A good TSA encounter

[T-Bird76]

Ok I know I'm harsh on the TSA but I'm also as equally obliged to point out good things when I see them and this is one of those cases where I was very happy the TSA responded to my concerns.

I'm sitting here right now at gate A11 in Sacramento Intl airport and when I was checking in with Southwest at the ticket counter I observed two agents not checking ids. Then when I got up to check my bag the CSR didn't check my id, she was a supervisor to. I said to her after she tagged my bag, were you planning on checking my id. She just stood there with this totally pissed off look on her face as I took out my id and basically shoved it in her face. Even then she didn't look at it. I wasn't at all happy about this and asked for her name and a supervisor. That's how I found out she was a sup, when she said "I'm the supervisor." I walked away and spotted a TSA agent and told him about this breach. He happened to be a Supervisor as well and said "Well we don't monitor the airlines employees but let me get a Sacramento Police officer and see if he can check it out."

Within 30 seconds a Sacramento Sherriff arrived asked me what happened and said well we can't enforce what they do but let’s get a manager. The three of us proceeded back to the WN ticket counter where the Sherriff requested that a manager come out. Sure enough they did and I explained what happened and which agents were not checking ids. Sure enough even as we were chatting the same supervisor and her prissy attitude missed another id check. The manager pulled the two off the line and took them to the back office. What happened then I have no idea but I was very pleased the TSA agent responded in this manner vs. just saying "well we don't deal with the airlines directly" and leaving it at that. This kind of reaction is the kind of response I expect from the TSA and I commend this gentleman for his willingness to care.

I've already contacted WN customer service to voice my dissatisfaction in their SMF operations.

[Alex T]

I didn't trust the SMF security line either Tom when I flew out on SWA.

it was very screwed up and very "quick". I swear nothing was searched when I went through.

Alex

[moose135]

Good job reporting that Tommy, we need all the eyeballs we can get! Glad to see that TSA & the sherriff didn't blow you off.

Last month, waiting at ISP on my way to MCO, some woman dropped her bag at the head of the "B" line at the WN gate and sat down in a nearby row of seats (at least 15 feet away). This was a good 1+15 prior to our departure time, and no one else was on line or near the cattle chutes (:-)). After about 15 minutes, I heard them page somebody to our gate, and a few minutes later two guys in suits with radios showed up, looked a the bag, and asked the woman if it was hers, since she was the closest to it. She said it was, and they told her she couldn't leave it sitting there like that, as it had been reported as an unattended bag. She didn't seem too happy to have to take it off the line.

[Alex T]

Moose- Good job on that too. Tom did it to someone at BWI.

I always tell people those reserving their bag in line i say you better remove the bag out of the line or stand in it or I will report it to security as a missing bag since your not standing with it.

Sure they may get pissed at me but hey if you don't want to stand in line fly another airline, but if your going to fly on SWA, you will stand like the rest of us.

Alex

[Winglets747]

I've been increasingly amazed at the number of times ticket agents have not asked to see ID, especially when using a check-in machine and checking bags.

What happens with online check-in and you do not check bags? In theory the only person who sees your ID would the security contract person.

-Will

[tipek]

And thats why I don't like to fly SWA :) Wating in line hoping to get good seat :)

[mirrodie]

Good job reporting that Tommy

Yep, that's the only way to improve!