Saturday, December 31, 2016

Every time I travel by air

There is a different set of rules at the TSA "checkpoint" in every airport.

Inconsistent.

For many years, the rules were that you HAD TO pull your laptop out of the bag because "we can't see through it otherwise". ..Which, while I found to be doubtful, (scanning technology being what it is and all) was, at least, consistent.

Friday, I travelled through Midway, and they yelled at all of us that were taking our laptops out of our bags to put in a separate bin.

"No need" they said. "Stop wasting time"....And they were RUDE about it. Plus, "shoes stay on". Even boots.

Same scanner, same personnel, just a different rule for a different day. So were they being safer at MDW before, or just lazy last Friday? And no "Perv-O-Scanner" either..... Just the magnetometer.

Now Dallas Love today?? Yerah, they had it cranked up to 11. But the dude that was telling folks what to do had such a strong "Island" accent that no one could understand what he was saying. Which led to a LOT of frustrations. There, I had to take my Laptop out and Place It In a Separate Bin..."Because we can't see through it in your bag". At least at DAL, they were pleasant. And, for TSA, efficient.

Of course, on Friday, the TSA at MDW decided to confiscate MC's Tactical Pen, because, even though it is okayed under TSA rules, it was shiny or something. They've let her fly with it 8 times that I know of previously, but on Friday, it was verboten. She even pointed out that it was ok under TSA rules, but was informed that the folks in the field can override rules. I thought she was gonna get arrested, (actually, I thought she was gonna wipe the smirk of of the TSA supervisor's face) and I pulled her away.

If Trump pulls funding for the TSA, I will support him 100%. Hell, I'd support raising the requirements to speaking good english and having to be able to read and write and speak on an 8th grade level. Did you know that having a High School diploma or GED is NOT a requirement for TSA personnel?




4 comments:

Borepatch said...

I used to love flying. Can't stand it now.

og said...

You were probably in the TSA precheck line. No shoes, no bag opening, etc.

B said...

No, I wasn't.... general line. Dude was yelling at all of us in all 5 lines.

Jester said...

I hate flying too for this reason. Yesterday I dropped my teenagers off in Denver and went though security with them to their final gate. They started to yell at both of my children about taking off their damned sweatshirts. Mind you I did not have to take mine off because mine was a pull over style. And very thick. Their very thin zipper style sweatshirts had to be removed. And the TSA agent also took offense when I said to calm down and stop yelling at my children. How in the hell are zipper style sweatshirts mandatory to remove where a pull over sweatshirt is not? And I'll not mention much other than I've gotten bladed instruments though on my carry on bags anyway.