I would hope that the background checks and other requirements are good enough to protect the integrity of the program.

FliesWaytooMuch-

Interesting observation. You may be right. So what can we do to work within the system and beat it. It's one thing for someone who travels twice a year to get gate checked both times. It's another thing for frequent flyers like us to get gate checked on every other segment. I'm really tired of it. What can we do?

This thread is bad luck. I was feeling terribly smug that I have been searched only one since last Sept., trusting my system (use a passport, never be first in line, board when searchers look busy), but this week: BOS-LGA-CVG-BOS I was searched twice. The second time thoroughly enough that I felt I should marry the guy! Ick.

have been searched many times since 9/11. I have been searched atleast 15 times. I stopped tracking it after that. I just flew from SJO to LA and got searched 3 times before I got on the plane. I have no idea what I have done... I have no idea why I have been searched so many times. I can think of no reasons why this would happen to me.

Well, what works for me is, I just sit in the gate area, stretch my legs, breath fresh(er) air, and wait until its really late and only a handful of people still have to board. I have my assigned seat, until now always found a place for my handbag (normaly a backpack or my notebook-bag, will fly this time the first with a big carry-on), and on the flights I have been, they were just trying to get everyone into the plane on time. AND there was someone behind me, so I wasnt the last.

In MUC they do searches at the X-Ray security, normally not bad, in december I just ended up with a girl who was the first day in the job, and after she was finished 15 minutes later (just that normal handsearch and with that beeping stick), they decided to have a look at my notebook and Beautycase (which is packed full, took 5 minutes to repack). Never seen anyone get pulled out at the gate.

Apparently this thead this bad luck...I just got searched on Tuesday.

I should have never posted my good luck http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Reposted from another related thread today:

I always (and 95% successfully) attempt to be pax #1 to board.

I pay no mind to the secondary screeners and have never (over 100 flights) been selected! So take that "first to board" theorists!

My ladyfriend, who always hates that I board first because she's always afraid she'll get selected for search...always does!!

I now tell her "We're on our own for boarding. You board when you want. I'll board when I want."

Still, even when she waits behind, they pull her aside (even when they are busy searching another, so the "wait 'til they are busy" theory doesn't always apply either).

You should see the dirty look she always gives me when she finally enters the aircraft and I've already been given my pre-departure drink!

PremEx:
Let us know when your luck runs out. I just started this thread about two weeks ago and it was bad luck for me.

I'm flying Continental all next week, and my "mojo" isn't as strong over there as with United.

I'll let you know if anyone attempts to secondary search my sheepskin travel bag.