Weird occurence today at Columbus OH.

Most of my travel is same day or overnight, so I don't pack a lot. I wear black leather, non-slip boots during my work, and I wear them while I fly. They go through the metal detector no problem (for almost 2 years now). The TSA agent at the detector told me I should take them off. I tell her they go through no problem. In most airports, the TSA will be amazed saying things like "I would have bet you a million dollars those things would have set off the machine". WELL, I guess this TSA agent didn't like being shown up, as she pulled me aside after I successfully passed throught the detector. She yelled over to another agent that I was a "continuance". The other agent swabbed my boots and checked out my flashlight in my luggage. I asked him about the continuance thing and he just said that you can be pulled aside for things like your boots or clothing.

Anybody else dealt with something like this?

I fly over 60 segments a year and this is the first time running into this.

You must be kidding. This is a regular occurrence that I see almost every airport I travel through. See the rants about the TSA and their "or else" policy in "In the News" forum or the "Travel Security" forum.

Just be nice to these people, do what they ask and then be done with them. You're just asking for trouble if you do otherwise and it's just not worth the waste time or the aggrevation.

[This message has been edited by Elite Nomore (edited Dec 11, 2003).]

Yes it is true. The TSA have an unwritten "or else" clause of unaccountability. This includes not just giving you secondary screening for "not" de-shoeing upon "recommendation" but also to destroy your checked luggage if you've locked it against their "recommendation". See more in the Travel/Safety forum here in FT Travel (several forums below Omni)

geez....get over this shoe fetish and get on with life!!!!

my 11 yr old has more common sense than most of the FFs on this board-she's certainly more mature and better behaved...

if it's all this terrible for you, take the bus or the train-no screeners at those stations!!!!!your problem is solved and if the travel is job related, look into getting into a new field...

but no one is forced to fly and no one is forced to go thru a checkpoint...

the whiners on this board AREN'T the tsa screeners, tho we DO get tired of your incessant name calling, pouting, and infantile behavior...

your prattle isn't going to change things, nor your baby name calling...


grow up, enter the real world, change your job if it's so offensive, and move on...

Ah shut the h#ll up!! geez christ.

Unfortunately for you, there is a common thread among many diverse posters who do have valid complaints about TSA procedures. If you want to shut them all up, be my guest. Just don't mind if we ignore your tired whinny voice.

Most FF's on this board couldn't care less that your 11 yr old has more common sense than them, especially since we have real sympathy for who she has for a father.

If our collective complaints are so hard for you to read, I suggest you shut up and go browse else where. This is not just a few selected individuals who complain. It's a universal complaint among many many diverse travellers. Don't like it? tough, deal with it.

Some are forced to fly, and they are all forced to go through a checkpoint.

Calling people who do have valid complaints whiners will not help your cause. So please, stop being a troll.

Again, I have far less regard for your lame post than your 11 year old. At least I feel sympanthy for your child.

Uh, no.

I will not obey "or else." To jump through stupid security hoops as an unquestioning sheeple is irresponsible as a citizen of a free country.

But unfortunately, you do not live in a "Free Country" anymore.

Hopefully that will be fixed by this time next year

Where is it more free?

Not trying to pick a fight, but we're still pretty d@mn free here.

Based on the above comments you may have certain control issues that a licensed therapists might be able to help. Give one a call.

You're probably that jerk that always seems to be in front of me at security. The one that always has to argue with the TSA agents. The one that has to ask why he needs to take off his shoes. The one that never removes all the metals objects from his pockets and then throws a fit when the alarm goes off.

Hey pal, do us all a favor and stop using airports.

When someone tries to take away your right to speak, vote or practice your religion then it's certainly worth fighting for. When someone asks you take off your shoes or to go through your bag, just smile and be patient. If you don't like the TSA system, complain to your congressperson. Starting a fight with the TSA agent will get YOU nowhere. THIS, I can guarantee.

I would like to know where people live more freely than they do here? You may be reading too much into the rants and coming to the wrong conclusion. We tend to complain a lot about our government, but I am sure that any one of us "ranters" would jump to its defense in a heartbeat. We have been this way since a crazed fellow named Charles threw his weight around one time too many. I read somewhere that there was a bit of a rant about that as well. I guess we have more freedom now than we did then.

For the record, I lived in the UK from 1983-1987 and while I enjoyed my stay, I did get a tad bit tired of the CND throwing rocks at me and my car on an almost daily basis. Not to mention the cuisine. I do have to ask, how could a country that built a world empire based mainly on the spice trade have some of the blandest food in the world? Gravy on everything. But I digress.....



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Don't take life too seriously, afterall, you won't get out alive.

Sure hope all of the airline pilots and FAs don't follow your stellar advice. Of course, if they actually do then we won't need the TSA any longer since nobody will be flying anywhere.

Actually, my employment contract specifically states that I will travel the "quickest, most economical means" to my worldwide customers each week. I think this pretty much dictates air travel and not a bus/train/ship.

Having extensive travel experiences in the US, Asia, and Europe - I can honestly and factually tell you that no other country/region has a more messed-up pseudo-security goon squad than what we currently have here in the US. Even in India and Siberia - even there! - imposed security methods are superrior to what I experience on a weekly basis here in the US. And may I ask you how many planes have been commandeered by boxcutters (and similar pointy things) in these places?

The only ohter scam that's close to the magnitude of the current TSA fiasco is Boston's Big Dig. But at least with the dig we're getting something useful in return for our often wasted tax dollars.

jrjcd, you wouldn't happen to be a TSA employee would you??

GMF

Ahhh ... but don't forget that lovely "sausage" patty on your plate at breakfast. The mushrooms and tomatoes aren't bad, but clotted pig's blood patties with my poached eggs is grounds for a power puke!

GMF

And to be clear about my original post in this thread ...

I have nothing against the people who are employed by the TSA. The working minions are simply following their marching orders from Gestapo HQ. It's the TSA's policies I have a beef with.

GMF