Sleeping Agent
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: Marriott Tit, Hyatt Diamond, AA EXP, UA Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 427
Sleeping Agent
Soooo. I'm on the last legs of an itinerary which has taken me from:
SXM-PHL-SFO-KIX-SIN-AKL-NAN-AKL-SIN-DPS-YOG-CGK-CTS-PEK-TPE-ICN-PVG-EWR-SXM
Anyway, I just saw the most outrageous thing I've seen yet... the Shanghai bag screening agent was asleep at his monitor, I kid you not:

I don't mean he was half-awake. He was completely asleep. Those eyes were closed tighter than a plane's door during flight. I tried to take more photos, but didn't want the other agents to harass me.
I walked by two more times looking for a duty free shop. The first he was still asleep. The second they moved him to a nearby chair, where he continued his nap.
Is this real life?
SXM-PHL-SFO-KIX-SIN-AKL-NAN-AKL-SIN-DPS-YOG-CGK-CTS-PEK-TPE-ICN-PVG-EWR-SXM
Anyway, I just saw the most outrageous thing I've seen yet... the Shanghai bag screening agent was asleep at his monitor, I kid you not:

I don't mean he was half-awake. He was completely asleep. Those eyes were closed tighter than a plane's door during flight. I tried to take more photos, but didn't want the other agents to harass me.
I walked by two more times looking for a duty free shop. The first he was still asleep. The second they moved him to a nearby chair, where he continued his nap.
Is this real life?
Last edited by drewp123; Mar 4, 2014 at 1:57 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,391
If he was on a break there would be someone else watching the screen. Surely.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 184
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,391
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,391
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: Marriott Tit, Hyatt Diamond, AA EXP, UA Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 427
Sleeping Agent
He was most certainly not on a break. He was the only one in front of the screen.
Some agents may look away, but I'd guess few dare to fall asleep.
Some agents may look away, but I'd guess few dare to fall asleep.
#10




Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Adelphi, MD
Programs: Qatar Privilege Club, Korean Air Skypass, ANA Skyweb, Amex Premier Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred
Posts: 810
Sleeping Agent
A lot of those countries the security is just for show. The Philippines searches bags everywhere, even in malls but they never look through the bag they just wave over it. I have walked through metal detectors in some Asian countries wearing several pieces of metal but never set off an alarm or was stopped.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Perhaps sleeping agents pretend o be sleeping, but always acutely aware of the situation going on.
The agent must be peaking through the side of the eyes at his computer.
The agent must be peaking through the side of the eyes at his computer.
#12




Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA GS 1.86MM, Hyatt Lifetime Glob, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,275
Leaving MEX for IAD last week, the agent that was supposed to check boarding passes and passports before security was asleep on her feet. I just walked past. A few seconds later, she approached me in line to check my credentials.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,771
Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.
It seems pretty obvious to this landlubber that sitting for long periods staring at pictures of bags would be pretty soporific. I seem to recall the TSA trying to find ways to deal with this; they now limit the amount of time that an agent can be on x-ray duty.
It seems pretty obvious to this landlubber that sitting for long periods staring at pictures of bags would be pretty soporific. I seem to recall the TSA trying to find ways to deal with this; they now limit the amount of time that an agent can be on x-ray duty.



