Go to another airline's counter with no (or very short) line. Get a dummy boarding pass. Pass TSA, then go to your gate of choice.

 

ANGFDX,

Post 10 and 11 are good suggestions. They've always worked for me.

Another thing you'll come across once in a while is the random TSA agent who wants your airline ID out of the little plastic sleeve...

Standardization is maybe not the best word to describe the TSA.

 

I've had the same issue with MEM TSA. Tried to go through out of uniform with company badge. I need to see your boarding pass, she says. I had my nonrev ticket in my back pocket so I just pulled it out and showed it to her. I didn't feel like fighting it.

Same thing happened to me in MSP about a month ago. I was out of uniform nonreving with my gf. I get up to the TSA agent and he goes I need to see your boarding pass that you just put in your pocket (I printed it at the kiosk right by the security line). He went off on this long spill about how he has to check the boarding pass in case I get flag for "extra screening" on my boarding pass and how if they miss it they have to go to the gate and to extra screening at the gate. I was just sure whatever. Believe me if I see the extra screening on my boarding pass I will get through security some other way.

That said I almost always commute/nonrev in uniform. This way I can almost always avoid the boarding pass issue, the extra screening, and the nude photo booth. I am one of those that really really dislikes the TSA.

 

One more thing to add..

please hurry and get the Known Crewmember nationwide! Let it be used at all times when in uniform, not just when working the flight. And my company join the rest of the world and get on board with this program.

 

Uniform should have NO bearing on this. The ID/credentials is what matters not a costume that anyone can buy online etc.

 

You're a wise man. This rule's been in place for years. As a transcon commuter, sometimes it bit me but mostly it didn't. I've taken to wearing a uniform shirt to get all the advantages of a crewmber at the checkpoint and then changing into a nice shirt on the other side. A minor inconvenience compared to the chance encounter with a petty person who's been given just enough authority to be a royal PITA.

 

I was told you are supposed to be an operating crew member to go through with your ID. I guess the only way they can determine (or think) you are operating is when you are in uniform/costume. I just wear it through security and hit the BR and change. Don't try to use logic or common sense with these guys! Just won't work!

 

key word, "should have no bearing". I cut & pased the quotes from Pistole, and other officials that appeared in the ALPA mag that highlighted known crewmember, wrote a letter to ALPA, TSA & FEDEX security asking why we needed to be in uniform if the whole program is based on potive "identity".

TSA, officials were quoted on & on about the program basis being positive identity, and enhancing effieciencies by routing these "known" crewmembers through an expedited process enhancing efficiencies of TSA official processing pax.

But the reuirment to wear a uniform contradicts their positions on positive identity & efficiency.

No word from TSA, but our FDX ALPA security officials responded that they tried very hard to not have the in uniform requirmement, being that the program is based on positive identity not a white shirt & dark pants. But the TSA said they were worried about public perception if they let us go thru not in uniform. ALPA did not want to die on their sword pushing the issue on non-uniform, and pressed for implementation- in hopes that they would come to their senses as the program proliferates to more airports.

Personally if I was John Q public, and I knew that 25 of the 125 people in front of me were crewmembers and could be in another line, thereby expediting my processing, my perception of the TSA would be worse than it already is.

Drives me crazy- cotradicting policy statements and planned inefficiency-plus I would prefer to keep my uniform clean so I don't have to pack so much on long trips.

 

The real bottom line is in this paragraph....

"if the local airport requires a SIDA badge, you may be required to get a jumpseat boarding pass..."

It is up to the local airport manager. The TSA has a million of these little statements in their regs and policies. The airport managers have a lot of influence over the screening process when it comes to crew members. However, that doesn't keep the TSA Mall Cops from making it difficult just because they can.....

 

I agree 100%. I was more on the argument of when KCM goes nationwide I will be able to use it when I'm commuting or when the day includes a deadhead. Unlike the current rules when using the SIDA badge.