New TSA jumpseat rule?
 

I was jumpseating offline out of MEM last week (not in uniform - going home), and I entered the TSA screening area. I showed the agent my badge explaining that I was jumpseating, and the agent asked me for a boarding pass. I explained that I had to get to the gate and the gate agent would issue me a boarding pass to jumpseat out. The TSA agent insisted that I have a pass, and I replied (politely) that I had gone through this checkpoint numerous times without a boarding pass. He called for a supervisor who came over and confirmed that now I had to go to the airline ticket counter, obtain a GATE PASS, then come to the TSA screening area, and finally go to the gate in hopes of scoring a jumpseat. I started out towards the ticket counter, and the supervisor who was escorting me out of the TSA area, noticed her supervisor and she called him over. He said that I could still go through screening as in previous times, but the rules were in the process of being changed and that soon I WOULD be required to have a "gate pass" before approaching the TSA area.
Is anyone else aware of this new TSA level of (dare I say) harassment?
Does anyone know if this applies if you are in uniform?
Enjoy!

Keep in mind where you were. The last time I went through security at MEM, the TSA lady told me I couldn't have paper money in my pockets and wasn't going to let me through screening until she was sure my pockets were empty. I didn't argue. She had me by 60lbs.

I was in uniform with a ticket for a d/h flight and have been told by MEM TSA that my FedEx ID was not valid and had to show him a government issued ID. :(

I asked what I would need if I was just jumpseating and he said my FedEx ID was fine as long as I was in uniform! :eek:

The rule that has been in place for a long time now is that you must show a boarding pass/security document to enter the sterile area if your airline does not serve that airport (as a passenger 121 airline). Basically, if your airline doesn't serve the terminal, you need a security document. This rule is long standing, it is just VERY loosely enforced.
Case in point, my old airline had "Operating as US Airways Express" printed on the back which fooled enough TSA agents into letting us through since we could say we were a US Airways airline even if our particular regional didn't fly there.
Also, went through RDU TSA the other day with an ORF SIDA badge which does not say CREW anywhere on it. All depends on who you see..... no standardization.

Since 9-11, I always go to the ticket counter and get a dummy pass first. They can check the load for you and some will list you so that when you get to the gate, you are already in the system and it seems to take less effort for the gate agent.

Boss Boss Boss Boss
 

How levels of "supervision" are required? Was the second supe the top dog, or were there still higher levels of "supes".

Sounds like good advice, but I'd like to know what the rule is so that if I see 100 people in line at the DL counter, I can make a calculated and informed decision as to which way to go: TSA screening or DL counter. If I only have an hour 'til boarding time, I'm not sure I want to get in line behind someone who needs to be rerouted to get to Tokyo. :rolleyes:

TSA being a government agency, I'm sure there are/were numerous layers of unseen "supes." I'm guessing most of them would have varying degrees of accuracy in their answers. :eek:

"As a UNIFORMED pilot, liquid and gel restrictions do not apply. Current TSA rules do not require a boarding pass to pass through screening, however if the local airport requires a SIDA badge, you may be required to get a jumpseat boarding pass from the ticket counter (File a detailed Jumpseat and Security Report with your respective committees)."

From the ALPA.ORG Jumpseat website.

Honestly, just say 'oh okay' and go to a different checkpoint/concourse and take the moving sidewalk backto your gate. That's what I've always done.