Why does the TSA assume you're a moron?

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Shouldn't subject those who know the drill and fly often for business (but don't qualify for the 1st class line) to be forced into the same line as families

Actually, when you go through the "premium" security line, once you have your boarding pass and id checked, you usually feed right back into the regular security line to go through the scanners.

 

[nytimez]

Wow. That was really rude and a terrible example to set for your children. I can see why you were annoyed, but you need to learn to chill. Even if you are seasoned travelers, when you are traveling with children and a stroller, I can guarantee that you'll take longer to get through security than a "seasoned traveler" without kids.

OP sounds like a handful. I'm guessing the presence of other people on her planet must be very frustrating.

 

[keishashadow]

Actually, when you go through the "premium" security line, once you have your boarding pass and id checked, you usually feed right back into the regular security line to go through the scanners.

MCO is a zoo, several other airports we've traveled basically funnel the 'elite' thru the line in front of their TSA point. Guess im lucky we don't have to deal with such crowded airports often as rarely do we get to hobnob with the bigdogs in the special line

 

[Sinderelly]

TSA is not "out to get you". They are doing a very difficult job of trying to keep us all safe. All the inconveniences we suffer in the name of added security are nothing compared to a plane blowing up. I would rather they take their time and give me any directions or added screenings they feel aare needed as long as we can all fly safely.

Just because travelers are inexperienced and taking more time than you does not mean they are all "idiots". We are well prepared to go through security ( 2 adults) but I imagine the next trip will be a little different with a 4 year old and a car seat.

 

[dudspizza]

TSA is not "out to get you". They are doing a very difficult job of trying to keep us all safe. All the inconveniences we suffer in the name of added security are nothing compared to a plane blowing up. I would rather they take their time and give me any directions or added screenings they feel aare needed as long as we can all fly safely.

Just because travelers are inexperienced and taking more time than you does not mean they are all "idiots". We are well prepared to go through security ( 2 adults) but I imagine the next trip will be a little different with a 4 year old and a car seat.

Maybe "idiots" is a strong word to some... basically it means pay attention and be prepared. If everyone is prepared, the line will go faster. I always sit down before getting to the line and empty my pockets into my carry on bag, remove my laptop from my backpack, take my boarding pass and ID out, and untie my shoes. I am totally prepared to put my stuff on the belt and walk through... everyone else should be ready to do the same.... it will speed things up and keep everyone a lot less stressed.....

I have kids and I know what it is like, but you can have them prepared as well. The frustrating piece is the group of people (with or without kids) that walk up to the TSA checkpoint and start getting prepared as they step up to the xray belt......

 

[loveysbydesign]

plus, they are always in view just on the other side of the scanner...

That's real easy to explain to your 3y.o. who wants mom and dad and is stuck on the other side.

 

[Alexander]

Maybe "idiots" is a strong word to some... basically it means pay attention and be prepared. If everyone is prepared, the line will go faster. I always sit down before getting to the line and empty my pockets into my carry on bag, remove my laptop from my backpack, take my boarding pass and ID out, and untie my shoes. I am totally prepared to put my stuff on the belt and walk through... everyone else should be ready to do the same.... it will speed things up and keep everyone a lot less stressed.....

I have kids and I know what it is like, but you can have them prepared as well. The frustrating piece is the group of people (with or without kids) that walk up to the TSA checkpoint and start getting prepared as they step up to the xray belt......

My point exactly! I guess some folks would just rather assume I am impatient and don't like people, but when you cannot read the signs or follow verbal directions, I am sorry, but you are an idiot--or my choice of word--moron!

And to tell someone that they are holding up a long line of people who have planes to catch is not rude, it is the truth, and sometimes people don't like to hear the truth! When there is clearly an area for you to regroup your personal belongings just 10 feet away, you are an idiot (moron) to hold up the line.

 

[Alexander]

I have 3 kids, i.e. im not anti child, jmho that the family lines are essential as even the most perfect little angels (yes, I realize all our kids here fall into that category) can be unpredictable, especially in unfamiliar circumstances. Let's call the odds more of an increased probability factor vs murphy's law.

Shouldn't subject those who know the drill and fly often for business (but don't qualify for the 1st class line) to be forced into the same line as families. Those folks are the bread & butter of the airlines & their pricier fares help keep the casual flyer's rates low.

I completely agree, however the the other lines were completely empty! We stood and waited and waited and waited. I even mentioned to my DH loud enough for a nearby TSA worker to hear me that we were stuck waiting here while there is absolutely no one in those other 3 lines. This is where I feel that the TSA "stereotyped" us into the slow-travelers line (there I didn't say idiots line!)

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My point exactly! I guess some folks would just rather assume I am impatient and don't like people, but when you cannot read the signs or follow verbal directions, I am sorry, but you are an idiot--or my choice of word--moron!

And to tell someone that they are holding up a long line of people who have planes to catch is not rude, it is the truth, and sometimes people don't like to hear the truth! When there is clearly an area for you to regroup your personal belongings just 10 feet away, you are an idiot (moron) to hold up the line.

As a frequent flyer.....


You need to take a chill pill before your next flight OR consider driving! Because you are being just as rude as those you are whining about.


And my experience has been that those who whine the loudest about this are generally the ones making the most "hold ups"

 

[nytimez]

My point exactly! I guess some folks would just rather assume I am impatient and don't like people, but when you cannot read the signs or follow verbal directions, I am sorry, but you are an idiot--or my choice of word--moron!

And to tell someone that they are holding up a long line of people who have planes to catch is not rude, it is the truth, and sometimes people don't like to hear the truth! When there is clearly an area for you to regroup your personal belongings just 10 feet away, you are an idiot (moron) to hold up the line.

I completely agree, however the the other lines were completely empty! We stood and waited and waited and waited. I even mentioned to my DH loud enough for a nearby TSA worker to hear me that we were stuck waiting here while there is absolutely no one in those other 3 lines. This is where I feel that the TSA "stereotyped" us into the slow-travelers line (there I didn't say idiots line!)

Perhaps the TSA stereotyped you as a self-aggrandizing blowhard and treated you accordingly.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I do alot of flying and it never fails, every single time i get to security check, there are idiots everywhere that have know clue what to do or how the procedure works, BUT, over the christmas holiday i was flying out of Burbank, ca airport, and they had something there i had never seen before, they had an im and "idiot" line and never fly, and a im a season vet at flying let me through line, it was awesome, the only down fall was that both lines met at the same spot for the person to check your id and ticket, which defeated the whole purpose because they took one person from each line one after another, but i thought the idea was genious

TSA is not "out to get you". They are doing a very difficult job of trying to keep us all safe. All the inconveniences we suffer in the name of added security are nothing compared to a plane blowing up. I would rather they take their time and give me any directions or added screenings they feel aare needed as long as we can all fly safely.

Just because travelers are inexperienced and taking more time than you does not mean they are all "idiots". We are well prepared to go through security ( 2 adults) but I imagine the next trip will be a little different with a 4 year old and a car seat.

Of course there are idiots everywhere at the at the checkpoints . . . they run the place. At least they wear fake cop uniforms so you can distinguish them - of course as a pp pointed out there is a down side, the costumes and badges fake the little kids out.

If TSA isn't out to get us, why do they treat us all like a bunch of felons in prison just because we want to fly?

 

[disfan07]

And I am sick of people sighing and rolling their eyes when they see what I have to travel with.

I fly usually about 3-4 times a year. I am very fast goign through security. I pack in a way that makes it easy for me to get through quickly.

But, I fly with a lot of stuff.

I have a bag or 2 full of meds that needs to be pulled out (depends on tiem of year that i travel)
A nebulizer that needs to be pulled out
A 3-1-1 bag of liquids
Epi pens
laptop

I am very very efficient adn get through security quickly. But it never fails, that some snotty traveler (kind of sounds like the OP) sighs and rolls their eyes when they see what I am traveling with. I am very sorry (actually...not really). If I had it my way, I would be travelling with only my laptop...so suck it up and deal.

And OP, if that had been me who you had acted liek that to, I would have spun around so quickly and said somethign rigth back at you to match your attitude. So you might want to think about that and chill out...its a novel idea. No be so uptight.

 

[duffy]

My point exactly! I guess some folks would just rather assume I am impatient and don't like people, but when you cannot read the signs or follow verbal directions, I am sorry, but you are an idiot--or my choice of word--moron!

And to tell someone that they are holding up a long line of people who have planes to catch is not rude, it is the truth, and sometimes people don't like to hear the truth! When there is clearly an area for you to regroup your personal belongings just 10 feet away, you are an idiot (moron) to hold up the line.

Everyone in line has a plane to catch. This is why you show up early: so that if the security line is long, you'll still have plenty of time to catch it.

If someone missed their flight because someone ahead of them held up the line, then it is their own fault, not that of the persone holding up the line, or TSA's fault.

 

[goofy4tink]

And of course there is the reverse...thos adults who automatically head to the 'experienced fliers' line...sort of like the 'black diamond' slopes at a mountain. My dd, then 11, and I headed to the 'black diamond' line when two adults looked at us as they rushed ahead of us to get into the line before us. They just rolled their eyes and said, quietly, 'great, a kid'. Also overheard pretty much the same thing coming from a few people behind us. Ah..okay, lets see how it goes. Yep, those 'experienced fliers' in front of us argued about taking off their shoes, didn't take out their laptops...took them forever to gather their stuff at the other side. Us?? Shoes were off and on the belt before those in front of us had even fully loaded their bins (obviously had to remove the laptops), our bags were on the belt and my netbook was in it's bin..all ready to go. Hmmm, no more grousing coming from behind us. One of those adults had 'forgotten' to remove their jacket before going through the scanner...yet another holdup. When dd and I got through the scanner, we had our bags on us, netbook back in the totebag, and our shoes on as we walked around those 'complainers' in front of us...still trying to get stuff together.
I would put my dd's skill at security checkpoints up against the vast majority of adults. Man, she's fast. There is no way that I am going to head to that family line..nope, no way, no how.

 

[cm8]

As a frequent flyer.....


You need to take a chill pill before your next flight OR consider driving! Because you are being just as rude as those you are whining about.


And my experience has been that those who whine the loudest about this are generally the ones making the most "hold ups"

It is nice when people are prepared before entering the lines. The process can be a and can cause more stress when having to deal with what you feel is being held up by someone else. It doesn't mean "you need to take a chill pill or consider driving", it just means that you have to have more patience when dealing with things that you can not control

 

[cm8]

And of course there is the reverse...thos adults who automatically head to the 'experienced fliers' line...sort of like the 'black diamond' slopes at a mountain. My dd, then 11, and I headed to the 'black diamond' line when two adults looked at us as they rushed ahead of us to get into the line before us. They just rolled their eyes and said, quietly, 'great, a kid'. Also overheard pretty much the same thing coming from a few people behind us. Ah..okay, lets see how it goes. Yep, those 'experienced fliers' in front of us argued about taking off their shoes, didn't take out their laptops...took them forever to gather their stuff at the other side. Us?? Shoes were off and on the belt before those in front of us had even fully loaded their bins (obviously had to remove the laptops), our bags were on the belt and my netbook was in it's bin..all ready to go. Hmmm, no more grousing coming from behind us. One of those adults had 'forgotten' to remove their jacket before going through the scanner...yet another holdup. When dd and I got through the scanner, we had our bags on us, netbook back in the totebag, and our shoes on as we walked around those 'complainers' in front of us...still trying to get stuff together.
I would put my dd's skill at security checkpoints up against the vast majority of adults. Man, she's fast. There is no way that I am going to head to that family line..nope, no way, no how.

She sounds like a pro, mama must have trained her very well ( not say that the other ones weren't )

 

[verticalchaos]

Everyone in line has a plane to catch. This is why you show up early: so that if the security line is long, you'll still have plenty of time to catch it.

If someone missed their flight because someone ahead of them held up the line, then it is their own fault, not that of the persone holding up the line, or TSA's fault.

THIS!

I was so annoyed at this adult child and her mother who came pushing and begging their way through the line at MCO on Saturday morning at 9:40 saying "Our plane is at 10! Can we please go ahead?"

Realizing we had no option short of listening to them whine, the person behind me and I let them through with a very polite reminder that this is why you're supposed to be at the airport at least 2 hours early. It was VERY polite, and not rude at all. The adult child turned around and said "What? What do you mean be here THAT early? What are we supposed to do?"

The person behind me and I just sighed and shrugged. I wanted to say "Um, GO THROUGH SECURITY?" but didn't.

Some people just think the world revolves around them.

 

[maxiesmom]

plus, they are always in view just on the other side of the scanner...

Be very careful thinking this when you are going thru MCO. A couple years back I was flying with my sis, her hubby, and their 3 kids. We were put into seperate lines and me, sis, and her youngest made it thur way ahead of the rest of the gang. TSA would not let us wait for them, and in fact forced us to get on the shuttle to the other part of the airport. We tried to explain we were waiting for the rest of our family, and they just told us we had no choice, we had to board the shuttle.

We were happy we had the youngest with us, as my brother in law can be a bit scatter-brained, and the youngest would have not liked being seperated from her mom. But I still think it wrong that they pretty much forced marched us onto the next shuttle.

Moral of the story is, stick together like glue!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My point exactly! I guess some folks would just rather assume I am impatient and don't like people, but when you cannot read the signs or follow verbal directions, I am sorry, but you are an idiot--or my choice of word--moron!

Not everyone is an experienced flyer. Not everyone can easily understand verbal or written directions. Did you know that there are people with disabilities who need extra time, as well as people who just aren't as smart as you think you are? That doesn't make them idiots or morons, it makes them human beings.

You need to develop some compassion.

 

[dudspizza]

Be very careful thinking this when you are going thru MCO. A couple years back I was flying with my sis, her hubby, and their 3 kids. We were put into seperate lines and me, sis, and her youngest made it thur way ahead of the rest of the gang. TSA would not let us wait for them, and in fact forced us to get on the shuttle to the other part of the airport. We tried to explain we were waiting for the rest of our family, and they just told us we had no choice, we had to board the shuttle.

We were happy we had the youngest with us, as my brother in law can be a bit scatter-brained, and the youngest would have not liked being seperated from her mom. But I still think it wrong that they pretty much forced marched us onto the next shuttle.

Moral of the story is, stick together like glue!

I stand corrected..... wouldn't want that to happen to anyone....... Our last big group trip thru MCO security was a fun one.... 1 of the adult males got stopped to be wanded. We all got to stand there and laugh at him...we even took pictures! We don't let him live it down.....

Another trip, this time through Tampa, TSA told us to go through the "experienced travelers" line. I said are you sure and he said yes. Well, DD13 had some sand from the beach in her bag...... the scanner immediately called for a bag check, including an explosives swab...... I felt bad, well kind of as it wasn't busy....... we laughed the whole time at the 13 year old girl with perfectly straightened hair as her bag was swabbed for explosives.....

TSA can be funny at times too!