Does anyone else feel like a criminal when going through TSA?

[BrianL]

So you both are going to double down on the idea that if you were to walk into a Walmart for Eggs or to pick up a Moneygram there, or to make a MoneyGram type payment at your local bank or pick up eggs from a local farmer - then it would be legitimate if someone who is an employee decides to just strip search you and detain you without explanation and without needing to answer to any authorities for a sexual battery charge?

OK, I accept that this is how you see it and have no desire to change your minds but I respectfully disagree and feel this is precisely why the courts need to review now, 20+ years after implementation. To me there are awful stories out there and I think the whole thing should be settled.

T W E N T Y Y E A R S and never made its way through the courts.

I never said anything of the sort. I said that you can refuse to comply with security procedures and as a consequence of such you can be denied entry to the premesis. You still have the right not to be touched and can exercise that right.

 

[Dan Murphy]

She even put some stuff on my hands to see if I was carrying explosives! I wasn't

I knew you wouldn't carry any of that stuff, Kitty.

 

[sam_gordon]

I got patted down, frisked, whatever you call it at the Detroit airport last year when flying to South Carolina, I had a used Kleenex way down in my capri pants pocket when going thru. I had emptied all my pockets but that had somehow manage to escape. She even put some stuff on my hands to see if I was carrying explosives! I wasn't.

In all the times I have flown, that was a first.

I think it's easy for people to say "it's just a Kleenex". But if you think about it, the TSA agent (at the time of the inspection) doesn't KNOW it's a Kleenex. They don't know what it is, all they know is their machine (whichever one) found an anomaly, and their procedures dictate they need to find out what the anomaly is, or rule out that there IS an anomaly.

 

[JLTraveling]

I remember metal detectors and security WELL before TSA was in existence.

Sure, I do too. A nice quick throw your bag on the conveyor belt and walk through the metal detector. Same as lots of other places. Naked scans and invasive patdowns are a whole other level. As is the sort-of paramilitary but not exactly nature of the TSA.

On topic: Yes, I get extremely anxious about the process, and it's why I only fly if there is no other option. Not a bit afraid of flying, but absolutely terrified of the TSA.

Side note: If you still don't think the TSA is an absolute joke, try going through Secret Service screening sometime. When we went to an Obama rally before his first term, Bill Clinton was appearing with him. So two major protectees. It took about five seconds to have my bag checked, walk through the magnetometer, and get the secondary wanding (everybody got wanded). Easy peasy, no groping, no naked scans. If Secret Service can do it that easily, TSA is clearly going more than a little bit overboard.

 

[sam_gordon]

What is gross?

That she can't backup her claims?

 

[sam_gordon]

Sure, I do too. A nice quick throw your bag on the conveyor belt and walk through the metal detector. Same as lots of other places. Naked scans and invasive patdowns are a whole other level. As is the sort-of paramilitary but not exactly nature of the TSA.

On topic: Yes, I get extremely anxious about the process, and it's why I only fly if there is no other option. Not a bit afraid of flying, but absolutely terrified of the TSA.

Side note: If you still don't think the TSA is an absolute joke, try going through Secret Service screening sometime. When we went to an Obama rally before his first term, Bill Clinton was appearing with him. So two major protectees. It took about five seconds to have my bag checked, walk through the magnetometer, and get the secondary wanding (everybody got wanded). Easy peasy, no groping, no naked scans. If Secret Service can do it that easily, TSA is clearly going more than a little bit overboard.

I can't really argue that point. But when I've been involved with presidential level screenings, I seem to remember bomb sniffing dogs in the area.

I do remember once working a VP debate (local news), another engineer and myself go through the metal detector with tool bags and don't even get stopped. They stopped our production manager immediately behind us who wasn't carrying ANYTHING extra. The only difference (and he's happy to share it) is he is African American.

ETA: I meant to mention you brining up the "sort of paramilitary" part of the TSA. The few times I've flown out of the country, I remember seeing police in the airport (of the other country) carrying rifles. I've never seen a TSA agent with so much as a handgun (that I can remember at least).

 

[soccerdad72]

For ANY one willing to answer...

Let's say the government has put YOU in charge of airport security. How do you set up the policies? No security? Anyone can go "air side"? Metal detectors only? "Body scanners"? What happens if an anomaly is noticed? "No problem, continue on."?

There's one poster I'd love to hear answer this one.

 

[BrianL]

I can't really argue that point. But when I've been involved with presidential level screenings, I seem to remember bomb sniffing dogs in the area.

I do remember once working a VP debate (local news), another engineer and myself go through the metal detector with tool bags and don't even get stopped. They stopped our production manager immediately behind us who wasn't carrying ANYTHING extra. The only difference (and he's happy to share it) is he is African American.

ETA: I meant to mention you brining up the "sort of paramilitary" part of the TSA. The few times I've flown out of the country, I remember seeing police in the airport (of the other country) carrying rifles. I've never seen a TSA agent with so much as a handgun (that I can remember at least).

I remember that when air travel first reopened at 9-11 there were National Guardsmen with fully automatic rifles in the airport. It was quite unnerving to see, but I understand the reasons. In some countries, that is the basic level of security.

 

[sam_gordon]

I remember that when air travel first reopened at 9-11 there were National Guardsmen with fully automatic rifles in the airport. It was quite unnerving to see, but I understand the reasons. In some countries, that is the basic level of security.

We flew the Saturday after 9/11 and I don't remember much... a half empty plane between MCO & ATL, an EXTREMELY crowded ATL, and sleeping in the terminal because our connecting flight got cancelled. Oh, and my parents (who met us at WDW) deciding to drive home to Georgia despite Disney saying they could have a free night since their flight out of Orlando was cancelled.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I can't really argue that point. But when I've been involved with presidential level screenings, I seem to remember bomb sniffing dogs in the area.

I do remember once working a VP debate (local news), another engineer and myself go through the metal detector with tool bags and don't even get stopped. They stopped our production manager immediately behind us who wasn't carrying ANYTHING extra. The only difference (and he's happy to share it) is he is African American.

ETA: I meant to mention you brining up the "sort of paramilitary" part of the TSA. The few times I've flown out of the country, I remember seeing police in the airport (of the other country) carrying rifles. I've never seen a TSA agent with so much as a handgun (that I can remember at least).

I was going to share something similar to your bolded point but didn't want to derail the thread. My best friend is Muslim and she gets picked for "random searches" almost every time she flies. She expects it at this point and is surprised when it doesn't happen. Half of me thinks it isn't random at all but not really going to get into that.

To your last paragraph, I've flown to Germany (Frankfurt airport) multiple times and I've seen many officers carrying rifles and have German Shepherds alongside them in the airport. Security is very similar there as the US. One time I was bringing home a cuckoo clock that was unopened in the box and an agent made me rip open the box and take the clock out. Then I had to try and quickly shove it back into the box.

 

[soccerdad72]

To your last paragraph, I've flown Germany (Frankfurt airport) multiple times and I've seen many officers carrying rifles and have German Shepherds alongside them in the airport. Security is very similar there as the US. One time I was bringing home a cuckoo clock that was unopened in the box and an agent made me rip open the box and take the clock out. Then I had to try and quickly shove it back into the box.

Yeah, Europe doesn't mess around with their airport security and Frankfurt is one of the toughest ones (along with Heathrow), in my experience.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Yeah, Europe doesn't mess around with their airport security and Frankfurt is one of the toughest ones (along with Heathrow), in my experience.

I agree. I found Germany to have way stricter security in their airports than the US. The least strict was when I flew to and from Bulgaria. Their security was a little too lax for my comfort.

 

[tzolkin]

I guess I've been lucky. I can't remember the last time I got a physical "pat down". Been wanded and sent back through the detector, but it's been years since I was actually touched by TSA (in fact, the last time might have been prior to the creation of the TSA).

I have been "pat down" nearly every time I have flown in the last 5+ years. Occasionally, they will just touch my hair, but usually it's groin/legs and sometimes chest. I have also had my hands swabbed for explosives, my bags searched, and my belongings tested for drugs (in Mexico right as we were boarding the plane). I don't think there's anything particularly suspicious about me and I'm completely calm and compliant about it every time.

I am quite terrified of being physically groped etc. which is allowed by the process. I never like being touched by strangers in any way so deliberately putting myself into a situation where I could be manhandled like a prisoner simply because I am in the scope of a TSA agent having a bad day, feeling some kind of way or who doesn't like the way I am looking on any given day just puts me over the edge.

I understand that some people are more sensitive about being touched than others, but I certainly wouldn't call it being "manhandled like a prisoner". Like I mentioned above, I have had my crotch and breasts patted by TSA many times. It's always a female, they always explain everything before, they move very slowly/gently, and they apologize profusely if it's a sensitive/private area.

I think it's easy for people to say "it's just a Kleenex". But if you think about it, the TSA agent (at the time of the inspection) doesn't KNOW it's a Kleenex. They don't know what it is, all they know is their machine (whichever one) found an anomaly, and their procedures dictate they need to find out what the anomaly is, or rule out that there IS an anomaly.

I have figured out there are a few things that seem to prompt the search. I have thick-ish curly hair. If I wear my hair up in a messy bun, they will always ask me to take my hair down. If I already have my hair down, they always feel the need to touch it. I'm sure there are people who smuggle things in their hair, so I am sure that's why. The groin pat downs are typically if I am wearing a long flowy skirt. Once I was wearing leggings underneath and offered to take off the skirt to make it easier to check, but I think once I had been flagged they had to physically check.

I remember that when air travel first reopened at 9-11 there were National Guardsmen with fully automatic rifles in the airport. It was quite unnerving to see, but I understand the reasons. In some countries, that is the basic level of security.

I do remember seeing that in the US too. And, yes, in other countries it can be way more strict than anything most Americans would imagine. I have been to Rwanda a few times and it was a bit wild the first time we drove to the airport to leave. They have a security area at the entrance where you are greeted by guards with guns, required to get out of your vehicle, remove all of your bags onto a platform, and then stand in another holding area. They then bring out dogs to inspect your bags and vehicle while you go through metal detectors. And this is just to get into the parking lot (even if you were just picking someone up). You have to go through security again and have all your bags physically searched when you enter the actual airport.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I have TSA Precheck, so I was in and out in less than ten minutes at the Philly airport this past September. We were held up on the way back at MCO because I wasn't thinking and packed a souvenir Mickey snowglobe in my carry on bag. I saw my bag go in and out of the x-ray machine while they held us up and asked a few questions about the bag in question. Finally, they pulled the bag to the side and opened it to reveal my snowglobe. TSA agent was very nice about it all, and took the snowglobe to be dusted (for explosives?)

I thought they were going to keep it and I'd go home with one less tchotchke, but after it was dusted it was returned to me. I've never had a bad experience with the TSA-that's not to say that some TSA agents aren't rude, but that's in every line of work. I just counter with extreme kindness.

 

[remy324]

Every time I go through TSA I feel like I need to be extra self aware of everything I do. Like I am hiding something... once I got pulled aside and had a superior come to do an extra inspection of my shoes... which caused my heart rate to sky rocket. Another I had an extended inspection of some skittles... It's such a anxiety inducing event for me overall. Does anyone else get bothered by the process?

I have a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) attached to my arm and I am unable to go through the full body security scanner due to the fact that it can destroy my monitor. I need to be hand scanned and patted down. After being patted down at least 3 or 4 times each time I fly it has become a real pain. I actually feel violated! I have notified TSA at least 3 weeks before each flight to have a TSA Support Agent escort me through security but have yet to have any assistance.

 

[BrianL]

I have TSA Precheck, so I was in and out in less than ten minutes at the Philly airport this past September. We were held up on the way back at MCO because I wasn't thinking and packed a souvenir Mickey snowglobe in my carry on bag. I saw my bag go in and out of the x-ray machine while they held us up and asked a few questions about the bag in question. Finally, they pulled the bag to the side and opened it to reveal my snowglobe. TSA agent was very nice about it all, and took the snowglobe to be dusted (for explosives?)

I thought they were going to keep it and I'd go home with one less tchotchke, but after it was dusted it was returned to me. I've never had a bad experience with the TSA-that's not to say that some TSA agents aren't rude, but that's in every line of work. I just counter with extreme kindness.

Yeah, they are extra cautious with snowglobes because of the liquid (if it's under the amount for any liquid and it's fine but that's only for the really small snowglobes). I find that MCO is fine with all the Disney stuff they see - I mean the official luggage of MCO is a DisneyParks shopping bag! I once got hassled over a tiki mug - the lady wanted to open up the styrofoam and inspect it. Another agent apologized and said she was a new transfer from another airport and that they never worry about that stuff, but once an agent calls for it to be done, it has to be done. It was no big deal though. I'm sure they see tons of crazy things!

 

[sam_gordon]

I have a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) attached to my arm and I am unable to go through the full body security scanner due to the fact that it can destroy my monitor. I need to be hand scanned and patted down. After being patted down at least 3 or 4 times each time I fly it has become a real pain. I actually feel violated! I have notified TSA at least 3 weeks before each flight to have a TSA Support Agent escort me through security but have yet to have any assistance.

I'm glad I read your post. I've considered getting a CGM, but this has turned me against it.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) attached to my arm and I am unable to go through the full body security scanner due to the fact that it can destroy my monitor. I need to be hand scanned and patted down. After being patted down at least 3 or 4 times each time I fly it has become a real pain. I actually feel violated! I have notified TSA at least 3 weeks before each flight to have a TSA Support Agent escort me through security but have yet to have any assistance.

What is the escort supposed to do? Prevent you from being patted down?

 

[RogueX]

Shortly after 9/11, I had to fly to NJ for work. I didn't drive, so my form of ID for flying was my passport and the entries in it were from a couple trips to Morocco. My last name at the time was also hard to pronounce and a lot of people asked about its origin. This is important to what happened next in the travels...

I was booked on AA, but due to some mechanical issue, they changed my ticked to Continental. No big deal, I was on business travel, so I wasn't in a rush. Now I go up to security and my backpack set off the detection of explosives. I was asked to step out of line and into a roped off section that was not in private. I was Frisbee by multiple agents, but the hardest part was not squirming because I'm ticklish. The 3 agents who did that part were good about the whole deal and were laughing as I was joking about how I didn't really need to go on this trip that badly. 2 other agents were pulling everything out of my backpack and carryon to inspect. One of the agents figured something from my makeup spilled and an ingredient triggered the machine. The supervisor was a gem though, because he was asking me where I was from, how did I get this passport, why did I go to Morocco...blah, blah, blah. Then he asked if I had any other ID on me. I showed him my work ID, which is for US DOL and he told me point blank that had I not had that ID, there was no way I was getting on that plane.

My work ID at the time isn't like the new ones with information stored, so it wasn't ideal for use for travel. When it was time to travel back, my boss had me send my back pack via mail to avoid this situation happening again.

 

[remy324]

I'm glad I read your post. I've considered getting a CGM, but this has turned me against it.

Sam, please don't let this turn you against getting a CGM. The pro definitely outweighs the cons.