Guess who's opposed to the registered traveller program?

[tonyw]

The ATA.

Aroo?

http://www.atwonline.com/news/other....Date=4/24/2006

US Air Transport Assn. on Friday criticized the Transportation Security Administration's plan to begin rolling out its Registered Traveler program this year, saying it "firmly believes that limited TSA resources should not be diverted from efficiently and effectively screening all passengers to a program that provides limited and questionable benefits for some customers. Instead, TSA should focus on programs that improve the overall passenger screening process." On Thursday, TSA announced it would be ready to roll out the RT program starting this summer but would do so on a limited basis at 10-20 airports, which were not announced. "A phased approach to implementation will allow the agency to confirm the private sector's ability to provide interoperability among RT airports, evaluate the impact of alternate checkpoint processes on screening and wait times and ensure that RT maintains the agency's high security standards," TSA said. The program is expected to go national next year, "subject to public demand."

I don't get it. If you can eliminate hassles for some of your passengers, why not do it?

[EatSleepFly]

Originally Posted by article

Instead, TSA should focus on programs that improve the overall passenger screening process.

I agree.

[Champcar]

The only hassle I have at the TSA line is the employees themselfs. I have never seen a group of people that take a Uniform WAY too seriously.

[skyhawk39]

Originally Posted by Champcar

The only hassle I have at the TSA line is the employees themselfs. I have never seen a group of people that take a Uniform WAY to seriously.

Agreed. When I was online I had a TSA agent in Vegas (who was a newbie) try and pull me and my FA out of the aircrew line for 'random' screening...the dude shortcircuted when I told him "I guess the unifoms and company ID badges make us look like skyjackers huh ?"

TSA = People who can't make it as rental cops.....

[Bandit_Driver]

efficiently and effectively screening all passengers

That will be the day.

Skyhawk39, I feel your pain. We had a group of TSA idiots in PIT come up as I was getting the release, at the gate, and wanted subject us to a second screening. The guy came unglued when we tried to tell him we were exempt. But that is what you get when you give an idiot a little power. I guess they felt it was effecient and effective to screen the crew that was working the flight.

[tonyw]

My thinking is this -- we're never going to get rid of the taking off the shoes crap, nor the tools who say, oh, your belt has to be x-rayed even though it doesn't set off the detector.

So, I'd be willing to pay a little more in order to get through a line where I don't have to do this. Let the once or twice a year Aunt Bessies try to go through with all their jewelry and change in their pockets, while I go to the line for people who know the drill.

If we get rid of the charade screening, someone will say, whoa, we're not going to be safe and a terrarist might get through -- as if they'd try a September 11 again.

So the once or twice a year flyer will want it. And they vote.

[Bandit_Driver]

charade screening

I can't remember who did a special recently, but it was pointed out that TSA isn't effective. In one test a group managed to get all the parts past TSA to assemble a bomb.

[Doug Taylor]

All parties share blame. Some of the rules at the airport are inconsistent which causes some confusion, but as much as I hate to admit it the #1 problem with security hassles are passengers themselves.

People don't arrive at the airport prepared for screening. I've spent more time behind people removing watches, cellphones, belt buckles, earrings, piercings, etc. Then they'll travel thru the detector, set the alarm off, curse under their breath and pull out a pocket full of change that would make a vagrant's mouth water.

For the most part, the TSA does a passable job, it's just the average traveling "Joe" doesn't arrive prepared for screening.

[skyhawk39]

I think I am probably fragged in the TSA system because one time about two years ago in Denver I made the very loud comment that this one particular TSA gate agent should register on the state of CO sex offender website because of the way he was treating this 14 year old girl...even got the agent in charge's attention

I just can't spin up any respect for that agency...incompetence in droves...

[Doug Taylor]

Whew, I really wouldn't suggest that. It's almost like Zsa Zsa slapping the highway patrolman for being rude a few years ago.

[jbp1]

There is a TSA Screener here at KDAY that is quite a looker. I try to set the detector off when I go through her line. I think they purposely gave her a uniform that was a little small for her, (the movie Down Periscope comes to mind).

[TonyC]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

All parties share blame. Some of the rules at the airport are inconsistent which causes some confusion, but as much as I hate to admit it the #1 problem with security hassles are passengers themselves.

People don't arrive at the airport prepared for screening. I've spent more time behind people removing watches, cellphones, belt buckles, earrings, piercings, etc. Then they'll travel thru the detector, set the alarm off, curse under their breath and pull out a pocket full of change that would make a vagrant's mouth water.

For the most part, the TSA does a passable job, it's just the average traveling "Joe" doesn't arrive prepared for screening.

I disagree that we should "dress" for the screening. Watches, cellphones, belt buckles, earrings, piercings, and pocket change are not contraband. The screening process should be designed to allow for these normal, everyday accessories, as well as normal shoes, ballpoint pens, nail clippers, and laptop computers.

The bottleneck in most screening lines that I have seen comes in the process of doffing and donning all the items that would set off the magnetometer. There is not enough space for bins for people taking the items out of their pockets and removing their belts, shoes, etc., and there is even less space for the same people to unload the bins and replace the legal items back where they belong.

When a passenger happens to be wearing a jacket, or carrying some sort of carry-on bag, he might improve his time in the line by placing those items in the jacket pockets or the carry-on, but often times I'm not carrying a bag or a jacket. Even if I am, I still have to take the time to remove my shoes and belt. Sorry, I'm not leaving home without either of those.

Now, this discussion has focused on the cause of the delays getting through screening lines. I haven't even touched on the ineffectiveness of the process of passing bags through the x-ray machines or screening for explosives. The number and types of things that pass through the eyes of the screeners unnoticed is mind boggling. Effective? I think not, and it's not the passenger's fault.

I'm in favor of a registered traveller program. Effectively, I already am in such a program by being a member of Northwest's WorldPerk's program, as this means I won't be automatically "randomly" chosen for additional screening just because my Company waited until the last minute to pay "cash" for my one-way dead-head ticket. If I could carry a card that would mean I never have to take my shoes off in the terminal again I would be eager to carry it.


No, I think you can blame the passengers for taking advantage of cheap air travel, but you can't blame them for the debacle they call screening.



Just my opinion, of course...





.

[ComplexHiAv8r]

At CAK they have little bags that you can put all your "stuff" in first to assist in getting through the line. They are just basic plastic bags with a pull string on it. Helps the process out some.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

All parties share blame. Some of the rules at the airport are inconsistent which causes some confusion, but as much as I hate to admit it the #1 problem with security hassles are passengers themselves.

People don't arrive at the airport prepared for screening. I've spent more time behind people removing watches, cellphones, belt buckles, earrings, piercings, etc. Then they'll travel thru the detector, set the alarm off, curse under their breath and pull out a pocket full of change that would make a vagrant's mouth water.

For the most part, the TSA does a passable job, it's just the average traveling "Joe" doesn't arrive prepared for screening.

AMEN brother Doug. You can always tell an experienced traveler. They have there crap together most of the times

[Doug Taylor]

Thanks bro.

It just KILLS me sometimes trying to get thru security.

Put your watch in your bag, have a plan to get your laptop quickly into a plastic tub and by the time you breathe through your teeth and make some inane comment about having to remove your shoes, you can already have them off and half-way down the conveyor belt.

My only beef with the TSA is when they let John Q. Public into the crew line.

I don't know where your gate is, don't ask me questions about the ride, get your crap on the conveyor belt, reserve comment and SCHNELL SCHNELL SCHNELL!

[Tim]

Nothing like a family of 5 with kids from age 10 to infant going to see Mickey in MCO trying to get through the line. The have 2 car seats and 5 bags and a baby to hold

[TonyC]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I don't know where your gate is, don't ask me questions about the ride, get your crap on the conveyor belt, reserve comment and SCHNELL SCHNELL SCHNELL!

We love to fly, and it shows.



well... at least they used to...








.

[TonyC]

Originally Posted by Tim

Nothing like a family of 5 with kids from age 10 to infant going to see Mickey in MCO trying to get through the line. The have 2 car seats and 5 bags and a baby to hold

What have you got against large families?






.

[Tim]

I dont I have 5 total but when they travel once every 5 yrs it takes forever to get through the line. Lack of preparation

[Doug Taylor]

Nah, I'm just of the school of thought that security sucks because people act inefficiently.

If they've got a question or want to tell me "Ya'll just mash the 'Lanna button dontchya", talk to me after security.

If there are 60 people in line, and everyone takes an extra 15 seconds because they're not being efficient, the 61st person in line is going to endure at least a 15 minute delay in addition to the normal screening time.

"Why do I have to take my shoes off?"

"Oh dear, I left my keys in my pocket."

"What do you mean my jacket has to come off?"

"It just a 5 pound iron belt buckle!"

[Tim]

Does the knife really have to be discarded, it was my uncle Bubba's

[OldTownPilot]

When they try to make me (a working CS agent on the clock) take my shoes off, and my belt (neither of which set the mag off) and can't figure out what a computer looks like in a bag, I have to give the ZERO credit as far as keeping the skies safe.

A trained monkey could get "bad stuff" through. Their whole lighter thing is a joke, there is no way one will set off a mag. There I said it take a lighter through in your pocket. Do it, you wont get caught.

Take a look at Europe, who has more threats than we do, weather Bush wants to believe it or not. They have nationalized security, but the are efficient at what they do. Shoes, watches and belts stay on, and they are not concerned about nail clippers, computers and lighters.

I also have to agree that travelers do not come prepared for the checkpoint, but there is no reason that TSA cant be smart about security. After all they are paid enough to atract people besides BK rejects. I have stated here that I will need to work at my job for 6 years to make the same starting pay that a screener gets.

[Tim]

Remember the people the TSA hired was the same people that worked for the contractors before, now with just better uniforms, pay and retirement

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by OldTownPilot

Take a look at Europe, who has more threats than we do, weather Bush wants to believe it or not. They have nationalized security, but the are efficient at what they do. Shoes, watches and belts stay on, and they are not concerned about nail clippers, computers and lighters.

I also have to agree that travelers do not come prepared for the checkpoint, but there is no reason that TSA cant be smart about security. After all they are paid enough to atract people besides BK rejects. I have stated here that I will need to work at my job for 6 years to make the same starting pay that a screener gets.

Ain't that the truth. I was ready for the whole nine yards passing through CDG. No taking off my belt, no taking off my shoes, nothing. When I went for the shoes, I was told stop. Ten minutes, tops, during the height of the summer travel season.

The thing that bothers me is the complete inconsistency. I ask at MCO, do I need to take my shoes off, and the answer is, not if they don't beep. Do that at LAX, and the answer's the same. Then I go to IAD, and one day the answer is, don't worry about it, another day the answer is, they need to come off. Same exact shoes, different days, and the answer is different.

WTFO?

[pilot602]

If I could carry a card that would mean I never have to take my shoes off in the terminal again I would be eager to carry it.

Because a person with ill intentions could never get ahold of one of these cards or get onto the "registered traveler" program.

I mean it's not like last time they used fake credentials or anything ... err, wait.

A security system is only as strong as it's weakest link. If the TSA sets up a Registered Traveler program you may as well just stop screening everyone.

I'm no fan of the TSA and think it's the most useless and ineffective program on earth but an "RT" I am NOT a fan of. I think it's retarded and just opening up a huge gapin exploitable hole in the piss-poor system we already have.