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I just refuse to make small talk and I give brief answers to questions. They will get the idea you think they are morons.
The jerks in Austin, TX who decided to wand me down while I was in uniform and then X-ray my pack of gum. When he told me he had to X-ray my pack of juicy fruit, I told him "If you really want a piece all you have to do is politely ask". Or the guys who ask. "Where are you off to today?" My response "to the airport". You are under no obligation to talk to these people, just X-ray my bag an let me take control of the airliner like they pay me to. |
No! Do not pony up another form of ID. It may get you through quicker that one time, but will cost you and your fellow Pilots more hassle down the road. Do not go anywhere without speaking with the Supervisor on duty.
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Originally Posted by exwaterski
(Post 375990)
That really shouldn't be necessary. In 2 years of non rev-ing and jumpseating out of many different airports I've only been stopped once (in uniform) by a guy insisting I needed a boarding pass since my airline didn't serve that airport. I told him my airline ID was the only boarding pass I needed and I would like to see a supervisor. The supervisor (who was in earshot) came over and quickly let me through and informed the screener I didn't need a boarding pass. The screener muttered something about "they must have changed the rule.." and that was it. I wasn't dragged away in handcuffs or featured on the 11 0' clock news. Again ask for a supervisor, they have a book of all airline ID's they can look yours up if they want to double check it's authenticity. Trying to have a debate and quoting TSA rules to a screener will make a lot more of a scene than simply asking for a supervisor and IMO lowering yourself to their level.
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I was told by someone at TSA last week that they rummage through bags because at times "we can't tell the difference between a cell phone and a knife."
Nice, huh????????? |
Originally Posted by newcfii
(Post 375498)
To my fellow pilots;
As I approached Mr. Ticket Inspector he looked at me and said are you flying today. Perplexed by this question as I was not in uniform, I said "well, I am flying as a pax, hence the boarding pass." I don't talk to TSA workers. Nothing good can come from a conversation with any of them. A 'yes' or 'no' is the only thing they will get out of me. |
Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB
(Post 376029)
No! Do not pony up another form of ID. It may get you through quicker that one time, but will cost you and your fellow Pilots more hassle down the road. Do not go anywhere without speaking with the Supervisor on duty.
Individual airports are allowed under the TSA to make some additional rules about screening. So that is why it is so confusing. I try not to say anything at all, too, when they start in with the small talk. But once I was told I had to say something before I could go through. Probably wanted to smell my breath for alcohol. I said in plain English, "oh I'm sorry, but I didn't understand. I don't speak English." And I don't think the guy understood. |
Originally Posted by BlueMoon
(Post 376028)
Or the guys who ask. "Where are you off to today?" My response "to the airport". You are under no obligation to talk to these people, just X-ray my bag an let me take control of the airliner like they pay me to.
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Originally Posted by kronan
(Post 375855)
Doesn't help if you've been fired. I'd venture a guess that pretty much every contract out there has a conduct unbecoming clause in it somewhere.
Hopefully, the career ending light is flashing in your eyes as you consider telling any particular TSA person exactly what you think of them. When I run into the newbies at screening, if I don't have time, I pull out another photo ID and press on. If I do have time, maybe a lot of time, as politely as I can, I try to provide a little education while asking for a supervisor. If the supervisor is not help, then I ask for ID numbers and relay the pertinent info to my J/S co-ordinator http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...s_/ai_81765053 http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worl.../11/2003063201 http://www.thisistrue.com/airsecurity.html http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2...6-24948085_ITM |
Originally Posted by soon2bfo
(Post 375992)
I just commute in my uniform. It saves 99.99% of all the crap you get when you deal with the amazing people who can actually qualify for a government job because they have no other skills or education.
Honestly, most TSA people are well intentioned and not malicious barney fifes. I treat them with the same respect I show anyone who's just trying to do a job...rampers, starbucks chicks, etc. No need to get wound up if they don't respect your divine pilot author-i-tay. They don't make the rules, they mostly just try to follow them. Remember, our screening system is not based on positively identifying you as a flight crew...they have no way of doing that since uniforms can be had on ebay and badges can be photoshoped, so they simply screen you like other folks. This is why we need biometric screening... With that said...if one of them truly exceeded the bounds of his authority, I would most certainly throw the BS flag via all appropriate channels (company, TSA, congress, etc). |
Besides the usual hassle in Charlotte, Rochester New York is a bad a place since it is terminal security contracted out to the lowest bidder.
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