TSA's Power Trip
 

To my fellow pilots;
I am not sure if I'm misinformed or taking this out of context, but here goes:

I was non-reving the other day out of CLT. I went through the line as a normal pax with my boarding pass and Crew ID. 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." He then informed me that my Crew ID was not an acceptable form of identification and I needed to supply him with my drivers license or passport. I said "you have got to be kidding me!" My Crew ID gets me through on a daily basis in uniform, but when out of uniform its worthless??? He then said if I had a SIDA badge, which as all of you know, we do not get in CLT, that would be acceptable. I said, "your SIDA badge, while you think gives you the world, only gives you access to airport areas and the ramp, not the AIRCRAFT!!! Am i just totally misinformed or just overly sensative because I am tired of high school graduates getting on a power trip and enforcing there "so-called" laws?? I really hope crew pass gets off the ground, while I know it will not help while non-reving, it will take some of the sting out of having to go through security while working!

I've had multiple 'encounters' with the folks at CHARLOTTE TSA. One went as far as getting pulled aside and questioned for 15 minutes while they poured through my bag.. and ultimately led to an Official Letter of Warning that was mailed to my address. (And mind you I had my crew card and everything.. )

I feel your pain...

Email or write you congressman or senator about CrewPASS. Granted, it would not have helped your situation, but the more our reps here from crews about the TSA the better. TSA is out of control!

You didn't need even need the boarding pass. All you need is a crew ID badge to pass through any TSA security at any airport in the U.S. in uniform or not. The only difference being if you are out of uniform your are subject to the liquids restrictions and have to take off your shoes. It doesn't matter if you are working, it doesn't matter if your airline operates out of that airport, all you need is that ID. If you are harassed immediately ask for a supervisor that should resolve it. If they still won't let you through start collecting info get the screeners name, supervisor's name, date/time, etc. and file a complaint with the TSA.

Had the same issue in St Louis. The TSA agent from a different line ran over and lectured me about it then proceeded to yell at the agent that allowed us to pass through. Havent had that issue at any other airports, Orlando even let my dad pass through crew line.

This is one thing that the TSA does not really have control over.

The airport chooses to have whatever lines and the TSA is only able to screen the lines that the airport creates.

Your dad going through the crew line didn't really break any rules since they would have checked his boarding pass and ID.

It happened to me today at LAX. I showed my TSA crew ID and the lady gave me the hugest WTFF kind of look as if I just handed her a ZULU nation passport. I told her it's a regional airline out EAST. She admitted she was new and had to check with her associate who had this look like she had made the worst mistake of her life by becoming a TSA agent. She still was combatant and told me that I can't pass security with just a company I.D in plain clothes. I proceeded to tell her that I have been jumpseating for over 8 months and also through the same exact terminal countless times the same way. They eyeballed me a few seconds and to my surprise, they let me go which made me wonder if they even had the slightest idea of what they were doing. In the few days of TSA ground school don't they tell the agents that pilots have to pass a 10 year background and that we are the last defense against aviation terrorism?????

By the way have you noticed there are only two types of TSA checkpoints? The one where the agents are scruitinising everyone down to the grandma and the one where the agents are BSing around, shooting the breeze. They're really standardized.

My friend ask ney demand you ask for me the CAPTAIN!!! YOU will GET ON MY FLIGHT! I will not turn down a fellow pilot ( CASS aprpoved)!!!!

Man I too am sick of the nonsense TSA consistently pulls. From now on if I am denied access in plain clothes with my crew ID I am making a huge stink getting names, ID numbers and making an example of the idiot. Its getting totally unacceptable.

On a side note the other day I was in downtown San Diego and ran into a Holiday Inn while bar hopping to use the facilities. Out in the courtyard I see a large number of no doubt degenerates milling around dressed in a feeble attempt to look businesslike. Just think of all the degenerate types in the US and each one was represented in this group. As I entered the hotel I came across a sign that shed some light on what was going on......TSA recruiting

Just remember to smile for the mug shot.

Thanks but the huge stink comes after a calm collection of names and ID numbers a few days later.

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

If you are an ALPA member, log on to ALPA.org. Click on the left side link "Legislation and Politics." This takes you to a page that has links to issues, such as CrewPASS and the Family Medical Leave Act.

There is a link under each subject called "Take Action!" This will automaticlly pull up your congressman and senators, and you can send an email direct.

It certainly isn't worth a pi$$ing contest at security check points. You will lose. Plain and simple.

Are we living in Stalinist Russia now?? Yes let's all be good germans and cower before the TSA. Geesh what is happening to us. :confused:

If you DO cower to the TSA, you are just letting them gain more "power". I routinely have "quiet debates" with them.

Oh, and I do not think you are going to go to jail for making a stink. If you start knocking out TSA teeth, well, then that is another story. Just make sure you get a good shot in for me!!!!:D

Now suddenly requesting a supervisor is a "p--sing contest"? I guess it's much easier to just "comply" and get out that second ID even when you know they are wrong? Luckily this country was founded by people who had a lot more balls and were willing to stand up to tyranny.

I personally carry a very low opinion of the TSA, but shooting the messenger isn't going to change anything. As with these organizations, change must come from the top down. Until then, BOHICA.

Anyone else notice the smaller airports are usually more "thorough" with their searches and security procedures and more unfriendly to crew than the major airports?

I got bag checked in Fresno the other day, which is fine. I was non-revving out of uniform, but had showed my crew ID to the girl who checked my ticket (the same one who checked my bag.) I was carrying a tiny travel umbrella in my bag and that set off their screen.

She goes "we saw an umbrella in your bag on the x-ray and we have to visually see it." So I asked politely, if they knew what it was, why does she have to look at it? Her response was a shrug, unzipped my duffel bag, and then turned it upside down dumping the contents onto the table. Once she saw the umbrella she thanked me and walked away, leaving the mess that was my luggage to clean up.

Sorry I tend to get a little emotional about this topic. No offense to you Fedex.. I like your balls.

Yes, the Detectors at the smaller stations are WAYY to sensitive. I left 1 pen in my pocket and it set it off. Got the good ole 10 min personal screen, it sucked big time!

Go ahead and Bow Up to the TSA geeks to fight for the oppressed and oppose tyranny.
Tell that TSA supervisor how foolish the policy is and that you're going through screening with only that airline ID. Refuse secondary screening because you're going to be riding in the cockpit anyways.

Just remember to loudly scream that you work for airline XXX as they drag you off, doing the best you can to make sure you make the evening news.

Or, you can avoid losing control of the situation, write down the employee numbers, involve your union and company security folks....who work with the TSA geeks daily. Who can fix the problem? You telling the security folks they are wrong, or the security folk's supervision telling them they are wrong.

I think the first time one of those delays an outgoing flight, someone at the TSA will get a pretty convincing phone call... What's the delay code for "idiots working security"?

I agree. It's kind of like fighting with the traffic cop who pulled you over on the scene, you will not win the battle, no matter what. As frustrating and ridiculous they may be, it's a losing battle, and getting all worked up over it will only cause troubles for you, and headache and heartburn. I just normally tell myself I will not stoop to their level, and make sure to file formal complaints with the proper channels, which include names, locations, and events. So far, while on duty AND in uniform, I have had my shoes confiscated and dusted for bomb material because they "looked suspicious", my bags poured all over the counter and left me to clean up the mess, secondary screened in the jetway as passengers were boarding the flight that I WAS FLYING, and been denied entry into the terminal area because "I didn't posess a badge for an airline that operated at that terminal". Mind you this one was at SFO as I tried to pass into the American Airlines gate area, which is connected to the United terminal inside security. I asked the agent if he was aware that I would just walk down to the United security, pass through there, and then walk next door to the American gates once I was inside. He threatened that I could be arrested for that :confused::mad: Seriously, the intelligence of some of these people never cease to amaze me.

Can you back this up with a link to their rule book or something? So I can print this out and carry it with me.

Not one single person in this 3 page thread has advocated making a scene at a TSA checkpoint. However you suggested in another post: When I run into the newbies at screening, if I don't have time, I pull out another photo ID and press on. Now you've simply reinforced that screener's misinterpretation of the rules and are passing the buck to the next guy. No one said anything about refusing screening.

Think again. I used to pin delays on TSA all the time, didn't change a thing.

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.

:eek:
I would be soooooooo ticked off. Some of them are so dense their brains belong in a wood chipper.

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. The next attack (God forbid) will prove how worthless they really are.

When all else fails just use the force.

I don't need a boarding pass. ~hand wave~
He doesn't need a boarding pass.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...nmindtrick.JPG

Making a scene or making a huge stink. I guess it is just a matter of semantics. Anyway, making a huge stink can get you more trouble than it's worth. Just become an FFDO or pony up the 2nd ID. Anyway you look at it the TSA will win the argument if they want to.

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.

I only ask because in Denver they do not let me through with just my crew badge, not in uniform, I even explained that I was trying to jumpseat and had to list for the seat at the gate. Figured that if I could get a copy of their rules I could just show them that I can indeed just get through with just my badge.

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?????????

I was questioned like this in CLT a few months ago while non-revving. I answered 'Yes' (I was in a suit and tie, but no uniform). He then asked if I was actually working a flight- to which I again answered 'Yes'. He looked at me, shrugged, and let me pass. There is no way for them to verify what you are doing at the airport, so why not just tell them you are working a flight? I'm pretty sure there is no one in the TSA that can read a pairing- because that would require knowing how to read.
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.

I get what you are saying, but I just don't see Mr. Ticket Checker saying, "oh, ok! I didn't know that. Thanks! Go right on through" when you refuse. The supervisor may let you through, but I doubt he will change his ways for the next guy.

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.

Just as bad of an attitude as they have. I hate the TSA with a passion, but arrogant, rude comments like this do nothing to help the relationships between the TSA and pilots. What's the harm in responding to a little small talk?

When I say make a big stink I certainly don't mean engaging in a UFC bout right there at security. What I mean, for those who need things explained, is politely getting names and ID numbers, walking away and once I have time make the proper contacts to report said agents. Then keep up with it until something is done.

Yup, greatly simplifies life.

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.