The TSA has sunk to a new low
 

I posted this yesterday on my company forum. Thought I should share with APC.

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Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse.....it did.

Earlier today in chicago I approached the security checkpoint in terminal 3 because I was going to commute home on American. I showed my crew badge to the TSA rep and was informed that I could not enter! Immediately, I politely disagreed with her and simply said, "yes I can." I was then asked to step aside as other crew members and employees walked by and she called for her manager (you know that TSA person with the "3 bars"). Stunned as I was by this baffoonery I inquired as to why I am not allowed to used this checkpoint. Her response..."I am only allowed to let crew members of American, American Eagle, and Delta to use this check point." My jaw hit the floor. I profess my disbelief in her theory, but to no advantage because I quickly remember that she is only a "1 bar" TSA person. Finally the manager arrives. I say "hi, I am a SkyWest crew member (present my badge) and I am going to commute home on an american flight. Your associate here would not let me pass through because I am not an american, eagle, or delta pilot." He tells me that unfortunately that is true. He then askes "do you have a bording pass?" I tilt my head and look at him funny (kinda like a dog does) and say, "no, but I have a crew badge." He says, "well if you go get a bording pass I can let you through." Now I have about 20 min before the flight departs. I explain this to him, but it does not help my cause. I didn't even bother trying to explain to him that the ticket counter would probably tell me to go list for the jumpseat at the gate.

Now, I didn't want to act like a jackass today. All I wanted to do was to commute home. But this situation hit my jackass button. I say, "DO YOU KNOW HOW ABSOLUTELY REDICULOUS THIS IS?" He is apologizing profusly to me and goes on to tell me that this is a rule that went into effect the day before made up by people way above him, but he has to enforce it. I ask, "are they doing this at all the check points?" He said he wasn't sure because he was only in charge of that checkpoint, but they should be. I informed him of the absurdity in this one last time and that I would probably miss my commute because of it. All he could offer was an apology.

So I had to speed walk over to terminal 2, and enter through the security checkpoint that most of us in chicago use. I show my badge and everything works like it is suppose to. I ended up making that flight with less than 5 min to spare.

Has anyone else had this problem at O'hare? Or anywhere else?

CrewPass NOW.

I have heard that same thing has happened in Boston, but I have never had it happen to me to the point that I had to use another checkpoint. I did have to explain that the ticket counter people told me to just list at the gate.

Yah, CrewPass needs to happen.

Hi!

In GRB, PNS either LRD or ELP and the AA terminal in DFW, you need to have a "Gate Pass" to get through security unless you fly for a 121 carrier that regularly flies in to that airport (or terminal, in the DFW case).

The GRB TSA say it's a TSA requirement that is in effect nationwide.

Of course, when I go through security at any of the OTHER airports, they don't require a Gate Pass.

Screwed up!

cliff
YIP

WHO are the dim-witted IDIOTS making up these rules? I'd like to talk to one of them to try and understand these things. I want it to be a phone conversation though, in case such severe stupidity is contagious.

Same thing happened to me in ORD. I work for trans states and told the TSA that we fly for american connection... Didnt help, so I had to take the hike to terminal 2...

Its about time all crewmembers "forget" some metal in the pockets, and create some bottlenecks and headaches for those morons.

haha a work slowdown against TSA? Dude that wont work, they dont have ontime performance numbers. save your effort against something more important, like figuring out how to make more money

isnt there a TSA blog you can post this greivance on? not that it may make a difference...

MDW is the worst I have ever had to deal with. They did not let me through the checkpoint with my crew ID, and sent me to get a boarding pass. Since it was a last minute listing at the ticket counter I was a selectee. Since they are morons I ended up getting not one or two screenings, but THREE. The third was at the gate with my bag dumped on the floor and passengers walking past. Imagine my embarrassment: a uniformed pilot on his way to work and he is the one with his bag dumped on the floor. Morons.

What happened at ORD to you is asinine. They are so dumb, they probably don't realize that all three terminals are connected and think they made things more secure that way.

Crewpass Now!!!!
 

We had a similar problem in MKE a few months ago and this was the response from one of the higher ups at our company. We were also told to fill out ALPA jumpseat forms so that our jumpseat coordinator and ALPA can document when TSA isn't following the AOSSP. Here is the response we were given........



...........XXX has told us several times that all crewmembers with valid badges can go through security at all domestic airports. It doesn't matter whether our airline serves the airport. It doesn't matter if you're in uniform.

He contacted MKE and confirmed that the ID-checkers at the security points were not using the proper procedure. They should be letting you through with your crew badge.

He said that if you are denied access to the sterile area at MKE (or any other airport) based on the absence of XXX service at that airport, you should ask to speak with either a supervisory TSO or a screening manager.

If they continue to give you a problem, tell them to consult the November 1, 2007 amendment to section 4.3.1.B.1 of the AOSSP. They should know what that is. I can't post the document here, because this isn't a secure web site.