TSA blames you for longer lines at airport security checkpoints

Published on 05-16-2016 05:16 PM

http://nbc4i.com/2016/05/13/tsa-blam...y-checkpoints/

By NBC4 Staff and Associated Press Published: May 13, 2016, 2:48 pm Updated: May 16, 2016, 5:36 pm

WASHINGTON (WCMH/AP) — Facing a growing backlash over extremely long airport security lines, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Friday asked fliers “to be patient” as the government takes steps to get them onto planes more quickly.

Travelers across the country have endured lengthy lines, some snaking up and down escalators, or through food courts, and into terminal lobbies. At some airports, lines during peak hours have topped 90 minutes. Airlines have reported holding planes at gates to wait for passengers to clear security.

Johnson said the government has a plan to deal with the lines but won’t neglect its duty to stop terrorists.

“Our job is to keep the American people safe,” Johnson told reporters at a news conference. “We’re not going to compromise aviation security in the face of this.”

77 Comments

donnay - 05-16-2016, 07:07 PM
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We heard the airport security lines were getting pretty long but this is ridiculous. . . dead body goes through X-Ray machine

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...y-machine.html

TheTexan - 05-16-2016, 07:35 PM
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Well it's certainly not the TSA's fault, they hire only this country's best & brightest

Danke - 05-16-2016, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by donnay

We heard the airport security lines were getting pretty long but this is ridiculous. . . dead body goes through X-Ray machine

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...y-machine.html

They made a joke about deadheading. I don't appreciate that, I deadheaded last Friday and I don't look anything like that.

Origanalist - 05-16-2016, 09:30 PM
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They can't blame me. I won't fly, hell, I won't even ride a ferry anymore. They drag their stinking sniff dogs right down the line of vehicles waiting to board. They can all eat $#@! and die as far as I'm concerned.

Danke - 05-16-2016, 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Origanalist

They can't blame me. I won't fly, hell, I won't even ride a ferry anymore. They drag their stinking sniff dogs right down the line of vehicles waiting to board. They can all eat $#@! and die as far as I'm concerned.

You stopped riding ferries? That is a start . Can you speak with AF?

Origanalist - 05-16-2016, 10:41 PM
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///

Zippyjuan - 05-16-2016, 11:39 PM
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Lines are longer why?

The Transportation Security Administration has fewer screeners and has tightened security procedures. Meanwhile, more people are flying.

Additionally, the agency loses about 100 screeners a week through attrition.

Zippyjuan - 05-16-2016, 11:44 PM
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http://fox8.com/2016/05/13/phoenix-s...-checked-bags/

Thousands of checked bags miss flights leaving Phoenix airport

PHOENIZ, Arizona — Flying out of Phoenix to head to a wedding or another special event?

You many not want to put your suit or nice dress in a checked bag.

After a screening glitch that lasted hours, there’s no telling when it will show up.

Thousands of checked bags piled up Thursday at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix after technical issues with computer servers prevented the Transportation Security Administration from using machines to screen the luggage.

As a result, more than 3,000 bags missed flights, said spokesman Nico Melendez of the TSA.

The baggage screening resumed late Thursday night and the systems were operational, CNN affiliate KPHO reported.

Agents are testing the systems overnight to ensure it’s ready for Friday flights, the affiliate said.

Many of the bags were stacked up in a parking lot while their owners went on to their destinations.

Before screening resumed, there were a lot of grumpy people at the airport.

“It’s frustrating, yes. I’m tired, tired as everybody else,” one passenger told CNN affiliate KNXV. “I thought if this had happened before maybe there would be a better system in place.”

Traveler Mindy McLarren told CNN affiliate KPHO that some bags were being checked by hand.

“It’s very stressful because I hope that everything that I packed is still in there after people have hand-checked it. And just that it gets there on time,” she said.

McLarren said she took things out of a bag to be checked and put them in her carry-on.

Alternative system

Before it was resolved Thursday night, the problem had gone on for hours, since 6:45 that morning, the TSA said.

Officers switched to an alternative system and brought in additional bomb-sniffing dogs as the bags kept coming. Later in the day, officials brought in tractor-trailers to take some of the bags to other airports.

Officials advised passengers to go to the airport early and to avoid checking bags when possible. Flights where leaving as scheduled.

This was Friday. I never check bags.

heavenlyboy34 - 05-16-2016, 11:56 PM
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Haven't travelled by air since the mid 90s, but still I hang my head in shame.

dannno - 05-17-2016, 01:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Danke

"Travelers across the country have endured lengthy lines, some snaking up and down escalators..."

How does one line up on an escalator?

I suppose with the "off" switch.

osan - 05-17-2016, 07:35 AM
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I recently spent a few days in NJ. Yes, I know.

I noticed that at EWR you no longer have to remove your shoes when going through security. So if they are not willing to compromise safety, then it would appear TSA has been lying to us since its inception when it forced us to remove our shoes, citing the dire safety factor, and so on. That, or they are lying to us now and are in fact willing to compromise safety.

Which is it?

EBounding - 05-17-2016, 08:14 AM
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Are they screening people before they come into the airport to stand in the cattle line? Looks like a much easier target than trying to get on and hijack a plane.

ghengis86 - 05-17-2016, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by osan

I recently spent a few days in NJ. Yes, I know.

I noticed that at EWR you no longer have to remove your shoes when going through security. So if they are not willing to compromise safety, then it would appear TSA has been lying to us since its inception when it forced us to remove our shoes, citing the dire safety factor, and so on. That, or they are lying to us now and are in fact willing to compromise safety.

Which is it?

Yes.

ghengis86 - 05-17-2016, 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by EBounding

Are they screening people before they come into the airport to stand in the cattle line? Looks like a much easier target than trying to get on and hijack a plane.

That's what I always thought. Hell, I thought that about the Brussels airport a few years back and looks like the turrist thought the same thing and went and did it.

kcchiefs6465 - 05-17-2016, 11:09 AM
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"If I were a Catholic, I'd have to go to Confession."- Jeh Johnson on the cruise missile Strike in Al Majalah that murdered some 21 children.

jbauer - 05-17-2016, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by euphemia

We travel pretty light. I got a free pre-check on my last solo trip. It was very convenient. I wouldn't pay for it, though.

My wife travels often. She says the precheck lines are typically longer and take longer then regular security.

Weston White - 05-18-2016, 12:20 AM
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Congratulations DHS and TSA you have managed to devise an environment for any willing "terrorist" to cause catastrophic damage on any countless number of holidays throughout the year--for "terrorists" no longer have a need to hijack aircraft, they can simply orchestrate a coordinated attack about the endless three-hour TSA screening lines.

...And realize that with every single unwarranted, demeaning, groping search; with each insulting, pointless interrogation; with each distortion of fact and reality; with each new ambiguous or ineffectual agency "rule"; with every baited ridicule directed towards those that question your agency's motives or purpose you are in-fact effecting the true motivation and goal of the "terrorists" you assert yourselves to be protecting your travelers from. Ergo, they no longer need to attack us--AMERICANS, they have got you doing that task just fine on their behalf.

Danke - 05-18-2016, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by jbauer

My wife travels often. She says the precheck lines are typically longer and take longer then regular security.

That has not been my experience

Danke - 05-18-2016, 12:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Weston White

Congratulations DHS and TSA you have managed to devise an environment for any willing "terrorist" to cause catastrophic damage on any countless number of holidays throughout the year--for "terrorists" no longer have a need to hijack aircraft, they can simply orchestrate a coordinated attack about the endless three-hour TSA screening lines.

...And realize that with every single unwarranted, demeaning, groping search; with each insulting, pointless interrogation; with each distortion of fact and reality; with each new ambiguous or ineffectual agency "rule"; with every baited ridicule directed towards those that question your agency's motives or purpose you are in-fact effecting the true motivation and goal of the "terrorists" you assert yourselves to be protecting your travelers from. Ergo, they no longer need to attack us--AMERICANS, they have got you doing that task just fine on their behalf.

They could also just go to a crowded mall or movie theater.

Weston White - 05-18-2016, 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Danke

They could also just go to a crowded mall or movie theater.

Would not be the same population density and it does not provide the same psychological impact or elicit the same irrationally heightened response in fear.