I've also seen it done. And (in addition to the US), I've been on two flights out of France (CDG and NCE) where every American male was pulled aside in the jetway, patted down, and had their bags thoroughly ransacked.

TSA seems bound and determined to make traveling a huge hassle - added on to the airline hassles, traveling is a truly unpleasant experience. I chalk it up to the political: elections are coming, the agency needs to justify itself, and the party in power wants to try and retain that power by using the politics of fear. Look back to prior election periods and you'll likely see the 'threat level' increase shortly before the election (example: war on water)

Yeah, I remember the days of trying to be the SECOND one down the jetway. I'm glad I am smarter than a terriorist. :rolleyes:

Actually, I noted the gate screening happening on my flight out of PIT on Saturday (6/14). Two friendly (they actually were -- I chatted with them briefly) TSOs were standing at the gate. They appeared to be marking off something on a clipboard as each passenger passed the BP reader. I didn't see anyone stopped, but I was about 9th or 10th on the plane.

Yeah, despite the UTTER EFFING STUPIDITY of the entire agency, believe it or not they actually are starting to figure this one out, and don't necessarily snag the first person through anymore. I'm usually the most aggressive person at any gate when it comes to getting on the plane first and securing my overhead space, but the other week when they did the gate-random at GPT I tried to game the system by boarding third in line instead of first, and neither the first two people ahead of me, nor I, were chosen for the random. Surprised me.

Random gate screening: :mad::td::mad::td::mad::td::mad::td:

If I spot the TSA near the gate, I am going back to the days when all the pre-boarders hung back until someone took the bullet and volunteered or let the group 2s and 3s get nabbed then make the rush to make sure you get your carryon space.

What a waste of time, money, and resources.

Yeah, and this time it's going to be even worse with the War for Overhead Storage (TM) even more out of control now than it was back in '02-'03.

I remember a Friday afternoon flight I was boarding in DFW back in the day...a classic "Friday business traveler express" flight back to NW's MEM hub. Pre-boarding was announced, and 10 of us literally formed a semi-circle around the gate and NOT ONE of us was willing to be the poor schmuck snagged for the first pre-screening. If there had been an overhead camera the photo would have been hilarious (and yet, utterly sad).

I'm sure the in-the-know frequent fliers will just stand and wait until they grab someone else. This has me livid, but I'm running out of energy to process all the things I truly hate about the TSA.

Still working on the website content, and I will just add this stupidity to the list, chalked up under the 'apparently the TSA doesn't trust it's own security checkpoints'.

This agency is just the scum of the earth.

Hey, be careful what you denigrate! Much of the oxygen you and I breathe was produced by algae that could easily be called scum. Scum serves a useful role!

Of course. But the problem, again, is how out of control the War for Overhead Storage (TM) has become...you've gotta strategize how to make sure the other poor schmuck gets snagged and then still get through quickly enough not to be the NEXT poor schmuck after that one to get snagged. And it's worse if they do 2-fers (snag 2 poor schmucks at a time).

EFF! EFF! EFF! :mad::mad::mad: I carry an 8-compartment backpack as my travel carry-on (yep, a 5-10 minute search process)...I can't temper my anger at this renewed and ridiculous development. (Of course, my fellow travelers just LOVE it when I'm the poor schmuck to get snagged, as I keep the TSOs occupied for those 5-10 minutes).

what a total waste of time and (my taxpaying) money :mad::mad::mad:. it's a cya for the tsa to catch what they missed at the checkpoints the first time around and nothing else.

and remember kids:
do not talk to strangers
know how to pronounce "i need an adult" clear and loud
ask which one of the the 3 screeners haraSSSSing you is moe, larry and curly
ask the person(s) in the tsa uniform to see their i/d and record it-if they refuse, ask for a leo. if questioned as to why you are asking, simply remind them that a uniform does not mean you are who you say you are as anyone can buy a uniform and you are completely within your rights to ask someone purporting to be from the tsa to prove who they are.

Even with the cost of gas this crap makes a roadtrip look much better. Drive people if there's anyway.

I've seen some REALLY pissed-off people that are pulled at WN boarding gates. Especially those that paid extra to board first....

And remember to ask for clean gloves. Who knows what dirty laundry those gloves the TSO is wearing have just been through before he wants to search through your carry-on.

You could also send a reminder note to the DOT if your flight takes a delay due to this asinine nonsense.

They cannot put full faith in trusting their checkpoints because there are too many other ways for people to gain access to the facilities. If an employee or someone else with ramp access enters the secure facility without passing through the TSA screening then that rouge could pass off a weapon to a previously screened passenger. So instead of screening the people who can easily smuggle weapons into the airport we'll just inconvenience the passengers more. It makes total sense. :rolleyes: :mad:

No, it's (yet) another layer, Citizen. Why do you hate freedom? :rolleyes:

:D