Fun Two Day Trip

Before hitting the TSA checkpoint, I empty all my pockets and put the contents inside my bag. Before getting on the plane, bought a cup of coffee and discovered my keys, still in my pocket. Had the same thing recently occur with a couple dollars worth of change at Ft Meyers. Good to know TSA is on top of their game.

Getting on a flight to Las Vegas via Phoenix some jerk tried to put his oversized bag sideways over the row I was to sit in. Called him on it; told him to move his bag. He said something about no space where he was sitting. Told him I didn’t care; I paid for my ticket same as him. He moved the bag.

Flying to Phoenix was interesting as the aspen are turning colors. Quite a sight from 29,000 feet.

Exiting the restroom at Phoenix, the man with the bag was waiting for me. Started running his mouth. I stepped away from my carryon, extended my hands palm up, and made a “come on” motion with my fingers. Turns out he was all mouth and decided he had other places to be.

Must have been a spectacle; two senior citizens chest puffing in the entryway to an airport restroom. To hell with these jerks that think the world revolves around them. The airline employees won’t do much about the carryon problem because they know their management won’t back them up.

Later, talking to youngest son, he pointed out the man probably steamed the whole two hours from Denver. Bet the outcome to his confrontation with me didn’t go the way he envisioned. Probably steamed the rest of the day. Being the perverse asshole I am, I rather enjoyed the rest of my day.

My boss goes to Expedia and buys the cheapest flight possible. I don’t care, I get paid whether I’m in an airplane, sitting at a terminal, or driving a vehicle. The company isn’t getting paid if wheels aren’t turning on the test vehicles. Not my problem, but old management habits are hard to discard.

Nice drive from Las Vegas to Denver. Tourist season is over as is a lot of construction. Did earn my pay nursing the vehicle. Pre production stuff isn’t always reliable. Guess that is why the manufacturers test them.

TSA Scanner Backlash?

Since January, none of the TSA checkpoints I've been seem through have had the scanners in use (mainly Denver and Las Vegas). Seems the back scatter systems slow down the lines. Wonder if TSA is becoming more sensitive to the public? Nah! Probably a pain for the TSA employees; they don't want the extra work.

TSA - Not Giving Up

Seems the TSA controversy is calming down. I'm not giving up. I've flown on Delta (my employer hates me) four times in four weeks. Each time I've filed a complaint. Here is one of their responses. I found it interesting another persons name also appeared, as an error, so I'm not alone. Do any of you think this does any good? A better way to protest?

Dear Mr.

RE: Case Number

Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the service. On behalf of
everyone at Delta Air Lines, I sincerely apologize with the
disappointment with the new Advanced Imaging Technology.

I sincerely regret your disappointment with the new Advanced Imaging
Technology (AIT) also commonly referred to as full body scanner
technology. As you may know, this system produces images of the body in
order to detect potential threats concealed underneath passengers'
clothing that could have possibly gone undetected with the current
method.

Please know I recognize your frustration and the inconvenience caused by
the airport security process. These procedures are conducted by the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and are required by federal
law. We realize the inconvenience that security requirements impose upon
our passengers, and we will continue to work with the TSA to minimize
the inconvenience to our passengers while at the same time maintaining
passenger security.

Nevertheless, I hope you will understand that safety remains the first
and foremost priority for all airlines and government agencies; I want
to ensure you it is also the guide for our day-to-day operations. While
federal regulations prohibit us from discussing the criteria used for
security decisions and we acknowledge they may be invasive and
disruptive, they serve to make flying safer for everyone. We understand
that some requirements may make it difficult for passengers to travel
and it may require them to make a decision on whether it is in their
best interest to utilize air travel. While we are sorry that it may
require some passengers not travel by air, we follow all directives
handed down to us from the higher authorities.

You may access the TSA web site, www.tsa.gov/public/, to obtain
additional information regarding security checks, TSA employee issues,
or with questions regarding missing or damaged items at a security check
point. For passengers without internet access, you may call or write the
TSA as follows.

Telephone: 1-866-289-9673
Write to: Transportation Security Administration
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 22202-4220

M _(not me), I hope I have been able to resolve any concerns you have
about our service. As a valued customer, your business is important to
us and given the opportunity of serving you in the future, I am
confident Delta will not only meet but exceed your expectations.

Sincerely,

Aosta M. D'Souza
Coordinator, Customer Care
Delta Air Lines/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Original Message Follows: ------------------------

Delta Air Lines Customer Care Form


Message: This is a continued complaint about TSA procedures. I will
continue to fly when my employer requires air travel. I will not fly for
my own travels. It is in the airlines interest to force change in the
TSA procedures.

Submitted: Sun Dec 12 2010 13:16:14 MST

TSA Second Thoughts

Quick trip to Detroit yesterday and back this morning. At DIA, they had both the scanners and the metal detectors in use. I opted for the detector line. Using my bumbling “just fell off the turnip truck” persona (Yeah, friends and family; not hard for me to do, yada, yada, yada) was able to engage three TSA Screeners in conversation. They rather enjoyed educating my dumb ass. Two things I picked up were, one; they believe they are keeping everyone safe and, two; the heat is on about the pat downs and they expect something to “come down from up above”. Attitude was about what I remember from MPs circa 1960’s. Didn’t see anyone being frisked.

At DTW this morning, the security check point I went through had both types of scanners. The full body type were turned off and the TSA people were using them for leaning posts.

My youngest is on his way home from Afghanistan this morning for two week R&R. This has provoked some contrarian thinking on my part. (or just being contrary; take your pick)

We have our troops out in shit holes around the world keeping the fanatics pushed back from our shores and too off balanced to do us major harm. Their daily lives make the few minutes of discomfort going through security trivial. I can hear my old First Sergeant saying, “You have all been drafted into the War on Terror. Quit your bitching”!

This isn’t as defense of TSA. That organization should be terminated and replaced with something else. Maybe contract it out to El Al. They seem to know what they are doing.

TSA Searches and Groping

The blogsphere is buzzing with opinions about security procedures, enhanced body pat downs, etc.

The TSA flaks are at full throttle defending their agency.

We haven’t heard from the rank and file TSAers, the ones who will actually do the searches. Anyone have links to their blogs? Can’t imagine there aren’t a few. I suspect the TSA people aren’t thrilled by all this .

All of us travelers need to remember these are people doing a job, probably need that job, and must be keenly aware many of their fellow citizens thinks less than highly of them and their work. (Myself among them)

Lets remember who the asshats really are. GS-8 and above?