Was this a spite search?

Let's see,
1) traveling on short notice...
2)quick purchase of ticket..
3) hand carried luggage and not checked...

I know "profiling" is not to be done... but you fit all the alert tags..
and then nervous at the screening station... that's (4)

of course you got checked..

BT

"Anon" wrote in message
...


Until last month, I hadn't flown on an airliner for about 8 years.
Last month, however, my father was suddenly hospitalized and because
the weather was bad I decided to fly down via Delta instead of flying
my own plane as I usually do. In the line for the security screening
at the airport, the two gentlemen behind me were discussing what would
likely cause the walk-through metal detector to beep. One of them
said his belt buckle frequently sets it off. Well, my belt buckle has
a substantial amount of metal too. When I got to the screening area I
put my carry-on suitcase on the conveyor belt and put my pocket change
and keys into the plastic bucket. Remembering the belt buckle
conversation, I took my belt off and placed it into the bucket as
well. As I was placing it into the bucket the screening agent
(female) said, "Don't take off your belt." Well, the belt was
already off and in the bucket. Before I could do or say anything, she
called over the agent at the walk-through metal detector, gave him my
boarding pass, and mumbled something to him which I didn't quite make
out. As I passed through the metal detector, the agent already had
his arm up blocking my way and ushered me to the area for a wand
search. No, the walk-through metal detector didn't beep when I went
through. In your opinion, was this a "spite search" for daring to
disobey the first agent (the one who apparently ordered up the wand
search) or did my actions truly warrant a wand search?

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

You gotta remind yourself what type of people these are. Bottom of the
bucket on pay,

You have no idea what you're talking about. TSA guys make at least twice
what the old security people were making. Health insurance, 401K,
vacation(104 hours per year to start, 160 hrs after three years, 208 hrs
after 15 yrs) and sick leave(104 hrs per year and you never lose it). Like
any other federal employee.

Newps wrote:

You have no idea what you're talking about. TSA guys make at least twice
what the old security people were making. Health insurance, 401K,
vacation(104 hours per year to start, 160 hrs after three years, 208 hrs
after 15 yrs) and sick leave(104 hrs per year and you never lose it). Like
any other federal employee.

And even if they were just making four bucks an hour they have quite
the responsibility considering the repetitive and probably boring
aspects of the job that must be repeated thousands of times a day.

I mean how many times a day can someone stare at an x-ray screen of
someones carry on baggage or wave a wand up and down over a body
without your mind starting to go numb.

Are they not the first and last line of defense as to who gets on an
airplane and what they get to carry on with them.

Hi,

Recently, Anon posted:
(mostly snipped)

As I passed through the metal detector, the agent already had
his arm up blocking my way and ushered me to the area for a wand
search. No, the walk-through metal detector didn't beep when I went
through. In your opinion, was this a "spite search" for daring to
disobey the first agent (the one who apparently ordered up the wand
search) or did my actions truly warrant a wand search?

It was gross stupidity, and one of many reasons why "airline security" is
a bad joke. It would have made more sense for them to closely examine your
belt than you.

Regards,

Neil Gould

You gotta remind yourself what type of people these are. Bottom of the
bucket on pay, intelligence, and everything else. Now give these people a
job with absolute power, power far above what they have ever had before,
and
they will make sure, at every opportunity, to let you know who is in
charge
there.


I just haven't found this to be the case at all. I've found the TSA folks to
be far more professional and nicer than the McDonalds-rejects that did it
before. Before it seemed like about 75% of them were on that power trip
and they indeed didn't seem to be that sharp.

"David CL Francis" wrote in message
...
Intriguing, I had almost the opposite experience when visiting with
friends and going to see the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Security
there was airline check standard but taken even more seriously. Despite
my protestations that my belt had no metal in it, I was told in no
uncertain terms to remove it!

I was asked to put my shoes and my belt through the x-ray
machine at La Guardia. I looked puzzled and said "belt?"
and got a nod. "Oh, ok". In all the travelling I've done, this
was the first time I had to take my belt off to go through
airport security. Had to take it off a few times to go into Hindu
temples (some don't allow anything made from dead animal)
when I was in India, but never through airport security.

Paul

"OtisWinslow" wrote in message
news
I just haven't found this to be the case at all. I've found the TSA folks
to
be far more professional and nicer than the McDonalds-rejects that did it
before. Before it seemed like about 75% of them were on that power trip
and they indeed didn't seem to be that sharp.

As I understand it (??) they're the same people, and the old
McDonalds-reject are now the supervisors. ??

"Paul Sengupta" wrote in message
...
I was asked to put my shoes and my belt through the x-ray
machine at La Guardia. I looked puzzled and said "belt?"
and got a nod. "Oh, ok". In all the travelling I've done, this
was the first time I had to take my belt off to go through
airport security. Had to take it off a few times to go into Hindu
temples (some don't allow anything made from dead animal)
when I was in India, but never through airport security.

When I went to Australia, they asked me if I had a criminal record; I said
"I didn't think you still needed one to get in".

BADABUM!

"Tom Sixkiller" wrote in message
...

"Paul Sengupta" wrote in message
...
I was asked to put my shoes and my belt through the x-ray
machine at La Guardia. I looked puzzled and said "belt?"
and got a nod. "Oh, ok". In all the travelling I've done, this
was the first time I had to take my belt off to go through
airport security. Had to take it off a few times to go into Hindu
temples (some don't allow anything made from dead animal)
when I was in India, but never through airport security.

When I went to Australia, they asked me if I had a criminal record; I said
"I didn't think you still needed one to get in".

BADABUM!


That's good.
Thanks.
H.

"Shiver Me Timbers" wrote in message
...

And even if they were just making four bucks an hour they have quite
the responsibility considering the repetitive and probably boring
aspects of the job that must be repeated thousands of times a day.

I'll agree as to how boring it is. I wouldn't want the job. But these
people are making mid 30K, minimum. I suspect the average is mid 40's.


Are they not the first and last line of defense as to who gets on an
airplane

I'd say they are the middle line of defense. The airline personnel would be
the first.