Southwest ??s

[riu girl]

Depending on SWA fare prices we will be flying out of BUF and into/out of MCO or TPA.
If we book an open jaw type trip ex. BUF-MCO, TPA-MCO is there a higher chance that we will be flagged by TSA? If so, what does being flagged by TSA involve? We are Canadian, so do think that there is a more/less/same chance of being flagged by TSA when travelling on an open jaw vacation?

Any info. would be appreciated.
Suzy V.

 

[gw_lit]

Generally... if you book one way tickets (includes open jaw), you have a greater probability of being selected for the extra-special TSA screening. Some of the bonuses of extra screening include the possibility that you will not be able to print boarding passes in advance, and that your carry-on luggage will be hand-checked and your body will be "wanded" in addition to going through the appropriate scanner.

The extra special screening really isn't so bad, especially if you get a decent TSA agent, but it can take more time. And since you're traveling on Southwest, if you can't get boarding passes online ahead of time, you'll want to make sure to get to the airport extra early to get your "A" boarding pass, especially if your family is not eligible for pre-boarding.

As for being Canadian... I'm not sure about that. (Actually, I love Canadians... but I'm not sure if that makes you more prone to extra screening.)

 

[cranbiz]

I just came back on a one way ticket MCO-BOS (drove down with DS who is giong to school in Daytona)

I had to change the ticket once prior to the flight and did not have any trouble at security. I was expecting "extra attention" but did not get it. I would not worry, it's not something that you can control. Just be aware that you MAY be singled out and allow extra time and you will be all set.

Join the airlines frequent flyer club , it won't hurt.

 

[goofytime2000]

You know, here's my take on traveling post 9-11. There are two things you need to remember, and 90% of the time when people have problems and "bad experiences" is because they are unwilling to do these things.

1) BE FLEXIBLE!!!! Stuff happens. We might not like it, but more often than not there is nothing that we can really do about it.

2) Do whatever the nice man with the automatic weapon tells you to do!!! Need I say more??

Have a nice day

 

[amejr999]

Also, I must point out that the TSA secondary screening now includes a complimentary backrup! The perks just keep getting better...

 

[gw_lit]

Also, I must point out that the TSA secondary screening now includes a complimentary backrup! The perks just keep getting better...

Yeah, but you only get the backrub after your body cavity search!

 

[jetfxr69]

I work at BWI, which is the national test center for TSA. They implement all new procedures here first to test them. As you can imagine the security here is probably the toughest anywhere. Here are some common sense things to do to make it a harmless experience.

1. Dont get pissed off with any TSA agent for what seems like a silly request.i.e; take off your shoes, take baby out of carrier, have grandma searched. Remember they do this all day long and have seen things you can't imagine. You only fly maybe a few times a year(except business travelers).

2. Be ready when its your turn. Empty pockets of all metal and put whatever it is in your carryon. You can always put that belt back on, or take that change back out after security. Basically, dont give the metal detector a reason to go off.

3. Pack smart. If your not sure about an item, put it in your checked luggage. You can always get it later.

I have gone through many different airport security areas hundreds of times since 9-11 and have only been searched once. I tripped the metal detector because my wallet had a metal band in it for a money clip. I have since gotten rid of this and have never set off the detector or been searched since.

If you are harmless to theTSA, then act so. They appreciate people who are prepared and civil towards them. After all they are people doing a job too.

 

[lawgs]

having flown from BWI recently.....can now understand why they do things differently

the only thing ....could they not have printed signs at the security check location ( where they check your boarding pass and ID ) saying what the "prodcedures de jour" are....that would make it easier for travellers who are used to other airports' ways of doing things.....would make the lines go quicker since travellers would know what is expected.....take shoes off, belt off, have boarding pass available for additional checks etc


they did have a "hand printed" sign on the conveyor belt warning about lighters, but there again could they not have done a "computer sign" print out, it would have looked more realistic than just someone "hand scrawling"