March 21, 2009 Screened and re-screened
You’ve made it through the TSA checkpoint. Whew, you think, that’s over. Think again - you may be re-screened at the gate, as this slighlty smarmy TSA blog post reveals:
“Many travelers have noticed that strange things are afoot at departure gates across the nation. Should you pack your tinfoil hats? Nope… Save them for December 21, 2012 when the Martians attack.
Anybody who keeps up with TSA knows that static security is not our cup of 3.4 oz. tea. We’re constantly evolving in an effort to make things more difficult and unpredictable for those wishing to do us harm. And that’s the case here. Over 2 years ago, we started an employee screening program that included unpredictable gate screening. Just recently, we strengthened our layers of security by increasing the frequency of gate screening. Travelers haven’t seen this much gate activity since TSA rolled out in 2002, so people are taking notice.
In some cases, travelers have become concerned about the safety of their flight after being selected for gate screening. There’s no reason to worry. It’s not being screened due to any specific threats.
Gate screening allows us to screen anybody who has access to the aircraft. Oh yeah, and there are signs at the checkpoint or at the gates informing passengers they may be subjected to gate screening.”
Oh, signs - well that makes it all OK. And the TSA is shocked (shocked!) that these measures should raise the fear and stress index. Round up all the usual suspects, I say. Here’s an AP story about the issue.
Reader Comments (2)
With less people flying, TSA has to look as if it's doing something. Yet, they complain they don't have enough people to screen the cargo going onto airliners.
In the AP story it states :"The (gate) checks aim to prevent weapons or other contraband being passed from an employee to a passenger before boarding, among other risks."
Here's a thought...how about screening all airport employees rather than continuing to hassle passengers. Or perhaps retrain some of the extras you have doing unnecessary gate checks and let them start to screen cargo.
No one is out to protect the rights of the passenger. The airlines, congress and passengers need to speak up to stop this ridiculousness.
But TSA knows that most people will just say it's okay to do whatever it takes to protect them from "terryrists." We've become sheep.
So, no more moving things back into my pockets after security in case I get checked. No more making it easy to board by having the stuff I need at my seat readily available as not to hold up passengers because it will need to be checked at the gate. Forget about getting any overhead space as by pulling me out of line I lose that.
So, TSA, after making me go through more security than any other nation on the planet (excluding Israel), you put on another show to inconvenience those who want nothing more than to get on with their life.
I agree with you on all accounts buzz except that some nations have tighter security that works better and more efficiently than the TSA. From my own travels Germany, Switzerland and England come to mind. In Manchester they checked every hand luggage piece by hand and it was still super fast (and polite, I shall add).
The TSA is a farce and a giant waste of money. Cargo is not properly screened, TSA and airport employees are not screened at all. Those are all very easy targets. Besides that, taking a fire arm aboard is indeed difficult unless you rely on co-operation of airport employees or TSOs. Taking explosives and/or knives (ceramic blade in plastic tube) is totally do-able without detection for people who are ready to die anyway. The others are no real threat.
They should re-train all those TSA people and use them to build roads, green technology and to drive electric busses in public transport. Now that would be a resourceful use of public money. I find it actually insulting that not only am I subjected to inefficient and humiliating security, but also I am forced to pay for it in addition to my taxes which already co-sponsor this non-sense.