Or as some like to call it, Security Theater. If you've not heard that term, google is your friend. However, that is not what this post is about. Today, let's talk about how the TSA affects your average passenger, like me!
My first unpleasant experience with the TSA was back in 2007, on a family vacation to Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, and other points spanning five states. We arrived at the airport at 4:30 am to fly to Salt Lake City via Minneapolis. When we got to the counter to check in, we were told that the first leg of the flight was canceled due to "crew needed a break." That was literally the reason given. How this is an issue on a daily flight from CLE to MSP is beyond me. The man at the counter (I can still picture him) spent close an hour attempting to get our family of five onto another flight that would eventually get us to SLC. It involved a different airline altogether that we had to take to Dallas and then to SLC.
Then the real fun began. Booking a last minute flight is deemed to be highly suspicious by the TSA. Never mind that it was not our fault and another airline did the booking for us. And that we were a middle aged couple with three teens, one having autism (I learned my lesson and now carry documentation of her disability, as the whole travel experience is traumatic for her). We were escorted to the side and wanded as well as patted down in front of other passengers, which was humiliating to say the least. All of our carry ons were emptied and items were swabbed. When we arrived at our final destination and opened our luggage, everything had been rummaged through and inspection notices left inside. On the return trip home, we went through the same procedures. All because "crew needed a break!"
I've been cautious about the TSA ever since and the only issue I ever had was with antibacterial wipes in my carry on. Then, last summer . . .
My daughter and I were flying to San Diego to meet my husband at a conference. Two days before the flight, United sent me an e-mail about downloading their app to stay up-to-date on flight info. To do so, you had to type in a variety of personal information, with the main point being that your information entered should match your driver's license exactly. That's when it dawned on me that I may have a problem. I had booked the flight in March, but had to get a new compliant ID driver's license in May. When I did so, I made the decision to have my compliant ID match my passport, which lists my first name/maiden name/married last name, which is my legal name. Previously, my driver's license was just my first name and my married last name, which was how I booked my flight.
Well, to say that I was nearing heart attack dimensions would be putting it mildly. I was picturing us arriving at the airport and me being turned away from the flight, which would mean canceling my daughter's flight as well and dealing with her emotional breakdown. I spent the next 24 hours furiously searching the internet every which way to determine if me having a new name on my driver's license was going to be a problem. I went on the TSA website, United's website as well as a ton of travel forums. The verdict: 50:50 that I would have an issue. Official websites said that your ticket information must match your ID EXACTLY, while travelers gave varying experiences of middle initial problems, nicknames not matching (Sue vs Susan) ticket, etc. No real answer. And certainly no phone number to call!
I finally realized there was nothing I could do but show up. I took my old ID (which they now return to you with some punches in it because your compliant ID is mailed to you a few weeks later) along with my new ID and hoped for the best. We also left an extra hour early above the two extra hours before the flight. So, what happened?
Absolutely nothing. We checked in at the United counter and the clerk didn't say a word. Stood in line for security and upon examining my ticket and ID, the TSA agent waved me on through.
I suppose the two days of sky high blood pressure might have taken a few weeks or months off of my life, but I did get to go to San Diego. Have you had any issues with the TSA?
I think there is some regulation regarding hours a pilot can fly without a break in between. You would think they would have replacements scheduled. I have not had any serious TSA issues, I am sort of glad they don't make it too easy, I do think they could be better at more reasonable selected screening.
ReplyDeleteI once had my son's toy hand-grenade in my luggage from a previous car trip. Fortunately it was not picked up by the x-ray, perhaps as it was plastic, but I about had a heart attack thinking about the consequences when I found it.
OMG on the toy hand grenade!!!! I didn't even know there was such a thing! Considering what schools do about toy guns, I can't imagine what the TSA would have done about that!
DeleteI can't believe you had all that trouble. They had to give a crew a rest on the first one? I used to work at United Air Lines at the ticket counter in Chicago - years ago - nothing like that every happened. And they always pat me down - as I have an artificial hip and knee - even though i have a card - i look so scary and couldn't run if i tried. I look so dangerous. Oh well - i haven't flown in years - good luck to your future traveling! sandie
ReplyDeleteWow, I bet you have a lot of stories from your days at the Chicago ticket counter! I have heard others say their flights were canceled because of the 'break rule,' but I still don't understand how it happens. Maybe from too many flight delays leading up to it? It must be frustrating to be singled out because of the metal in your body. Just from your blogger photo, I must say that YES, you look like a terrorist! LOL!
DeleteI don't fly a lot these days (and probably because of TSA, LOL, but more like I don't like flying). I have had nothing but positive experiences with it for the most part. I know they go through luggage so I usually have my Bible right on top of my stuff :) Here in Arizona we have to get those new compliant driver's licenses for traveling effective this year. Good excuse not to get one therefore not being able to fly :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Well, they are supposed to leave a paper note inside luggage that is inspected. I don't think it's normal protocol to search luggage as too many items are stolen when they allow that. The compliant ID is required as of October 2020, but I think if you have a passport you can still fly. I'd be worried about not being able to fly if there was an emergency.
DeleteWow, shouldn't they have some sort of record of the airline switching your flights? That must have been a huge pain in the butt. I had one pull me from the line and test me for bomb residue. Guess I must have looked shifty lol
ReplyDeleteYou would think that in modern times with computers, you would not be singled out for a flight change beyond your control, but it is a government agency, so there's your answer! Were you sweating when they pulled you? I get nervous when the dog sniffs me (and CLE seems to be the only airport with a dog sniffer).
DeleteThe last time I flew was in 2012, when I went to Florida for my mothers memorial service. And it's funny because the TSA here in Philly is a joke because they could care less about checking you before boarding. They literally just do the basics and nothing else. HOWEVER, the TSA in Florida (particularly at the West Palm Beach airport) are like the gestapo, checking, frisking, and examining not only your carry-on, but your body as well. They do everything but give you a rectal examination! But that's Florida in general because the policemen/women are the same way. Florida has the most obnoxious law enforcement I've ever had to deal with.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that was quite a ordeal you and your family went through. Whew!
There are definitely differences in airports. I find CLE to be one of the worst and with the slowest lines. LAX was surprisingly short lines and pleasant security! I do remember Miami having long lines. We are going to Florida again soon, so can't wait 😜
DeleteI just wrote about the joys of TSA following our Nevada trip last month, so I feel your pain - though I never had an experience as bad as yours, at least!
ReplyDeleteIt's just too bad that it causes innocent people a ton of unnecessary stress.
DeleteWow, Bijoux, I'm sorry for your terrible TSA experiences.
ReplyDeleteI confess I have yet to run into any major problems with them, but I always have my heart in my mouth when I go to the airport because you never know when some genius is going to see something flaky in your paperwork and take out the magic wand.
Oh, Amtrak, you look better every day...
I don't breathe easily until I get past security and have my purse back in hand. Amtrak only comes through here between midnight and 4 am, which makes it inconvenient, not to mention unsafe.
DeleteWe have a similar problem with baggage. Will it comply with the airline's maximum-dimensions strictures or not? Sometimes they're absurdly strict and ask you for an extra fee if it's just a few centimetres too big. Other times they're not bothered even if it's visibly too large. We've never had an issue with passports or driving licences though.
ReplyDeleteAirports, eh? All the rules and regulations are enough to drive you nuts.
I always check my baggage and have not had issue with dimensions. The rules for carry ons and contents are quite prohibitive these days and I just can't deal!
DeleteI haven't flown on a plane since 1993 and I never will again. I've always been a large woman so I was a little worried that I wouldn't fit in the seat when we went from Nevada to New Jersey but I fit in the seat just fine, I just needed a seat belt extender. It shouldn't have been that big a deal but they didn't have one for me and berated me every time the seat belt sign came on and I couldn't buckle mine.
ReplyDeleteWhen going through the line and going through the machine, it kept beeping and she wanded me and found that it was my hair barrette that was making it beep. So she made me take it out and put it through the xray machine. It was ridiculous. This was back when all you had to do was walk through the machine and make sure it didn't beep.
I refuse to fly now for any reason, ever. Not with the crazy stories I've heard of the TSA, the new x ray machines, the pat downs ect. No way.
The seats are a nightmare now, Mary. I'm tall and have zero leg room. I try to get an aisle seat so that I can stretch out one leg! That's ridiculous about the X-ray machine. The TSA is a pain in the ass, but I put up with it because I love to travel.
DeleteI suppose I have been pretty lucky when it comes to dealing with TSA . My issues have generally been knives (I've donated a few to them) and once a backpacking stove (thankfully I had time to take it out of my pack and run it to my car). You used to be able to fly with a stove and fuel bottle as long as it was empty, but that is no longer the case. But even without problems, I still prefer the train.
Deletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
That's a bummer about the stove, especially if that was your sole plan for eating! I wish our train system was as good as other countries. Would love to be able to take a train to other major cities in our state instead of the long drive.
DeleteLOL, While I'm glad that nothing happened, don't you get a little annoyed that all that worry was wasted?? Just a little.. I had spinal surgery ten years ago. Because of that, something always gets flagged on that machine. That means every time I fly, I have to anticipate getting felt up. Now when they ask "Do you want to go into a separate room", I'm like "Nah, I have no more shame..". I just want to get out of there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nightmare for those like you with metal in their bodies. I have 4 biopsy metal clips in me and that was the first thing I asked about!!! Fortunately, too small to show up. It's a shame that it causes so much stress for the innocent.
DeleteI'm from Long Island and 9/11 is stuck in my mind. It gives me a perspective that allows me to be patient with the TSA. I'll take the feel up over a potential security issue any day. :)
DeleteGlad you and your daughter were able to make it to San Diego with difficulty, particularly after your previous SLC experience. My only disappointment with TSA was when then thoroughly went through a sandwich that I had. They handed the sandwich back to me after their examination. I tossed it after that.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's ridiculous! I thought solid foods were supposed to be okay. I've packed bananas and granola bars with no issue. I would have thrown it away, too. Gross!
DeleteI ain't boarded a flight since ...... Hmmm, the 1990's maybe? So no, no TSA problems here!!
ReplyDeleteYou've missed out on all sorts of fun!
DeleteWow. Wouldn't common sense tell you to have rotating pilots and light attendants? How can they not plan for this "resting" period? I'm sorry your family went thru that, especially your daughter with autism. The airports in general don't seem to accommodate the added needs of others. - I made one of the magic wand holders cry when I beeped because she beeped on my wig when I had cancer. Something in the clasp made me beep and so I had to share what I wasn't comfortable sharing and she just cried and cried. I felt horrible. - Also, I needed to travel with my sewing machine and serger one time and the TSA went thru that and left me one of their nice little notes too. I was so happy that my machines still worked!
ReplyDeleteIt was odd since it was a daily flight, but who knows? Maybe they lied and somebody quit! I'm surprised about the crier, but it's nice to know there are empathetic folks among them. I have to laugh at the idea of sewing machine equipment being used for evil purposes, but they probably had no clue what it even was!
DeleteP.S. We stayed a night in Idaho Falls on that trip!
DeleteI had my passport confiscated because I'd lost it, gotten a replacement in my new name and then didn't realize the one I took was actually the old one. They were actually pretty nice about it. We have global entry now so we get to breeze through TSA without pulling things out of our bags or taking off our shoes.
DeleteI find no rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes we have to take off our shoes and jackets and sometimes they are yelling to keep it all on. And I've often received TSA pre check without paying for it. Flying is just a pain in the ass.
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