SFO Pat Downs
Oct 15, 2009 | 9:52 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 63
Happened to me at SFO on Oct. 5. I didn't alarm and was surprised when the screener told me to extend my arms. It must have shown on my face, as she gave me a sheepish look and a cursory pat-down -- just a quick pass over sides of the upper body. Hasn't happened at any other ariport, so what's with SFO?
Oct 19, 2009 | 8:07 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,422
The lines were very long yesterday. They were pretty much patting everyone down. This was not "bulky item" pat down, nor was it "continuous secondary screening." It was a procedure unique to San Francisco. We'd all get through the checkpoint much more easily if they focused their attention on actual alarms.
Oct 19, 2009 | 11:03 am
#22
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: COS
Programs: JAL Global Club, One World Sapphire, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,246
I went thru SFO last weekend and again yesterday, patted down both times. I had to wait for a male screener and before he came over I heard him ask the woman at the metal detector why I needed to be patted down and she said it was because I was wearing cargo pants. 
Oct 19, 2009 | 2:44 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
They weren't doing them on Thursday night when I landed. It was almost 11 pm and there were only four or five TSA'ers working and only two or three people in line.
I go out of SFO later this week. Can't wait. I still think the best way around this is to find the WTMD with a person of the opposite sex working. When I went through in August this worked. Or, just have a coughing fit when they pat you down.
Out of curiosity, do they do this in all terminals or is it just T1 where US/WN/AS are?
I go out of SFO later this week. Can't wait.
I still think the best way around this is to find the WTMD with a person of the opposite sex working. When I went through in August this worked. Or, just have a coughing fit when they pat you down. Out of curiosity, do they do this in all terminals or is it just T1 where US/WN/AS are?
Oct 20, 2009 | 9:16 am
#24
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
ua terminal yesterday (10/19)
every male pax was getting the quick swipe 'n rub. i threw the tso a curve ball when i asked why there wasn't a female tso at the wtmd as it really wasn't efficient the way they were doing it and then proceeded to the waiting area to get my orthopedic shoe shine 
every male pax was getting the quick swipe 'n rub. i threw the tso a curve ball when i asked why there wasn't a female tso at the wtmd as it really wasn't efficient the way they were doing it
and then proceeded to the waiting area to get my orthopedic shoe shine
Oct 20, 2009 | 12:40 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,684
Went through the AA terminal on Sunday. No patdowns, friendly employees and they didn't bother to ETD the bag that my wife was carrying with all of our kids' stuff.
We have had nothing but good experiences with the TSA while traveling with our kids. I'm thinking of starting a baby rental service for frequent flyers.
Mike
We have had nothing but good experiences with the TSA while traveling with our kids. I'm thinking of starting a baby rental service for frequent flyers.
Mike
Oct 29, 2009 | 6:57 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: United Airlines 1 MM, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,777
I got it last night, same as usual. All guys get the pat down, women go right through. I called for a supervisor and you would have thought I burned a US flag or something. When I asked the "supervisor" why they let women through, he said he didn't know. What a bunch of idiots, since this is the only contractor airport and not actual TSA goons, are they just trying to justify the manpower hours on the contract?
A couple of guys in front of me, they weren't too happy at all. Tourists too, I'm glad even tourists are starting to wear thin at this crap.
A couple of guys in front of me, they weren't too happy at all. Tourists too, I'm glad even tourists are starting to wear thin at this crap.
Oct 29, 2009 | 8:21 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,971
I got it last night, same as usual. All guys get the pat down, women go right through. I called for a supervisor and you would have thought I burned a US flag or something. When I asked the "supervisor" why they let women through, he said he didn't know. What a bunch of idiots, since this is the only contractor airport and not actual TSA goons, are they just trying to justify the manpower hours on the contract?
A couple of guys in front of me, they weren't too happy at all. Tourists too, I'm glad even tourists are starting to wear thin at this crap.
A couple of guys in front of me, they weren't too happy at all. Tourists too, I'm glad even tourists are starting to wear thin at this crap.
If the are only patting down males I think they are out of bounds.
Oct 31, 2009 | 5:06 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM (2.4) RCC, Turkish, Emirates,HH Silver,SPG
Posts: 113
The patdown seems to be really hit and miss at SFO. When I flew to Eugene on 9/29 from SFO I was not patdown, but my friend traveling with me was and we did not understand why as no alarm was set off as he passed through.
Nov 1, 2009 | 8:43 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,015
I think it's funny the TSA has ameliorated their illegal FRISKS to the point of getting all you people who still allow them to refer to them by TSA's preferred milder term "Pat-Down."
How sweet.
Unbelievable.
Just keep lining up and bending over.
I'll keep reading these remarkable posts as your rights sink whimpering into the morass...
How sweet.
Unbelievable.
Just keep lining up and bending over.
I'll keep reading these remarkable posts as your rights sink whimpering into the morass...
Nov 2, 2009 | 9:33 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,684
I'm also thinking of giggling like a little school girl when they get close to my special places.
This could be fun.
Mike