I had a TSA screener wand me while in uniform (working an flight). When the wand passed over my wings and name tag, he asked me to remove them so he could wand me again. To say that this guy was an absolute genious would be overstating his intellectual ability! I refused to remove my wings, but offered to open my shirt pocket to show him that I didn't have a grenade launcher inside. As he groped my pectoral muscle, he asked me to open my shirt. I asked for a supervisor. To my astonishment, the supervisor concurred with the tub-stacker. I asked for a private screening, and was denied. I finally complied, but felt violated!!!!!. The pax were looking at me, as if they were afraid to ever fly again.

I ended up having to remove my shirt to show this guy that I wasn't the terrorist.

 

holy crap, where was that?

 

The rule was changed.

After 9/11, there was a time where your airline had to operate out of that airport to gain access to security with a crew badge (it became an issue b/c UPS (or another cargo carrier) operates out of airport XYZ, but not out of the passenger terminal, so can they use their badge too?).

Now, the ruling is definitive. All crewmembers may access security at any entrance within the US when properly badged. For all of you who think unions don't do jack (or jumpseat and security committees), let this be an example of what they do.

If you are denied access, ask to speak to a supervisor. If the supervisor denies you too, get all the info (names, dates, which checkpoint), and supply a narrative of the events to both your MEC Security and Jumpseat Committee. If you don't have either, go to your carrier's Corporate Security Department.

As a personal note, using a crewmember ID with a boarding pass creates confusion at times for some TSA agents. Boarding passes are for passengers - who require a government issued ID. Crew members (regardless of uniform) are properly badged, but these ID's are not "government issued". See what I'm driving to?

Suggestion: Ditch the boarding pass (just put it in your pocket or bag), and just flash the badge.

 

I do love the TSA.