Are random ID checks while boarding the plane a new thing?

[jaminmd]

We've never had that happen before until today. As we were boarding the plane TSA did random ID checks, with NO notice so we had to hold up the line as we dug through our stuff again. Had they at least mentioned it before lining up, everyone could have had their ID's out in case they were called out.

I'm married to a federal LEO and I think this is total BS. Have I been dodging bullets all these years or is this just a response to the Boston bombings? You already go through security. Does the TSA not trust its own agents?

 

[bumbershoot]

No they are not new. It's also not just done in the US; DH got to take part in one while boarding a plane in Tokyo (the day after the underwear bomb guy).

Annoying but my ID is never far away.

 

[DebbieB]

We've never had that happen before until today. As we were boarding the plane TSA did random ID checks, with NO notice so we had to hold up the line as we dug through our stuff again. Had they at least mentioned it before lining up, everyone could have had their ID's out in case they were called out.

I'm married to a federal LEO and I think this is total BS. Have I been dodging bullets all these years or is this just a response to the Boston bombings? You already go through security. Does the TSA not trust its own agents?

I suppose after people are in the airport you could switch tickets with someone else, such as someone who works in the airport.

I've seen them do random bag checks.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Im good with random...........
too many nut cases out there

And for some reason my family never escapes at least one of us going thru the whole scan process...................just is what it is....and since I feel better about checking and re-checking, I say
YEAH TSA!!!

 

[jaminmd]

I'm not referring to the security lines, though. This was when we were boarding the plane. I've never seen that. I expect it in line and have been pulled aside several times.

 

[Fire14]

I've not had random Id check but have had Bag check. I swear at my airport they do it at certain gate every freaken time. Each time I've flown they have had random bag check at this gate which is litterly right by security check point.

 

[Echo queen]

I've not had random Id check but have had Bag check. I swear at my airport they do it at certain gate every freaken time. Each time I've flown they have had random bag check at this gate which is litterly right by security check point.

I have seen this as well.

 

[gmeh1]

We've never had that happen before until today. As we were boarding the plane TSA did random ID checks, with NO notice so we had to hold up the line as we dug through our stuff again. Had they at least mentioned it before lining up, everyone could have had their ID's out in case they were called out.

I'm married to a federal LEO and I think this is total BS. Have I been dodging bullets all these years or is this just a response to the Boston bombings? You already go through security. Does the TSA not trust its own agents?

They did it a lot right after 911. The TSA can ask for your ID anywhere in the airport at anytime. They can also stop and search vehicles. Usually they post that before you enter the airport. I am sure the TSA trusts their agents. Frankly, I am not sure what the problem is. They are doing their jobs.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Im good with random...........
too many nut cases out there

And for some reason my family never escapes at least one of us going thru the whole scan process...................just is what it is....and since I feel better about checking and re-checking, I say
YEAH TSA!!!

I don't feel one bit safer just because someone's ID matches their boarding pass. Are they over staffed with airport security screeners when they decide to do this or are they understaffing the check points while these unproductive exercises are happening?

What a waste of time.

 

[Jimsig]

They did it a lot right after 911. The TSA can ask for your ID anywhere in the airport at anytime.

Right after 9-11 they would also pull some people out of line while boarding and re-check some bags, check pants pockets wiht the wand etc.

Happened to a guy in front of me who happened to have an engagement right in his pocket that he was planning on giving his GF on their trip. They had friends with them who kept his GF occupied as he was able to whisper to the agent that he had the ring in his pocket. The agent gave him a wink, told his GF in a strong tone that she was to get on the plane and her BF would be right along, and their friends pulled her down the jetway. Agent thanked him for the heads up as he said he would not want to blow that surprise.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm not referring to the security lines, though. This was when we were boarding the plane. I've never seen that. I expect it in line and have been pulled aside several times.

Right - I've seen them do random bag checks at the gate when people were in line to board.

 

[pigletto]

I've been randomly bag checked at the gate in Orlando. I was pulled out of the line, got to open my carry on and they went through it. This was two summers ago. Considering it just went through the scanner and got the all clear I can't really see the point but it wasn't too big of a deal.
The thing is of all the *random* extra checks at security, or random "please pull over and go into immigration while we search your car" or random "please go into that room over there and we'll go through all of your luggage by hand" seems to happen to me.
It's not every time, but way more than most people tell me they get *randomly* checked.

My father does a lot of international travel for business, often to the middle east and I have to wonder if my name doesn't flag me somehow (I still have my maiden name) but even he doesn't even get *randomly* checked as often as I do, so I think it's likely just dumb luck. Either way, it's intimidating but necessary I suppose.

ETA) Oh and to answer your question OP...no I have never been asked for I.D. at the gate but now that you've mentioned it I am sure I will be lol.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Haven't had the random ID or bag check, just the random swabbing of the bottled water I bought at the gift shop after security.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We've never had that happen before until today. As we were boarding the plane TSA did random ID checks, with NO notice so we had to hold up the line as we dug through our stuff again. Had they at least mentioned it before lining up, everyone could have had their ID's out in case they were called out.

The whole point behind random is that it's, well, random. Unexpected. TSA, not just you, held up the line - but the plane wasn't going anywhere until everyone was aboard anyway; and most passengers don't wait to board at the last minute.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Even if it is random rather than some supervisor's whim, what purpose does checking ID at the boarding gate serve? The passengers have already passed through the government permission to fly checkpoint. The Airport Security Screeners looking at ID don't have any kind of data base to check against. It's a purposeless waste.

 

[shoney]

I have been on several flights where they checked ID at the gate before boarding. It wasn't random, everyone had to hand ID with boarding pass.

Once at Cancun airport, I was pulled to the side and searched again. That was annoying!

 

[JessM]

This happened to us our last trip to FLL. We were boarding in JFK and they checked everyone's IDs again before we boarded the plane. I have no problem with it even if it does hold boarding up a bit

 

[jaminmd]

Even if it is random rather than some supervisor's whim, what purpose does checking ID at the boarding gate serve? The passengers have already passed through the government permission to fly checkpoint. The Airport Security Screeners looking at ID don't have any kind of data base to check against. It's a purposeless waste.

Absolutely. It's also purposeless that I can fill 8 mini bottles with 3.4 oz and stuff them into a quart sized bag but I can't combine them and carry one 27 oz. bottle of shampoo.

The "all in the name of security" response is just knee jerk reacting, IMO. Do what makes sense, not some random whim that serves no purpose.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have been on flights that had us all taking out our IDs to hand over with boarding passes...not many though.
I have also been at the gate several times, in recent years, when they did random bag checks as people were in line to board. They set up some kind of table and pulled random people out of lines. There were usually state troopers with them (TSA) when they did this though.
Theatre? Perhaps....most likely really. But, it just doesn't bother me as much as it does others. I do wish I could fly with full sized bottles of shampoo and such in my carryon bag again. But, until that is no longer the case, I will fly with airlines that allow me one free checked bag.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have been on flights that had us all taking out our IDs to hand over with boarding passes...not many though.
I have also been at the gate several times, in recent years, when they did random bag checks as people were in line to board. They set up some kind of table and pulled random people out of lines. There were usually state troopers with them (TSA) when they did this though.
Theatre? Perhaps....most likely really. But, it just doesn't bother me as much as it does others. I do wish I could fly with full sized bottles of shampoo and such in my carryon bag again. But, until that is no longer the case, I will fly with airlines that allow me one free checked bag.

So why if your original screening was good and everything you can access had been screened would they need to do this?

Is it because the first screening was as useless as some of us think?

Or is it to employee more people and waste your tax dollars?