dysmenopausal Kansas school teacher questions airport security

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3782400

Oh my.

Isn't the dysmenopausal Kansas school teacher supposed to be more preoccupied with the fate of her pal who got arrested for causing a violent disturbance while voting in Missouri last week?

The original post isn't the dysmenopausal Kansas school teacher's experience; she copied it from somewhere.

proud2Blib  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-12-08 10:23 AM
Original message

Flying Without a Wallet
   
There’s been a lot of speculation among security professionals regarding TSA’s policies, since so much of it is shrouded in secret. Last month, TSA announced a change of policy: passengers who “willfully refuse to provide identification at security checkpoint will be denied access… This new procedure will not affect passengers that may have misplaced, lost or otherwise do not have ID but are cooperative with officers.”

I was curious to learn more about the TSA’s new practices for ID-less travelers. As a security professional, I decided to research TSA’s latest security screening procedures. Below is a recounting of my experiment.

What Happened

I last saw my wallet on Monday, August 4, 2008 at the FedEx counter in Cambridge, where I dropped it into the envelope marked “Las Vegas, Nevada.” On Wednesday around 4PM, I arrived at Boston Logan airport without my wallet.

Without an ID, JetBlue’s All Services line was my only hope for checking bags. The long line moved interminably slowly. A JetBlue representative with long blonde hair moved down the line, talking to each passenger.

more (interesting story!) . . . http://philosecurity.org/2008/08/10/flying-without-a-wa...

KansDem  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-12-08 10:48 AM
Response to Original message

1. Of course, you know, TSA is pure horseshit...
   
The last time I flew I was asked when I went through "security" if I had any liquids on me. I first said "no," then quickly remember I had my vial of insulin in with my meter. The TSA "officer" informed me I would have to place this in the bin. Well, there were a few minor distractions at this time but I passed through security--no problem. The thing was, I failed to place my insulin in the bin due to the distractions. I thought to myself, "Yeah, some security. Tell me to perform a required activity, then forget about following up on that directive while I pass through ignoring your instructions." What horseshit!

It's not "security," but the illusion of "security." And it's definitely about control over those of us who must take off our shoes to fly...

And another thing: Do folks who fly private jets have to pass through security? (i.e., the "Bushes" and "Cheneys" of the world). If not, why not? Are they above suspicion because of their station in life? So to avoid "security," what would stop the next group of terrorists of hiring a private jet (or jets) and flying them into tall buildings?

I dunno.

I've flown four times since 9-11, and never had any problems; not even late departures and arrivals.

The flying primitives probably have problems because they set out to cause problems on purpose from the beginning.

proud2Blib  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-12-08 11:00 AM
Response to Reply #1

3. Several times on flights where I have had to change planes
   
I have had certain items go through okay at one airport but not another. Last time I had a small bottle of hand lotion. KC didn't notice it but O'Hare took it away from me. And yes, it was less than 3 ounces.

I also had a TSA kid in DC take my lighter away. He took it out of my purse and said "You can't have this" I said "yes, I can have one lighter" and I pointed at the sign next to him that said passengers could have one lighter. He said "Not if I say you can't" and he put it in his pocket.

KharmaTrain  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-12-08 11:01 AM
Response to Reply #1

4. My Wife Tried To Sneak On A Terrorist Snowglobe
   
We picked it up at that fascist Statue of Liberty...and she packed it in her carry-on (big mistake). On our departure a couple days later from Philly...she got stopped at security and was told there was no way it could go onboard and her only option was to mail it. She was then whisked to TSA Hell, bad hip and all (she had to walk across most of the airport)...where she couldn't find a container that the thing could fit in. She ended up leaving it...enough was enough. Fortunately, we flew American and they never leave on time (we had a 3 hour delay that afternoon)...so she was able to hobble back in plenty of time. How dare her for trying to sneak that weapon of mass snow aboard a plane!!!

The last time we flew, I had to make a last minute change on our flight...this somehow triggered the TSA nannies as we were detained at the gate before we could board and went through "additional" security (wanded down, carry-on checked)...then through the same procedure three days later on our return (even though no change was made to that ticket). That's enough for us...my wife is terrified that she's on the "watch list". If it isn't the TSA, it's the poor service of the airlines...we're taking passes on any travel for the near future.

Regarding private...to my knowledge (a good friend flies charters all the time), they have a different screaning process and operate out of a different location of the airport. In general, it's just a quick scan with a wand at check in.

Be assured the high rollers just walk on and off...as do "prefered customers" who can also get special "pre-screening" to avoid most the hassles.

Yeah, I'm sure Republicans like Alphonse Capote Gore, the Bostonian Billionaire, the Tarheel adulterer, Vast Teddy, Bela Pelosi, Jon Corzine, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Bags Streisand, Barry "Goldwater" Obama, &c., &c., &c., get special pre-screening that saves them the nuisance of having to rub elbows with the hoi polloi.

BrklynLiberal  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Tue Aug-12-08 10:52 AM
Response to Original message

2. I agree with the conclusion that the restrictions are for control, not to ensure safety.
   
I see the same kind of dumb stuff happening when trucks are stopped "for inspection" before entering the tunnel I go thru everyday to go to work.

If the officers are already busy, they will let the next truck go thru.

They examine the biggest and the smallest "trucks", but Hummvees, Expeditions and Escalades go thru without a second look.

Why would I load a truck with explosives when I can get even more in an Escalade and not be stopped?

It reminds me of the saying "All Hat, No Cattle". It is all for show, and to use the budget that was alloted for security, so it will be alloted again next year.

[USA4ME]

KansDem

And another thing: Do folks who fly private jets have to pass through security? (i.e., the "Bushes" and "Cheneys" of the world). If not, why not? Are they above suspicion because of their station in life? So to avoid "security," what would stop the next group of terrorists of hiring a private jet (or jets) and flying them into tall buildings?

The day is still young, but this could possibly pass as the most stupid post of 08/12/08.

.

[JohnnyReb]

Solution: Everybody flys nekkid.....from what I've heard about muslims and naked bodies, that ought to keep them outta airplanes.

[Texacon]

2 things;

1.)  How dare this person hold up all the other folks to play a stupid game AND waste the security peoples time.

2.)  I thought the TSA was a government agency ..... aren't they the ones who are supposed to do EVERYTHING better than the private sector .... in a DUmmies mind at least?

KC

[Chris_]

UM, anyone remember when conservatives said the LAST thing we need is a new bureaucracy?
Yeah, that woulda been right before Bush caved and created DHS and TSA

[Carl]

3. Several times on flights where I have had to change planes
   
I have had certain items go through okay at one airport but not another. Last time I had a small bottle of hand lotion. KC didn't notice it but O'Hare took it away from me. And yes, it was less than 3 ounces.

What are they talking about,unless they leave the secure area they are not rechecked making a connection.

I have flown a few times in the last couple of years and have not had an ounce of difficulty.

[debk]

There is a vast difference in airport security though between airports.

Sometimes I "trigger" the alarm and sometimes I don't. I wear a watch, a tennis bracelet and a gold bangle on my left arm and a ring on my left hand. I have learned, it just depends on which airport I'm in as to whether or not I "beep".

I have also learned....I will not take them off and send them through the scanner....I just ask to be wanded. i get a startled look....and I just look back without saying anything. I get wanded .....it's done and over with.

My lowered jaw has been permanently wired since I was 13 and has metal in it. I've had a very expensive watch "fried" going through the scanner, fortunately I had just received it as a birthday present and the maker replaced the entire insides for free....I didn't tell them it was scanned. I wear an underwire bra.

It's just easier to request wanding.

My other half tells me it's my red hair......I look like a terrorist.

[MrsSmith]

I just went through O'Hare last week...other than waiting forever in line, security was nothing.  They reminded me to put my cell phone through the scanner...(without any screaming, take-downs, theft, whatever), and I picked up my stuff and went on.  Of course, I took a shower that morning, wore normal clothes, and was polite...something most of the DUmmies probably can't manage.   

[Chris_]

I've flown four times since 9-11, and never had any problems; not even late departures and arrivals.

I have flown about 450 times since 9-11 and have been ontime about 4 times in that time.  But in general TSA hasn't been a problem.  But I get to use the priority lines so that helps with speed.

I do find them to be uneven -- sometimes they say "take all electronics out" then they don't say anything.  The liquid thing has been pretty consistent but they let me get through once with a full bottle of water I forgot about. They silently stopped allowing screwdrivers and wrenches through for about a year, then just as silently started allowing them.

But overall, if you know the what to expect and what you can and can't do and take, TSA is no big deal.

[Chris_]

There is a vast difference in airport security though between airports.

Sometimes I "trigger" the alarm and sometimes I don't. I wear a watch, a tennis bracelet and a gold bangle on my left arm and a ring on my left hand. I have learned, it just depends on which airport I'm in as to whether or not I "beep".

I have also learned....I will not take them off and send them through the scanner....I just ask to be wanded. i get a startled look....and I just look back without saying anything. I get wanded .....it's done and over with.

My lowered jaw has been permanently wired since I was 13 and has metal in it. I've had a very expensive watch "fried" going through the scanner, fortunately I had just received it as a birthday present and the maker replaced the entire insides for free....I didn't tell them it was scanned. I wear an underwire bra.

It's just easier to request wanding.

My other half tells me it's my red hair......I look like a terrorist. :whatever:

You are wise -- they are about ready to deploy the total body scanner so your problem should go away (or at least diminish somewhat) when that happens.

[Chris_]

I've found the same thing.  I've flown to a dozen different cities since 2002, and I usually find different levels of "security" at each place.  It got to the point where I took my shoes and belt off as a matter of course.  The only difference I noticed was when the Raleigh airport took the CAT5 sheath cutter from my keychain, even though the blade was only 1/16-th of an inch deep.

[DixieBelle]

I get picked for secondary screening every single time. I assume it's because I am escorting my son to his gate and not actually boarding a plane. I do have to obtain a security pass and show ID and I'm scrutinized more than ticketed passengers. One adapts. One moves on.

I couldn't be a TSA agent. Even if it paid gobs of money. While I don't agree with another level of red tape and I was against bloating the govt further, I do feel for them. They have to deal with millions of passengers every year. A lot of them DUmmies. It must suck.

[MrsSmith]

I get picked for secondary screening every single time. I assume it's because I am escorting my son to his gate and not actually boarding a plane. I do have to obtain a security pass and show ID and I'm scrutinized more than ticketed passengers. One adapts. One moves on.

I couldn't be a TSA agent. Even if it paid gobs of money. While I don't agree with another level of red tape and I was against bloating the govt further, I do feel for them. They have to deal with millions of passengers every year. A lot of them DUmmies. It must suck.

I got picked for secondary screening every time I wore a pair of boots...even if I took them off.  When I switch to light, slip-on shoes, that was it.  I've never been chosen again.  Seriously, that is the only thing that's changed over the years  (except a few pounds...)     

[Carl]

I get picked for secondary screening every single time. I assume it's because I am escorting my son to his gate and not actually boarding a plane. I do have to obtain a security pass and show ID and I'm scrutinized more than ticketed passengers. One adapts. One moves on.

I couldn't be a TSA agent. Even if it paid gobs of money. While I don't agree with another level of red tape and I was against bloating the govt further, I do feel for them. They have to deal with millions of passengers every year. A lot of them DUmmies. It must suck.

I got picked for secondary screening every time I wore a pair of boots...even if I took them off.  When I switch to light, slip-on shoes, that was it.  I've never been chosen again.  Seriously, that is the only thing that's changed over the years  (except a few pounds...)     

When I went through security in Albany a couple of weeks ago they had me go through the "puffer".
Not sure what that actually is for or why,assuming it is a random thing.
It was no big deal and then went the rest of the way through security in less then a minute.

[Taxman]

I travel frequently and my most unusual TSA encounter involved photo id.  A close friend invited me to a sporting event in Minneapolis.  Just prior to leaving, I had my drivers license renewed.  Because my license had a defect in the mag strip on the back my Secretary of State office pulled my entire license and left me with a paper DL.  I have a CCW with a photo id that is government issued.  I called NWA prior to departing and they said no problem.  My passport was in the hands of the Chinese embassy for purposes of issuing a travel visa. 
No problems at the local airport breezed through security.  When I went home the TSA folks in Minneapolis freaked out at the sight of a CCW.  One TSA agent told me I could not fly.  I pressed to see someone higher up and was led away.  We went to a private area and I showed them my CCW...informed them that I went through a lot more background checks to get a CCW than to get a DL...including fingerprints, criminal background check the whole nine yards.  The supervisor looked the CCW over took it and I believe made a phone call to somewhere.  They then added my name to some list and repeatedly asked me if I was carrying.  Finally they let me go.  I understand that they were merely doing there job but the hassle and their stupidity was a little absurd.