Thanksgiving 2015 - expect longer security lines, reduced PreCheck "perks"
 

http://ktla.com/2015/11/23/thanksgiv...across-the-us/

"...expect more random hand swabbing for explosive residue, bomb-sniffing dogs, laptop checks and shoe removals, even if you have TSA Pre-Check."

Family flew out of DEN this morning, with PreCheck, and they reported that it was business as usual.

More hype and posturing, no doubt. All to make the infrequent or inexperienced travelers even more nervous. What a terrible weekend to be flying if it's not something you're used to.

Cleared DEN security ten minutes ago. Theater is in full-force. The metal detector at the south Pre line is now "randomly" rejecting people, so even though you have Pre you have to go through the MMW or wait for a grope.

The WTMD beeped for me (no belt, watch, nothing in pockets, so I'm inclined to believe it is randomly beeping). My bags had already gone through and I was directed to a long line of fellow rejectees waiting for the MMW. My bags would've been a solid 30 feet away and I wouldn't have been able to see them, so I refused and stood next to the WTMD for about 15 minutes while waiting for a groper.

The perv groping me claimed this is a nationwide policy: Pre WTMDs will randomly beep. I don't know if that's true—could just be this mouthbreather blowing smoke—but I made it clear to him exactly how stupid and pointless that is.

Took maybe 20 minutes to get through security, which itself isn't bad for a holiday week, but it would've been the normal Pre experience if not for this sheer idiocy.

Paul Theroux summed it up well:

How I hate these people. :mad:

The quote is from Pistole a retired TSA Administrator. Can we presume that TSA leadership developed a disproportionate focus on speed over diligent resolution of alarms under Pistole? Does anyone really think the issues documented by DHS OIG, only started after Pistole retired?


Does "sniffing dogs" = Managed Inclusion = Precheck lines crowded with families and many other initiated?

I do not know how the failure rate in the Pre lanes compared to the failure rate in 'full meal deal' lanes. Do you?

IIRC, one fail was when the groper missed a weapon somehow 'artfully concealed' to/on the pax's back.

That sure sounds like it was someone going through the 'regular' lane, not the Pre lane, where the odds of getting a grope are supposedly less.

There have random WTMD beeps for secondary checks some time now. I have been felt up twice because of them. The last did not go well for the TSO and the ORD FSD took my complaint seriously.

I got the Pre Check Double Whammy this week with the WTMD randomizer sending me for a grope, as well as my rollaboard being emptied out to examine the kindergarten scissors inside.

Pretty sure the randomizer is beeping more often now.

Hard to tell given the influx of less-frequent travelers on a day like today but the WTMD was probably going off for 90% of pax in the Pre line while I waited for my massage this morning.

Probably some legitimate beeps in there mixed in with a lot of horse-puckey.

In the past, the beeps for random have been a long beep, which was a different sound than that of the beep for setting off the WTMD.

Txflyer77, do you know whether most of the people had the regular beep or the long beep?

I am hoping that others will post their experiences regarding this.

I've seen the randomizer result in swabbing for explosives, not the nude-o-scope or gropes.

What would it take to eliminate the use of the word "Homeland" from the security vernacular?

Mike

A spectacularly bad TV show? Nope, tried that...

I wish they would. For me, the word has connotations of Germany during the Nazi era.

No, heaven's no! Think of all the motherhood, apple pies and first responders?!?!?