I Just Remembered Why I Hate Air Travel - rant

Right now I'm supposed to be in the air on my way to Las Vegas for a conference. Where am I actually? Glad you asked, Internet. I'm sitting in a McDonalds halfway between Cincinnati and Indianapolis because of a single TSA agent who couldn't do his job.

My flight left at 615 this morning, so I got to the airport and checked my bag. Since I had a tiny little Glock in there, I asked for a Firearms Declaration form, they sent the bag down the oversize chute, and called the TSA. Ordinarily, the agent will ask me to wait for 15 minutes before heading to security, but this time she said to wait for 5. My mistake was beleiving that line. After about 7 minutes, I went through security and got to my gate -- took plenty of time, I walked up to the gate with about 18 minutes to spare before the flight's departure time. They scanned my boarding pass and I started down the jetway before they called me back. Apparently, the TSA wanted to talk to me. And the only way they would talk to me is in person, back at the ticket counter. I hoofed it all the way back there and then waited around for the TSA agent to come from behind the curtain. He came out to tell me that I needed to lock my suitcase. He insisted that TSA regulations required that the firearm be in a locked case and that the suitcase itself be locked. I politely told him that I was pretty sure he wasn't right about that. He stormed off to get his supervisor, while I looked at tsa.gov. After about 5 minutes, he came back and told me that I was actually right after all, and he was sorry for the inconvenience. By this time, my flight was looooooong gone and Frontier Airlines flies out of Cincinnati exactly one time every day. So now I'm going to miss the first day of the conference. And in order to not miss more of tomorrow trying to get there, I booked another ticket on United out of Indy for another 500 bucks.

I'll give the guy credit, he owned his mistake and apologized and even when he thought he was right, he wasn't a hardass about it. It was a simple mistake of not realizing what the regulations were. Frontier was as good to me as they could have been -- I don't think it would have been right for them to hold the flight and they did offer to rebook me on tomorrow's flight for no change fee. And if I had been running a little bit earlier, I might have stood around for a bit longer before heading to security. All that said, though, this is a lot of hassle to go through to take a trip I don't really want to take in the first place.

At least I get two gropings today instead of just one...

Next time, refuse to come to them and get on the plane. They will send about 15 guys up to talk to you. You will still miss your flight but you will get a better story out of it.

I guess there's no point in asking why you packed a gun?

This is why I always travel the day before I need to be anywhere, and arrive 2 hours early for my flight...you just never know what might happen. Even that doesn't always guarantee that I get out on time.

So, what model Glock?

been there, done that with video equipment. Arrived at the airport 3 hours early, and still missed the flight because the TSA guys thought all my equipment looked "suspecious". I admit, that packing 4 cameras and all the equipment for them in three hardshell suitcases (weighing 75 pounds each) can look odd... it was the way we always did things.

I am glad I do not have to fly for living any more.

So it's not air travel you hate, it's the TSA.

Keith Tanner wrote: So it's not air travel you hate, it's the TSA.

But for the average American, air travel and the TSA go hand in hand.

I don't mind flying, but I sure do hate airports. Probably something to do with the fact that the only airport I'm very familiar with is O'Hare.

Get elected to Congress. You'll fly private flights all the time and never have to deal with the TSA like the other peasants. That or become their good buddy and you can get in the skip line at DC.

And, if you'd have just locked it, as not legally required, you'd have been on your way and at the conference. You chose to make a stand.

Not saying you should simply submit, far from it. Just that you should also recognize the part you played in missing that flight.

I fly almost every week, sometimes two trips weekly. Asia, Europe, cross-Canada - no problem. The TSA is ridiculous. Much as I love visiting the States, the security has me loathing any trip that entails traveling there. I can always count on adding at least an hour to my pre-travel time, and being stressed out due to the abundance of attitude.

The TSA agent should simply know this. Its a pretty big responsibility and a failure on his end, apology or not. In my job, I can get in a lot of trouble if I don't know certain rules.

Lesley wrote: I guess there's no point in asking why you packed a gun?

My point as well.

I've traveled around the world a few times. Never a problem. Made platinum with united a few times. Been all over. Never a problem.

Why the gun? Are you stupid?

Lesley wrote: I fly almost every week, sometimes two trips weekly. Asia, Europe, cross-Canada - no problem. The TSA is ridiculous. Much as I love visiting the States, the security has me loathing any trip that entails traveling there. I can always count on adding at least an hour to my pre-travel time, and being stressed out due to the abundance of attitude.

With that much flying, how are you not TSA pre-checked? Is that only available to US citizens? My wife is TSA-Pre, and it's super helpful, since she can carry most of our luggage without much checking. It's pretty awesome.

N Sperlo wrote: The TSA agent should simply know this. Its a pretty big responsibility and a failure on his end, apology or not. In my job, I can get in a lot of trouble if I don't know certain rules.

There's a big problem with the TSA right there, no accountability. The TSA agent won't have any consequences for this.

A Canadian friend of mine travels for a living, usually to third world countries and questionable areas. I think he collected all the countries in the Axis of Evil. He simply won't fly through the US, as he's concerned about the freak-out the TSA will have when they see the stamps in his passport.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: ....Why the gun? Are you stupid?

Nice.

Perhaps you should find out why he wants / needs a gun at his destination before calling him stupid.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Lesley wrote: I guess there's no point in asking why you packed a gun?

My point as well. I've traveled around the world a few times. Never a problem. Made platinum with united a few times. Been all over. Never a problem. Why the gun? Are you stupid?

A lot of people check firearms when they travel. it isn't uncommon at all. Generally takes just a few minutes extra, seriously it's that easy. Sounds like the OP just got a green TSA agent.

It's just a wee baby Glock 26. I try not to leave home without it.

I realize this is a TSA problem and not the airline itself, but airlines on general aren't what they used to be. I used to love flying, but with the TSA the way it is and the cost cutting that the airlines are doing, it's just a miserable overall experience.

In this case, though, I wasn't making any sort of stand. By the time the TSA agent showed up to tell me that he thought my bag needed to be locked, the plane was already in the air.

And, sure, I'm stupid if that's what works for you. :)

Cotton wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Lesley wrote: I guess there's no point in asking why you packed a gun?

My point as well. I've traveled around the world a few times. Never a problem. Made platinum with united a few times. Been all over. Never a problem. Why the gun? Are you stupid?

A lot of people check firearms when they travel. it isn't uncommon at all. Generally takes just a few minutes extra, seriously it's that easy. Sounds like the OP just got a green TSA agent.

Not to get all soap-boxy, but yeah. How dare this guy exercise one of his rights while traveling! The next thing you know, he'll want to do things like speak! If you carry a gun around while at home, why do you expect that reason to disappear while traveling?

wae wrote: In this case, though, I wasn't making any sort of stand. By the time the TSA agent showed up to tell me that he thought my bag needed to be locked, the plane was already in the air.

Ah, didn't glean that originally.

alfadriver wrote:

Lesley wrote: I fly almost every week, sometimes two trips weekly. Asia, Europe, cross-Canada - no problem. The TSA is ridiculous. Much as I love visiting the States, the security has me loathing any trip that entails traveling there. I can always count on adding at least an hour to my pre-travel time, and being stressed out due to the abundance of attitude.

With that much flying, how are you not TSA pre-checked? Is that only available to US citizens? My wife is TSA-Pre, and it's super helpful, since she can carry most of our luggage without much checking. It's pretty awesome.

The lineup for non-citizens to go through customs is ridiculous. Sometimes it snakes around the department, through the doors and out behind the ticket counters. This is US only.

I don't ever check a bag, I pack everything into a carryon. I have priority through the security check-through, so that cuts down some of the lining up, but there's no priority clearance for Customs. Still waiting for my Nexus application, which will help.

In reply to Lesley:

What I'm reading here is a TSA security problem, the issue you more have is a customs problem- which usually is on different parts of the flight. Although, many airports, one travels into the US at the originating airport. I suspect that if one originated in Canada with a weapon flying to the US, it would be even more difficult than what wae encountered- especially if the US customs was at the original airport.

If I did a lot of international travel, I would do what you are doing, the Nexus application for quick entry. Which I can't recall what it's called off the top of my head. We just go international once every few years, not making it worth it.

My last return trip to Canada had 6 legs. I had to go through security 5 times. Argh.

Canadian security is so much different, even to the point of the screeners having a sense of humour. I've never seen so many smiles around an X-ray machine, even on someone who just got tagged for extra screening. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes.

wae wrote: After about 7 minutes, I went through security and got to my gate -- took plenty of time, I walked up to the gate with about 18 minutes to spare before the flight's departure time.

I travel almost weekly for work. Gun or no gun, it sounds like you cut it way too close. 18 minutes is really only 8 minutes, given that they generally close the door 10 minutes early.

Keith Tanner wrote: My last return trip to Canada had 6 legs. I had to go through security 5 times. Argh. Canadian security is so much different, even to the point of the screeners having a sense of humour. I've never seen so many smiles around an X-ray machine, even on someone who just got tagged for extra screening. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes.

Agreed.

dyintorace wrote:

wae wrote: After about 7 minutes, I went through security and got to my gate -- took plenty of time, I walked up to the gate with about 18 minutes to spare before the flight's departure time.

I travel almost weekly for work. Gun or no gun, it sounds like you cut it way too close. 18 minutes is really only 8 minutes, given that they generally close the door 10 minutes early.

Op seems like a bit of a travel newb. I've been out for three weeks at a time and never checked a bag.