Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > Travel Safety/Security > Trusted Travelers
Reload this Page >

TSA PreCheck "Random" Extra Screening?

TSA PreCheck "Random" Extra Screening?

Old Aug 9, 2015, 8:25 pm
  #106  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,090
Originally Posted by BSBD
Neither. The "random" alarm (now called the "quota" alarm) that signals you've been selected for additional screening is a standard TSA policy that has been in place for over a year now. There have been quite a few discussions on FT about this.
The difference is that they now seem to be sending you through the body scanner, if available, rather than just giving you a hand swab. This has happened to me a handful of times. Before this year, I always just got swabbed.
gobluetwo is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2015, 5:10 am
  #107  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
You're going to be seeing more of this as a result of the most recent report on the poor performance by the TSA.

In another thread, a FT member mentioned seeing TSA doing document checks in the "sterile" area also.

More harassment of passengers instead of a total redesign and simplification of screening procedures, which is what is really needed.
petaluma1 is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2015, 5:30 am
  #108  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
Originally Posted by gobluetwo
The difference is that they now seem to be sending you through the body scanner, if available, rather than just giving you a hand swab. This has happened to me a handful of times. Before this year, I always just got swabbed.
The "difference" is that early last year TSA started installing AIT scanners into PreCheck lanes. The PreCheck scanners went into operation around May or June of 2014, which is when the diversions to AIT started.

The last publicly-available data, from earlier this year, is that there are 68 PreCheck-capable airports with AIT scanners installed. If you are entering one of the airports with operational scanners in PreCheck, you'll be referred to the scanner for additional screening.

As I said, this has been discussed fairly extensively on FT over the past year.
BSBD is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2015, 5:46 am
  #109  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,508
Happened to me in July @ IAD.

As a reminder, if this happens, you need to take all the non-metal out of your pockets before going into the scanner. I had my wallet, pocket comb, pack of mints in my pockets - OK for the metal detector - but they of course set off the scanner, so I ended up with a pat down to complete the TSA Trifecta.
swag is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2015, 6:29 am
  #110  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
It has been happening for over a year, and it seems to happen more at certain times of day. Nearly all of mine have been before early morning flights.
N1120A is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2015, 8:08 am
  #111  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
Originally Posted by swag
Happened to me in July @ IAD.

As a reminder, if this happens, you need to take all the non-metal out of your pockets before going into the scanner. I had my wallet, pocket comb, pack of mints in my pockets - OK for the metal detector - but they of course set off the scanner, so I ended up with a pat down to complete the TSA Trifecta.
There have been numerous incidents of scanner "false positives" occurring even if you empty your pockets. The false positives mean you'll be getting a patdown.

My last false positives were alerts on bare arm, bare neck, and empty back pocket.
BSBD is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2015, 7:30 am
  #112  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,090
Originally Posted by BSBD
There have been numerous incidents of scanner "false positives" occurring even if you empty your pockets. The false positives mean you'll be getting a patdown.

My last false positives were alerts on bare arm, bare neck, and empty back pocket.
My trips through the body scanner have been fairly uneventful, with any positives resulting in very cursory patdowns. Definitely nowhere near the level of an opt-out patdown.
gobluetwo is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2015, 7:59 am
  #113  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,229
Originally Posted by petaluma1
You're going to be seeing more of this as a result of the most recent report on the poor performance by the TSA.

In another thread, a FT member mentioned seeing TSA doing document checks in the "sterile" area also.

More harassment of passengers instead of a total redesign and simplification of screening procedures, which is what is really needed.
After multiple incidents where pax get past security to the plane without a BP, there was only one solution: document inspection in the sterile area in an effort to catch those missed by the many TSOs/LTSOs/STSOs/BDOs standing around the checkpoint jacking their jaws and playing with their cellhphones instead of doing their jobs.
chollie is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2015, 9:30 pm
  #114  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,577
Originally Posted by BSBD
There have been numerous incidents of scanner "false positives" occurring even if you empty your pockets. The false positives mean you'll be getting a patdown.
This is why you're best off opting out and getting a Government Grope -- you're going to get one anyway so you might as well just go straight to 3rd base.
KRSW is offline  
Old Aug 21, 2015, 5:57 pm
  #115  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS
Programs: AA PLT, Honors Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 477
A few days ago, I received the random inspection beep from the WTMD at the DEN main security PreCheck. There is no AIT installed in the lane, so the TSO just swabbed my hands and sent me on my way.
jbsay is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2015, 5:45 pm
  #116  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
It happened to me one time a few months ago.. I can't remember what airport.. not SEA. As I recall, the beep occurred randomly to 3 people in a row and I happened to be one of them. The agent even appeared surprised at there being 3 right together right that. Annoying for sure.. but oh well. Went through the body scanner.
SEA1K4EVR is offline  
Old Aug 25, 2015, 8:26 pm
  #117  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1
I understand they put you in the AIT when you set off the random alarm on the metal detector to save you from getting a pat down. A few seconds of millimeter wave bouncing off instead a friendly pat down isn't a bad deal in reality...
Clipper_fan is offline  
Old Aug 25, 2015, 8:41 pm
  #118  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,229
Originally Posted by Clipper_fan
I understand they put you in the AIT when you set off the random alarm on the metal detector to save you from getting a pat down. A few seconds of millimeter wave bouncing off instead a friendly pat down isn't a bad deal in reality...
Unless you are physically incapable of assuming and holding the position in the AIT. Then a random alarm means trying to keep an eye on your bags while waiting for your groper to arrive. You may have experienced 'friendly' patdowns in the past. I have never experienced such a thing at a US airport.
chollie is offline  
Old Aug 31, 2015, 4:13 pm
  #119  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 76
I was at LAS last week and 8 people in a row including me got selected. How is it random if 8 people are selected together?
cubs105 is offline  
Old Sep 2, 2015, 6:14 am
  #120  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
In instances where there is someone in the NOS, some airports continue to do a swab instead.

Originally Posted by Clipper_fan
I understand they put you in the AIT when you set off the random alarm on the metal detector to save you from getting a pat down. A few seconds of millimeter wave bouncing off instead a friendly pat down isn't a bad deal in reality...
Actually, it is a bad deal, in reality. Even the MMW NOS constitutes a danger to your health, a naked image taken by the government (despite whatever software is in place) and the potential of getting a pat down anyway. No thanks.

Anyway, they aren't "saving" you from anything. The former protocol was to do a hand swab.

Originally Posted by cubs105
I was at LAS last week and 8 people in a row including me got selected. How is it random if 8 people are selected together?
What time of day?
N1120A is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.