I just went through security for the first time at Albany International Airport (it’s not exactly an international airport; I only saw domestic flights on the departures board but I believe some flights used to fly into Canada.) The security line had about a dozen people in it and as I made my way to the TSA PreCheck lane, an airport worker (not the TSA), yelled at me and said I was going the wrong way, as there’s only one security line. “Even for passengers with TSA PreCheck?” I asked. He answered yes, but said I would still get the benefits PreCheck affords passengers. I was thinking to myself, ‘isn’t one of the benefits to get a shorter line?’ but I wasn’t in the mood for arguing and I wasn’t in a hurry.
In the regular line, I noticed the TSA agent handing nine out of 10 of the passengers a laminated TSA PreCheck card that stated that passengers did not have to “take off your shoes, belt, headwear or lighter outer garment.” But the next paragraph read that you must “divest your laptop computer and 3-1-1 compliant bag of liquids and must place them in a divesting bin.”
Divest? Really? Do you think most passengers know what divest means? I had to look it up. And worse yet, all the passengers around me had no idea what TSA PreCheck was. Now, I’m not even sure what the point of having TSA PreCheck is. Aren’t you supposed to be “pre-checked” with an interview? According to the TSA website, the PreCheck program “allows low-risk travelers to experience expedited, more efficient security screening at participating U.S. airport checkpoints for domestic and international travel.” But in order to receive this privilege, you must apply, undergo a background check, provide fingerprints, have an interview, etc. Only once approved and granted a Known Traveler Number, should you then be able to use the TSA PreCheck line.
So – what gives if TSA agents are randomly handing out TSA PreCheck cards and what does this mean for the safety of passengers and the security process as a whole?
I have enjoyed the benefit on several occasions without signing up or paying for the pre-screening. Some of us seem to get a pass for being frequent flyers. Because of this treatment, my hubs and I have decided not to pay for this privilege until we have to pay. Don’t blame us.
Divest means to rid oneself of something that one no longer wants or requires, such as a business interest or investment.
According to this article, it looks like the days of people getting free Pre-Check may soon be over:
http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/tsa-to-flyers-say-goodbye-to-free-speedy-security-lines.html?id=19530559
I have been a GE member since it’s inception. The only time it seems to benefit me is upon return to the US from another country. I am “selected” not to be TSA PreCheck more times than I am “selected” to be TSA PreCheck! What really irks me in when I am traveling with a group whom don’t have GE and they ALL get PreCheck! Another example of government “milking the public”!
This absolutely infuriates me! I mean why did “we” (us TSA approved individuals) just go through the proper procedures and PAY THE FEE if they are going to just randomly hand out PreCheck passes to those who have not gone through the screening process. Personally, I have never experienced this at any airport I have flown in or out of or I would definitely say something to the Agent – like it or not! I guess it will take one of those non-prescreened individuals blowing up a plane before they (Albany Intl) realize what a stupid process they have!! I mean aren’t POLICY AND PROCEDURES put in place for a reason!!
don’t you all know TSA Pre-Check just means you gave away much of your personal information to the Big Brother? ^_^
I have nothing to hide
Does anyone actually believe any of the screenings makes the slightest difference, anywhere, anytime?
Last week I just divested my credit card to be a sucker in this apparent government scam. How did my gut feeling re: the program supposed benefits , know I should not do it ? Apparently you do not always get what you pay for. I’ ll have to ask them why they have a propencity for elucidation if I get to read one of those green cards… will be difficult to keep a straight face !
My wife and I went to SEA in July, we printed our boarding passes the night before and I noticed that mine had “PRECHECK” on it so I googled it and found out what the benefit was; no removing my shoes, jacket, laptop or 3-1-1 bag, well when when I got up to the X-RAY belt in ONT where we were leaving from the TSA agent told me just the opposite so I ended up taking everything out just as I would have without having the PRECHECK, I tried to ask the TSA guy and he just blew me off. Now on the way back we get into SEA I have PRECHECK again and the first TSA guy tells me leave everything on and in my carry on, not 50 feet later, within earshot of the first agent and this guy (with a piss poor attitude) tells me just the opposite and I was so shocked I asked him again “belt on or off” you would have thought I called his wife a whore, he copped such an attitude I couldn’t believe it, my wife saw what was happening and tried to calm me down and get me through the line.
These idiots have way to much power, they are all idiots with a third grade education and can make your life miserable if you cross them.
Random Precheck (Managed inclusion) is set to go away shorty. Hopefully it means things will get better but i’m not holding my breath. At some airports even though you get through pre the metal detector had a randomizer which meant you now have to go through the stupid body scanners. TSA claims they are keeping the body scanners in the precheck lane for those with implants, but we all know that’s a lie.
“Divest” = just another instance of gov-speak replacing standard English so petty bureaucrats can pretend to be educated …..
Same thing happened to me at the Corpus Christi, TX, airport.