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As a "tulip" (opt-out), the forced trust is even worse. You're not even allowed to ask for a pat-down before your things are on the conveyor. I've tried. Usuall

by basseq 10y ago

As a "tulip" (opt-out), the forced trust is even worse. You're not even allowed to ask for a pat-down before your things are on the conveyor. I've tried. Usually the timing works out OK, but sometimes it doesn't. My most infuriating TSA experience was at MIA. I told them I was opting out, and they instructed me to put my things on the conveyor. I did so, then proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait. After 10 minutes, during which I repeatedly asked for a "male assist", I had to cave and go through the back-scatter machine because my possessions (laptop, wallet, phone) was sitting unattended on the other side. I'm very polite to TSA. That was an instance of blatant targeting, and you better believe my the end of those 10 minutes I was not polite. I did some consulting for TSA, and I'm pretty sure I was loudly speaking about "violating the agency's core strategic goal to facilitate legitimate trade and travel" while flipping the double-bird in the backscatter machine. True story. Surprised I wasn't pulled into a back room.

flatline 10y ago
> Surprised I wasn't pulled into a back room. For the most part, TSA aren't actual security or law enforcement personnel, they are closer in training and function to low-wage service employees that you would find in the hospitality and retail industries. I'd imagine they meet with this type of hostility with a mix of amusement, annoyance, and general "oh man I can't wait for my shift to be over". As long as the hostility isn't directed at them personally - and sometimes probably if it is- it's just another aspect of the job. The problem, of course, comes in when under-trained, undereducated TSA employees are expected to perform the actual functions of law enforcement. 99% of their security function is pulling bottles of water, toothpaste, and sunscreen from customers' bags, the other 1% is a crap shoot in terms of a competent reaction.
pavel_lishin 10y ago
I once saw a man take what I thought was my bag, and started yelling, "THAT MAN IS TAKING MY PROPERTY!" Everyone completely ignored me. I realized my mistake about 30 seconds later, but he could have just walked off with my things to disappear onto a plane with a few thousand dollars worth of hardware, my wallet, cellphone, and a spare pair of socks.

by basseq 10y ago

flatline 10y ago

> Surprised I wasn't pulled into a back room. For the most part, TSA aren't actual security or law enforcement personnel, they are closer in training and function to low-wage service employees that you would find in the hospitality and retail industries. I'd imagine they meet with this type of hostility with a mix of amusement, annoyance, and general "oh man I can't wait for my shift to be over". As long as the hostility isn't directed at them personally - and sometimes probably if it is- it's just another aspect of the job. The problem, of course, comes in when under-trained, undereducated TSA employees are expected to perform the actual functions of law enforcement. 99% of their security function is pulling bottles of water, toothpaste, and sunscreen from customers' bags, the other 1% is a crap shoot in terms of a competent reaction.

pavel_lishin 10y ago

I once saw a man take what I thought was my bag, and started yelling, "THAT MAN IS TAKING MY PROPERTY!" Everyone completely ignored me. I realized my mistake about 30 seconds later, but he could have just walked off with my things to disappear onto a plane with a few thousand dollars worth of hardware, my wallet, cellphone, and a spare pair of socks.