So it begins... the wonderful TSA

[Doug Taylor]

The TSA has started a random flight crew screening program.

So if you're in uniform, at the airport, even between flights from what I hear, the TSA may stop you and conduct a hand-screening of your luggage at random.

Apparently, it happened to a pilot from my airline as early as last week.

And it's not quick either.

Embrace the suck. Brought to you buy the TSA.

[surreal1221]

Ridiculous. . . vote accordingly right?

Good bye the good ol' America.

[Ralgha]

Every time they stop you to do this, demand a private screening. They have to accommodate you if you ask, but they don't have to offer it if you don't. This will greatly increase the inconvenience for them and hopefully (unlikely I know) nudge them towards ditching this asinine rule.

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by Ralgha

Every time they stop you to do this, demand a private screening. They have to accommodate you if you ask, but they don't have to offer it if you don't. This will greatly increase the inconvenience for them and hopefully (unlikely I know) nudge them towards ditching this asinine rule.

Good thought.

[Doug Taylor]

One of the pilots that works for my got a little upset when she got randomly searched and the guy started digging thru her unmentionables.

The worst thing about the random searches is that... Shoot, can't say else I'll end up on some watchlist.

[jtrain609]

"Ma'am these panties are suspect. I'm going to have to put them through our scanner here, along with the ones you're wearing...NOW"

[surreal1221]

It's all smoke and mirrors. It's all a joke. And. . . it'll never really protect anyone.

[Flysher]

just out of curiosity, how much security do the rampers/bag handlers/fuelers have to go through each day to gain access to the ramp?

[Seggy]

You know they TSA has never trained me to see a REAL TSA ID Badge. How do you know the 'agent' coming up to you is really a TSA 'agent'? I would have the police called on someone coming up to you claiming they are a TSA agent. I mean how would I know what a REAL TSA badge is to look like if they never 'officially' trained me in IDing TSA agents?

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

One of the pilots that works for my got a little upset when she got randomly searched and the guy started digging thru her unmentionables.

The worst thing about the random searches is that... Shoot, can't say else I'll end up on some watchlist.

Can a pilot ask for a same sex screener?

[OldTownPilot]

Originally Posted by jfleisher

just out of curiosity, how much security do the rampers/bag handlers/fuelers have to go through each day to gain access to the ramp?

A huge fat ZERO.

I do it 4 days a week now, and could do just about anything to an airplane.

granted its just a RJ but none the less.

[Doug Taylor]

It's just more 'eye wash'.

I knew I was screwed when I was taking off my shoes to go thru security a few years ago and some old lady says, "Well, if they're checking you guys that close, I know I'm safe!"

THAT'S why they're doing this. Public perception.

[NickH]

So, something else that's amusing.

If you are a foreign citizen and what to do some flight training in the US, you have to pay $130 to be screened.

OK, that's fair.

But if you're doing a a program of private to commercial, you have to be screened 3 times, for private, multi-engine and instrument ratings, and pay each time. Because there's a group of terrorists (lets call them the 'good terrorists') who are allowed to fly multi-engine but not IFR.

I love TSA.

[bradj2000]

all airport security is a joke, I know of rampers who smoked meth while in the cockpit of an Alaskan MD. seriously

[launchpad]

Originally Posted by Seggy

You know they TSA has never trained me to see a REAL TSA ID Badge. How do you know the 'agent' coming up to you is really a TSA 'agent'? I would have the police called on someone coming up to you claiming they are a TSA agent. I mean how would I know what a REAL TSA badge is to look like if they never 'officially' trained me in IDing TSA agents?

they're not badges....they're patches....

just had to make sure the difference is known......carry on

[Bigey]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

The TSA has started a random flight crew screening program.

So if you're in uniform, at the airport, even between flights from what I hear, the TSA may stop you and conduct a hand-screening of your luggage at random.

Apparently, it happened to a pilot from my airline as early as last week.

And it's not quick either.

Embrace the suck. Brought to you buy the TSA.

#### THE TSA BLATENTLY!

While i was going to New Zeland i was travelling with my grandma who wears a scarf and is dressed in the typical iranian attire. The lady rudely tells my grandma to take off her hat.

I turn to the lady and tell her "it's not a hat, and no she wont take it off, it's for religious purposes. She didnt even beep going through the metal detector."

The lady starts spouting off some BS that everyone has to take off hats and headpieces, to which i pointed out is BS. She then gets flustered and tells her she has to do secondary screening since she wont take off her 'hat.' I tell her, whatever, i just want to get out of here. The lady gets mad at my grandma since she cant speek too much english and starts raising her voice telling her to lift one leg, one arm etc. As i'm finished getting my secondary 'random' screening i go running over telling this retarded lady to stop yelling at my grandma, and anything you need to say, tell me and i'll translate.

Anyways, long story straight, after fricken 15 minutes going back and forth trying to tell this WONDERFUL lady that my grandma isnt carrying anything, they let us go.

End of my rant.

out of the 6 times my dad has flown with me, we've gotten the SSSSS security crap. I think his name is red flagged?

[EatSleepFly]

Originally Posted by Bigey

The lady starts spouting off some BS that everyone has to take off hats and headpieces, to which i pointed out is BS.

If I have to take off my jacket, shoes, and belt when in uniform (none of which set off the metal detector), then your grandma can take off her hat.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by EatSleepFly

If I have to take off my jacket, shoes, and belt when in uniform (none of which set off the metal detector), then your grandma can take off her hat.

Wait I thought you didn't have a uniform...

[averyrm]

If it makes you feel better, the last 6 times I was jumpseating I had the SSSS too.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by OldTownPilot

A huge fat ZERO.

I do it 4 days a week now, and could do just about anything to an airplane.

granted its just a RJ but none the less.

OldTown's right. If you've got an airport ID, you're good to go. They've got a turnstile in my airport that you can go through in lieu of TSA. Now, the procedures and location of that turnstile, you're not getting outta me. It's a pain in the ass to go through there to get to Ops for PCL, but if they start pulling this crap at MEM, I'll start using it.

Why are they starting this now? Is there a "known threat" that Al Queda is going around impersonating flight crews, or does someone in the TSA want to flex their muscles and show us who's boss.....again? Sadly, this does nothing but piss off air crews and delay flights. It's doing NOTHING towards improving security since we're probably not going to hijack ourselves.

[Doug Taylor]

It makes grandma feel safe and like the federal government has actually done something to improve air safety.

[Ralgha]

Rampers and friends are subject to this new rule as well. It applies to anyone with access to "secure" (notice the quotes) areas.

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Wait I thought you didn't have a uniform...

Nope, we've got uniforms. And FYI, the uniform looks even worse without any stripes or wings on it, which is what I've been kickin' it in for the last week until I pass my ride.

[Toonces]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

It makes grandma feel safe and like the federal government has actually done something to improve air safety.

You don't professionalize until you federalize. These people are highly trained federal ninjas. You should see them in action as they pounce on a tube of toothpaste with cat like reflexes.

[OldTownPilot]

Instead of TSA they should be TBJ....The Biggest Joke.

They are the biggest PITA at our airport along with the airport director. They will be short one day and then one person will take his break and the checkpoint has to close down for 5 minutes while they leave....right in the middle of screening a flight....of course they cant be open continously either because the AD wont put bathrooms inside the "secure" area......anger

Its something like they can only "work" for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break. Every other break is 10 minutes and they get 1 hour for lunch....all while being paid 13+/hr. The top of my CSA scale is the bottom of their screener pay scale.