Airport Security in Uniform

SkiHigh2002

SkiHigh2002

New Member
Tomorrow will be my first day passing through the airport in uniform. While I'm very excited about this (look out ladies!), I'm also curious as to what to expect from airport security... is it the same process, I just get to skip the line? For example... shoes off... laptop out... coat off.. the whole bit? Any tips and suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Pretty much the same process. It's normally acceptable to skip up to the front, but you'll still be taking the coat off and the laptop out. Shoes? Who knows. Before I was flying for the airlines, it was a crap shoot on which airports enforced the policy (so much for uniformity, the reason the TSA was formed in the first place). I don't think I've ever taken my shoes off since I started flying for Pinnacle, though. I made sure I got some shankless shoes that won't set the metal detector off. Skechers if you're curious.
 
It varies from airport to airport. I have a steel rod in my leg at some airports such as BUR I expect to be pulled aside and frisked and padded down and my pants undone while they fondle me in uniform as to be made an example in front of the passangers. While in LAX or LAS or other ones its a non event.

Remember to always be friendly to everyone no matter how rude or polite to you.
 
kellwolf said:
I made sure I got some shankless shoes that won't set the metal detector off. Skechers if you're curious.
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Good point. I got some Florsheims that are also "airport friendly". Such shoes are tagged that way when you buy them.

Besides the shoes and cutting to the front, you're pretty much like everyone else. Smile and hold your badge up for them. That might cut off a second or two off.
 
Some airports will have a crewline open for the first push of the day. In other words to get the crews coming in through to the gates. Most likely you wont be the only crew member going through the line, just follow what they do about the shoe thing. TSA will let you know if they want your shoes. If there is not a crew line wait until your waved up to the front before cutting in.

sate
 
You shouldn't have to take your shoes off, as long as they don't set the metal detector off. If you're not sure, ask the x-ray person if they saw metal in your shoes when it passed through. Oh ya, you can keep your liquids (full sized) in your bag...no need to take 'em out. Just be quick and courteous and you'll be fine.

edit: if you do have shoes with a metal shank, you can take them to a shoesmith and have them replace it with a fiberglass shank for 20 bucks......
 
SkiHigh2002 said:
I just get to skip the line? For example... shoes off... laptop out... coat off.. the whole bit?
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In IAH, terminal B (all XJT flights are there), there is no crew line. We get to bypass the main line, but we have to "merge" into the line somwhere, usually about 5-6 people away from the X-ray machine. And sometimes when trying to merge into the line, let's just say the pax can be downright rude. I just try to smile and say something like "too bad they don't have a dedicated crew line here, so you folks could get through security faster". If your shoes don't beep, don't take them off. Always have to take out the laptop, always have to take off the blazer/leather jacket/whatever your company requires for winter clothing. Good luck!
 
sate said:
If there is not a crew line wait until your waved up to the front before cutting in.
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TSA isn't necessarily interested in your schedule or the timliness of your arrival at the plane. You can just go straight to the front and respectully and politely cut in as you see fit. I've never had a TSA person have a problem with the way I do it.

Incidentally, even when I'm just commuting I generally do it the same way. Why? If I explain to anyone in line why sometimes I go straight to the front and sometimes I don't, I make it harder for all the other aircrew. We don't need to be explaining our day to the folks in line.
 
sate said:
If there is not a crew line wait until your waved up to the front before cutting in.

sate
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If that were the case, every flight outta PHL would be late. Either that or we'd have to leave the hotel about an hour earlier. I'd say 90% of the time TSA doesn't look past about the 2nd person in line.

I've had a passenger complain in the normal passive-aggressive mode about the crew cutting in front. Once he realized we were HIS crew, it kinda clicked that he wasn't going anywhere without us, and if we were late....so was he. Had another one start in on that until another passenger behind him just said "Would you just shut up? All you've done is complain since I've been standing behind you."
 
kellwolf said:
Had another one start in on that until another passenger behind him just said "Would you just shut up? All you've done is complain since I've been standing behind you."
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That's hilarious!!!

Here is my tip for Airport Security as a crewmember: Get a belt and shoes that don't need to be removed. I don't carry my computer much anymore on the road, so I just take off my watch, put my cell phone in the bucket, and throw my leather jacket on top. I'm through security in less than a minute. It's nice, because when I cut in line I always say, "Don't worry we'll be fast!" and usually are. Now, the guys who need to take off their hat, blazer, overcoat, scarf, gloves, belt, shoes, removed their computer, etc., that can take a few extra minutes. We normally call them flight attendants (except for the hat, but you get the picture). ;) :sarcasm:
 
The TSA does not care about the lines are structured because it's not their responsibility.

The airlines and airport authority are responsible, thats how they get away with "elite lines" for first class pax and the crew lines. If the TSA was responsible there would be no "special lines". FWIW
 
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