Once again, I experienced zero problems with the TSA.

[MineralMan]

At MSP for my outgoing flight, I had a TSA pre-check ticket and saw only helpful, smiling TSA people at the security checkpoint.

At LAX for my return flight a week later, I went through the regular security screening in Terminal 5. Again, I saw only helpful, smiling TSA people at the security checkpoint. Despite a significantly long line, the process was conducted efficiently and with respect for the people passing through it. At LAX, I had time to observe the process for quite some time as I waited.

A little individual data, based on a random flight schedule.

[brooklynite]

1. I haven't had problem with TSA since they were formed.

[MineralMan]

5. Actually, neither have I, although

I have encountered a few TSA people who didn't seem to like their jobs. About the only people I've seen who experienced difficulties with screenings have either been inexperienced travelers who didn't understand the process or people with chips on their shoulders who were just itching for a conflict, really.

I sympathize with the first group, and have contempt for the second group mentioned above. I spend my time in security screening lines observing the process as it affects others. Since I always get ready for the screening before entering the line, I have time to pay attention to what is happening.

I agree that it's a nuisance to have to be screened for flights. However, it's not that big a deal, really, as long as you pay attention to signs and instructions from the TSA people. As you enter a line, you encounter a TSA employee. There are signs everywhere about the process. Then, you encounter an ID checking person, just before getting in the screening line. Typically, there's plenty of time to get your stuff in bins and on the X-ray machine belt.

There's usually a TSA employee observing that, as well, and instruction people on what to do. The personal screening machine is simple, and there's nothing harmful about that any longer, either. If you've followed the instructions, you have nothing left on your person to cause a problem and then you're done. If you don't pay attention, you'll have to remove the crap you should have removed for screening and may be delayed for a minute, but I saw very little of that happening, either.

It's a nuisance, but that's all, and then you proceed to your gate and get on the plane.

One note from Sun Country airlines on the boarding process. They are now allowing active military and veterans to board early, along with people with physical issues, first class ticket holders and a few others. That has sped up the boarding process as well. All in all, things seem to be running pretty smoothly these days.

[unblock]

2. fly through ewr (newark, nj) a few times and lemme know if you feel the same way ;)

i have noticed that tsa at non-nyc airports is a very different experience!

[MineralMan]

8. I have never flown to or from EWR.

So, I can't comment on that. When was your most recent flight through there?

[unblock]

15. about 3 years ago. flew through la guardia a couple weeks ago.

tsa itself in lga wasn't all that bad (though the airport is horrible right now as they're in mid-reconstruction.

my experience with tsa through ewr has *always* been unpleasant. very long lines, very slow operators, very unpleasant tsa people. they mutter instructions without making eye contact then get irritated when you ask any questions.

tsa in houston was way better.

[MineralMan]

29. Different airports are different, for sure.

I don't fly a lot any more, so I can't speak about most airports. Most of my flights these days are between MSP and LAX. My parents are 92 and 93 years old, so I make that trip fairly frequently, unfortunately.

I know that long lines on busy travel days at busy airports test everyone's patience, though. That includes both travelers and people who work at those airports, as well. Early arrivals at airports are often a big help, I guess. Sometimes, too, there are multiple screening locations. In those cases, I always look for the least busy security screening area, regardless of its proximity to my gate.

Even at Terminal 2 at MSP, there's a second screening area at the very end of the terminal that is rarely busy. It's right where the parking ramp entrance to the terminal empties into the terminal. If you don't have a checked bad and have your boarding pass, it's right there. Even if I have to check in for my boarding pass, like when I have booked an exit row seat or have to check a bag, I'll drag my bag and sorry ass down to that checkpoint, even though it's a long walk to it and to my gate.

Still, long lines are a PITA.

[bettyellen]

55. I've gone through EWR a few times and it was always quick, but I tend to get early flights...

And that helps a lot. I had a big problem at JFK as no one seemed to know that Cuba had a completely different check in and security area in the basement. But once I got there, it was a breeze. Once I knew I'd be very late and called the desk at the airline- they hustled me through as quick check and I was on the plane in twenty minutes.

[crazycatlady]

23. EWR is my departure airport of choice

Because it is the only one that is easily accessible (for me) by public transportation (NJ transit stop there) and I've never had a problem.

The last time they made me take the clip out of my hair (plastic not metal) to make sure that I wasn't concealing anything).

Yes there are lines but that is why I arrive at least 2 hours prior to departure.

[a la izquierda]

77. They are rude as hell at Newark.

I just flew from there to Dublin in June. I have Global Entry and TSA Precheck. I forgot to take my external laptop monitor out of the bag. The woman yelled at me as if I had a 10 inch bowie knife in my bag.

I hate that airport.

[Girard442]

3. I've had no real problems with TSA

They open my checked luggage whenever my laptop is in it, but I can live with that. Once they flagged my carryon when they saw on the X-ray a water bottle I meant to toss, but forgot to. My bad.

[ret5hd]

4. Did you have any issues...

this time with the attire of young women?

[MineralMan]

9. No, I can't say that I did.

Why do you ask, I wonder?

[ret5hd]

12. Seemed to bother you in the past.

[MineralMan]

18. Hmm...

I remember a post a few years ago when I made a comment about that, yes. I have no doubt that you could find that post and link to it if you wanted to. However, I cannot for the life of me see what that has to do with my post about the TSA on this trip. Suit yourself, though. It's interesting that you remember such a thing, really. I find that odd and puzzling. I'll have to think about why anyone would bother to recall some post from the past that I made. Yes. I'll think about that...

[ret5hd]

20. Please do.

Ponder long and deep.

[MineralMan]

22. Nah. There's no need.

Truly. I already know.

[cwydro]

50. Who cares what any fellow passengers are wearing?

I don't think I'd even notice Lady Gaga in a meat dress lol.

[ret5hd]

72. Exactly my point.

[Buns_of_Fire]

6. I've had no problems with them for over five years now.

Oddly enough, it's also been over five years since I've gone anywhere I couldn't just drive to.

[MineralMan]

11. Well, if you don't fly, you'll never have a problem, I guess.

[Buns_of_Fire]

17. Believe it or not, my last encounter with them was at a Grayhound bus station.

I hadn't taken a bus anywhere for 50 years, and I decided that it would be something different (it was -- I learned that my body isn't as flexible as it was 50 years ago).

Anyway, they were nice enough, but (since it wasn't a plane) I didn't prepare. So I lost a perfectly good pocketknife and two mini-bottles of bourbon I was taking as a gift. Not that big a deal, but annoying at the time.

[MineralMan]

21. Pocket knives. I just leave mine at home.

I always carry one in the same pocket where I carry my keys. I used to pack it in my checked bag, but stopped doing that. I don't really need it with me, so I just leave it on the top of my dresser now before I go.

You don't always encounter TSA for bus trips, but it does happen sometimes. The pocket knife is also not allowed in federal buildings where security screening takes place, at many sports venues, and at some other locations. If there's a screening in my plans, I leave it at home.

I once had to leave it with security when I was in a TV show audience, but they kept it for retrieval afterwards. I was not aware that it would be prohibited there.

[FLPanhandle]

7. I go through TSA almost 100 times a year

Never had an issue.

The people who have issues are easy to spot. Carrying what the signs and agents say can't come through, arguing with agents and people around them when their stuff is found, not knowing what the fuck to do, etc.

Know the rules, organize yourself, and it's a piece of cake. Argumentative assholes never win and just piss off everyone else in line.

[MineralMan]

13. I no longer fly frequently, but used to.

I agree with you. It is easy to spot people who will have difficulties. If people who are unfamiliar with the process would wait to get in line before they have read the very obvious signs outside of the line and get ready before getting in line, they'd skip a lot of the problems. It's really difficult to re-arrange your luggage and remove items while in a moving line of people. Personally, I do all of the preparations well in advance, before I even approach the screening areas. I wear a jacket with lots of pockets when I travel, and move everything on my person into that before ever getting in the line. Then, I just fold it and put it on my shoes in a bin. No problems, ever. Glasses and my wedding ring stay on, but everything else, even papers, goes into the jacket, which has zippers or buttons on all pockets. These days, I don't even take a laptop computer. I can do everything with the spare smart phone I carry on trips.

These days, all electronics larger than a cell phone have to be out of luggage. That's a minor PITA, but there was a large sign to that effect outside of the screening area, along with the usual signs about liquids and prohibited items, etc.

The arguers and blusterers with issues will always have problems, and cause lots of problems that delay the process for others, of course. I have great contempt for such people, and would suggest that they take some other form of transportation, just to make everything go more smoothly.

[RobinA]

10. I Haven't Had

a problem, although I can't say I find them smiling or even marginally pleasant. Generally they are barking orders in a "What are you, stupid?" tone of voice when people aren't able to read their minds as to what they are supposed to do. One guy after I was through the line was helpful when I misplaced my passport in the line and was two seconds away from panicking. He scanned my bag and told me it was in there somewhere, which it was.

The only airport personnel I've ever had trouble with was a British Airways gate attendant in Edinburgh who made me gatecheck my carry on and wouldn't let me put it in the sizer. It was within their measurement parameters and no, I wasn't last in line for a crowded plane. I was first in line for a half full plane with a completely empty overhead above my seat when it took off. Go figure.

[defacto7]

32. I've avoided British Airways for 30 years.

I still have to fly BA about once a year at my hosts behest but everytime I do, I swear I'll never fly with them again. I love GB, I hate their airline.

[RobinA]

73. I Will Not

fly them again unless I absolutely have to. Their action was arbitrary and lousy customer service. In this case I was going EDI to LHR to come back to the States. That short hop is BA dominated.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

14. Lol. Elderly white guy has no problem with TSA. Film at 11

[MineralMan]

24. I didn't notice anyone else having a problem, either,

as I mentioned. Things were going smoothly for everyone, pretty much, on this trip. Families with kids were having the most problems. There's a lot to keep in mind in such cases, I guess, and multiple bags to deal with.

Still, you're right. I have privilege and am aware of that. However, see the post below.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

28. I just drove from Chicago to Tampa Bay and back.

I didn't see one black person beaten or shot by cops the whole trip!!

BLM? What's THEIR problem? What's all the fuss about?

[MineralMan]

30. That's too long a drive for me, really.

I wouldn't do it. I can't afford the travel time, really. Whatever hassles at the airport, it's easier to fly. My days of multi-day road trips are over. I just won't do that any more.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

36. I grew up in an airline family. We flew everywhere.

I was deprived of epic road trips in my yute.

[MineralMan]

40. That's unfortunate. In my younger years,

I've driven coast to coast on all of the east-west Interstate routes and a couple of times on the blue highways. I've driven through all but three states on those road trips. These days, though, it's not appealing to me any longer. I no longer enjoy road trips.

Still, I treasure those trips from the past.

[PJMcK]

76. What's a yute?

(wink)

[snooper2]

97. Did you really drive to Tampa Bay?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

98. Yes. Why?

[Weekend Warrior]

60. That's what I was thinking.

Even if no other problems were seen at the time, the current mood and fight to racially profile would make those looking different, nervous. That in itself is oppressive. Privilege seems to be showing up in a lot of reasoning/justification lately.

[Voltaire2]

70. 11's too late.

[Shrike47]

16. I always have a problem with TSA. I am a 70 year old white woman. Always get the wand.

Maybe it's my anger over what the airlines have done to people. Obvious when TSA workers look at me?

[MineralMan]

25. Do you have any joint replacements or implanted devices?

If so, you will always be wanded. My wife has a hip replacement. She has found that mentioning that to the ID checker helps a good deal, and generally gets her an escort for the additional screening required. Sometimes the ID checker asks. Sometimes not. She mentions it though, at that stage, and often gets through before I do.

[Shrike47]

51. No, nary an implant. My personal belief is that it's because I'm overweight.

Who knows what I'm hiding under that dress?

[HipChick]

19. I've only been frog marched out of an airport once by 5 burly TSA males

I might weigh 120lbs wet...I had a flight to catch, and they decided that would the day to do On-The-Job training with a new recruit searching my bags, and I was trying to get to Texas for a job interview...I voiced my displeasure...they didn't like the tone of my voice, and marched me out the airport....
Other than that...generally friendly folks..

[MineralMan]

26. Yeah. It can be frustrating at times.

It's hard to keep your cool sometimes. I'm a pretty early arriver at airports, generally. Delays are always possible.

[HipChick]

35. 99.9 of the time I am TSA Pre-check now...as long as the airport, I am flying out of has one

I'm all good...

[MineralMan]

38. I normally am, too.

For some reason, on my return flight from LAX, I wasn't, though. No big deal. Really the only difference was taking off my shoes and standing in a longer line before screening. I do the same transfer of my pocket junk either way. I no longer carry a notebook or tablet computer, but take along my wife's Android phone. She has both an Android and a iPhone because she reviews online apps on both types of device. There's no internet access or WiFi at my parent's house, anyhow, so I never actually used the Android phone this trip. For phone calls, I just used my pocket flip phone.

The longer TSA screening line at LAX wasn't a problem, because I got there way early to make sure I had time to drive to the airport and return my rental car. I just shrug all of that stuff off. It doesn't really matter, compared to the three days each way it would take me to drive from Saint Paul to the LA area.

Airline travel is still an amazing bargain, both financially and time-wise. Sun Country, the small Minneapolis-based airline I always fly on that route, doesn't even charge extra for last minute flights, and I use whichever car rental place that has the lowest rates for my travel dates. So, instead of driving for three days, I got to my parents' house in 7 hours door to door. It's a freaking miracle, really. I can deal with the minor hassles of air travel just fine.

[mnhtnbb]

27. It's all such bull$hit. All for show.

Every time a journalist publishes a study of "checking" the system, it turns out there's at least a 75% failure rate
of things that aren't supposed to get through managing to get through.

Guess what? Your home airport just got dinged for a 95% FAILURE rate last July.

https://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2017/07/checking-checkers

My husband (Major, USAF, Ret.) has a hip replacement and he never gets through. Gets felt up every time.
He's had more than one pat down where it seemed to him (he's a psychiatrist) that the TSA agent was
getting off on the process.

I also have a hip replacement and it's 50/50 whether I get through or get the feel up routine. I had a knee replacement
last July, so I anticipate any further flying is going to get me 100% of the time now.

I'm done flying. TSA is worthless and the airlines are a PITA. We have done a lot of traveling for fun, but there isn't
anywhere I want to go any more worth the hassle of flying. Unless it might be a last flight out of the USA to look
for a place to live abroad.

[MineralMan]

31. My wife has a hip replacement. She tells the ID checker at the TSA

line, and gets escorted for the screening. She's often waiting for me after the screening. It hasn't really caused a problem for her, and she doesn't mind the pat-down, really. If you have a metallic implant like a joint replacement, you're going to get extra screening. It's not really that big a deal, my wife thinks.

Still, if you don't fly, you won't have to deal with it. Up to you, I guess.

[mnhtnbb]

39. Yeah, while they are busy patting down joint replacements, 95% of banned items

are getting through.

It's all bullshit and we're all behaving like sheep for no reason other than public relations that it's safe to fly
so that the airlines don't go belly up and have to be nationalized.

[MineralMan]

42. Well, I choose not to be bothered by any of that.

I have other worries to occupy my time, really. If I need to get somewhere that requires air travel, I just deal with it. You might want to google how many weapons and other things that do get found by the TSA checks, though. It's surprising, really.

Frankly, most people leave their weapons at home or check them through, if necessary. They don't risk them being discovered. As for people who mean ill on flights, I'm trying to remember the last time there was a terrorist attack in the US via air travel that involved banned weapons. It's been quite a while now.

Does the TSA security stuff make a difference? I have no idea. The system is in place, though, so I deal with it and get on with my travel plans. It's just a minor inconvenience to me.

[obamanut2012]

33. It really depends on which airports you use

PBI is terrific, FTL isn't bad, MIA sucks. MCO is usually okay.

CLT is good, as is SFO.

Seattle and Philly are horrific. Atlanta is usually kinda bad, but can also be okay. It depends. Newark is like Philly: they are rude AND incompetent.

[customerserviceguy]

34. I noticed that I got better treatment

when I got an enhanced New York driver license, when I lived there. They saw that little US flag down in the lower corner, and knew I had proven I was a citizen. We'll see what happens next month when I fly again on my SC license, but they wanted proof of citizenship (or at least a legal right to be in the US) before granting me that.

[MineralMan]

43. As soon as my renewed passport arrives, I'll be using that.

Just put the boarding pass inside of it at the front and Bob's your uncle. Hand both to the ID checker and then hand carry them through the rest of the screening. After I get through security, I'll stow it away until the next flight.

Minnesota, stupidly, is stalling on the Real ID thing with its DLs. I won't bother until mine needs renewing. the Passport will work just fine, and I won't have to deal with the DL at all at the airport. It can just stay in my wallet. My travel jacket has a passport pocket, anyhow.

[snowybirdie]

37. As a senior

with a knee implant, I totally resent them bringing me aside while leaving my purse and valuables on the bench, feeling me up in public and forcing me to trot around a dirty airport without shoes. And all I have to do to prevent that is to pay the govt. to be put on a special list. Something is very wrong with the system.

[karynnj]

49. To get global entry which gives you TSA precheck and easy customs when returning to the country,

you need to give them a lot of information and your fingerprints. This and paying the fee. To me, it is fair and makes sense that you get less scrutiny at the airport if they already have more information on you. It would be fairer if they covered the costs rather than charged a fee to recover them - which could be justified as the expedited line is likely less costly than the regular line.

[a la izquierda]

79. I fly internationally many times a year and was happy to spend $$ to get on the special list.

Getting detained at Immigration and missing three connections sealed it
Plus, I get pre-check...so no waiting behind anyone anymore. Worth every single penny.
Yes I'm impatient when I travel.

[snooper2]

99. It is actually kind of nice, after walking so long you get to take off your shoes, relax for a sec

Leer at random passengers who are GO GO GO GO trying to get all their crap together while you get to take a break.

wrong attitude LOL

[Gothmog]

41. TSA precheck is wonderful

[MineralMan]

44. Yes it is. The airline I fly usually gives me a precheck boarding pass.

For some reason, they didn't on my return flight this time.

[RobinA]

74. Does Precheck

avoid the artificial joint problem? I just got my global entry after an excruciating 90 minutes in a customs line in PHL. I don't have an artificial joint at this point, but one never knows.

[snowybirdie]

96. It does

But this old hippie hates having to pay extra to the Govt. for it. It's the principle.

[karynnj]

45. That has been our experience on several flights, out of several airports since we

got TSA pre-check. This has been true when flying through NYC, Raleigh/Durham, DC, Phoenix, Chicago and Seattle. The experience is similar to pre 911.

[defacto7]

46. I've never had an issue other than the occasional

moody official and hey, who isn't moody once in a while. I carry a whole array of piano tech tools bound together in a tied canvas roll in my carry ons. Talking about suspicious, there are several items that could be very dangerous weapons, but I declare them on arrival, they scan them and let them go through. Only once did they look at them. I think they must know what piano tuning tools look like.
I was pulled aside one time for what seemed no understandable reason and they were looking concerned. They scanned the outside of my bags for bomb making material twice. Then they took me away from the public and asked questions about my travel and if I had anything unusual under my clothing. I happened to be wearing two neoprene knee supports. The guy asked to see them so as I started to pull up my pant legs he stood back, looked away and sort of winced then asked me if I could take them off. Afterward, he exhaled pretty strongly and said it would be helpful if I declared any neoprene supports. I asked why but he didn't say. Later I found out that's how some suicide bombers carry their stuff, neoprene with straps and velcro. He was very reasonable during the exchange. I don’t wear knee supports on planes anymore.
JFTR, I'm in my 60s, white, male and somewhat bald so I don't think profiling has anything to do with it.

[yallerdawg]

47. What about new 'drivers license' ID to pass TSA?

I'm told by the media that without this new license, don't even go to the airport.

[MineralMan]

48. Yes, when that goes into actual effect, you'll have to have

a Real ID. Minnesota has been dragging its heels on that forever. Finally, they're about to start issuing the things, but I'm not going to play, since there will be a huge rush to update licenses when they're available. My wife and I just renewed our passports, which had expired, since we can't afford to travel outside of the US. I'll wait to renew my DL until it expires and just use the passport at the airport. I don't have time to bother with the DL thing, and my state is stupid about it.

It's going to be a clusterf**k here when they finally start issuing the Real ID version, I can guarantee.

Alabama is compliant with Real ID. If your DL doesn't meet the standards, it's time to go update it, if you plan to fly, or just to go into a federal building. It's a hassle, but you'll need a compliant ID soon. Might as well deal with that before there's a rush after the deadline, I think. You'll need proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate, along with proof of residence and address when you change to Real ID. Your state's DL agency will have a list of what's necessary. It's not that big a hassle, if you have a birth certificate and a current DL with the correct address on it. That's about all you'll need, in most states. A passport will do, as well, if you have one of those.

[SoCalNative]

80. A valid passport solves that problem

no need to worry then if your state is compliant or not.

[yallerdawg]

81. Why do I need a passport for domestic flights - if it should suddenly come up?

We are being told if we don't get the Enhanced DL, don't bother trying to fly - anywhere.

I haven't been on a plane since late '80s. Looks like I won't ever get on one again.

[SoCalNative]

82. Always a good idea to have one in general

never a question of citizenship if you have one. As far as I'm concerned, everyone should have one and it should be our national ID/residence card.

[yallerdawg]

83. Where would I get this thing I've never needed...

what do I need to get it (obviously a lot more than a DL!), and how much does it cost?

My plain old DL renewal is now $36.25 in person.

You know what? I won't be flying. Period.

[SoCalNative]

84. You can apply

at post offices in most larger cities. Also at certain federal offices. You need your birth certificate and a photo. I'm certain that a birth certificate was required when you first got your DL, and it will also be required for the real ID licenses the first time you apply.

You will also need the real ID DL for entering any federal facilities (including courthouses) or military bases. So it's not just about flying.

[yallerdawg]

87. The only time I enter Federal courthouse is jury duty.

I have no business or pleasure on military bases.

Now, the more pinned down on all this - need some Enhanced DL or passport - the more it sounds like this will have a very short existence.

[MineralMan]

86. The fee for a passport is now $110.

You also need a compliant photo. If you go to a passport acceptance facility (find one on the State Department's passport site), they'll be equipped to do the photo and process your application for mailing or even mail it for you. Typical fee for that is $25. In many places, your local City Hall or county building will be an acceptance facility.

Passports are good for 10 years. You can renew by mail.

[yallerdawg]

88. Holy shit!

[MineralMan]

91. I know. It's spendy.

A Real ID driver's license is more affordable, for sure, if you live in a compliant state. I don't, and there is going to be a huge rush in MN, once they implement the new DL. I have just given up on that, and renewed my passport to avoid that issue.

Not everyone needs a passport, of course. A lot of people, though, are going to be surprised when the deadline comes up and they can't even get in the Social Security office or federal courthouse without an ID that will be acceptable. It's going to be a real clusterf**k.

[Croney]

52. TSA loves me and

I love pre-check. I say "I BEEP!" (because I do, with four replaced joints) and they wave me through the wonderful full-body scanner that shows my I-don't-care-what, they pat down the places I light up, and I'm gone.

I keep meaning to get a t-shirt that reads I BEEP!

[MineralMan]

57. Anyone with joint replacements or implants should just tell

the ID checker at the checkpoint about them. They'll get you scanned and out faster if you do that, since they're prepared for it. My wife has a hip replacement and does that. Even in the pre-check line, she's usually done before I am. She says, "At my age, it's a compliment to get felt up..."

[Croney]

64. I've found that just saying I BEEP is the fastest.

And yes, I've tried to joke about it (I used to say "why can't you be Brad Pitt" back when I thought he was hot) but now I keep words to a minimum to avoid any possible misunderstandings. All I need is for "Brad" to sound like "bomb" and I'm toast.

[MineralMan]

65. Yeah, that would work too, I suppose.

Generally, there's not much need for conversation during those screenings. I just let the TSA folks say what they need to say, other than returning a "good morning" or something.

[KentuckyWoman]

89. My husband says he has knee replacements

Once they pull him out and the wander gets him then he expands into I have metal in my neck, heart, knees, hips, shoulder, and ankles.
The man is a walking bionic dude.

He only had trouble once but it was when we were trying to get him through in a wheelchair and had A LOT of trouble standing. They were a bit impatient and yanked on his arm. They actually injured him doing so and I'm still shocked they didn't arrest me. I completely lost my shit.

But mostly they've been just fine.

[appal_jack]

53. And loyal Italians appreciated Mussolini's strict railroad schedule management, I'm sure.

Security theater and unconstitutional bullshit is still security theater and unconstitutional bullshit.

Your willingness to leave a pocket knife at home and otherwise accommodate creeping fascism while lecturing all of us about how it's not a bother at all is touching & heartwarming though.



-app

[mnhtnbb]

56. Really

OP doesn't get it even when given the link to article that 95% of banned items get through his home airport.

[MineralMan]

62. As I said, google and find out how many weapons ARE found:

But, here, I did it for you:

http://time.com/4634068/tsa-firearms-airport-guns/

[FLPanhandle]

67. How about you giving it a try yourself

Have someone record you sneaking a knife through security.

I bet you wouldn't dare try.

[MineralMan]

58. I don't have to leave it at home. I can put it in a checked bag.

Comparing this to Mussolini's Italy is pretty silly, though, I think. Really. Do you fly often?

[samnsara]

54. i have never had issues with TSA.. they have always been polite...

...and accommodating. I have a KTN ( known traveler number) so I always have pre check. In June I came thru with an 8 week old golden retriever pup and they all but left their stations to come get a puppy kiss. Can you imagine doing their job all day long?.....a little puppy maybe brightened it a bit for them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

59. It depends very much on where you are, when, and

what you look like.

MSP has always been pretty decent, in my experience. Elsewhere it can range from just fine to awful. I was treated very rudely by TSA at the Omaha airport some years ago, even though I was an airline employee (displaying ID badge) at the airport on airline business. ORD (surprisingly) and MDW were OK, but maybe they were nicer to me because of my airline creds. ATL was fairly OK except that I just hate that airport for a variety of reasons. The problem is that within certain parameters the TSA sets rules for individual airports based on traffic, layout and other factors so you never know what you're going to get.

[MineralMan]

63. I suppose so, but knowing the rules and being prepared

takes most of the hassle out of the whole thing. The only issue I saw on this trip was a woman with half a dozen large bottles and spray cans of hair products in her carry-on. She was loudly arguing with the TSA person as I passed by. There's no point at all in being that clueless, nor in getting all bent out of shape when it's your own fault that you are delayed.

I'm sure that woman thinks the TSA is the Gestapo now, and is whining to all her friends on FB about them taking away her stuff at the airport.

My wife takes hair products with her, too. That's why we always check a bag. Everything liquid is double-bagged in 1-gallon ziploc bags and packed in the checked bag. I don't get it, but she wants to take them with her. It's a PITA, as far as I'm concerned. We travel only to one place these days - my parents' house. Twice a year. I've suggested that she buy another set of the products she prefers there and keep them there, but she isn't interested. We could travel much lighter if we just had overhead bin-compatible carry-ons on those trips. I hate waiting at a luggage carousel. Feh!

[RobinA]

75. I Recently Flew

international out of PHL and was on the far side of TSA waiting for my traveling companion. Through the machine comes this woman with easily 12 bottles of Ensure in her carry on. The TSA made her unload them, of course, and she probably had to toss them. She apparently felt that because they were unopened they would be OK. I felt sorry for her because that was $20+ in the trash can and now she wouldn't have any sustenance for the flight. She was an older, although not elderly woman, and probably hadn't flown in while. Some people still don't get that the stated rules are the rules and that common sense (they were unopened) doesn't necessarily apply.

[MineralMan]

90. Yes. Stuff like that is common with inexperienced travelers.

Often, it slows things down for everyone else, as well. In fact, it's almost always people who don't bother to learn or understand the rules that makes those security lines so slow. I don't get it, really. If you didn't check before you packed or didn't bother to read the big signs outside of the screening area, you're likely to delay everyone in the line.

And then, those who don't bother to be curious about what the rules are tend to get angry when they get pulled off and have to dump their stuff on the spot before continuing. It's all easily avoidable and if everyone just took some time to get it right, those lines would move much, much faster.

That's why I pack bags carefully, trim down the amount of crap I'm carrying on my person and shift everything out of my pockets, remove my watch, wallet, belt and everything else in my pockets before even entering the security line. That's why I always travel with a jacket that has enough pockets to hold all my personal junk and put everything in it so I can just fold the jacket into the bin with my shoes and get through the machine without beeping anything.

I also never carry any liquids or gels on the plane. Most anything I might need of that nature is available in one of the shops in the departure area, anyhow. I don't use Ensure, so I don't know if that's available in those stores, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if it is available. Little bottles of hand sanitizer, toothpaste, and other miscellaneous junk is always available in the departure area past security. It costs more, but avoiding the hassle is worth it.

If everyone did a little planning and thought about the TSA screenings, the entire process would be much, much simpler and faster. Every person who holds up a security line adds to the problems, really. I've never understood why people don't think about this stuff before heading to the airport.

[crazycatlady]

92. I think I'm the only one who does not mind the baggage carousel

I only carry on a suitcase because the airlines charge for checking one. BEfore the fees, I'd check everything possible.

If the airline asks for volunteers to gate check bags, I'm always the first in line to do so. The last few flights I was on, it was refreshing to only board the plane with a backpack.

[MineralMan]

94. I understand. Most of the time when my wife and I travel,

we check a bag. We're not usually in a rush on arrival anyhow, so the delay doesn't matter, and it is nice not to have to put a carry-on in the overhead compartments.

When I travel alone, though, I carry on a bag. I can put a week's worth of clothing in a smallish carry-on, and value getting to the car rental place 20 minutes earlier than if I checked the bag. I do carry a backpack or briefcase that will fit under the seat, as well, though, with medications, in-flight needs, etc., too.

I sometimes do a gate check for the carry-on, but not usually. Fees for checked bags are a pain, I agree, so I'm trying to avoid them whenever I can. When we're traveling together, we check one large bag with both of our stuff in it to save money, though.

[crazycatlady]

95. Best part about gate check

Is when they check it to your final destination. Much easier to do a layover (and walk around, get food, etc) when you're not wheeling a suitcase.

And a rant for another day is how a bathroom stall at airports is not big enough for a suitcase too.

[3catwoman3]

61. My husband and I both paid to get the TSA pass.

The last time I flew was this past April, from Chicago O'Hare to Rochester NY and back. I have a titanium hip on the right, and always make mention of that. On both of these past flights, the wand alerted on the zippers in my boots - cute little tan ankle booties that look like dainty combat boots with ruffles. Had to take my shoes off - yuck!

The zippers look identical to the zipper in the fly of my jeans, which doesn't set off the wand. If it did, would I have to drop my drawers?

[DFW]

66. Just an allegorical warning if you ever fly out of Atlanta (Don't say I never told you)

[WoonTars]

68. Senior, white, male. No big surprise there.

Not sure what else you were expecting?

[pnwmom]

69. Personally, I suspect some gray hair helps. n/t

[Voltaire2]

71. imagine you have a muslim name.

TSA must be a lot of fun, doncha think?

[Phentex]

85. my son has an unusual name and even though

we've been told it's "random" that he gets selected for further review, it's happened to him since he was 4 years old. I DID pitch a royal fit when they were going to separate us and take him off to a different area without me. Arrest me first, assholes. I don't care who thought I was being one of those people the OP seems to be referring to.

Also, what should I have done to avoid a hair search? That has happened to me. I didn't even know it was a thing until I heard Wendy Williams talk about it on tv.

I have either been whisked off to the side or completely waived through security (with no shoe removal or anything.) I never know what to expect.

[handmade34]

78. my only problem

came that time I forgot and had my small Jetboil camping stove with cylinder in my bag to check... I was threatened with prison and a big fine ... fortunately I wrote a long letter of apology and excuse (I had none really, just forgot) and they let me off...

probably had something to do with my daughter being a supervisor with TSA (it's who you know not what)

I'll never do that again..

[left-of-center2012]

93. I've never had a problem either

I'm a 71 year old slow walking guy with a cane,
and the TSA agents have always been respectful and friendly.

That said,
I don't doubt some folks may have had problems.