I recently went to the TSA Precheck appointment with Idemia in Portland Maine.. The gentleman who I saw was very polite, patient and professional. He was pleasant and didn't get harried by the crowded waiting room. He did a great job, was quick and efficient. I was in and out in no time at all. Claudia Sienko read more

Thousands Standing Around. Taking Scissors Away. Tear Suitcase Apart. Tub Stacking Authority. Yes, the agency that travelers love to hate has a reviewable business on Yelp. So as a frequent customer of the TSA averaging about 1.8 encounters with them per week for the last ten years, I'm very entitled to give feedback. A few years ago, I applied for and after my identity was confirmed, I was granted a Known Traveler Number. This number goes in my airline profile and when I book tickets, it ensures that I've been just about 100% to get TSA Precheck on my boarding passes. It means that I get the less intrusive, shorter, faster, security queue where shoes stay on, liquids and laptops stay in their respective bags and I don't have to go through the irradiation machine. Sure, I get a random alert every so often where I refuse to go through the machine. And yes, the resulting patdown is an intimate encounter but radiation is cumulative and I avoid spending time in a booth that sprays it at me in a scientifically unproven manner. And then, there's this: I frequently travel with my firearm. Yes, I have a concealed carry permit that is valid where I go (and I don't bring my firearm with me to places where it's not permitted). It is surprisingly easy to travel with a firearm. It must be unloaded and in a locked, hard sided container to which only you have the key. You must declare it to the airline when you check your bag. Simply tell the gate agent "I would like to declare a firearm, please" in a quiet voice. You'll be asked to confirm the unloaded, locked, hard-sided box condition. You'll sign to confirm that and then it goes into your suitcase to fly in cargo. You claim it off the carousel at the other end. Easy pleasy and it's been that way at ORF PHL DCA ABE AVP BHM BNA DAB LAS XNA RAP MCO FLL PBI TPA IAD VPS and even gun-hating BWI. Dozens of times, never a problem. The *only* place that I've had a different experience is at CLT, where for some opaque reason, the TSA insists on wanting to open the locked box at the ticket counter and inspect the firearm. One of these days, they're going to do something stupid because Billy Bob just brought it back from a hunting trip and forgot to unload it. *Bang* and that will screw it up for some unlucky airport patron and then screw it up for the rest of us who do it right. Interesting writeup here: http://www.vox.com/2016/5/17/11687014/tsa-against-airport-security. The title is "The TSA is a waste of money that doesn't save lives and might actually cost them." Pros Well, there hasn't been another 9/11 in 15 years. Uh, they're really good at setting up rope lines? The wear snazzy uniforms that make you think that they're cops BUT THEY'RE NOT. Cons They literally hired people by advertising on pizza boxes. They have a 5% success rate at finding "bad" things found during testing. The biggest soft targets? A line of people queued for security screening because they're all unarmed. Reminder: The TSA is NOT a law enforcement agency and does not have law enforcement powers to arrest or detain. They must bring over an actual law enforcement officer to do that stuff. read more

Transportation Security Administration - "Until we meet resistance." - Public Services & Government Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Updated Review: Since my last review of the TSA, I've come to accept what happened because if I add up the number of negative experiences I've had with TSA, with the number of times I've traveled over the years, it still adds up to 1. I understand the intent behind my negative experience and it's a little price to pay for knowing I'm secure in a metal tube flying the friendly skies. I would have liked to be reimbursed for damages however, it is what it is and it gave me an excuse to finally go out and buy a new carry on piece of luggage. Anyway - Global Entry allows me to bypass the long security lines when flying and though the agents aren't always the friendliest bunch, it's not like I'm there trying to make friends. They're doing their job and their job is to keep passengers and flight crews safe. Too bad they can't stop people from being assholes which is probably why some of the TSA agents aren't as friendly as they can be. Sure, there's a lot of negativity surrounding this agency and their agents. Easy targets considering how much contact they have with the public. Can't make everyone happy but at least I know I am. For the most part. read more

What's most upsetting is that this same process is generally much more efficient outside the U.S.. Clear signage, clear communication, organization, and general sense of respecting people's person-hood. Every once in a while I get to interact with someone who doesn't seem pissed off or bothered by my presence. I figure they must be new or something. I know they're not trying to be a-holes. I know they're regular people trying to do a job. But it's embarrassing that it's a much more orderly and pleasant process outside of the country*. Unless, the intention is to make other countries' security process seem awesomer. Because if so, then well done! *Except for that one time when I was coming back from Costa Rica and they made me throw out my sunblock container even though the contents were within the acceptable limits. Still, they were super apologetically nice about it. I miss that sunblock. read more

While airlines might be letting go of the extras, the TSA is always adding to its list of offered services. Bored at the airport? Why not watch some of what experts call "security theater": a whimsical charade of inconsequential yet byzantine security motions intended provide the illusion of security while simultaneously being onerous and invasive. The TSA initially launched with a "Terror Watch List" with more than a million names on it. But don't worry, because you're not allowed to see it, understand whether your name is on it, and if you want to remove it, that's just adorable! Why? Fuck you, that's why. And hey, why pay outrageous copayments for a full body scan at some medical center when the TSA does it for free! The TSA's won't find cancer, but that's okay because it prooobably won't give it to you either. Worried about the health affects of sugary sodas? Not to worry, the TSA will happily confiscate any liquids you might have foolishly assumed would be allowed. Of course, if you succumb to thirst quickly, have 5 of your friends bring small containers of the same liquid. But it's not all bad. While your plastic spork is a deadly weapon, the TSA's own under-cover agents managed to repeatedly pass through their own full body scanners while concealing hand guns. Mythbuster's Adam Savage made it through with 12 inch razor blades. But thank god no one got through with a spork. I flinch every time I see a spork. But anyhoo! All of the TSA's quasi-security measures might seem a little ridiculous to you and me, but we have to understand that it exists for a reason. Since its implementation, the TSA has caught exactly zero terrorists, and that's a perfect track record of doing absolutely nothing useful. Who are you to question an agency that has existed for almost 10 years at a cost of billions of dollars, is accountable to no one, searches American citizens randomly within their own borders, and has absolutely nothing to show for it? Aren't you patriotic? read more

TSA...VIGILANT. EFFECTIVE. EFFICIENT. (caps theirs) Seriously? When I ride the ferry and I am accompanied by Coast Guard personnel in an *inflatable* boat equipped with *really big* automatic weapons: I DO NOT FEEL SECURE. However: It is somewhat handy for keeping small children entertained, unless it is a really thoughtful child: Child: are they going to shoot *us*? Mom: Of course not honey. Dad: (sotto voce ) not yet anyway. Seriously? When I drag my very annoyed, thirsty, and barefoot self through the airport security line where I may or may not be felt up: I DO NOT FEEL SECURE. Seriously? When I hear about shipping containers flying in and out of our ports with barely a second glance, while airline travelers are constantly harrassed, I consequently do not understand thieir "layers of security" strategy , AND: I DO NOT FEEL SECURE. TSA... A PAIN IN THE ASS (caps mine) read more

Hi, I'm Trevor M and you may know me from such self-serving reviews like: Charlie Sheen: aka Warlock Studios, Earth: the Planet or even the shameless posting of my 'company' self-evaluation. Today, I write humbly for you a PSA for the TSA using less than any common sense or WIT or encouragement or endorsement. (I'll probably end up in Gitmo, but that's another review) But, I want to talk to you about a very serious subject: National Security and the means that the TSA employs in making us all safe. As a God-fearing, apple pie loving, hot dog eating contestant at Coney Island and a proud American who listens to only Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith who lives in the fictional town of Rock Ridge. I say unto all Americans... Please submit to any Security Screening that the kind and loving TSA agents ask of you. This has nothing to do with those two dreaded words. No, not death and taxes (and that's three words). I'm talking about Racial Profiling. I am a bow-tie wearing, Harris Tweed wool jacket wearing American-Asian who looks like the love child of George Takei and Orville Redenbacher who both happens to be proud Americans. (go on...look at my profile picture and try not to laugh...I dare you) I've been asked to submit to a security screening at every airport in the US of A (and even Canada) since 9-11 and you know why? Actually, I'm not sure either. I don't look very dangerous. Sure, I can catch a fly with my chopsticks, but I'm not dangerous and that's powdered sugar in that 1 oz. bag. Really. Mental Note: Change Yelp quote of "Chopsticks are my personal sidearm" to "Yes, that is Onigiri in my pocket..the airlines charge for baggage." What, are they afraid that I'm hoarding bad reviews of a restaurant? But as a dutiful American I submit. And the Advanced Imaging Technology is quite benign. They are just taking a picture of you with high levels of radiation that makes a 3-D image of your naked body. So my twig and berries looked small...but, in my defense...it was cold in there. True story! But, those great TSA folks also gave me the option of a pat down. It was like the locker room in high school. Ahh, good times. So, my fellow Americans, I give the good folks at the TSA in any airport in our proud United States a tip of my hat and Laurel and Hardy handshake of thankfulness that they are doing a job that quite frankly would scare the bad reviews out of me. Thus, I give the 5 stars that you so well deserve. Just think you now are like a Five Star General of Yelp without having to submit yourself to an interview with Rolling Stone. God Bless you and God Bless America! read more

My one-star is for the Detroit Metro Airport. I am a professional photographer and travel with some very basic photo gear. Well, the TSA in Detroit called in their explosives expert. I try to have patience with the process because I realize they have an important job to do in keeping us safe. But being made to feel like a criminal was highly unprofessional of the Detroit TSA. One agent told me that the object in my suitcase, "looks like something that'll go boom." [direct quote!] Another goon began bullying me, demanding I look at his X-ray computer screen and tell him what all the contents were. I couldn't make out anything on that screen! Was that proper protocol? I doubt it. Then the explosives expert comes and determines my bag is OK. But when I told him other airports I've traveled through (New York, Europe, Canada) have never stopped me, he had the audacity to say that the Detroit TSA is better at their jobs than the guys in New York. Outrageous! And when I suggested the standards be the same at each airport he said, "Actually, having different standards is what keeps the terrorists on their toes." [Actual quote!] These guys (and gals there too) are total bozos. I'd leave less than one star if possible. read more

So, How many agents does it take to run lane through a security checkpoint in SFO? 1 for the xray machine, 1 or 2 for the body scanner, 1 to in-coherently tell you to remove your shoes and 5-6 supervisors. No lie that is my experience every time I travel from SFO. read more

The TSA has the worst service. Not only are their massages short and completely NOT satisfying, but it really seems like they are trying to cop a feel EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! Also, instead of giving me water at the end of the groping session...they take my water and put it in the "potential bomb disposal unit" (trash can) which is mere feet away from all of the patrons. If they thought they were bombs, you would think they would have a better method of disposal. Methinks this is just a ploy to force me to buy airport water. By the way, don't ever say, "I wish the TSA massages were like Massage Envy...that place is BOMB!" They basically rush you and beat the holy hell out of you. Then they take you to a room where they forcefully grope you some more, and a very ugly man sexually assaults you with a rubber glove. They REALLY don't like being compared to Massage Envy, I guess. read more

Theatre Security Admin! went through the security checkpoint in Dallas the other day. i went for the "opt out" to avoid any more RF in my life. while waiting for the screener, the Rape-I-Scan line was getting too long, so they directed a bunch of folks through the old metal detector. all 5 people i watched zinged right through with all of the RED lights flashing. not a green light in view. but hey! Thank God they caught that one guy trying to smuggle a jar of Nutella in his carry-on! read more

I used to work in counterterrorism. I attended a meeting with the FAA's Transportation Security Labs in Atlantic City one day, then flew to LA, got a few hours of sleep, and then had to fly out of LA again the next morning. Note: You can't even go to the bathroom at the FAA/TSL without getting explosive residue on you. They test potential terrorist bombs for security reasons... good job, guys. When I got to LAX the next morning, the screener reported traces RDX on my paper notebook. Duh... wonder how it got there? I explained it to him, he laughed, I laughed... we're in the same business! I showed him my bona fides from the meeting, He still went thru swabbing every single page of my notebook, and we shared a great few minutes chatting while he did so. GOOD FOR HIM. A few years ago, a business partner and I were flying out of Texas, when we were taken aside into a room and questioned. If you want, you can call it racial profiling... we were the only two over-50 Anglo males on the flight. Turns out, it was the anniversary of Waco, and they had some unverified intel that somebody might to something muy estupido. Turned out to be a false lead, but if it were real, we'd have looked a lot like the perp(s). No problemo... We made the flight. GOOD FOR THEM. All security systems walk a tightrope between effectiveness and usability. I've crossed swords with TSA more than a few times inside private venues, but all in all, they're doing OK, given the mission and the costs of failure. read more

My interactions with TSA agents at multiple airports has always been painless. They have behaved in a professional and courteous manner. As I have a hip replacement I always have to go through the security pat down and each agent has made the process as quick as possible and have never caused a delay in my reaching my gate and my flight. A special shout out to the agents at PDX in Portland. They are in all ways the most friendly and quickest when it comes to getting me through the checkpoint and on my way. read more

If I could award negative stars, I would. I cannot imagine paying our good tax dollars to fund these morons. I have had nothing but problems and issues with these idiots and we have no recourse to complain about them. This past week I sent in A COMPLAINT with 3 distinct issues in said complaint. The response I got NEVER ADDRESSED ANY OF THE ISSUES OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THEM. I think what I received was the government coded message that said screw you, we can do whatever we want to and you can't do crap about it. read more

So I can bring my gel-filled bra and my KY on the airplane, but not my deodorant? Well, I guess as long as my boobies look nice I'll still get some no matter how much I smell. read more

They act like rudeness and arrogance can compensate for incompetence. Hint: it doesn't.

OK for all the people that are pissed at TSA and the TSO's. Really does all that really matter to you?? Sure it's a hassle for people but it is really unbelievable how many people get angry at TSO's for enforcing what they are told to do. They don't have control over that. Why did you bring that kids size cup of peaches with you?? Are you going on a field trip? It's too easy to go through security fast and get it over with. Take off the shoes and your big or bulky jackets. If you are wearing a hoodie and you don't have a shirt underneath you are going for the pat down. Women take off the damn scarves. Why irritate yourself by arguing with one of the TSOs?? Shit just put it in the machine. Don't come with a laptop bag filled with Optimus Prime spare parts! Separate that shit you slob! If TSOs are so destructive then maybe you should put that garbage underneath the plane since people think that TSA are a bunch of overweight ruffians the take that chance. When people bitch about the water thing shit get over it IT'S WATER! Not champagne! It sucks but shit do it! Get it over with. What do you gain by getting dumb over small shit, over stuff that they have to do?? You will be that person who a few rows of people on the plane will be sniggering about. "Look at that guy he made such a big deal about a yogurt cup!" If everyone just followed the rules then it would be a breeze getting through security. Many people think that it's unnecessary. Some of those TSOs don't really give a shit but a big part of them do care. You step in their shoes and imagine if you took a bag for a bag check and then cause a stupid belligerent passenger is irate at you for taking their bag. The passenger keeps going on and so to appease him you stop the process, and that damn jabroni had either a knife or something even more dangerous and then you hear about it on the news...not a bombing but say he got arrested for something you missed? How would you feel? There are employees at TSA who think like that. They try to prevent something from happening as best as they can by the rules and by their morals. So if you don't come in there with some huge ass Costco shampoo bottles and separate all your electronics and don't come wearing a Puff Daddy Suit then you should be pretty good. On a final note: RANDOM SCREENING IS DONE BY THE AIRLINES NOT TSA!!! THE AIRLINES PUT THOSE SSSS ON YOUR TICKETS! SO DON'T CHEW THEM OUT WRITE THE AIRLINE OR PAY IN CREDIT NOT CASH! read more

In sixth grade you are supposed to learn STATISTICS and PROBABILITY. Given that, my chance dying in a car crash driving to the airport is higher than "terrorism" both before and after 911. I don't understand why the government steals 7.9 BILLION of your taxpayer dollars on a 96% failure rate. Can I please take my "chances" and avoid this mess by "risking" it on a non-tsa flight? Why must the government steal 35% of my airplane ticket to pay for this? More people die from FALLING VENDING machines than "terrorists" in the USA before and after 911. Why don't we steal BILLIONS from the tax payer to fight the war against falling vending machines? This is illogical nonsense that was somehow legitimized by Americans that could not preform elementary calculations and based their decision making on emotional sensationalism rather than fact. ---- Forbes analysis: "The TSA has an annual budget of $7.9 billion and employs 62,000 people. Its principal function is to operate the passenger screening function at more than 450 commercial airports. Keeping dangerous people off airplanes is unquestionably important, but is it wise to entrust this to a federal bureaucracy? There is solid evidence that the TSA is not very good at this job, but spends a lot of money uselessly... " http://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeleef/2014/10/09/tsa-boondoggles-high-costs-low-effectiveness-but-its-only-your-money/ read more

Horrendous. Physical altercation. Verbal abuse. Profiling. Racism. Terrible customer service. An absolute sham of real security. Wasted tax dollars. Honestly--completely wasted humanity. PLEASE SOMEONE MAKE A MOCKUMENTARY OR SPOOF OF THESE CLOWNS. Name: Meachem (at least as best I could read it with him attempting to conceal.) American Airlines Flight 67 departing JFK at 5p, August 17th. Incident occurred about noon time. TSA has been pretty questionable and inconsistent and JFK has been the worst of any airport in my travels But let me focus on the most recent farce. Returning from an overseas trip--an experienced traveler--I have one small carry on, my bag is checked, everything is perfect; no alarms will go off, shoes off. I know my gear. We wait for 45 minutes around noon with relatively few people to check. Absurd. There are literally dozens of agents, some of them dancing and chewing gum, as lines stand still. I note interestingly that I literally do not see one white person. This is neither here nor there but notable. As I wait a female African American is motioning only other African Americans through the metal detector rather than the xray. When I step towards her she literally "shoos" me away. OK. Maybe all 25 of them were in the same family... Awaiting my turn for the ever laughable scan, another African American male motions in my direction in some vague way with his blue gloves without looking at me. Note that I have my passport in my hand, having already been told by other TSA agents to put it in the bin, which I refuse, as it is against not only the law but TSA policy... This is a long standing error they make. I step into the XRAY, do the little dance, again the blue glove vaguely motioning as this male TSA agent is chewing gum, not looking at me, talking with another female. I step through and walk slowly passed. He stops me with two fingers and pushes me back. I look at him and move my hand to move his and he starts stating "You need to wait right here. Hands up." I mention that if he actually made eye contact and gave clear verbal instructions, it would be more helpful. He responds, "Do we want a private screening?" and "People be hav'n attitude." He pats me down, also inappropriately. I wait. He says nothing, indicates nothing. Another passenger has finished the xray and is literally on my ass. I look back and ask," Can I go or what?" His answer: "You go when I tell you to go." Ludicrous. I ask for his badge number. He refuses, walks away, but obviously is less cocky now. I walk off to speak to a supervisor and to inquire about the process of badge number requests. 3 different agents just kept delaying while also stating that "you do not need a badge number," and return to texting on their private phones... I keep waiting, all the while watching this agent literally dancing, rapping with his fellow TSA agents--until he saw me and got nervous and pretended to act more "professionally." Because I had a layover I was able to stick around. It took me 30 minutes to speak with a supervisor! He said he would make a mark in a file and speak to the agent. He handed me a complaint form which I mailed in. I have had some good experiences with TSA agents. But by and large the entire process and most personnel are....interesting...to put it kindly. read more

A security farce costing billions of dollars. 90% test failure rates, something a private security company could never get away with but what do you expect from a bloated government agency. read more

TSA has repeatedly abused me and violated the law. I sued them and won repeatedly. I encourage others to do so also, since it's the only thing that makes them change. See https://s.ai/tsa/legal for an overview of my litigation. A few examples: a) BOS, 2013: I went through a checkpoint while mute due to a neurological disorder. TSA used that and my satirical shirt as a reason to "select" me for additional screening, then detained me for an hour while searching through my meds, notes, checkbook, etc. And to top it off, in direct retaliation for my writing an objection to their illegal search, they assaulted me, took away my paper, literally depriving me of freedom of speech. https://s.ai/tsa/legal/bos b) SFO, 2013: I went through a checkpoint with medical liquids (namely juice), as I am clearly allowed to do by law. They were screened and found to NOT be dangerous in any way. Nevertheless, TSA refused to let me take them with me. They then refused to respond to my formal complaint, for three *years*. After I won in court -- which said it was "hard to imagine a rule of reason" that would allow them to refuse to respond to me like they did -- their best response was that I should have repacked my 2 50.7 oz bottles of juice, which TSA illegally stopped from going through, into 30 3.4 oz bottles. The DHS' chief "civil rights" lawyer, Megan Mack, seriously sent that to me, claiming they did nothing wrong except maybe be unclear in their public communications, because my plain reading of the rule was, she claimed, not "objectively reasonable". That's some pretty bold language from someone claiming that repacking medical liquids into 3oz bottles would somehow improve security. https://s.ai/tsa/legal/rehab_act & https://s.ai/tsa/legal/sfo c) SEA, 2015: I went through the TSA checkpoint in a wheelchair... and got told, by a supervisor, that I could not opt out of the electronic strip search (AIT) machines. As it happened, I already had a lawsuit against them for this exact thing, and they had told the court that I shouldn't be allowed to sue because I couldn't prove I'd be targeted. https://s.ai/tsa/legal/46110 d) Apparently, they're also censoring comments here on Yelp. See e.g. Carly Fiorina's comment: http://www.yelp.com/not_recommended_reviews/transportation-security-administration-arlington-2 ... or Lisa Simeone's: http://tsanewsblog.com/16435/news/yelp-censors-comments-critical-of-tsa/ In short: TSA does not give a damn about obeying the law. I tried playing nice for years and got nothing. I sued and got them to comply. So I strongly encourage everyone who's been wronged to just sue them. read more

I have to deal with airport security in many airports since I drag along a cpap machine, 2 laptops and other tools everywhere I go. Whether in the US, Hong Kong, or Germany, I inevitably get stopped and my equipment swabbed at least once each trip. The difference is the attitude. While in most countries the security staff seems a bit more polite but firm. On the other hand, the TSA staff are quite dismissive and really don't see the passengers as paying customers, only as cattle being herded. Perhaps they are dismissive because of the low wages and fast-food like job prospects, but that doesn't appear to be the case in other countries. This is a top down problem, the management need to step up, spend more money on people and training rather than on dodgy equipment. A better attitude makes people both more cooperative, and leaves a better impression. read more

It seems that just when TSA seems to be getting security measures together, there is an event like the one today at the Boise Airport. It seems that 25 agents who just stand around and make crazy requirements (think running a training session) don't have enough to do. I expect the TSA agents working to protect us during travel to be intelligent and competent and to not need to try to make an already stressful situation worse. When citizens are told that wearing a sweater through the scanner will set it off, and after removing the sweater it is apparently set off by cotton fibers, this equipment needs to be serviced. Then when the agents tell you that basically every item you have needs to be in a separate box, there is major overcompensation going on. Remember that removing freedoms as a pretense for security is a slippery slope to what occurred in Germany in the 1930s. Please get these agents some actual training and get people with power trips out of leadership positions and get them some help. read more

On Monday at the Tampa airport I was subjected to an grossly inappropriate TSA "pat down" in a private room witnessed only by another TSA agent. I am a grandmother in my 60s. I have a hip replacement, so I have been subjected to many public TSA pat downs over the years without incident. I never understood what people were complaining about. This time, however, my hands were swiped and I was told I tested positive and was ushered into a small room. The female TSA agent proceeded do a search with such force as I have never experienced, jamming her hand up into my crotch. I had done nothing remotely hostile - in fact I remained silent the entire time, both when she reprimanded me for starting to put my boarding pass and drivers license that I had been holding into my blazer pocket and after the search was completed, when I was simply trying to hold back my tears. The thought of going through airport security now frightens me. I will have to get over it. But I will never, ever let myself be taken into a private area to be searched by TSA personnel. read more

Recently I flew through Ontario California, and TSA checked my bags. I forgot that only limited amounts of fluids are allowed on flights. I had a shampoo bottle taken by TSA agents. This was no problem for me, I should have been the one to know the flight rules. A minor inconvenience for the security of the flight is sometimes necessary to make all passengers safe. The two TSA officers were firm but polite. They appeared to take their jobs very seriously. We as Americans respect our military, as well as fire fighters and police, and so we should. Kudos to TSA agents who make us all safer when traveling. My several experiences with TSA were always positive and reflected the government in a good light. I really appreciate what TSA officers do, to protect our airports and flights. I hope that travelers will respect the job these individuals do to enhance security in our airports. read more

Finally justice is served! Not to long ago, TSA fired 36 of it's employee's. I'm hoping that they were the employees that I previously reviewed. read more

The freebies are great. Nothing better than being "searched" by some high school drop-out/part-time drug dealer extensively trained on how to button a blue shirt and empowered by the government to violate me before I get on a plane. I am a little upset though because no matter how much I insist that I am transgender, I can't get an agent of the correct sex to feel -- I mean check me for weapons. Also, I do have to point out that as an Arab man, it's impossible to get them to check me all over in the way that I like, no matter how much I joke about bombs in my bag. I have had to resort to dressing like a 90 year old white grandmother or a girl scout just to get them to grope me. I do get upset by the illiterate people at podiums who stare at boarding passes for fifteen minutes pretending they are doing something important, that just really isn't great foreplay. How about we have them check identifying characteristics on genitalia? Also, I don't think it's fair to make 15 overpaid government "workers" stand around talking to each other while one other agent pretends to be looking at a computer screen for an eternity, especially when I have only a few minutes to get to my gate. Wouldn't it be less stressful for the agents if we let them pretend to be working in a back room somewhere, like we do with all other government employees? read more

Ontario California TSA staff need training. They could learn from the professionalism of the TSA agents in Seattle. I am a frequent traveler and my boarding passes are usually clearly marked as TSA pre check and have always had at least reasonable experiences with TSA agents. That all changed on October 19, 2016 in Ontario California. I had just come from visiting my husbands family who had gathered to support his Mother in her final moments and passing. We entered the airport and located our gates and lined up for security. After checking both my husband and my ID and boarding passes, we were signaled into a line. A TSA agent thrust an orange laminated sign at me and another at my husband and ordered us to "study that, don't lose it, bring it through the line with you"! I'm pretty organized, boarding pass and ID in one hand, purse over my shoulder and carry on in the other hand. Fearful of dropping ID and boarding pass, while fussing purse, liquids, phone, jacket into a bin and luggage onto the conveyor belt. The same TSA agent says, where's the poster? Where's the poster I gave you? I said, Oh, I must have left it in a bin or on the conveyor. He continued" Well then, you can't go through, and he pointed to another line and said ",Take off your shoes, oh and you can't go through with your boarding pass, come back and put it in a bin. I did as I was told, but now now I was seething at this unnecessarily rude public behavior. What an abuse of power. Oh, did I mention he snickered at me, publicly. When I glanced back at my husband , I saw others in line shaking their heads in utter disbelief or mouths open at the blatant rude behavior. This is a Bully. I started through the next line and two people there gestured me to two different locations in a scanner. Seriously, get your act together! From my perspective, if I need the orange poster to get through the line, tape it to me for crying out loud, because I'm out of extra hands when I am traveling. At the end of the line standing in the area where we all put our clothes back on and look to gather up all of our personal items, stood a uniformed police officer. I am guessing they were waiting for someone to react less favorably to the sub par, and blatantly, bullying, condescending and rude behavior. Fortunately, I am not likely to soon experience another need to fly in to Ontario, but felt someone in charge of the operation should review the culture and lack of professionalism of the TSA agents, who's job it is to keep us safe, not bully us. read more

Traveling in the Wichita airport this morning. I'm a 10 yr + veteran and participate in the pre-check program. I travel on avg 4 times a month by plane. The female screener this morning was as rude as they come. She moved her hand for me to enter but didn't actually use any words. I did what I normally do, walk through. The metal detector beeps and she yells at me like a 5 yr old telling me I can't do anything she doesn't tell me to do. Lady, it's 5 am. Most people who occupy that position don't speak when we walk through. Most just wave people through. She was entirely rude and wanted to examine my belt, said I was alarming in my crotch. It's like they want to give us a hard time. This, and most experiences with the TSA leave a bitter taste in my mouth. They always want to grope you or assert their authority without reason. These are schoolyard bullies who aren't held accountable in any measurable way in terms of how they interact with the public. If we have to have deal with them they should at least be given reasonable communication training. Normal adults aren't so rude on sight. read more

I don't know if administration is in charge of logistics, or if it is left in the hands of the individuals who work on-site at the airports. However, whoever it is, they must be informed of how poorly they are executing their job. To me, it is quite a simple concept: when the line starts getting long/begins to back up, OPEN another line to decrease the amount of back up. Now, obviously someone for TSA might counter that it's a numbers thing or that they don't have enough employees staffed sometimes, but that just angers me more when Employment has been such an issue the past 3 years. Essentially, there's a win-win opportunity here: people will have to wait less in lines, and more jobs will be created. Sadly, this concept has not been grasped by TSA. In fact, it seems as though most airports have taken the opposite approach - the more congested security is the better, and the fewer lines that should be open. I don't know how efficient this review will be in bringing about a systematic change in how TSA conducts there operations, but if someone from TSA reads this, please just consider the idea of establishing some policy or process that would require their on-site locations to open up as many lines as possible when needed. P.S. If such a policy or instructions already exist, you should look into hiring more qualified managers at each on-site location because they do not take it seriously. read more

Not sure why people are commenting on the TSA headquarters. Lol. This is the headquarters, not the airports that you are mad at for taking things from you that you know you weren't suppose to bring anyway. Try arriving at the airport 2 hours early and packing the right way and you should get through the screening process with no problem. Don't complain about TSA making you run late for your flight when YOU are the one in control of whether or not you make your flight. Be responsible adults! Americans are so spoiled and ignore the fact that everything that goes wrong with their experience at the airport is THEIR fault, meaning the passenger. If TSA were to suddenly stop screening and leave the checkpoints let's see how many of you whiners would actually fly. Lol. Respect the TSA. Their mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. They are there to protect YOU. So have some respect, follow the rules, and you will have no problem. Works every time for me! :) read more

On Sunday, September 27, 2015 myself and about 1.5 million other people were in line to attend the 4 PM mass that Pope Francis was celebrating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. TSA was managing the entrance to the secure area from each of 6 entrances. I waited in line from 11:30 AM until 5 PM, when I finally got through security. Myself and thousands of others missed the first hour of the mass. Additionally, when mass ended at 5:45 PM, there were still thousands of people trying to enter the secure area where the mass was held. NOTE: For those in attendance at the week-long World Meeting of Families, and those not attending that conference, mass on Sunday was the most important event. Very poor job of making sure the public could attend this event. I was very disappointed and so were many, many other people. Many flew in from Argentina (the Pope's original home country), and they were not able to attend the whole mass either. read more

I am SOOO fed,up with TSA. They look at normal biz folks and student types with a poorly-acted suspicious glances like we are bloody terrorists. The damn terrorists will next time do something altogether different - it's debatable they'll EVER use planes again! Meanwhile TSA idiots rudely ransack your personal belongings and leave them in a heap for all to see in a humiliating and degrading way. I saw 8 of them sitting around on break at Phoenix airport at what cost? The average TSA person seems to be low IQ and simply go thru the motions. I use a medical device (CPAP) which inserts into my nasal passageways. Whether I check it or carry it on, they inspect, take it apart, man-handle it and throw it around with their grimy rubber glove wearing hands. Very unsanitary. I have called TSA and spoke to a manager about it and he basically told me to pound sand. Why not have an application based waiver for frequent flyers and those transporting med devices etc? Hate these guys and their whole close-the-barn-doors-after-the-cows-get-out organization.... read more

On a recent flight, my wife's $7K diamond tennis bracelet was stolen by a TSA representative while searching our carry-ons. I thought I saw him put something in his pocket during the search but couldn't believe what I actually saw! When we arrived at our destination, the bracelet was indeed missing! Bunch of crooks. Makes me feel real secure. read more

I paid for TSA pre but each time I fly out of New Orleans on the concourse that has Delta and American airlines it never fails that they say they don't have enough people to actually use the TSA pre line. Each time I have to take me computer out of my suitcase. Even if they are short handed can't they look at your ticket and see TSA pre checked off and follow that I should not have to take out my computer, etc. read more

I had an amazing experience with the TSA. These guys are thorough professionals and they really know their stuff. I had rooted my iPhone and installed Android 5.01 on it, but this was leading to occasional laser discharge from flash LED causing fatal injuries ..... The TSA guy quickly fixed my iPhone by installing a TSA app. I am thoroughly impressed! read more

TSA PreCheck provider IdentoGo proved that TSA's provider contracting needs to get much better. My supposed "appointment" today was anything but. I had a 3:40 reservation for the normally 10 minute process. Just in the door before me, and without an appointment, the bizaarely unprofessional single employee of IdentoGo chose to take the 3 unregistered customers (two minors and an adult) at 3:38 instead of the person with the 3:40 appointment. Then when a second 3:40 appointment person arrived at 3:45 they sat and waited as well. When the no appointment group was done at 4:05 (3 people, and longer than usual because they had done no prework on the website), the IdentoGo person chose to take what his list had for order, rather than actually go with the order of arrival. Which is it, walk-in order, or appointment order, or just arbitrary behavior. What is the POINT OF GETTING an appointment time if the contractor is going to ignore that completely? TSA procurement needs to seriously review the IdentoGo contract. This was a contractor that lacked any descernable logic or professional demeanor, not something the government should be using, unless they are trying to make the full fledged TSA staff somehow look good in comparison (perhaps the only way to make the full fledged staff look good). An F grade for IdentoGo (IDEMIA) and for the TSA for contracting with them. TSA's and GSO's review processes need to look into this contractor, and find another one. read more

This agency is mind baffling to me that in todays world of technology that I must take my belt and shoes off and basically get undressed every time I fly. I want security, but think that they have no idea of how to modernize this agency. Just poorly run with no indication that they will get any better. read more

Where to begin? I wish I could give the TSA 0 stars. The last experience that I had with them was in Dallas, I was coming from a business trip from Mexico and I am a US Citizen. First I got stop by customs, which you would think after 9/11 government agencies would share information, that been said I am a TSA Pre-check, which the TSA basically has my finger prints. Dallas overall as a whole is a bad airport, you have to recheck your bag and also go through TSA security. I had bought tequila while I was in Mexico in the Duty Free Zone, The lady had to zip tie my purchase because her bag zealing equipment had broken. The Dbag agent basically took my tequila bottles while having a big grin in his face like he knew that he was going to drink it the night. Another complain, there should be a TSA PreCheck line in all big airports in all gates, how hard is it to just make a smaller line. The reason the I say this is that when you go through a normal line, some agents tell you to still take your shoes, belt and everything else that you need to do. Train your agents to use the same guidelines in all your airports. If you are going to waste tax payer money on expensive equipment, make sure that it works, This year I travel a lot for a contract, let just say the most of the time I wore similar clothing jean, a polo shirt, loafers and the same belt while going through the metal detector, let just say the I was still search, even though I am a TSA precheck person. It amazes me that in different busier airport, there is a lack of TSA agents, you would think that the manager\scheduler would try to have more people when the bulk of passengers go through their security points. I mean, there are flight plans months in advance that tell you how many flights are coming in. I have had a couple of co-worker go through the lines with a sodas, a knive and other stuff that is "ban" and they did not get stop or search. Once again, if you are going to use tax payer money for expensive equipment, make sure it works. BTW, the soda my coworker got through the xray machine by accident was not a small can, it was two 20oz bottle of sodas. On the same note of bad/malfunctioning equipment, the TSA once had to touch the back of my head because it saw a spot on the body scanner in the area of my head. Let's just said that I had shaven my head in the pass through. I really had to asked the agent if the piece of shit equipment even works, or does it ramdamly throw yellow spots over people body, so they are able to search them. Like I said earlier, Where to begin? Hopefully some of this complains get heard, and if they do I would like to know what the TSA do with all the stuff the confiscate, like the two bottle of tequila and cologne that they took from me. read more

I flew out of IAD to San Francisco on 9/10, the day before the airplane attacks. Up to that date, I had always set off the mag, due to the metal in my shoes. That day, I was waived through by a security guard who wasn't paying attention. Most the guards at IAD at that time at the screening points could barely speak english. They were paid minimum wage and were completely incompetent. I had interviewed an FAA psychologist for a job in my office a couple of months before. He said that the FAA struggled to develop screening tests for hiring, because most the screeners didn't understand English very well. Not surprisingly, the screeners didn't stop 1 of the 16 hijackers despited the vaunted capability of the private sector guard companies that did all the screening before 9/11. At the time of 9/11, I had been working for for a federal security agency for a while, and I had learned a few things about physical security. You can complain all you want about TSA, but they basically use the same screening techniques used at federal courthouses. They have never lost a judge in a courthouse in the 200+ years they have been in business. I find the TSA people are OK for what they are supposed to do. The body scanners are not working well, but that's because TSA pushed a technology that wasn't mature to respond to all the all the complaining like you see here from Yelpers who think it's ok to take their chances on a hijack, because they don't want to take off their shoes. Try to cop that attitude in a federal courthouse when you go to watch a trial and see how you are treated there. Then of course there is Cruella Florina trying to score cheap political points. TSA uses sound security techniques. They need to tighten up, which means more delays. But I'd rather be late than dead. If you don't like it, stay away from the airlines and drive. I really hope you do. I am tired of the crowded airplanes and inadequate overhead bin storage. On, one more thing, take Cruella with you when you drive. read more