ma'am?"
"You look so distressed. Would you like an aspirin? You need to sit down and take it easy. Would you like for me to call for help?"
"You'd better take this seriously, lady."
Me, looking around. "Oh, I do, I do! You poor man!" Waving for help. "Officer, officer! Can you please call for help for this man?"
"OH! You poor man!" (digging into handbag)
"What are you doing, ma'am?"
"You look so distressed. Would you like an aspirin? You need to sit down and take it easy. Would you like for me to call for help?"
"You'd better take this seriously, lady."
Me, looking around. "Oh, I do, I do! You poor man!" Waving for help. "Officer, officer! Can you please call for help for this man?"
Jun 16, 2008 | 3:21 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
"Hi, how are you today"
"Sorry, I'm straight." (or, if it's a female BDO, "Sorry, I'm married")
"I just want to ask you a few questions."
"I'm not interested in your religion and I already have enough credit cards."
"This will just take a moment."
"OFFICER! This weirdo is harassing me! HELP!"
"Sorry, I'm straight." (or, if it's a female BDO, "Sorry, I'm married")
"I just want to ask you a few questions."
"I'm not interested in your religion and I already have enough credit cards."
"This will just take a moment."
"OFFICER! This weirdo is harassing me! HELP!"
Jun 16, 2008 | 4:22 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062