TSA policy for screening crew out of uniform
 

Does anyone know what exactly the Transportation Security Administration's policy is regarding screening of crew members out of uniform? I've noticed that when I travel out of uniform but with my crew ID I'm usually treated as a normal passenger. My liquids are confiscated, I have to take my shoes off, and I'm forced to go through the body scanner. The only thing that's different is that I don't need a boarding pass, my ID is good enough to get through. This makes no sense to me.

I would like it if I can get ahold of their specific policy towards this.

As is the case with most of the TSA's policies, it is SOP for them to treat us like they do fare paying passengers with some "exceptions". Best resolution would be to ask to speak to a manager, NOT a uniformed screener.

No matter the SOP, it differs at each airport. At CVG for instance they treat you like you are in uniform, in my experience. But then they took my toothpaste at ORD, and was treated just like a normal passenger except they told me to use the crew line.

In ORD the screener was going to let me though until the supervisor behind him told him to search and take whatever was showing up, my toothpaste. :rolleyes:

I was in LAX not long ago (out of uniform). I forget to take off my shoes and the agent didn't care, he stopped me from tossing my bottle of water and said I can take it. It depends on the agent and location.

as is typical with TSA..... policies and interpretations of policies are as vast and wide as the number of airports. I am generally treated very well at my HOME airport that I commute out of because of familiarity, other places... its a crap shoot. Some places shoes on.. others off, some will wave me around the full body scan and put me thru the old style system.....most will let you use the crew line..... you just never know.

I was in CVG out of uniform coming from recurrent and they confiscated the soup in my lunch box. They aren't even consistent within the same airport.

Moral of the story, just travel in uniform. At least through TSA then throw on a polo or jacket.

Could be just hearsay, but the reason that "SOP" varies from station to station is so the enemy is presented with a predictable set of rules that are followed for screening. Sounds reasonable...But, who knows?

What I take away from this is that obviously the TSA believes the terrorists are smart enough to make a fake ID, but not smart enough to find a uniform to wear.

thats what i did every time i travel. It's what I recommend everyone did.

Otherwise you have no idea what you're going to get. even in the same station but in different lines. what a pain.