TSA PreCheck "Random" Extra Screening?
#106
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
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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.
#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.
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.
#108
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
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.
#109
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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.
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.
#110
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
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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.
#111
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
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.
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.
My last false positives were alerts on bare arm, bare neck, and empty back pocket.
#112
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,090
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.
#113
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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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.
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.
#114
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,577
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.
#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.
#116
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
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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.
#118
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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.
#120
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
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Posts: 5,837
In instances where there is someone in the NOS, some airports continue to do a swab instead.
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.
What time of day?
Anyway, they aren't "saving" you from anything. The former protocol was to do a hand swab.
What time of day?