Here's the story:

UA622 (ORD-DCA) on Monday at 5:01 pm.

First of all (and not the main topic of this thread, as there is an existing thread on this), there was TSA doing boarding checks. One of the UA managers said that this is policy now for ALL flights going to DCA. I was lucky and didn't get picked, but my friend who was behind me did. Is that anyway to treat Red Carpet access passengers? Anyone heard that is policy now?

Okay, main purpose of this thread.

About a half-hour before landing, my seatmate needed to go to the lav (we were in F on a 319). When he went towards the lav in the front, the FA told him that he must use the lav in the back of the plane because of the 30-minute DC rule. Huh? Not wanting to argue, he went to the very back. Another pax wanted to do the same thing - lather, rinse, repeat. Nobody could use the front lav.

Now I thought all this nonsense went away. I do a few trips to DC a year and don't remember this in the last few years. Before I write United about this, I just want to know if I missed something.

Thanks for reading.

More UA stupidity at its finest.

There is no such rule requiring gate checks for flights to DCA - that response was nonsense.

There is no such rule requiring the use of a rear lav on flights inbound to DCA - that response was nonsense. There is a rule requiring all DCA pax to be seated while the seatbelt sign is illuminated, but you were simply a double-victim of UA employee security paranoia and misinformation.

Don't bother writing in - they will just send you some boilerplate nonsense about not discussing security matters and how much they value your safety and support the vital mission of the TSA. You'd almost want to vomit reading it.

Errr....

A. The 30 minute thing into DCA went away years ago and has not been reinstated.....as I just flew in/out of DCA from MCI last week for Police Week and talked to the Airport Cops at both places (I was flying armed).....and nothing was said when we talked about things.....

B. TSA isn't supposed to be checking ANYTHING (to include the boarding area or A/C)....it's supposed to be the Airport LEOs.....

Reason 999,991 why I love being able to fly armed and not deal with those TSA morons......

Obviously you haven't been dropped off at LAX lately. The TSA now has a blue-shirt stationed with the LEOs that check cars entering the airport grounds. Checkpoint ExLax is operating daily.

re the 30 minute no-pee rule....here ya go everybody (but remember, the captain is god on the a/c...): http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/20...ease_0607.shtm

as to your comment that the tsa isn't s'posed to be checking anything (including the boarding area), i'd love to see some documentation on this as if i have the "pleasure" of being picked while boarding, i'd love to show the screener the proof that they can't do it.

yup... it is the CAPTAIN's perogitive whether or not to close the lav within the 30 min window.

Good Lord.....

Only time I come/go out of LAX is flying in or out......

What I was meaning is they (TSA) aren't supposed to be doing searches of areas such as the boarding areas and/or aircraft. The last memo I saw, that was supposed to be done by the Airport LEOs....and them alone... ......

TSA is just supposed to be sticking to screening pax's and thats it.... Though, its apparent that in some places they are doing other things....which they shouldn't be doing....

I am soooooooooooooooooo glad I am done with Airport Policing and get to fly armed now when I travel.... so I don't have to deal with those chuckleheads......