Different Strokes for Different TSA Folks

You can submit your own question to us at askgeorge@airfarewatchdog.com. We will try to answer as many as possible. If we use your question in a future newsletter, we will send you a free Airfarewatchdog T-shirt. We do not print your name or other details in our newsletters.

To post a comment to one of our Q&A's please click on "read more" and then "post a comment."

Post a Comment

I live in Honolulu and I fly through so many different airports. In Honolulu, my shoes always go in a bin at the Overseas Terminal Diamond Head TSA Checkpoint. Other airports, I watch what TSA agents do with the paxs' shoes (bin - no bin). Busier airports, especially hubs, tend to be shoes on belt during peak times. European and Asian airports are better than US, because you don't have to take off your shoes. A new twist to TSA as you pass through the metal detectors is show boarding or put away your boarding pass. Honolulu is put away your boarding pass, but other airports require you to show your boarding pass. LAX United TSA checkpoint boarding pass policy changes frequently. Worst people through TSA checkpoint are airline crew because they are allowed to cut in front of the paxs and they bring their house with them. In Honolulu, I had Continental pilot with 4 bags including his laptop and pockets full of his junk. It took him over 7 minutes to get everything on the security belt as line behind him grew from 2 paxs to over 10 paxs. Families on the other TSA line were going through faster than the pilot who was holding up our line. There is no consistency as you pass through different airport TSA checkpoints when it comes to footwear and boarding passes. Be observant... Watch and listen to what the TSA agents are asking paxs in front of you.

by UAHNL1K on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I fly at least once or twice a week all over the U.S., and have been noticing notes stating the new school rule for the past several months. First one of the TSA screeners said it was due to sanitary reasons, but two weeks ago at ATL when I related what I thought was the reason, a TSA guy says cryptically "no, we have another reason". But it seems to be all over and if you don't have to do it, it's only because they didn't notice that day.

by Gene on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The requirement to place your shoes directly on the conveyor belt has been the instruction at every airport security check point I have been through for the last month or two. I have traveled through a number of US airports in this period.

by Doodles on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I just flew out of Honolulu International and was scolded for having the shoes in the bin, told shoes on the belt. Must just be a TSA'er wanting to "Be Boss"

by travelbug2 on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Here at South Bend they regularly take the shoes out of the basket and put then on the conveyer, but they are among the politest group of TSA folk so don't make "reprimands." For us frequent fliers, we just know what to do now--at this airport

by lmerklin on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

ive had similar experiences - shoes in the bin, out of the bin; shoes by themselves in the bin, a jacket on top is fine; laptop in my carryon, on the belt, in the bin; my 3-1-1 bag in my carryon, out of the carryon. and i consider myself a seasoned flier since i travel way above the average. soon after 9\11, i was put on some watch list because every boarding pass issued to me was coded SSS. i got used to it. but as of the end of 2008, i stopped being coded that way. every airport is different, staffing is different, machines are different, routines are different, procedures are different. guess its to keep us ( and " them " ) on our toes. shoes off, of course :) on a semi-related topic, i have never flown in\out of philly, but, i have heard nothing but horrible remarks about that airport and the workers there.

by radioguyrj on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I have never had to put my shoes on the belt at BOS. Nor have I had to at any other of the airports I've flown out of. I've always put them in the tray. I would just shrug it off to a bad day on their part if they're inconsistent. I've also found that if you are really nice to the TSA, they're nice back.

by leeseinmaine on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I don't think anyone really answered his question. I'd like to know as well. According to his statement, he doesn't go through different equipment - he goes through the same equipment every week. So the question would be - as he asked - do they randomly vary the sensitivity of the detectors?

by D.J. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Weary traveler- I had the same experience this summer. I found the TSA staff's behavior appalling. And the general logistics of the screening area are not designed for efficiency, so it compounds the problem. I started my journey in Belfast, N. Ireland. Like you said- polite, efficient, no-nonsense. And I'm sorry- the Northern Irish know from terrorism. The Philly screeners seem to be ill-trained in addition to being bad-tempered. Not only were they slow & rude, they lost my landing card, then the baggage belt broke down to recheck my luggage for my onward flight. I nearly missed my flight- it was a nightmare, and the last time I visit Philadelphia.

by daffodil1209 on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Has it occured to you that there may be increased security alerts that requires a variance in screening? The general public is not always notified of some of the threats that our TSA folks are attempting to keep us safe from. Have faith. What does it hurt you anyway??

by KWB on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I've run into the shoes-on-belt "rule" in BOS and STL. But at different times in those airports, in the bin is fine. Which ever you do, if it isn't that day's "rule," you get the TSA look.

by peters43 on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

I have always found the screeners at the Hartford and Savannah airports to be friendly and helpful. I'm glad I seldom have to travel through the busiest airports!2xuukh

by Nikiboko on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

In Johannesburg in July, we filled our water bottles as usual after clearing security (we didn't want to rely on flight attendants to keep us hydrated for a 16-hours flight), but Delta had agents in the jetway who made us empty the bottles just before boarding. They said this was a special TSA rule for Delta flights out of Johannesburg! Of course there is no one from the TSA in Johannesburg to check with or complain to. Ironically they took the water from my kids but forgot to check my bag (they were too focused on arguing with me about my kids) and my wife's bag (no idea why). Arggh.

by Bruce on Thursday, August 27, 2009

vngxpeIf any of the above do any traveling they know that when purchasing a ticket the airline websites do let us know what is new in security requirements. The shoes on the belt has been out at least three months and just read the security requirements and you will become an informed traveler.

by dj on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I travel with a CPAP as well. Did you know that your CPAP machine, if in a separate bag, does not count in the limit of 2 carry-on bags? I pack mine in a small bag similar to those used for laptop computers. I pull it out of the bag and place it in a tray to go through the x-ray machine separately. Yes, they always have to pull the tray aside after it goes through the x-ray machine and check it for explosive traces, but that generally only takes an extra couple of minutes.

I've found security at every airport differs. In some you leave your shoes in the trays, at other they remove them from the trays before they let them go through the x-ray machine.

At Greenville-Spartanburg airport in SC, they used to check my boarding pass 3 times by 3 different TSA people within a 10' distance. It was so ridiculous. Thankfully, they've stopped doing that now.

by CPapper on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Westchester County Airport in NY--home of my biggest airport nightmares. I was seated in the AA plane, out on the tarmack, ready to fly home to Chicago, when we were told they had a flat tire. We had to get off. They were going to put us on a United flight instead, last flight of the day, leaving in a few minutes. They didn't have enough computers to reticket us all at the gate, so sent some of us back past security to the main ticket desk. Got reticketed, was told to hurry back through security and out to the waiting plane. TSA, all 8 of whom knew the situation, would not give us any priority on line, and then held us in a little "pen" area with no explanation for 10 minutes. The woman in charge took her time walking to the other end of the airport to get someone to help her. They moseyed back to security and proceeded to do individual searches on each of us. They said they were required to because our boarding passes were issued late and were marked for special searches. (Keep in mind we had already been through security once, and they knew this.) Nothing I or the airlines people said or did could get them to move any faster on any of this. I ran out to the tarmack, hurried by the United representative, just in time to see the plane taking off. I had to spend another night on the ground. Nobody took responsibility.

by incredulous on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

One of the reasons to feature/post older questions is that there are new people to this site all the time--I had never read this particular one, and I've been reading this blog for several months.
As for the inconsistencies--most of them are too small to really be a big deal, one way or another. Traveling w/a C-pap? Since you already know that you will need extra time, give it to yourself whenever you can. Try to rearrange your 70 min layover in Europe. ---BTW: if you are NOT going outside the terminal in most EU airports, the only time you'd need to go through security again is the first time that you go from a non-EU plane to an EU plane. One of the big advantages for travelers in the EU is that once you have cleared customs, you are considered safe to travel within all countries of the EU. If you are going outside the secure zone in any airport in the EU, give yourself plenty of time to clear customs/security, because the lines can be very long and the screeners, while professional, can be pokey.
If a security screener, TSA or otherwise, is rude, keep in mind that they receive rudeness all day long. Not that that's an excuse, but it's certainly the reason that I always say GOOD MORNING! or HI! when I get to security. Treating people like human beings tends to have a good effect. Think about the things you all just complained about, and then think what might have happened if instead of getting offended, you'd said to the TSA agent, "Man, they're always changing the regs on you guys, aren't they?"
Now, you are in it WITH them, instead of AGAINST them. Makes all the difference in the world.

by mickisue on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

There is nothing about putting shoes in a bin according to the TSA Gov site:
Shoes. Travelers are required to remove their shoes before entering the walk-through metal detector at all U.S. airports and put them through the x-ray machine for inspection. This allows officers to see if the shoes have been tampered with in any way.

by marfish on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

In 2007, we flew Detroit-Amsterdam, then traveled around Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium for 2 weeks, including a flight from Nuremburg to Paris on Air Berlin, finally flying home out of Brussels. The airport security personnel in Europe were almost uniformly polite and businesslike, yet very efficient. No one went out of their way to be brusque or demeaning, especially in Germany. We were very impressed with the quality of service. Even the airline folks were much easier to deal with than stateside.

Imagine our dismay when we arrived at Philadelphia out of Brussels, and were confronted with TSA workers were were literally SCREAMING at the crowd in front of them, while trying to move them to their customs point. They literally were "herding" people from point A to point B, practically shoving them in the effort to get them to move along. My wife and I stared at each other in disbelief at the chasm between the treatment we had seen in Europe and the rude, disorganized mayhem that awaited us at "home". I vividly remember remarking, "boy, if this were my first trip to the USA, would I ever be impressed by this !". Whoever is in charge of TSA at Philly airport should be put on the rack.

The TSA measures are meaningless. No one is going to take that route again, and all the experts know it. It will be through one of the MANY other holes in the system that presently exist. I don't need to list them - both the bad guys and all of us know what they are. All this does is cause us to spend billions every year in "feel-good" security. But, hey, what's a few billion in a 9-trillion dollar debt, huh ???

by weary traveler on Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I THINK I'LL DRIVE.

by on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mr declared firearm was properly packed in a gun case INSIDE my hard-backed rolling duffel with a TSA lock on the checked duffel.
Upon arrival at destination, the firearm was missing. The airline claims that, if you have a TSA lock on your bag, it's not their responsibility...It's TSA's. Having completed a stack of TSA claim forms, I've never heard from them.
Moral: if you have a TSA lock on your bag, and you have a claim for a loss, I suggest that, when filing your claim with the airline, you conveniently neglect to mention the TSA lock.
And...Always save every bag claim check, ticket, boarding pass and all other flight-related docs.

by Rainbow on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I have to travel with a C-PAP machine, recently. It's used for those of us who have breathing problems during sleep. Before I had to travel with this machine everything went like clock work going through security. NOW, I have completely unpack 1/3 of my carry on suitcase as that's where I store my C-PAP. So, I have a tray just for the C-PAP, a tray with all my clear bags, and a tray for shoes, electronics, and misc. Security ALWAYS takes 5-10 mins. with my C-PAP. Once that's over, I have to completely re-pack my suitcase and it feels like I am getting dressed again as well. I want safety and I want to cooperate, but I feel that it is a real hassle with my C-PAP. I will be traveling through Europe for 3 weeks and 4 different countries and one of my layovers is only 70 mins. and the way I am treated, I don't think I'm going to make my flight due the BULL they give my C-PAP machine. I am just about ready to leave the C-PAP at home and take my chances.

by LiveToTravel on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

RE: CPAP -- LiveToTravel.... Don't leave it home, you need it. Tell your Dr. about these hassles; is it possible to rent a CPAP 'over there'? If all else fails, get to the airport. You don't want to be without it.

by on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I do not blame the screener but the management, especially high up management which lacks common sense. The terrorist are smart enough to get around TSA's cosmetic security measures. The inconsistencies do not bother me as much as the lack of common sense. (Pleaty of examples have been given in this blog.) If they want to beat the terrorist they, management, has to be willing to think like a terrorist.

by david on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Inconsistency isn't unique to the TSA. About two weeks ago, on going through screening at Kuwait, I was told to remove my laptop from the carrying bag, so I put the laptop in the tray, the bag on the belt. The sorter/screener then moved the carrying case from the conveyor belt and placed it on top of the laptop, in the tray. If they are going to xray the laptop with the bag on top of it, why bother to remove the laptop from the carrying bag.

At JAX in January, I had a minor discussion with TSA at screening, because they wanted to do a visual on the contents of my hardshell briefcase, but they started to open it up with the briefcase upright. I reacted, to stop them, they started to "riot act" me about I can't touch the brief case after it has been selected for inspection, and simply explained if they wanted to inspect the briefcase after everything had been dumped all over the table and floor, go for it. Nothing else said.

On a flight from JAX to Kuwait, Sunday/Monday, TSA somewhere along the line did open my Coleman cooler, with dry ice and frozen meats, but everything was still frozen, so I guess they didn't take any of the dry ice out.

by Outside the USA on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Had a jar of peanut butter confiscated at JAX because it was "a liquid."

by Sambo21 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

They take away the water bottle because it's dangerous. They put it in the trash can right next to where the TSA screeners stand all day. In the trash can are all the other dangerous items. But if these items were really dangerous, why would they stand next to them all day?

by wondering on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I agree there is a LOT of inconsistency from one airport to another, and they glare at you and bark out instructions as though you've been going through this particular lane at this particular airport all your life today and how can you be such a fool as to not know the procedures that happen to be in place right here right now?

by Dave on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

They ALMOST nabbed my jar of Trader Joe's bruchetta sauce (thick tomato paste) at PVD...I glared at the TSA screener and said: "It's bruchetta sauce...."then the screener seemed to realize 'oh, that's not a liquid or a gel...........'

by on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

On a recent trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Memphis, The Muslim family in front of me was not required to have the women remove their covering in order to show their faces. Against their religion! I was required to unwrap my 6" by 6" birthday gift for my sister (a small plate that matched her china) . X-ray showed what it was. TSA is a worthless joke that we have to pay for.

by ews on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I fly out of Boston. One time they hassled me because my 3 oz bottles of liquids were not marked - they had to test each bottle to verify it was not explosives! Another time my hair barette set off the alarms! Another time we had a temporary assignment for a year and the company bought one way tickets for myself, 3 yr old daughter and my 6 yr old son. My husband had a round trip ticket since he was going back and forth a lot. Well, we had the max for carry on PLUS 2 cats going in the cabin. The kids and I were pulled aside and thoroughly searched (including the cats). They would not allow my husband to help me. My daughter (and cats) were flipping out. I have many more horror stories. It would be nice if they were consistent.

by bostonpam on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I've got a great idea! Let us keep our shoes ON, for crying out loud. Most of this TSA nonsense is useless window dressing that doesn't make ANYBODY any safer.

by CRZ on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The crowning touch was the guy in Florence, SC who insisted that the nail polish I forgot was in my handbag had to be thrown out since I didn't happen to have a clear plastic bag handy. He had to hand the bottle to me so I could throw it in the trash! They live among us and they breed!

by Nancy Kent on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

according to a TSA screener family member, all shoes must go on the conveyer belt. only exceptions are ladies high heels which may get caught in the machine. as far bas the inconsistencies in airports, that is due to the high turnover rate and training of the personel. the airports that you folks feel are stricter are doing it correctly. the screeners have to be a special person. all you whiners, and bitchers are going through the lines every day. let one incident happen and who are you gonna blame. everybody should do the screening job for a couple weeks. it would HUMBLE ALL OF YOU. and db538, who gives you the right to call somebody an idiot? not everybody may be as travel savvy as you are.

by jbaker2379 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I accidentally carried a small pocket knife (leatherman) in my carry-on bag from DFW to SAT. No one in DFW noticed, but the SAT screener found it on my return trip.

by Travel girl on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Most of these idiot fixes are just feel good responses. And do nothing to really help security. It only makes people feel as if something is being done. We should just go back to the way it was because these are just a waste of time. I don't know the fix or if there is one I just know I don't feel any safer I would rather see our troops and police at the airport more then I would feel better!

by ndtjdowney on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Every trip through Grand Junction is a good example of TSA hiring the handicapped; This last time it was shoes on the conveyor and Military ID was not enough they wanted to see my valid drivers license too! They are extremely overstaffed for the space they have and very few aircraft and hassle everyone!

by KINGOFOMAHA on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

TSA has a blog: http://www.tsa.gov/blog/index.shtm On it you'll get some insight into TSA thinking. TSA is not as stupid as one may think. Their problem is to administer safety requirements throughout a large organization, both geographically & in personnel headcount. These requirements shift with technology & the current reality of security threats.

OTOH, there are also a bunch of malcontents on the blog who post complaints frequently. You can vent, too.

by SteveMaricopa on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Is there some reason that the daily emails include links to OLD Travel Q&A? Today's email contained a link to this question, which is almost 8 months old as the comments attest.

by kajaco on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I flew from Boston to LGA last Wednesday and the TSA there told (yelled at) me it was a new rule to put the shoes on the belt outside of a tray. This one is a new one to me. Don't know if it's just Boston. TSA was not nice and everyone in the line like myself is a business traveler and was quite surprised by this new rule.

by ghilton on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The TSA at O'Hare told me last year they "prefer" the shoes directly on the conveyor because of the mess the shoes leave behind... and then the next users nice suit jacket gets dirty from the previous users hiking boots!
It actually does make sense (and I hate defending the TSA!) NOT to put your shoes/boots into a tray, especially in the winter time.

by yahoo on Tuesday, August 25, 2009

On two separate trips I was subjected to breast examination (she did it with the backs of her hands as that was not offensive like using her palms) because I used to wear an under-wire bra. And on one occasion they wanded me up my skirt right in front of everyone. (I so wanted to disarm that wand and claim nervous bladder) Yet they never question nor do I display the two epi-pens in my purse - that is scary.

by Really Old Lady on Monday, February 02, 2009

Have a metal hip and I usually, but not always set off the scanner as I walk through. Have been told that the sensitivity of scanners is same across all US airports.......bogus. Won't list one airport in US to which I frequently travel, but I have NEVER set off the scanner there! Hope Sec. Napolitano can get the Larry, Curley and Moe TSA upgraded.

by Driven Nuts on Thursday, January 29, 2009

TSA claims: If your baggage is opened by TSA for any reason it is not the responsibility of TSA to put the lock back whether it is inside or outside of the baggage. Even if the lock is a TSA approved lock, it is the passenger or manufacturer responsibility to replace the lock.

by Jacko on Thursday, January 29, 2009

Plastic bag? I haven't pulled out the plastic bag on my last 10 flights. It's in my carryon, it's got standard/appropriate bottles/tubes in it, but I forgot to pull it out the first couple of times, and now I just don't pull it out anymore

by The Lone Wrangler on Friday, January 30, 2009

Recently went deer hunting with my son, on our return trip we went thru security at Scranton, PA airport. Could not believe it when security allowed the cooler with the frozen venison in it, but would not allow the ice. Reason? becuase when it melted, it would be more than 3 oz of liquid. Can you believe that? Absolutely ridiculous!

by amx72man on Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Toronto airport is also notorious for extra-sensitive scanners and the strictest rules. They, too, insist that shoes go directly on the conveyor. Allowable blade lengths (nail files, swiss army knife,...) are much shorter here than at other airports. I haven't had any liquids with me to see how snarky they are about those.

by desktraveler on Thursday, January 29, 2009

During the days when trays were apparently not available yet at Houston Int. , my 14-year old son was called back for a second search and had to put his shoes on the conveyor belt, at which point they got stuck in the machine and technicians had to be called in to remove his shoes an hour or so later.
The shoes were OK but the poor kid is still haunted by all the panick with security guards surrounding him and total chaos that occured.
Of course we missed our international connection to S-America and had to wait till the next day !

by Travelomania on Thursday, January 29, 2009

only an idiot wouln't put the clear bag separate, since you have been constantly told in the news, etc. that you take the clear bag out so they can see it.

by db538 on Thursday, January 29, 2009

My wife has 7 screws and a plate in her ankle.

Has never set off a scanner. But if you wave the wand by her ankle it screams of metal

by The Lone Wrangler on Thursday, January 29, 2009

I have faced the same thing. In Cleveland, forgot to remove the baggie chalk full of lotions, potions and assorted liquids. In Green Bay where I was on a turnaround, I had to go to the "gift shop" and purchase a baggie for my Burt's Bees lip baum! Are you kidding me? For the record, they may have turned things up a notch in and out of DC because of the inauguration.

by snyder95 on Thursday, January 29, 2009

Popular Destinations

Popular Routes

Different Strokes for Different TSA Folks

Travel Q&A