The TSA is testing a new level of security screening at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and it requires you to take every electronic component out of your carry-on luggage and put it in a separate bin, reader John tells us. He writes:
“According to the TSA this is a new test program designed to speed up the screening of carry on-baggage…”
“…but, based on my observations, it’s not real clear on how this is going to speed things up as each bag had to be passed through the X-Ray, all of the electronics people forgot about removed and placed in a separate tray, then both the bag and the tray X-Rayed again.
The TSA could not explain how they thought this would speed things up but they seemed sure that this additional screening will make all of traveling lives much easier, “once everyone gets used to it.”
If this plan gets deployed nationally, travelers who like to bring a lot of gadgets on-board will have to put with the hassle or rethink their packing strategies..
(Photo: DevWalla)
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@Techguy1138: It would not be anarchy. Nobody seems to care that we have to take off our coats, shoes, throw away bottled water, etc. We’re too compliant. It would be nice if we’d revolt…
I guess the TSAs ultimate goal is that no one goes anywhere. Just make it so inconvenient that we all jus stay home.
@finite_elephant: Nice.
@jrstren: That’s what they did pre-9/11 at the now Bob Hope Burbank Airport.
@Brad2723:
Brad, I’ve got to disagree with you. These TSA regulations do make everyone safer…everyone knows that terrorists hate standing in long lines.
@Canadian Impostor: That made me laugh. TSA thinking things out will solve everything. Remember TSA hires people who would normally be working at McDonalds. A monkey would give a TSA worker a run for his/her money in ability to follow simple regulations.
@Landru: Nah, we’ll just take the train, or drive. Airlines will become only long-haul carriers. Then we’ll have fewer people in lines, and everything will balance out.
Good god, I can’t wait for this to happen. I am going to just love traveling for business! They won’t have enough trays in the place for all of the electronics I have to take…
…and with all of this, didnt a recent story state that TSA is missing upwards of 70% of “suspicious items” when they were tested at LAX and over 50% missed as a national average?
Its funny what people will give up for a percieved sense of security.
Oh, since this is a TSA post I have a question for those who fly. Has anyone noticed TSA employees are not properly checking IDs?
Sometimes I see workers actually talking with each other and skimming the ID. This has occurred several times at Reagan airport in the old wing. There you have two employees about 3 feet apart sitting there while customers pass. Usually they are just talking to each other and look pissed when you hand them your ID.
Does anyone know which airports do this? So far I’ve seen St. Louis, Hartford CT, Cincinnati mentioned. I travel with too many electronics to possibly go through this mess. Let’s see:
Laptop, scanner, PDA, router, cell phone, cell/PDA charger, AA battery charger, AA battery->Cell charger, AA batteries, digital camera(s), VoIP adapter, MP3 player, headphones, voice recorder, cordless phone + base, power supplies for all of those.
Yes, my carry-on case has all of that, neatly arranged into specific spaces and compartments.
I’ve said it before, but now I’m dead serious — how to we get rid of the TSA?
As it stands now, the TSA is making air travel even more unsafe by pissing off passengers who are already pissed off about the airport delays & airline mistreatment. We’ve seen plenty of passenger-goes-apeshit stories in recent years since the TSA was created. They’re not doing any actual security, as cargo and supplies are 100% unscreened. Very simple to slip into the secure area and then gain entry to the airport gate/plane from there.
I don’t see what good they’ve done other than employ the otherwise unemployable. If we really need to employ these people, there’s plenty of graffiti to be painted, grass to be mowed, trash to be picked up around the country. Or hell, roads to build! Bring back the WPA if we really need to employ this many people and give them something PRODUCTIVE to do.
This is the new Doublespeak America, where slow is fast, freedom is tyranny, and safety is theater.
@taney71: I guess TPA is making up for this. They check your ID + boarding pass when you try to go to the terminal, then again at the front of the security line, then again when you go through X-ray, then again at the gate. Give me a break, fake IDs were a favorite pastime and money make for us in high school, and we didn’t have the great computer equipment which exists today. My fake ID looked more real than my actual driver’s license back then.
@taney71: I don’t know about the TSA, but United certainly didn’t seem to follow procedure when I checked in last time. I wasn’t allowed to check in online, I called United they said I needed to check in at the airport and have them check my ID and credit card (I think it might have been because I used a $100 coupon from someone else, and then paid the rest with my credit card). So I check in at the airport and they never check my credit card. I asked them why I wasn’t allowed to check in online and she responds, “Oh yeah, I should have checked your credit card. Ok have a nice flight.”
Sounds like it’s completely conceived from the point of view of TSA. “Speed up” just means easier for them. It will slow things down for actual people.
@Nakko: “The peasants are revolting!”
can we fire tsa?
I’m not siding with TSA (They are morons and completely uselss), but I can’t sympathize with those who make traveling that much harder on themselves. I mean let’s face it, airport security is getting more and more ridiculus, so instead of trying to packing a bunch of electronics and miscellaneous items with you, you should only take what you really really need. You should also wear slip on shoes, and outter wear that’s easy to take on and off.
@jinjin1080: I am taking ONLY what I need. Some of us travel for BUSINESS and must WORK when on the road. Sure, I have a few offices where I can leave some equipment or use theirs, but more often than not, I’m on own.
I’m wondering when this went into effect at CVG. I just flew out of there on Monday and was instructed to put all electronics IN my carry on to expedite.
Only thing I had to remove was my shoes and laptop (and later my deodorant, we know what a threat to national security BO can be)
I actually had the misfortune of flying out of Dulles this thursday, early enough that the crowds were mostly still asleep. Lucky me.
It seems screeners there were receiving the training in the above-mentioned process as I was made to do exactly what article says.
At first, I thought they wanted laptop in one bin, all other electronics in one. But no… screener was actually so anal he had me place -every- electronic component in its own bin. Now, between being a geek and an IT tech on a business trip, here’s how the thing looked in the end:
Bin 1 : Wallet, belt, watch, ziploc bag of hygiene.
Bin 2 : Laptop.
Bin 3 : Spare battery for laptop.
Bin 4 : Charger for laptop.
Bin 5 : MP3 player.
Bin 6 : Cellphone.
Bin 7 : E-book reader.
Bins 8-14 : Various electronic tools and test devices (some of them as small as a box of matches, each in its own bin).
Bin 15 : CDs. (Screener declared them electronics).
Bin 16 : Box of Flash Cards.
And no… as god-awful as it says, it is as it was. It took me 20 min to get through the screening – and there was no-one in front of me when I got there. I politely expressed my opinion about the new screening and was cheerfully told that “Oh, we’re just testing the possible new method – don’t think it’ll be implemented, personally”. At that point I asked why was I not informed I was being their hamster and was informed that “You were directed to this screening line because screener saw you have more than an hour ’till your flight.”
That, obivously, was all the justification they needed to harass me early in the bloody morning…
This wouldn’t be such a problem if the load was spread out (thus less people in the security line and more time to arrange all their stuff). Big international flights shouldn’t all be concentrated at the same few airports- how about the Midwest or the South instead?
Anyway- yes, this is dumb. Even China’s better about this.
There is no point in protesting about the constitution – or the bill of rights, that isn’t how your administration works.
Write to Steve Jobs or your mobile phone provider. If you remember, after the “shoe bomber” incident, lighters and matches were banned from planes.
It took the tobacco industry no time to persuade Homeland Security, that just one lighter or two books of matches weren’t enough to ignite anything of significance.
This is nothing new, when I flew back to the states on R&R in SEPT into ATL we had to take out all the electronics into a special bin.
My only problem is that TSA employee’s do not follow their own policies. If you go to TSA’s webpage it shows the updated list of what is approved for carry-on, checked and non-approved. I would think that a list would be posted up against the machine so that TSA personnel could reference it instead of enforcing old policies that are no longer valid or just making up policies.
Last time I flew into ATL from overseas, we basically stripped down to just top and bottom’s in the terminal and it took forever to process though.
Wow. If this ever goes into effect, people will need to start showing up at the airport the day BEFORE their flight, just to have a fighting chance of getting on a plane. I would fill at least twenty bins with the electronics in my standard carry-on, assuming chargers and their devices are counted separately. I don’t think I’m particularly unique, either. I have a co-worker who could fill a dozen bins JUST with the cellphones and accessories he brings with him on ever trip.
It really does feel like TSA is just making baby steps towards an eventual goal of completely banning all carry-on luggage. The terrorists hate us for our freedom, so let’s get rid of freedom, and we’ll win!
They already do it at Philadelphia’s airport. It’s a giant time waster as I had several bins, and end up holding the line up while I repack all my gear to my liking. They weren’t to happy I was taking my time, but if the stuff isn’t packed right it could get broken… will they pay me for that?
I also had to go through the same crap coming back from Orlando’s airport on the return trip…
I think someone got bored and had to create a new rule to make everyone think he’s doing something.
Do they have a separate bin where we can put our indignation at this bullshit?
I’ve already ranted against this jackbooted Fatherland security shit, but it’s not helping.
Soon they will stop you IN YOUR CAR at state borders in the name of ‘security’ and the Unaware Sheep of America will collectively say “Well it’s for OUR OWN GOOD”
Today’s latest terrorist threat: The Mile High Club… [www.wftv.com]
@Brad2723: I’m in more danger from my eye doctor then from terrorists.
@Rusted: sad, but VERY true. While I do think border security (as in US/CDN, US/MX) is highly important, $34B could provide an awful lot of healthcare for those who can’t afford it.
I am a TSA Screener and I am hard pressed to understand why passengers are so upset by taking five minutes of their “precious” time to remove some of the many items they crammed into their carry on bag. We don’t ask them to remove these items just to upset them, we ask them to do this so that our X-ray operator can see a clear view of all the items they are bringing with them.
As far as the consitency between the airports go, we have Federal Operating Procedures as well as airport specific operating procedures. It may seem “inconsistent” to the general public but I assure you we have good reasons to do things the way we do.
We as screeners are not out to belittle or harass the flying public, our job is to make sure that you have a safe flight. We cannot distinguish between age, race, sex, or religious preference, in our eyes any man, woman, or child could pose a possible threat. Our job is to protect our country from foreign and home-grown terrorists.
Before your next flight I suggest you call the TSA Contact Center if you have any questions or concerns about Travel Tips (including what needs to be removed from carry on luggage), Permitted and Prohibited Items, or if you need information on filing a claim for lost, stolen or damaged items.
Phone: 1-866-289-9673 toll-free
E-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov
Wow. So I just got back from a firewall installation in San Diego. I took two laptops, two 2.5 inch external hard drives, an Ipod, a Bluetooth GPS, a Bluetooth stereo headset, assorted chargers, assorted cables, wired earbuds, my Cingular 8525 cellphone, several USB thumb drives. and more in my carry-on backpack.
As it is, I had three trays, my backpack and a carry-on bag to go through. How exactly long would that train be and what exactly is the definition of electronics I have to take out? This will take more time for them to bitch to all the people who have no clue what has to come out and what doesn’t and back up the line to remove things.
I can tell you, I won’t change things one whit either – I will make sure that going through that security line is just as hellish an experience for the screeners as it is for me if they put this in place.
Positively moronic, but I expect nothing less from the TSA at this point.
While this will suck, we have to remember that big brother is watching (althought I’m not sure if it’d bacuse of Bin Ladin, or Bush)…
Where is the 12 items or less line… I won’t be in it:
Laptop1, Laptop2, Cellphone, Bluetooth headset, RSA Token, IPOD, Charger(AC), Charger(DC), GPS, Camera, USB Key, Bose Headsphones
Wait, I do qualify… But I’m sure they will take my mail clippers…
Simple answer: don’t fly. TSA don’t want you to. GWB don’t want you to. Global warming don’t want you to. Stay home. Get some dude in San Diego already to install the firewall – there’s some smart guys over there. (Yeah, yeah, nobody else can do it, ya hafta fly, no alternative, yadda yadda. There *is* an alternative.)
@yg17: I live in STL and fly Southwest. I only have to put my laptop, if I brought it with me, in another bin.
@humphrmi: Oh, gee, I’ll buy a ticket right now for that high-speed rail line from STL to Miami. Yeah.
oh, wait, it DOESN’T EXIST.
@jinjin1080: What, do you think this is the dark ages? We use electronics. For everything. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should know this.
If you want to live where no one uses electronics, feel free to move to the middle of nowhere in Africa.
Somebody should tell the TSA that knives and guns are not electronic devices, and nobody’s ever hijacked a plane with an iPod.
More TSA faux-security? I’m shocked! I’m surprised they haven’t yet adopted DHS-style alert levels to keep travellers guessing because their implementation of “security” is entirely inconsistent and ineffective.
Next initiative – mandatory shower caps to prevent hair-bombs. Or, fliers must go thru security in jockstraps only to be totally secure and easily facilitate cavity searches. Heh. Jockstraps.
@TsaScreener: Consumerist, what the hell is this?
@TSASCREENER: Sorry, but your explanation is total hogshit. I fly
regularly, both around the US and internationally, and guess what –
there is ZERO consistency from airport to airport. None. If I flew out
of three airports next week, I guarantee you that while security at one
or two of them would ask me to remove my shoes, the other one or two
would not. Ditto for sorting my electronic devices for a “clear view”.
I have been instructed to remove my (analog) watch on occasion, and
I’ve strolled on through the detectors with it securely and obviously
on my wrist. Hat? It’s been x-rayed, it’s been left on my head, it’s
been looked under. Hell, I just walked through security a couple of
months ago having accidentally carried several items containing
substantially more than the TSA-approved 3 ounces of liquid, and no one
said a thing to me — meanwhile, there’s a garbage can (well within my
reach, I might add) filled to the brim with other people’s confiscated
shampoos, lotions, etcetera. Bang up job the TSA is doing, chief.
I’ve been berated by a security screener who was demanding that I
take off my belt (as in, they loudly and repeatedly shouted “take off
your belt! Your belt, take it off! YOUR BELT!”) — until I held it up
and waved it at her, having taken it off five minuted before while I
was waiting in the interminable and incomprehensibly-organized line.
Or, of course, there is the experience I had wherein I was asked to put
all my various items and devices in separate bins — and then CARRY
THEM MYSELF the 20 feet or so to the x-ray machines. When one has six
or eight individual bins to carry, how — pray tell — is one to do
this?
Why are we passengers upset at giving up “five minutes” (yeah, right
– if we’re lucky) for security screening? Maybe it’s because the
screeners are invariably surly and rude, not paying attention,
constantly barking at the passengers with their rote, vague, arcane
instructions which utterly contradict the rules as they had been
explained to them just days before at another airport? Or maybe it’s
because we’re aware that every time one of us at the head of the line
is subjected to some particularly elaborate form of screening, it means
everyone behind us has just had their own screening process lengthened
by an additional “five minutes”.
Or maybe it’s because we all know it’s bullshit.
Any person with a modicum of intelligence could hijack a plane using
ONLY the items approved by the TSA, without a single pocket knife, nail
clipper, or full size bottle of Pert fucking Plus. If one were so
inclined, it would be pretty goddamned easy to stab someone with a pen,
a piece of plastic silverware, or god-knows-what-else you can find with
no difficulty whatsoever on a passenger plane. What about glass? Last I
checked, I can take an empty bottle, vase or whatever on any plane, no
questions asked. All I have to do is break it, and I have a variety of
deadly weapons for me and however many people I’m flying with. Bet i
can take fishing weights — it’d be pretty easy to brain somebody with
one of those. And for that matter, all these electronic devices are
allowed on any plane in the world — why? Each one is a veritable
cornucopia of potentially lethal components; I just heard it’s easy to
turn a disposable camera into a taser using nothing but rubber bands
and a small length of wire — I’m betting all those parts are A-OK as
far as the TSA is concerned.
So the next time you whine to a co-worker (or worse, a message
board) about these ingrate passengers not wanting to have their bags
full of Disneyland souvenirs scrutinized for pipe bombs, I suggest you
remind yourself that what you do is about 10% effective, and about 90%
for show. Travellers are a major backbone of the US economy, and as
such they deserve some dignity and respect, ALONG with their safety.
Until they receive it, I suggest you quit patting yourself on the back
and talk to your superiors about how to actually make this process work.