New TSA Blog Fields Complaints About Airport Security

I had purchased a TSA combination lock of which I understand the TSA has a key to open it. mine was broken off and along with it the handles on the zipper were also broken off so now my large suitcase is no good to me. Can someone give me an answer for this situation.

maybe things would go smoother if the people at the security checkpoints werent so ignorant to passengers. if they hate thier jobs that much maybe thier in the wrong line of work

Considering the pressures of security and the pressures of working with a stressed out public, I think those working with TSA are doing a good job with little rewards. How about giving the next TSA worker a compliment, knowing he is following the rules you may not like just so you will be safe. I worked security at the airport 30 years ago, the pressure and the sheer size of flyers have grown ten times what I experienced. Reward those who do an excellent job, treat them to free flyers miles like others who handle baggage, and it would be real nice if they did not have to pay to park at the airport they work at.

The worst time I had w/TSA was in the Providence RI airport about 18 mths ago. They told me that it was the way I was dressed that promted an additional search, which they dumped out my purse and had me completely in tears. This was a power trip for these two TSA agents. I am a business owner and alot of other people in the airport that day where dressed worse then myself. I think that its a shame that people can get away with this behavior-and whom do you complain to Oh yea, TSA-great job! Now I fly into Boston instead.

It's difficult to understand the millions wasted on us senior citizens with total knees and total hips who ALWAYS trip the sensors, and ALWAYS have to go through the indignity of standing there spread eagled to be wanded and patted down.

There ought to be something one could do.... say, after the first 5 of these, get an "I'm not a terrorist" card.

There is an attitude by the TSA that permeates the security procedures. Everyone is suspect and therefore should be treated as either we don't exist or the least amount of civility possible.

A specific example is taking off shoes. You stand there trying to juggle bags, coats and yourself to get the shoes on the conveyor belt. Once you get through there is no place, right next to the machines, to sit down and put your shoes on. It feels better taking a subway ride than going by plane these days.

I've flown literally hundreds of times before and after 9/11 and I've never seen anybody who even remotely seems like a terrorist. I've never been afraid of terrorists. I don't want to be protected. I want to be able to protect myself. The hassles aren't worth the so called "reward." They don't work anyway. I've inadvertantly carried a camping knife through airport security (my son asked me to hold it on our camping trip and I forgot it was there). I've also forgotten that I had a ten ounce flask of schnapps that made it through the very checkpoint that threw away my very expensive facial cream! I've been sitting next to others in the terminal laughing because they had the same thing! (interesting side note; I felt compelled to explain how I forgot I had these things and the circumstances surrounding the incidents. Am I paranoid or will they track down my whereabouts and arrest me. Perhaps my neighbors will denounce me as a non-patriot and I'll be detained without charges; if I sink in the river I'm not a witch and if I don't they'll burn me at the stake or even waterboard me!) Consider this; if you were a terrorist would you attack a plane load of rugged individualists with knives or a plane load of unarmed sheep-I mean passengers? I propose that we have another airline where there's fewer hassles and everybody is "issued" a six inch blade. I dare anybody to hijack that! We could call it "Wild West Express" and I guarantee it would be the safest way to fly! We've already established that current security if not safe.

Indy - Maybe if the security would have been as tough as it is now, on 9/11 we would not have lost our family members and friends. I can tell by your self expression you are a well educated person. If you are following the rules you can be through security checks in three minutes or less, that is if you can tie your own shoe-laces. Remember the security personel have to deal with hundreds of people like you each day!! They are there to protect YOU. If one of your famly were killed on a plane that blew up because of a bomb, you would be the fist one in line to sue the airlines for not having better security - Think about it!

I recently traveled alone with two grandchildren, 8 months and 2 yrs old. I had to put the large twin stroller, baby car seat, diaper bag, my purse, my shoes and the shoes on the 2 yr old on the belt. I finalyy get through the metal detector and they make me go out and take off the 8 month old baby little leather socks. Meanwhile, there are 4 2oz sealed water bottles in the diaper bag in the regulation 1 qt bag, and a 6 oz bottle of sun tan lotion. I did not pack the diaper bag, their mother did and I did not know this liquid was in the bag. However, the bag went through and never opened.
On the return trip a week later, it took 4 TSA agents to go through every article in this diaper bag as if I was smuggling drugs from Florida to Virgina!!! They could see I was JUGGLING two babies! They held up the bottle of pink baby sun tan lotion like "Gotcha". I travel somewhere in the world at least twice a month and this was really stupid.

I have MS and can only walk 10 steps or less and rely on my wheelchair. We fly every year and they make me get out of my wheelchair and shuffle thru the detector and won't let my traveling companion help me. Then I'm left standing alone with no cane, (they take that too)and no seat or anything to hold on to. Let me add I am 55 years old, gray haired and weigh 120 pounds. A big threat? I think not! Disabled need some consideration.

I fly very often and I agree with other comments that the TSA staff has a problem. Arrogance and improper treatment of flyers is very common. I fully understand the rules and conditions BUT that does not make it right for the treatment you get. The shoe thing is so much of a hazzle. I have a beard and 90% of the time I am picked to go through EXTRA security. I have seen the examiners chatting as bags slide through and also give you a hassle for NOTHING. Heaven forbid to ask them to put things back as you packed them as there is NO PLACE to do that once they have torn through your bag. Europe has it over us many times over.

rah-rah-Robin. It might be good for the employment industry but; Train these people in humanity, not just security. Which they are not very good at, either. We had quite a bit of security before the WTC was blown up. If they were doing their jobs . . . a plan that took years to implement would never have happened. Wake up USA.

Well, we need the security - but there are ways to treat people. This is the United States. First of all, if you jump out of bed and wear a bed sheet and tie your head up with a bath towel you should be deemed "suspecious" they spend more time letting these clowns through and more time hassling peoples grandparent's. I am all for racial profiling - if it walks like a duck, quacks, like a duck... Wouldn't a return of common sense be refreshing?

TSA in Atlanta has opened my Suitcase 7 times on the Tarmac "IN THE RAIN." They leave their 3x8 Inch Calling Card. They were responsible for opening my suitcase every time. The Problem is the JackAsses Opened my Suitcase on 3 Occassions IN THE RAIN..! My suitcase was left open long enough for the contents to get a really good drenching. When I open my suitcase later, The Colors In My Clothes Had Bled Together Onto Other Clothes, Permantetly Ruining About 9 Garmets Total...I don't mind them checking, if only the Idiotss would use Common Sense & NOT OPEN THEM IN THE POURING ATLANTA RAIN...!

Security and the shoe removal isn't so bad if you check all your bags. Why is it that so many people hate baggage check? Instead, they fumble and rassle those "carry-ons" through security, with their lap top, winter coats, purses, little baggies with items they just had to carry on with them, like their perfume, and then try and find a few chairs to occupy to replace the shoes. I know airlines can loose luggage, but really.....I stopped carrying anything I wasn't going to absolutely need. When I get to the check point, I remove my shoes, lay my purse in a box and walk through. I try to wear easy on shoes too. I travel a lot, and am more than willing to be screened as necessary if it saves someone's life. Never forget 9/11.

I have been trying for 10 minutes to add a comment. Either there's no place to input comments, or it takes me to a page that says "URL Not Found." Not very consumer-friendly--just like the TSA people at our airport.

maybe TSA would be respected more if they stopped stealing from the passengers. Giving them a right to search passengers luggage randomly is not a right to steal their possessions. And then they have the nerve to say they won't be held accountable for stolen property. I had my perfume spilled all over my clothes and everything was strown about. in my bag there was a note that said my bag had been searched. The nerve of those pricks. And maybe if they didn't hire a bunch of ghetto brats who just got out of jail, who look like crack heads, wera hair weaves and have nine inch fingernails they would be taken more seriously.

VAN ZANT ROCKS, all TSA Atlanta bag search areas are done in doors and on camera. Someone from your airline was going through your bag OUTSIDE.

it would help if they understood ENGLISH

For all you winers: If you can't do your part of the security equation (packing your bag correctly/no prohibited items; being prepared to go thru the checkpoint; again, carrying no prohibited items), then DON'T FLY you idiots! Use Amtrack, go on Greyhound, or take a ship. For Christ's sake quit being so ignorant AND arrogant! Be responsible for yourself and your actions for a change.