Flying in the USA

[gertie]

My first flight this year came last week when I flew out to drive my daughter back from Georgia. The Army kindly arranged to transfer them home when they transferred her hubby, but at 8 months pregnant she wasn't allowed to drive herself and they had two cars and hubs in a scurry to get down here to find them an apartment and get checked into his new assignment.

Despite rumors of great difficulties, was pleasantly surprised at DFW. From the time we parked the car...right across from the doors, until I was seated eating a snack procured at a nearby restaurant waiting on my flight was less than 15 minutes, including the time it took to look up my reservation and check in due to printer difficulties which rendered me unable to print out any confirmation from the airline for my last minute booking. Had I had my confirmation number, the time probably would have been at least a couple of minutes less.

One amusing thing, as I sailed through the metal detector without a beep, the attendant summoned another over and whispered what sounded like "Al Kayeed" which rather took me back a bit, I was so surprised I said "I'm a Backsliding Baptist". The guy whispering looked at me blankly but the summoned young lady stifled a giggle. She lead me to a rug with feet outlines where I was quickly and efficiently patted down, then with a smiling "sorry, ma'am" I was ushered onward. When I arrived, I asked my daughter if she thought I looked Muslim and I think she is probably still laughing at that one!

Having arrived early for my commuter flight per airline recommendations, I had plenty of time to sit and watch the security goings on. I never saw more than five or six people in line at one time, but there was a steady flow of traffic and about every six or eight they pulled a woman aside to be patted down. Everyone after me who was patted down also had to wait while their carry on and shoes were very carefully inspected, but my things were not searched. I did wonder why so many women, but it may have simply been every so many people as most of the people coming through that gate during the time I watched were women.

When I switched planes in Atlanta, through some mix up with expedia, they had my plane listed on my itinerary as arriving 1 hour before it actually did, which was odd, and I barely made my connection. I thought I must have misremembered and somehow messed up when booking but checked on return home and confirmed this error in time tables. Instead of an hour and twenty minutes I had just 20 to get practically from one end of the airport to the other. Security there looked a little more packed but not much for those entering. They did make us show a picture id to board the plane, something I had not seen in several years.

[gertie]

Oh one other thing I had never seen, a young lady was wearing a pair of these fancy name brand sneakers with the gel in the heel for running. They had her standing aside, well away from the sneakers, for about 20 minutes while debate raged as to whether or no she might wear them. Finally two persons in suites arrived, very frowning and looking as though the weight of the world were perched upon their heads. They looked at the shoes for several minutes, nodded sagely at each other, and told the lady she could have them. After she left, a young gentleman dressed in a much more relaxed manner showed up, along with another uniformed crew who took over at the gate for the man at the carry on inspection machine. The inspector who had called attention to the shoes was debriefed sitting only two seats over from me, but they managed to talk in such low tones that I was barely able to catch a word here and there. What I did hear seemed to be in code. Evidently the fellow doing the debriefing was a manager or assigned debriefer of some sort. He wrote in a clipboard and the inspector gave him a sheet he had already filled out.

In a separate incident, during the debriefing of the first inspector, the second inspector pointed out a small bag to the girl who was handling pat downs and bag inspections. She reached in and pulled out am extremely tiny pair of folding scissors. The young lady had a toddler in tow, and as I carried a similar pair when a young mother to assist in such things as getting into the newer impenetrable safety plastic sealing they like to put so many items in these days, I could relate. The gentleman handling the debriefing turned, cleared his throat to get attention, then shook his head and the scissors were replaced and the woman continued on her way from the check point.

Just a modify add in, a friend of mine said he had read something about them now using women for suicide bombing as they were running out of willing men. It seemed unlikely to me they were running out of willing men, but I thought forcing women might well be a new tactic.

[Deleted]

Women are so influenceable, after all.

I just hope they will get over some of this silly security stuff some day -- for example the whole deal about travel scissors is beyond belief as long as writing implements are still allowed without any control. I could kill several people with a Bic if I really wanted to.

[bixaorellana]

With training, any of us could kill someone with our forearms. Maybe we'll have to be strapped into straitjackets in order to be allowed to fly

I felt despair merely reading the OP title. I've come to dread traveling by air, and not because of fear of flying.

[gertie]

I know what you mean, Bixa! I adore flying and have even begun to gather some hours toward my own pilot lic. because I love soaring so much. I sometimes feel quite old as I remember commercial travel before the use of metal detectors. I was much saddened when I showed my daughters one of my favorite movies, "Airplane", and found I had to explain so much the jokes were lost. I actually remember when DFW and other airports had no security gates. Hari Krishnas in their bright orange roamed the gate areas. I still have the metal wing pin which was pinned to my lapel on my first flight on American Airlines when I was about six. My grandfather's greatest pleasure was to stride out on the viewing area by the runway at the international airport near his home, which was the roof of the covered walkway out to the tarmac for those boarding flights. He used to sometimes take me with him, and point out all the planes and tell me about them. At smaller airports such as the one near my home in Texas, it was possible to walk friends and family clear out to the steps of the plane on the tarmac clear up into the 80s.

[Deleted]

I have come to hate air travel more and more and more save the actual flying part of course,which I will always love.
On my trip back to NOLA from the Fort Lauderdale airport,I had the most unpleasant experience and am trying to figure out,although I think since 24 hours have passed,it may be too late to do what should have been done....
Aside from being approached by a security person and being asked to please take off my sunglasses,which I wanted to question but didn't... Also had the following what I believe to be a totally inappropriate invasion of my personal property.
I rarely if ever check a bag and take carry on minimum baggage. Due to some impulsive spending of money on some Art/Photography/Architecture books I was forced to check a bag and my friend loaned me an extra suitcase she had.
So having met the weight requirement,etc. I checked said bag,retrieved it upon arriving in the usual fashion.
Upon arriving home and unpacking I opened up the suitcase and immediately knew something was amiss. Two of the books were damaged despite careful cushioning with clothes,torn covers,and the clothing was all rumpled and had that look of someone having rifled,manhandled.
I then see an official looking card stuck in there with a US Department of Homeland Security symbol re: the Transportation Security Administration informing me that my bag was selected randomly for inspection.
I am ok with this to a degree however,furious at the manner in which this was done.
I did not call today because I was/am still angry about it and was afraid I would rail on the person on the other end...
I think I'll email them tomorrow to complain in a more diplomatic fashion.
Thank you for allowing me to ventilate.

[cristina]

Casi, I feel for you. Even if a day or so has passed, I think you are completely justified in making a complaint.

Up until early last year, I flew at least twice a month in my job. Early last year, my flight home from Houston was canceled due to weather so I ended up having to spend the night. The first available flight home on the airline I had started with was too late the next day, so they put me on an early flight on another airline. This meant I was flying as a one-way passenger on the new airline, which means automatic selection at security. (The airlines should be able to figure out how to work collaboratively on this, I think).

Anyway, I didn't have checked luggage, but I was selected for extra screening at security as I expected. What I did not expect was that the woman searching my luggage would literally throw my laundry and under garments all over the table, in full view of everyone else in the security line. It was the most obnoxious and insensitive handling of a screening that I have ever experienced and makes me angry to this day.

I really regret not making a complaint.

[fumobici]

I had the batteries removed and put back in backward in my handheld GPS in checked baggage by some customs monkey at Fiumicino once but it still worked once I'd figured out the problem. I'd gladly risk some tiny increased incremental risk of terrorist attack in exchange for relaxed travel security. The burdensome inconvenience and unpleasantness just isn't justified by the infinitesimal risk to me.

[cristina]

Jun 25, 2010 5:30:46 GMT fumobici said:

I had the batteries removed and put back in backward in my handheld GPS in checked baggage by some customs monkey at Fiumicino once but it still worked once I'd figured out the problem. I'd gladly risk some tiny increased incremental risk of terrorist attack in exchange for relaxed travel security. The burdensome inconvenience and unpleasantness just isn't justified by the infinitesimal risk to me.

I agree, for the most part.

But just wait until you walk down the jetway aware that everyone on your flight knows whether you wear boxers or briefs (or a thong, for that matter). Or even what color underwear you wear.

Or, as in Casimira's case, if your property had been permanently damaged.

The ratio of terrorists to non-terrorists is still pretty small. While I support vigilance in screening, a certain amount of respect and sensitivity is still required, I think.

How would you feel if your mother or father (assuming they are seniors), had a similar experience? This is one of those things that runs through my mind, as I know my 77 year old mother's traveling days are limited in number.

[Deleted]

Every single time I fly from the United States, my bag has been "randomly" selected for a search. I make a point of putting everything that can interest or amuse them right on top so that they don't mess the rest of my stuff up -- and it works.

[bjd]

If at all possible, I refuse to go anywhere near the States nowadays.

A few years ago, I went to London, England for a long weekend with only a small carry-on pack. As I went through security, the guy asked me if I minded them checking my bag for explosives. I said, "go ahead", only to see my underwear spread all over the place as the guy emptied everything and checked the inside of the bag for explosive residue.

[Deleted]

Thanks Cristina,I 've also had the rifling done through carry on and one time (also in Fort Lauderdale) the male security person actually held up a pair of my underwear and smirked while doing so. They confiscated a tiny bottle of hot sauce I was taking back,not realizing that it was prohibited,I thought it was an allowable amount of fluid.
I plan on doing an email today.
Y'all have been really helpful. I'm all for Homeland Security but this is not the way I think one should treat people.The disrespect coupled with the intimidation is too much.
My fear ,should I have phoned yesterday was that I would have been put on a list,red flagged as it were,and be harassed every time I travel in the future. My paranoia I guess.
Is this type of procedure limited to the USA ?

[Deleted]

They do it in Saudi Arabia. They really take close looks at ladies' underwear there.

[bjd]

I have taken a fair number of planes in the past few years and would say that the nasty kind of security checking is indeed limited to the USA. As I mentioned, the security guy in London asked whether I minded having my stuff checked and was polite.

The snottiest one I had to deal with was a young woman in Toronto airport whose metal detector found metal in my flexible rubber-soled shoes and got bitchy when I showed her I could fold them so they obviously didn't contain any metal. What I hear the most about US security that I would have a hard time with is the total absence of humour or personal relations with the person going through security on the part of the agents. The Colombians are really strict about people leaving the country, but even there it was possible to talk to the soldiers checking everyone's carry-on.

[bjd]

They do it in Saudi Arabia. They really take close looks at ladies' underwear there.

That's because they are all completely sexually frustrated.

[Don Cuevas]

We had thorough searches of our carryons at Newark before going to the boarding gate. It included a gas spectrometer (?) test of the cornmeal and grits we were carrying back to Mexico. My belt or something also set off the alarm. They passed.
I don't fault them for doing their job in a professional manner to protect us, as that was done.
But it took me 5 minutes to get dressed. again.

On landing in Mexico City, passing Inmigracíon was a breeze, and we had a short but pleasant chat with the official.

Aduana (Customs) had us open everyone of the 6 bags we were carrying, mostly because of the cornmeal and the almonds which my sister had given us. (We can get almonds in Mexico!)

The inspector was very courteous, and I hope that we livened an otherwise dull day for him with my explanations of grits, whole grain kasha, and "Condimentos Chinos", not to mention the bottle of Crown Royal carefully swaddled in clothing.

We had such a load, that we have learned to avail ourselves of every means of assistance possible, such as carts and hiring porters. At our age, it's well worth a generous tip for the service.

[cristina]

I think the degree of professionalism and sensitivity varies by airport in the US - even by terminal in some cases.

I find the Phoenix security people to be friendly while still doing their jobs. And Washington (Reagan Airport) is surprisingly courteous and friendly. And most of the TSA employees at Chicago's O'Hare are really charming.

Houston (Bush/Intercontinental Airport) is hands-down the worst, in my opinion. A tie for 2nd place goes to LAX and Philadelphia. They seem to go out of their way to hire the grumpiest, life-hating individuals in those airports.

[bixaorellana]

I haven't had any negative experiences with the personnel in Houston airport, but it would be nice to find more personnel as one wanders around, lost. Is there a more stupidly laid-out airport in the world? Also, since they're so worried about terrorism, why do they provide such huge empty spaces there? You could strip, twirl flaming batons, and run around screaming. No one would notice unless it were some other lost and confused traveler who wanted directions in that echoing airport.

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2010 19:39:11 GMT bixaorellana said:

I haven't had any negative experiences with the personnel in Houston airport, but it would be nice to find more personnel as one wanders around, lost. Is there a more stupidly laid-out airport in the world? Also, since they're so worried about terrorism, why do they provide such huge empty spaces there? You could strip, twirl flaming batons, and run around screaming. No one would notice unless it were some other lost and confused traveler who wanted directions in that echoing airport.

;D ;D ;D ;D

Atlanta is hands down my least favorite airport!!! I would rather take a bus,anything than go to that place again. I've had umpteen bad,bad experiences there,and one virtual meltdown where I just went to the bar,ordered a Jack Daniels,called my husband,and said,I'll be home when they put me on a plane and I arrive.(A tad exaggerated,but close version of what happened... ) I missed three planes through no fault of my own,they ran me around all over the place.
JFK,because it's so big,is not an especially fun place either.
Dallas/Fort Worth,sucks too.

[Deleted]

My main gripe is just to go through this display of theatrics everywhere just to pander to public opinion. The searches are laughable everywhere and would ever only intercept the most clueless amateur. And yet they spend billions of dollars on this show just because people are naive enough to think that it offers some protection.

I have flown enough over the years to still know at least a dozen ways to get dangerous items on any airplane in the world. One thing that had always amazed me was that it took them so many years to ban liquids -- probably the main reason it took so long is because this is one of the things that a lot of people complained about, and also it screwed up duty free sales for people needing to transit.

[Deleted]

On two separate occasions,in the last 3-4 years I was able to go through security here in NOLA at Armstrong International with a knife in one of my bags,both times,unbeknownst to me. (one a fairly dangerous looking larger knife,the other a small pocket knife).I hadn't realized they were in my bag,until I got to NY and was freaked out that they were in there.(I always carry a knife for horticulture reasons and invariably have one in my purse or knapsack )How they didn't see the larger one to this day baffles me beyond belief).I mailed them both back lest I take any chances in having them discovered on the return trip.A friend of mine was apprehended for having a pair of knitting needles!!!!
The liquid thing makes me really crazy as I had thought if you have the required amount,it didn't matter what kind/size bottle it was in. An 8oz. tube of sunscreen which was only half full,I surely thought would not be a problem,but,relying on someone else's last minute advice,transferred it to a smaller bottle. What a pain in the ass!!
I fully agree about the amount of money being spent on all this "heightened security" when yes,indeed,one could easily get a dangerous/explosive etc.in without too much creative thinking involved.
I agree with I believe it was Cristina,who mentioned elderly persons traveling. Every time I go through one of these "checks",I'm so grateful that my mother no longer flies.
And,I never see one of these security persons demonstrating much assistance to those elderly I do see traveling. I always do when I see some poor befuddled older person struggling with the process,and was once chastised for doing so. I was helping this woman with her orthopedic shoes for chrissake!!!!GRRRRRR!!!!

[fumobici]

Airport security is 99% show business. Fear is useful, as is the fiction of protection. People will hand over their money and rights if you hit those notes right.

[lola]

I'm naturally low security. I agree with a line in Howard's End to the general effect that having something stolen once or twice in a lifetime is a fair tradeoff for not having to be vigilant the rest of the time.

I guess I'm OK with passing through metal detectors, though I'd be fine if they stopped it. I tend to get pattend down for the suspicious act of wearing a dress. Having to take shoes off, even thin sandals, is so bogus and so closing-barn-door-after-horse-has-escaped show biz.

[cristina]

Youngest daughter is leaving to visit friends in Florida tomorrow. I begrudgingly paid the $23 checked bag fee when I printed her boarding pass tonight.



Her first flight not traveling as an " unaccompanied minor."

[bjd]

Is that on a regular airline, Cristina? Here only "low-cost" airlines are charging for the first checked bag.