topic Re: My TSA rant in Community Chat

My TSA rant

Abrowneyegirl — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:21:12 GMT

Every time I hear of the long story of the shortage of TSA security screeners causing 3-4 hours long back-logs, causing tempers soaring and travelers missing their flights.....I want to scream!

Travelers are suffering and getting the short end of the stick with no recourse (of course) other than to not fly.

Rather than listen to the TSA cry the blues WHY,WHY, WHY does the government simply tell the airlines to temporarily waive the baggage check fees and have people check their luggage and help free up the security lines????

Everyone agrees the surge in carry on luggage due to the fees has caused the extensive lines and wait but yet no solutions are offered.

Until the TSA is up and properly staffed:

waive the check baggage fees
people with no carry on luggage goes through the "fast lane" in security.
People with carry on's can wait in the traditional slow lines
People with carry on's more than X numbers of pounds pay a screening fee.

Create a solution or solutions and move on. This finger pointing and blame game only hurts the travelers.

PS I love the fact despite all of this mess and mis-management of the TSA executives they still got their $90,000 bonuses.

Rant over

Re: My TSA rant

Trudey — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:34:34 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl. I agree 100% I will be flying on Thursday and am not looking forward to the lines. Travelers who carry on their luggage drive me nuts...mainly the ones who have to unpack it at the security check. Evidently, they don't enforce the rules for the size of carry on luggage, because there are some large pieces. Let's face it...airline travel today is like a Grayhound Bus Station.

Re: My TSA rant

bri20 — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:40:03 GMT

A friend of mine left yesterday for Orlando on business. She waited in the security line almost 2 1/2 hours, which is completely ridiculous.

I think all baggage should be checked. I'm probably in the minority on that.

Re: My TSA rant

KathyPet — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:42:41 GMT

Another example of our federal government taking over a task and then being unable to do the job.

Re: My TSA rant

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:44:00 GMT

...we don't travel much so this does not affect me but I find these long waits to be ridiculous and feel sorry for those that do travel

...but what really gets my blood boiling is the BONUS CHECKS that were handed out to the 'exeuctives'.......huge waste of my money.

Re: My TSA rant

BlingQueen022 — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:48:04 GMT

I must of gotten lucky because I just flew out of BWI airport and didn't wait at all in the security lines with my carry on. I must of waited five min. at the most and I was there in the afternoon towards rush hour. The only thing they took from me was a can of hairspray which was fine with me.

When I left Miami Internation Airport I didn't wait there either. I walked right on through with my carry on. No problems whatsoever.

Re: My TSA rant

GCR18 — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:50:31 GMT

I agree luggage should be checked. People carry on way too much stuff and take up more than their share if overhead space. I keep hearing on the radio that it's only going to get worse this summer.

Re: My TSA rant

scotnovel — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:50:40 GMT

I don't like the long lines or baggage fees, but I also have no interest in having the government tell private business to change what they charge, even temporarily. Certain government regulations are absolutely necessary but when the government starts interfering with pricing decisions, that goes too far. When possible, try flying on some off peak days and times. It is amazing how much difference that can make.

Re: My TSA rant

SXMGirl — Mon, 16 May 2016 23:59:06 GMT

I just flew round trip from Philly to Albuquerque and did not see the long lines that they are showing on the news. Not too long ago, I flew to Detroit and again, no long lines. I wonder if it depends on your destination. I have been lucky that my ticket always seems to say TSA Precheck, not sure why, but no waiting in long lines for anyone.

With that said, there are always long lines flying to the Caribbean and have been for many years. I always thought that was because all flights left at 9:30 a.m.

I do agree that all bags should be checked, but I think there has to be a speedier way to do so and still keep us safe.

Re: My TSA rant

Scooby Doo — Tue, 17 May 2016 00:03:05 GMT

The airlines won't waive the baggage fee because that's a huge money maker for them. They can't afford to do so. They're always looking for ways to tack on more fees.

Re: My TSA rant

Abrowneyegirl — Tue, 17 May 2016 00:24:02 GMT

@scotnovel wrote:
I don't like the long lines or baggage fees, but I also have no interest in having the government tell private business to change what they charge, even temporarily. Certain government regulations are absolutely necessary but when the government starts interfering with pricing decisions, that goes too far. When possible, try flying on some off peak days and times. It is amazing how much difference that can make.

I agree with goverment and PRIVATE business. However the goverment (taxpayers) have subdized the airline industry by the BILLIONS.

Re: My TSA rant

Mmsfoxxie — Tue, 17 May 2016 00:24:14 GMT

With the price of gas being relatively low now, you'd think they would lower or waive the price of baggage since the price of tickets don't appear to be lower.

Re: My TSA rant

JustJazzmom — Tue, 17 May 2016 00:44:46 GMT

@KathyPet wrote:
Another example of our federal government taking over a task and then being unable to do the job.

Think how much more expensive it would be to fly if a private company took over this job.

Re: My TSA rant

KathyPet — Tue, 17 May 2016 01:07:49 GMT

@JustJazzmom wrote:
@KathyPet wrote:
Another example of our federal government taking over a task and then being unable to do the job.
Think how much more expensive it would be to fly if a private company took over this job.

You do recall that private security ran that function until 9/11 when the government decided in their infinite wisdom that they should take it over. It most certainly has not a made flying any cheaper and the security function that TSA does is not free. The airports pay for it just like they used to pay the private firms.

Re: My TSA rant

homedecor1 — Tue, 17 May 2016 01:10:28 GMT

just flew PHL to Tampa and honestly the walk to the gate was longer than my TSA wait!

then a few weeks ago I flew out of a smaller airport (nothing but my VB weekend bag) and almost missed my flight due to only 2 TSA agents on line while other 5 were moving luggage around!

Re: My TSA rant

Mmsfoxxie — Tue, 17 May 2016 01:44:04 GMT

I hope O'Hare airport is ok before June 25th. Right now it's a 3 hour wait. We have an early morning flight. The way things look, we'll have to be in the airport for check-in around 5:30 am for our 8:30 flight!! Ugh!! Downer before the trip even starts.

Re: My TSA rant

Alsee — Tue, 17 May 2016 04:24:11 GMT

Apply for the TSA pre check frequent traveler program, and you can avoid the hassles.

Re: My TSA rant

september — Tue, 17 May 2016 04:44:44 GMT

@Alsee wrote:
Apply for the TSA pre check frequent traveler program, and you can avoid the hassles.

Not everyone is eligible for that. In fact, they try to give it to me every time I fly, but I have a joint implant, so can't use it.

Re: My TSA rant

riley1 — Tue, 17 May 2016 11:16:37 GMT

LaGuardia in NY always has a line - no matter the time or the day. Not long ago I flew out of Reagan Natl and waited about 10 minutes - go figure.

Re: My TSA rant

MaggieMack — Tue, 17 May 2016 11:30:40 GMT

I am so glad I typically only fly once a year, from a regional airport directly to Las Vegas. I don't have the patience to weave through an hours-long security line, it just creates anxiety that I don't experience otherwise. If it comes to that being the norm, I will simply give up that annual trip and golf somewhere I can drive to instead. Most don't have that luxury and have to put up with whatever is dished out at the airport.

I won't be surprised if a new phenomenon called "Airport Security Queue Rage" happens.