TSA Experiences Today at Lubbock Airport...

[DandyDon]

:lol: Bags are hand searched in front of the counter here, and I always stay and watch. I had the valve out of my pony, a copy of the TSA document covering transport of tanks, but - they never opened either bag. Just swabbed the outsides for chemicals.

Went outside for a smoke and noticed several unattended cars parked on the curb for more than the 10 minutes I was there. An announcement went out over the PA, but no guard.

When I approached the security gate, the same porter who'd carried my bags checked my passport and boarding pass. I know that sky caps are trained in some degree of security, but are they approved to take the place of a TSA agent?

How much extra are we paying for these extra security measures, $10 per ticket? Just an unfortunate joke, I think. The agents I met were nice.

How have others fared at airports lately...?

 

[TCB]

Yep, I travel a lot for business, and having an airline or airport employee checking ID's and boarding passes before entering the security line is standard practice. Let's not forget the mutiple ID checks, too. At some airports, I've had my ID checked a second time after walking 10 feet from the first person, and then again upon exiting the roped off screening area.

If you didn't already know it, you've just discovered the secret of airport security in this country: It's designed to make Ma & Pa Kettle, who travel once in a blue moon to see the grandkids, feel better about traveling.

 

[cdiver2]

Yep, I travel a lot for business, and having an airline or airport employee checking ID's and boarding passes before entering the security line is standard practice. Let's not forget the mutiple ID checks, too. At some airports, I've had my ID checked a second time after walking 10 feet from the first person, and then again upon exiting the roped off screening area.

If you didn't already know it, you've just discovered the secret of airport security in this country: It's designed to make Ma & Pa Kettle, who travel once in a blue moon to see the grandkids, feel better about traveling.

Its helping keep the unemployment rate down

 

[slingshot]

Flying out of San Francisco, I was stopped for having a hex-key in my bag, with my carry-on scuba gear (computer, prescription mask, reg). The hex key folds out from a handle, in a manner I agree is reminiscent of a folding knife, but there was no blade on the tool, which overall was about four inches long. Yes, TSA says "no tools" (although how one defines "tools" is up for grabs). I was sent back out to the airline counter to ship the hex-key with the checked baggaged, the airline said "nope". On return through security, they x-rayed my hex-key and just waved me through. I don't mind the security attempts, but it is variably applied, and I don't feel much more secure when much of the checked baggage gets on a flight without more than a cursory inspection.

 

[BigJetDriver]

I don't mind the security attempts, but it is variably applied, and I don't feel much more secure when much of the checked baggage gets on a flight without more than a cursory inspection.

Sorry 'bout that! Welcome to the new millenium!

If you didn't already know it, you've just discovered the secret of airport security in this country: It's designed to make Ma & Pa Kettle, who travel once in a blue moon to see the grandkids, feel better about traveling.

Absolutely right on the mark!

 

[MoonWrasse]

:lol: Bags are hand searched in front of the counter here, and I always stay and watch. I had the valve out of my pony, a copy of the TSA document covering transport of tanks, but - they never opened either bag. Just swabbed the outsides for chemicals.

Went outside for a smoke and noticed several unattended cars parked on the curb for more than the 10 minutes I was there. An announcement went out over the PA, but no guard.

When I approached the security gate, the same porter who'd carried my bags checked my passport and boarding pass. I know that sky caps are trained in some degree of security, but are they approved to take the place of a TSA agent?

How much extra are we paying for these extra security measures, $10 per ticket? Just an unfortunate joke, I think. The agents I met were nice.

How have others fared at airports lately...?

Yeah, but did they bother checking under your hat?
Looks to me like you've got 5lbs of C4 under that hat

 

[novicediver]

I handle baggage for an airline and to be honest airline security is an illusion of smoke and mirrors. Checking grandma and doing a pat down search of her shawl doesn't do much to make me feel more "secure" If someone wants to do something to a plane, a new and more creative way will be found and it will happen unfortunately.

 

[slingshot]

Good one MoonWrasse!

(Think a hat would make me look taller?)

 

[Ber Rabbit]

My fanny pack was checked, re-checked and triple checked with the x-ray machine, the chemical machine and finally by hand in Colorado Springs. They did finally figure out where the knife was that I had missed when I did my pre-flight purse inspection and Dayton, OH security had missed when they x-rayed my fanny pack before I flew out to Colorado Springs. Needless to say I lost my $2 knife Wasn't worth the hassle to go mail it to myself. I had no clue it was even in there I thought I had lost it. If you want to get stuff on a plane looks like Dayton, OH is the place to do it.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[teknitroxdiver]

My fanny pack was checked, re-checked and triple checked with the x-ray machine, the chemical machine and finally by hand in Colorado Springs. They did finally figure out where the knife was that I had missed when I did my pre-flight purse inspection and Dayton, OH security had missed when they x-rayed my fanny pack before I flew out to Colorado Springs. Needless to say I lost my $2 knife Wasn't worth the hassle to go mail it to myself. I had no clue it was even in there I thought I had lost it. If you want to get stuff on a plane looks like Dayton, OH is the place to do it.
Ber :lilbunny:

I once took a 3" pocketknife from Memphis, through Houston, to San Juan, to a smaller island, back to San Juan, through Houston, and back to Memphis. Let's see...that's at least 3 checks, probably 4 if you count USDA scans. I didn't even know it was in there until I got home....never heard a word about it, and I'm the guy that always gets the "stand here sir, arms out".

Phh.