Just a quick rant. Going through TSA on my flight back, my younger son’s IPad got flagged so we went to the “line of shame.”
The girl infront of us was a really sweet looking 18-20 y.o who was traveling by herself.
Her backpack was flagged due to a jar (which turned out to be a very small unopened jar of bath salts).
This had four TSA agents swoop in to investigate. For over 10 minutes, everything in her backpack (including skivies) were put on display for the entire airport.
She is beat red but not saying anything other than “sorry” to all of us who are waiting for her to be cleared.
Finally, it looks like she is done, then a female agent tells her they need to pat her down “thoroughly.”
I am embarrassed for her. They were very invasive and did it in front of everyone because the privacy room had someone in it already.
I know we need to be safe… but this just seemed way over the top (and this is from someone who always has to get the extra pat down whenever I go through the sniffer machine). I recall having freedoms at one stage.
Everyone in the government is worried about losing their job right now. Your mad at someone who probably makes $20/hr and is trying really hard to do what they were trained to do to keep their job.
The TSA often conducts false flag / red team operations with people in plain clothes to test the effectiveness of screening. This person knows it and is not taking a chance at getting fired.
It is an organization that has not evolved much over the past 25 years. I’ve traveled all over the world and the US is one of the worst countries for its terminal security process.
Just this year shoes no longer have to be taken off. Because of one guy who tried to make bombs in his shoes. One person.
But we still cannot take a bottle of water through. In many other countries, water is allowed. And what accidents happen in those countries? None.
That entire org needs a reboot. It isn’t data driven, it is inefficient, led by process people who have designed a system that acts as a deterrent. I’ve seen an older woman in a wheelchair have to lift her wig off. I am not joking.
But….. consumers need to get their act together and prepare before going through. Everyone at this point should know what can be taken through and what cannot - get your crap together before hand. If people did this, it would operate smoother than it does now. People wait until they get up to where they place their items in the bin to take off their watch and put their phone in their bag. Oh, but they forgot their belt and have to go back through. Or they are dressed up like Lenny Kravitz or Madonna with tons of jewelry. You don’t need to be at a fashion show to fly - wear a damn track suit and leave the bling in your bag.
Rant off - yes, TSA could be improved but there are two sides - some people are just plain stupid. It isn’t ignorance, they know - they just hope to get away with it.
You don’t have to accept a pat down in public period, know your rights, she is a grown up, time to grow up and learn to represent yourself. Getting flagged for stuff that looks suspicious is going to get their attention, the rules aren’t new, they are posted on what you can or can’t take, not hard to follow them. You are dealing with very low education employees that follow the book period. Aviation safety is difficult, there are no right or wrong answers, and rights are going to be infringed at some point because people don’t want to follow the rules. We don’t make the rules, if folks want to change aviation safety rules, it will take government intervention, so passengers need to deal with TSA.
Do I want people getting on the plane that aren’t properly vetted? Nope I don’t, so follow the rules.
Do I feel your rights are violated when your skivvies are displayed, yes I do, TSA has a lot of improvements to do, it’s the lowest common denominator out there. Knowing you’re going to have to pass that scrutiny is a personal choice, and something that if you choose to do, needs to be complied with.
That’s the reality of air travel, if you want change it’s going to have to be done in congress,until the rules change, complain if you feel you weren’t treated correctly or your civil rights violated, they need to hear that.
The biggest issue I’ve seen is the inconsistency of the agents. Training or no, they all don’t read the rule book the same. Some things are black and white, others are clear as mud. Government interpretations are lacking, leading individual agents interpretations. And occasionally an agent shows up for work after a wild weekend, and pees in everybody’s corn flakes.
I got my balls rubbed pretty good last time I got my pat down. Indirectly, but still contact nonetheless. Nothing like some dude’s forearm giving me a scrotal massage
I am not mad at the TSA agent, @3_inches
Rather that over the years, we have traded our freedoms for (the illusion of) safety.
There is a balance between safety of passengers and the dignity of those same passengers. This felt very much tipped the wrong way.
The jar of bath salts was ridiculously small and shouldn’t have been an issue. She had to bear with a female agent slipping her hand between the girls butt cheeks, under her breasts, and up to her crotch on the front side. I witnessed it (although trying not to as to give the girl some privacy),
While many of us may have been indignant and spoken up, this teenage girl just stood there and took it.
My wife pulled her aside to talk to her after. She commended her on her patience and grace in light of a horrid experience.
It’s pretty sad to read some our fellow members think this should be tolerated. TSA is a joke and that’s the truth. They act just like the rest of the people who work at the tax office, DMV etc. who seemingly hate life and go out of their way to make everyone pay for it by being ridiculously rude. It’s unacceptable but some of you want to make everyone else feel like they should tolerate it. Times have really changed…
I’m with you @JaredD , that we shouldn’t be angry with the hourly wage TSA agent. The problem is the Department and its Policies - and above. For the previous 4 years, many harmless American citizens like this young girl, the old woman in a wheelchair and others were stopped, searched, treated as suspects, and physically violated while at the same time, countries around the world released violent criminals and infiltrators from their prisons and sent them on their way to mix in with millions of illegal aliens invited to cross our border for an all expenses paid, extended stay in America. Many came through without any security screening, background checks or health screening for disease.
Traveled the world before TSA, always felt safe….except for that one time I had to fly on a Chinese carrier.
I dont know how you frequent fliers do it now. It is so much more of a hassle. Would love to see the number of real threats thwarted by TSA. And Atlanta is THE WORST AIRPORT IN THE WORLD!!
Flying is so bad now, I still have over 500,000 Delta points in my account, they have been there over 12 years untouched, I wont fly.
Its the definition of Sh*t Show.
@JaredD you said a mouthful, “under the guise of safety”
Every single right we’ve had stripped away has been “for safety” Our cars, Homes, Phones are all spying on us, our backroads and interstates are full of “Flok” cameras paid for by the federal government, tracking our every move. I could go off on an ugly rant myself, but it’s pointless, because “we the people” aren’t willing to give up our comfort and “Safety” to buck these things.
