In general, as a frequent flier, I am reasonably accepting of TSA agents and their idiosyncrasies. As much as I am not crazy about the idea of body scanners, I’ve gotten used to the idea, under the category of “the things I cannot change.”
Besides, I believe most TSA agents are just doing their job and trying their best in a situation that isn’t pleasant for anyone. Except — it’s a job with a good paycheck that I am paying.
Some days, it’s hard not to believe that that TSA’s No. 1 mission isn’t to keep Americans safe from terrorists by discouraging them from flying.
This story isn’t about sexual harassment or embarrassment, but rather how one agent turned a line at JFK airport into a miserable experience for hundreds of people.
It was the Martin Luther King holiday, and around 5 p.m. Maybe it was close to shift change. United had a priority line for Premier travelers, so I took it. In retrospect, I should have noticed that the line didn’t seem to be moving quickly and thus looked for an alternative.
I did notice the line was one of those with the whole-body scanners. But, at this point I have figured it’s something I have to get used to, so decided to stay put.
Although I wasn’t playing close attention, the gentleman directly in front of me clearly was having a rough time as the TSA agent kept talking to him and moving him back and forth, in and out of the scanner.
When it was my time, after a delay because the carry-ons were backed up in the conveyor, the agent asked if I had taken everything out of my pockets. I answered, “yes, just a paper boarding pass in my back pocket.” She snippily said, “Well, get it out.” Then she added, “Why are you wearing your watch?” (I have worn this watch, a narrow one, for 30 years, and have never been asked to take it off for security, even for the new body scanners.)
I don’t believe in arguing with the police or TSA so I took it off and gave it to her. Then she noticed the white of a single small pocket Kleenex (not a package, one Kleenex) in my jeans. She then gave me a lecture about that.
Ironically, when I finally got through, another agent told me she would have to check one of my carry-ons, which was stacked with others at the end of the conveyor belt. She asked if I had liquids, I said, “No, except for the bag of things under three ounces,” and she gave the bag a quick look and told me to go. The whole time she was chatting with another agent about how she couldn’t wait to “get out of here.”
Curiously enough, I had completely forgotten that United gave me a 16-ounce bottle of water on the outbound flight, and it was still half-full and in there. So much for heightened security.
Since this was the Premier line, many people in the line also ended up in the Red Carpet Club, where the cranky TSA agent was a hot topic. Apparently her attitude was consistent at least, as she seemed to have upset everyone.
Now, I have been informed by one travel expert that the body scanners really are supposed to work with everything out of your clothing, including that little Kleenex. (If true, I have to wonder, what’s the policy on feminine hygiene products?)
How hard would it be to put up a sign announcing the more strigent rules, and giving travelers advance warning? I didn’t mind taking everything off, but I did mind being treated like I was deliberately trying to get around the system. Leaving feelings aside, the fact that almost everyone had to stop and remove something else slowed down the system.
Regarding the agent’s attitude, I also do understand that it’s a tough job, and that TSA is constantly dealing with travelers who would no doubt rather be anywhere else than in a security line. On the other hand, it’s also a decently paid job, with good benefits. Would it hurt that much for some of these agents to try to be a little nicer?
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
