TSA - was this really necessary? UPDATED!

[mickaholic4077]

http://blogs.keloland.com/blog/index.cfm?commentID=1485

This is exactly the type of crap I have had to put up with from the TSA on many occasions. Pray tell what did these guys do to bring this upon themselves (other than being ordinary run of the mill heroes)?

I read that blog. If all the info in it is exactly how it was handled,then those people need to lose their jobs!!!

 

[safetymom]

My TSA experience for the day:

'You look lovely today'

Perhaps at least one TSA agent reads this thread (and/or the First Class thread)

So my experience today falls in line with my general TSA experiences. Sorry that some of the rest of you don't have the same encounters.

(And for the readers of the First Class thread I was wearing a black dress, patterned tights, coat, and lavendar pashmina )

Your outfit sounds lovely. According to many travelers it sounds like you were overdressed.

 

[bavaria]

Hm, well I was in the 'German zone' this afternoon at the airport, and was not the only female dressed in similar fashion! (although I will admit that there are some really really ugly German female fashions and hair cuts)

Glad that I passed Safetymom's 'suitable for flying' test!

 

[rpbert1]

On our last 3 visits to Us, my DW buys alot of hair products and make up etc, and it just got worse every year. This year everything was opened not shut and just threw in the case. I emailed them about it, and said if someone i knew did this i would have them charged for the loss and replacement of products.
recieved an email to file a claim, but emailed them back, saying if they where able to make the effort to open things ,they should be able to put them back the way they found them, its called respect for people belongings, and maybe they should retrain their people to show them how to put lids and close bottle, as they obviously do not know how to do this. it not see much point in claiming, as like others said, they are above the law, and can basically do whatever they want.
We spent quite a lot of money but nearly everything we bought went in the trash. For a state that depends on Tourism for the economy, they should have more respect , in order to keep them coming back and spending their money.
This year we are flying back to Ireland from LA, lets hope its a lot better their.

 

[safetymom]

I have found in my travels that the TSA people at LAX are among the worst I have dealt with. Good luck with your vacation.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have found in my travels that the TSA people at LAX are among the worst I have dealt with. Good luck with your vacation.

Really? I've found them to be quite reasonable, except for the very first lady you get to before the escalators.

Their metal detectors were a bit nutty once, though...went off at hubby's shorts zipper. He was sent off to be wanded. I sent DS through and he waited, then I kept setting off the machine. Just as they were about to mess up entirely (they were telling me to get wanded and I was reminding them that I had a small child with me) the passenger behind me reminded me taht I had an inch long barrette at the back of my hair. The TSA person let me take it out, put it through the xray, and go through again, successfully.

This was a really BAD time for this to happen, as my own horrid timing caused us to be VERY late. The TSA agents helped us get everything together, laptop back in the case, shoes in the right spot for us to put on, etc. Hubby had to put his belt on as we were running. We were there 5 minutes before the plane would have taken off, but other things had delayed the plane and it hadn't even boarded.

Now...I will say...on that trip they let a pair of scrapbooking scissors go through in my carryon, so that was a Fail for them. But it would be VERY difficult to harm someone with a blunted scissor that cuts out Mickey Mouse heads, so in a way it was sane.

They are also the KIND people who did NOT confiscate our "rebel alliance" blaster and the huge plastic sword DS got during our trip, even though they were in a carryon, and even though I guess TSA agents have been taking the whole "replica" thing a bit too seriously. The agent said she couldn't guarantee that another agent wouldn't take them, but we didn't have a connecting flight so it was all OK.

The flight that we almost missed...while we were putting shoes back on a couple male agents were talking about our trip and mentioned that the wife of one of them wanted to go to DL on 12/25. I strongly urged him to NOT go along with that busy busy busy plan and he was thankful.


Good experiences at LAX for us!

http://blogs.keloland.com/blog/index.cfm?commentID=1485

This is exactly the type of crap I have had to put up with from the TSA on many occasions. Pray tell what did these guys do to bring this upon themselves (other than being ordinary run of the mill heroes)?

Well...the thing is...just having some years on you doesn't make you innocence and light. Having been in a war doesn't make you perfect.

My FIL was in WW2 as young as he could get in. He actually joined as a minor, was found out and sent home, then joined as soon as he could legally. His own father wanted to help Europe out so much during the time of WW1 (before it became a *world* war when the US FINALLY joined in) that he went to Canada to join up there!

Anyway, my FIL was a vital, frequent traveler up until a year before he died at 78, he was one of the higher ups on the civilian ships based out of SF that support the gov't so he traveled quite a bit, and he NEVER would have thought that his having been in the Navy, then Merchant Marines, some other stuff, and then being part of the support ships, as being a reason to not get screened.


I see from flyertalk that they got an apology, and I can see why regarding the oxygen etc (though now I'm reading the article and it seems the reporter person got that part a big wrong???), but purely the process of being screened, especially if there's been a solid threat that day...I just can't see a reason why being a soldier/sailor/etc decades ago should exempt you.


I'm sure I'm a minority about this...I'm not someone who thinks the TSA should continue (even though I've only had annoyances and moments where I tilt my head like a confused puppy at their "logic")...but still, someone's past doesn't give them a "pass" when it comes to taking metal, that can come off, off of one's clothing/body.

 

[bavaria]

OK, I realise that I do fly in a parallel universe, but why assume that it is always TSA at fault? I opened my bag tonight and two bottles have leaked quite badly, even though in a ziplock bag. MY FAULT, nobody else's fault. I don't think that TSA was in my bag today at all.

Accidents do happen, things do leak. TSA could inspect a bag, close it, and something could still leak later. Baggage is tossed and thrown about by humans and by machines.

While there may be a chance that TSA did cause a leak, there is also a chance that things leaked due to other reasons.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now...I will say...on that trip they let a pair of scrapbooking scissors go through in my carryon, so that was a Fail for them.

If the flight was more recent than December 22, 2005 - no, they did not Fail. Scissors have been allowed in the cabin as of that date.

 

[mgilmer]

Well...the thing is...just having some years on you doesn't make you innocence and light. Having been in a war doesn't make you perfect.


I see from flyertalk that they got an apology, and I can see why regarding the oxygen etc (though now I'm reading the article and it seems the reporter person got that part a big wrong???), but purely the process of being screened, especially if there's been a solid threat that day...I just can't see a reason why being a soldier/sailor/etc decades ago should exempt you.


I'm sure I'm a minority about this...I'm not someone who thinks the TSA should continue (even though I've only had annoyances and moments where I tilt my head like a confused puppy at their "logic")...but still, someone's past doesn't give them a "pass" when it comes to taking metal, that can come off, off of one's clothing/body.

Perhaps you should have read the story a little closer. They were on a charter flight, not a commercial airliner. The TSA toadie on Flyertalk who said that the TSA did not take the old person's oxy tank, but the airline rep did, apparently missed that too.

Also did the TSA only say there was a threat that day to justify their abuse?, how do we know that is true? I have had ample personal examples that TSAers will lie like a dog in the sun.

On several occasions I have had TSAers tell me to walk without my cane thru the WTMD and that I would not fly that day if I did not do so, even though it is almost impossible for me to do so. On two occasions when I protested that I could not do it and asked for a Supervisor, they told the supervisor I had threatened them with my cane. They were blatantly lying as the LEO who investigated determined. This happened to me at two different airports in the USA.

I stand by my statement earlier that most TSAers are rejects from the back of a garbage truck somewhere (with apologies to all garbage collectors everywhere who do a thankless and difficult job with little appreciation). There is a very good reason that survey after survey shows that TSAers are rated lower in public esteem than every other type of government employee, even the IRS.

Lets also not forget that the TSA is only a type of security bread and circuses for the masses. Even if the TSA as presently constituted had existed on 9/11, the hijackers would still have done what they did as the rules on 9/11 allowed box cutters on airliners and did not require armored and locked cockpit doors.

Finally, I have yet to read anywhere of a 70-80 year old US war veteran being a terrorist/hijacker. Perhaps you can enlighten me if I am wrong.

 

[crashbb]

At the risk of confirming that I am a big geek (and thus enjoy xkcd), I thought of this thread when I read this comic today:

http://xkcd.com/651/

 

[Kim&Chris]

At the risk of confirming that I am a big geek (and thus enjoy xkcd), I thought of this thread when I read this comic today:

http://xkcd.com/651/

 

[safetymom]

I learned very early when flying to follow the rules and keep my mouth shut when going through security. If it looks like you have an attitude believe me they pick up on it.

I prefer not to judge every TSA agent I pass. If they are doing their job without attitude is all I ask.

To say that all TSA agents are bad is not true. I think the flying public needs to check their attitudes also at the airport door before walking in.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I learned very early when flying to follow the rules and keep my mouth shut when going through security. If it looks like you have an attitude believe me they pick up on it.

I prefer not to judge every TSA agent I pass. If they are doing their job without attitude is all I ask.

To say that all TSA agents are bad is not true. I think the flying public needs to check their attitudes also at the airport door before walking in.

I don't believe anyone here is saying ALL agents are "bad" or judging every one. But, as in every part of society, there are going to be folks who simply don't give a rat's a__ about anything, and do a job with minimal effort. Whether it's a TSA agent, or a checker at your local supermarket.

It's just unfortunate that some of those folks are opening your suitcase and rumaging through your underwear.

 

[rpbert1]

OK, I realise that I do fly in a parallel universe, but why assume that it is always TSA at fault? I opened my bag tonight and two bottles have leaked quite badly, even though in a ziplock bag. MY FAULT, nobody else's fault. I don't think that TSA was in my bag today at all.

Accidents do happen, things do leak. TSA could inspect a bag, close it, and something could still leak later. Baggage is tossed and thrown about by humans and by machines.

While there may be a chance that TSA did cause a leak, there is also a chance that things leaked due to other reasons.

Unless the lids can miracously take them selves of,or open themselves, then i know its TSA people who are just plain to lazy to put them back on

 

[rpbert1]

I have found in my travels that the TSA people at LAX are among the worst I have dealt with. Good luck with your vacation.

i do not have any problems, with the security people at the airports, have always found them to be ok, its the ones who rifle through the cases you have checked in is the problem.

 

[Carriemel]

If ANYONE can tell me exactly what a terrorist looks like, we'd be golden. But until every terrorist looks EXACTLY the same, how are TSA agents supposed to know who's the bad guy and who's not?? This is why EVERYONE going on an aircraft is checked, including those in wheelchairs, those with small children, and those who are or have ever been in the military.

Wheelchairs have been used to hide contraband, like knives and guns (especially in the padding of the seat). Small children are often used as "suicide bombers". And military. Wow. Does the name Timothy McVeigh (ex-military, Oklahoma City Federal Building bomber) ring a bell?

I'm not trying to start a whole different kettle of fish here, only trying to get a point across that NOBODY knows what a terrorist looks like. Take that for what it's worth next time you're screened at an airport.

 

[princessdi81]

Isn't it wonderful? I have had the same thing happen.Plus, They rifled thru the bag tossing my undergarments and personal products everywhere

I had a very similar experience flying to Las Vegas in March - not only did they search the bags in front of everybody checking in, but they took the insoles out of shoes, etc. Worst part was once we got to Vegas and unpacked I realized I was missing 3 pairs of underwear. ARGH! Who wants to waste time during vacation going to the store to buy new underwear?!

 

[mickaholic4077]

I had a very similar experience flying to Las Vegas in March - not only did they search the bags in front of everybody checking in, but they took the insoles out of shoes, etc. Worst part was once we got to Vegas and unpacked I realized I was missing 3 pairs of underwear. ARGH! Who wants to waste time during vacation going to the store to buy new underwear?!

Actually,I had to when I went to Disney for Night of Joy weekend. I forgot to pack underwear!!

 

[WillCAD]

I stand by my statement earlier that most TSAers are rejects from the back of a garbage truck somewhere (with apologies to all garbage collectors everywhere who do a thankless and difficult job with little appreciation). There is a very good reason that survey after survey shows that TSAers are rated lower in public esteem than every other type of government employee, even the IRS.

And based on my own (admittedly, limited) experience, I stick by my belief that you are completely wrong is your assessment of TSA personnel.

Granted, I only fly on one or two trips a year, and have experience at only three airports - Baltimore-Washington International, Orlando International, and Las Vegas International. However, statistically, if MOST TSA agents were as awful as you think they are, I - as a grumpy, demanding, semi-paranoid, bitter, jaded, pessimistic old cynic - should have encountered at least ONE such awful agent since TSA was established 7 or so years ago. Yet, inexplicably, I have not. Not one.

Although I have met a few who were clearly not ecstatic in their jobs, I have yet to meet one who treated me or anyone else around me poorly, violated ANY TSA or FAA rules, regs, guidelines, or Federal laws, or even came close to fitting your description of the dregs of humanity that you seem to think are the most common type of TSA agent.

Judging by the breadth and depth of your hatred for these folks, as indicated by the fervor and intensity of your descriptions and condemnations, I wonder if either your definition of "poor treatment" is ridiculously out of touch with the rest of society, or if you have some personal axe to grind with the TSA.

When I see such rabid, venomous, blanket condemnation of all TSA agents, I can't help buy think of the crazy woman who recently claimed, "TSA took my son!" only to be definitively proven to be either completely delusional or an outright liar by the video footage of the entire incident posted by TSA.

 

[mgilmer]

Judging by the breadth and depth of your hatred for these folks, as indicated by the fervor and intensity of your descriptions and condemnations, I wonder if either your definition of "poor treatment" is ridiculously out of touch with the rest of society, or if you have some personal axe to grind with the TSA.

I had no axe to grind until I was accused falsely of criminal misconduct on two occasions by TSAers. Now I have an axe to grind with them, you are darned tootin I do!