TSA Apparently Operating as Usual

[MineralMan]

I came home yesterday from a 5-day visit to my 90-year-old parents in California. Given the ISIS/ISIL threat, I wondered if TSA airport security had been beefed up. Apparently it hasn't. Both at MSP and LAX, the security screening seemed to be going just about the same as usual. I got scanned and went through security normally and quickly, just like always.

Now, there may be unseen precautions being taken, but I didn't notice any changes since the last time I visited my parents. The TSA at MSP was friendly and efficient as usual and the LAX security was grumpy and efficient as usual. At both airports, though, I couldn't see any signs of any increase in staffing or differences in procedures at all.

It was good to see my parents, who are still doing OK for their age and still living on their citrus farm. My siblings in that town are still doing well, too. It was a good visit.

The highlight of the travel was a young woman on the LAX to MSP return trip who was wearing a classic French mime outfit and a black bowler hat on her head. I smiled at her and she smiled back broadly. I love creative travelers!

[Wellstone ruled]

1. To funny.

You just aren't a threat,you just look like many other non threatening flat landers,from the land of 10 thousand potholes. BTW,you were profiled and you missed it. MPS has one of the toughest TSA screens in the U.S.. TSA people at MPS are required to do in service training on any new threats almost weekly. As soon as you pull your boarding pass,you are being profiled and classified as to threat level. What you don't know is most TSAers are very dedicated to their jobs even though they are treated like shit by their
supers. These guys have not had a pay raise for over three years.

[MineralMan]

3. I'm very familiar with how TSA works.

Actually, I was profiled as soon as I purchased my ticket. I expect to be. Yes, I'm a non-threat. So are 99.9% of all airline passengers. I also know how the screening is done. The main difference between MSP and LAX, frankly, is the general demeanor of the TSA personnel. At MSP, passengers are greeted in a friendly way. At LAX, the interactions are far more businesslike on the surface. At both airports, the screenings themselves are quite thorough, as they are at most airports in the US.

My post was about there not being any particular visible increase in scrutiny. MSP is of particular concern, since some Minnesotans have actually gone to join various organizations involved in terrorism. I don't fit that profile, of course, so I don't expect to be treated with suspicion.

Still, I get thoroughly screened, as do other passengers. Since I'm completely aware of current TSA screening policies, I prepare for such screenings carefully, and do not make common errors like having prohibited stuff in my carry-ons or my person. Are screenings sometimes frustrating? Sure. I'm old, and don't like taking my shoes off in the security line or putting all my junk from my pockets in my jacket for screening. But, it's a minor frustration, compared to the convenience of getting from Minnesota to California in just over 3 hours.

I've been going through airport screenings since the 1970s, when they were started. They're part of travelling.

[MohRokTah]

2. Chicago rapid transit had stepped up security for a couple of weeks.

Since the Khorasan threat was more against subways and commuter trains, I guess this makes sense.

[MineralMan]

4. Interesting. I wasn't aware of that.

I rarely use public transportation, though, so I wouldn't have observed it.

[MohRokTah]

5. My wife uses it.

Lots of Transit cops with dogs in Chicago Union Station. You usually see one or two, but they were all over.

[MineralMan]

6. Hmm. I wonder if there was some sort of specific

threat. I don't know of any similar activity here in the Twin Cities. I do know that the Homeland Security folks are here in increased numbers since a few Twin Cities residents have left the US to go join the ISIS and other groups, so there's lots of investigative activity in the relevant communities here. Not so much outside of those communities, though, and no visible increase in security at the MSP airport.

So, I wonder if there was some intelligence regarding Chicago. Could be.

[MohRokTah]

7. Probably had the same thing in NYC, too.

I doubt they'd have specific city information other than "planned bombing (bomb sniffing dogs) of commuter train or Amtrak in large city".

[winstars]

8. I am at JFK right now and its very normal re TSA and their activities...

I have Global Entry and there keep pulling the TSA PreCheck which is so much easier, But in observing the TSA people doing their thing to everyone a few minutes ago, it all seemed rather normal, no extra personal or procedures that I could see.

BTW, I would classify the TSA people here as efficient and friendly.

[MineralMan]

9. I haven't been through JFK for several years.

I'm traveling a lot less than I used to, for budgetary reasons. I haven't heard about any increase in TSA security since the ISIS/ISIL thing, so far. I suppose there might be some back room increases in staffing or processing, but I sure didn't see anything at the airports. MSP is pretty low key, security wise, most of the time. LAX has a lot more airport police around than MSP, but that looked about the same, too, at least to me. I've noticed heavier security on other occasions at LAX, but not this week.

Everything seems pretty much normal right now, base on my limited exposure, and both MSP and LAX generally are quick to escalate security when there are issues. I'm glad to see the standard processes in action, without any increase, though.