TSA, the Fun Never Ends..

[Diver Dennis]

But the weight restriction is the airline's way to make a profit on the flights and not a security measure.

I know, my point was that I have no problem with security. It is just something to leave time for and as you posted, to make sure you know the rules before you go.

 

[Bill51]

Only $2.50 each? Heck that's half the price of those fantastic meals they offer these days.

Just like the meals, you get what you pay for.

 

[Bill51]

But the weight restriction is the airline's way to make a profit on the flights and not a security measure.

Actually the weight restriction is an odd result of current security procedures – at least at one carrier I’m familiar with.

Before the flight can take off the crew must perform a weight and balance check of the aircraft and the way that’s done, and has been done for years, is they take the number of people aboard times 170 pounds, and then add in the measured weight of the checked baggage and cargo. While new security procedures didn’t alter the actual weight of the aircraft it did drive up the “paper” or calculated weight of the plane as more baggage weight moved from carry on to checked baggage. This made a huge difference on many of the smaller regional sized aircraft, and in some cases the crew will pull some checked baggage out and bring it to the cabin to reduce the paper weight of the plane.

Unless the airlines plan on individually weighing each passenger and their carry on before boarding, this is the only way they can make up for what would be lost seats on a plane that is overloaded – on paper, because of new security procedures and rules.

 

[HowardE]

I know, my point was that I have no problem with security. It is just something to leave time for and as you posted, to make sure you know the rules before you go.

I usually try to fly on tuesday or wednesday the airports are generally less crowded and the flights are generally cheaper

 

[havnmonkey]

my first flight was the xmas after 9/11/2001... I thought it was going to be nuts. I flew to Barbados through Monteigo Bay. My flight left out of Miami... and the lines were looooooooong with holiday travelers; a ton of people flying back to the islands and central/south america.

At our security checkpoint it looked as though my friend and I were the only surfers; one suitcase and two huge boardbags. I thought we were going to get stuck in security for ever. Airlines do not like surfboards.

However we went through the basic checkpoints, but everytime it looked like we were stuck in a never ending line a TSA agent came over and escorted us around the line!!! When we got off in Jamaica they didn't even run the wand over us!!!! Every other person was wanded, asked to take off shoes, and had their carry-ons dumped out. While we were once agian escorted around most of the security straight to immigration.

It was weird... even landing back into Miami, VIP treatment for the 2 surfers.

 

[Missdirected]

We seriously need to quite giving the airlines money - by this I mean the "legacy airlines". We need to cut our losses and let the airlines fight it out - this is how business is meant to be. Continually, give the legacy airlines money so that they can maybe pay us back on their loans one day is ridiculous IMHO.

TSA, good grief... I have had two ridiculous incidences recently :shakehead Anyway, I agree with Dennis and Catherine, I think they should take some lessons from other countries. The mentality is becoming that of the dog that barks the loudest - intimidation - which in my opinion is foolish.

 

[Wildcard]

TSA is being blamed for the following incident but it may very well have been baggage handlers too. Chartered flight full of marines 2/6 th I think it was. Coule carry there guns but TSA said no to knives and multi tools. Arrangements were made and everyones knives were placed in a checked bag. Guess what? That bag never made it and they cap insurance at $1500/bag. A whole plane load of marines screwed by TSA.

They are doing something new that on the surface makes sense. TSA is trying to hire 400 EOD techs to screen for bombs. Who better? Should have done this long ago. But Im sure somehow they will screw it up. too.

 

[HowardE]

We seriously need to quite giving the airlines money - by this I mean the "legacy airlines". We need to cut our losses and let the airlines fight it out - this is how business is meant to be. Continually, give the legacy airlines money so that they can maybe pay us back on their loans one day is ridiculous IMHO.

TSA, good grief... I have had two ridiculous incidences recently :shakehead Anyway, I agree with Dennis and Catherine, I think they should take some lessons from other countries. The mentality is becoming that of the dog that barks the loudest - intimidation - which in my opinion is foolish.

Should it be like in England, where they not only dis-allowed gels and liquids, but laptop computers as well??

It's certainly easy to whine about added security, but I'd rather not get blown up.

 

[ianr33]

Should it be like in England, where they not only dis-allowed gels and liquids, but laptop computers as well??

So you are suggesting that laptops should be checked? No sane person would do that.

 

[HowardE]

So you are suggesting that laptops should be checked? No sane person would do that.

No - re-read my post. I'm saying that we should be grateful that we DON'T have to check laptops and personal electronics like they did in England. It was said that we (and TSA) should take an example from other countries...