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> The end result, is the airlines have no desire to improve the process. That is not entirely true. Delta have spent money to improve the TSA process in Atlant

by knz 10y ago

> The end result, is the airlines have no desire to improve the process. That is not entirely true. Delta have spent money to improve the TSA process in Atlanta (I believe mostly by adding automation and more areas for people to unload their belongings) and have also spent money at other airports to relieve TSA congestion. I work for an airport and have heard many times that the airlines have considerable frustration with the process - it's not uncommon to hear people say that they would rather drive than fly due to the hassle of security. Airlines are usually very aware of lost revenue due to these kinds of factors. I completely agree re where the blame lays.... my understanding is that the TSA have actually asked for additional funding to have more staff on the lines but Congress has denied this. The TSA is not actually a requirement either - airports can run their own security but my understanding is that they would still require TSA oversight so any cost savings are negligible.

gcb0 10y ago
I will only fly my 1h fligth if I am alone. if I have others with me, I always try to convince everyone to drive 6h each way instead.
notheguyouthink 10y ago
> my understanding is that the TSA have actually asked for additional funding to have more staff on the lines but Congress has denied this. This wouldn't help my complaint, fwiw. My complaint isn't the lines.. i experience long lines all the time, i'm used to it. My problem is this feeling like suddenly, we're all criminals. We're cattle, on the verge of being violated, and all it will take is a sneeze or an awkward look.[1] To me, they are like "bad cops". You can meet a good cop and even if you did wrong (speeding ticket/etc), you feel comfortable and at ease (hopefully) around his/her professional attitude and behavior. The bad cops though, they just have this aura of unwarranted power, and you just hope they don't desire to spend some of it on you. That is TSA in the majority of cases to me. The line isn't the problem for me. [1]: edit, this isn't true of course, but it's how i feel.
- ZanyProgrammer 10y ago
  The TSA is the closest I've felt like basic training since I've left the military.
cmurf 10y ago
All of Congress no doubt use PreCheck or Clear or equivalent to spend as little time as possible in lines. If it were a level playing field, rather than thinking it's valid to buy trust as if it's a product to sell, I'm convinced we'd see improvements however incremental.
GrinningFool 10y ago
> Airlines are usually very aware of lost revenue due to these kinds of factors Good to know. My own point at which airlines are worth the hassle has increased from a 6 hour one-way drive to 14 since the security "improvements" began. Which means that I'm regularly spending ~6-8 additional hours on the road simply to avoid an ~2 hours of airport security unpleasantness[1]. Driving > 6hrs generally costs more too. And it's still worth it to avoid the security process. [1] even better - once through security I can look forward to a cramped, unpleasant experience for the duration of the flight (6'2" guarantees miserable - the $20/inch of legroom option notwithstanding).

by knz 10y ago

gcb0 10y ago

I will only fly my 1h fligth if I am alone. if I have others with me, I always try to convince everyone to drive 6h each way instead.

notheguyouthink 10y ago

> my understanding is that the TSA have actually asked for additional funding to have more staff on the lines but Congress has denied this. This wouldn't help my complaint, fwiw. My complaint isn't the lines.. i experience long lines all the time, i'm used to it. My problem is this feeling like suddenly, we're all criminals. We're cattle, on the verge of being violated, and all it will take is a sneeze or an awkward look.[1] To me, they are like "bad cops". You can meet a good cop and even if you did wrong (speeding ticket/etc), you feel comfortable and at ease (hopefully) around his/her professional attitude and behavior. The bad cops though, they just have this aura of unwarranted power, and you just hope they don't desire to spend some of it on you. That is TSA in the majority of cases to me. The line isn't the problem for me. [1]: edit, this isn't true of course, but it's how i feel.

ZanyProgrammer 10y ago
The TSA is the closest I've felt like basic training since I've left the military.

cmurf 10y ago

All of Congress no doubt use PreCheck or Clear or equivalent to spend as little time as possible in lines. If it were a level playing field, rather than thinking it's valid to buy trust as if it's a product to sell, I'm convinced we'd see improvements however incremental.

GrinningFool 10y ago

> Airlines are usually very aware of lost revenue due to these kinds of factors Good to know. My own point at which airlines are worth the hassle has increased from a 6 hour one-way drive to 14 since the security "improvements" began. Which means that I'm regularly spending ~6-8 additional hours on the road simply to avoid an ~2 hours of airport security unpleasantness[1]. Driving > 6hrs generally costs more too. And it's still worth it to avoid the security process. [1] even better - once through security I can look forward to a cramped, unpleasant experience for the duration of the flight (6'2" guarantees miserable - the $20/inch of legroom option notwithstanding).