Forbidden to Fly for Objecting to Security Taking my Purse from my Possession
May 1, 2002, 10:01 pm
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
Forbidden to Fly for Objecting to Security Taking my Purse from my Possession
Most Amazing thing I have ever seen!
Today I was escorted out of PDX "E" Gate security station, back to the UA 1k desk and told that I was not allowed to fly today out of PDX, because I called for a security supervisor when the line agent tried to take my purse out of my sight line.
Personally, I think it was a weak shot at revenge, because last week, when they tried the same thing, I called the UA Operations Supervisor, and the Huntleigh Supervisor who encouraged me to report it to the TSA, which I did, giving her the names and numbers of all of the people with whom had interacted at PDX.
Here is the story of the day:
I aproached security, put my purse and bag onto the belt and went through security. On the other side they said they had to rerun my purse and I said that that was fine as long as I could see it at all times. I walked back and watched them put my purse on the belt and went back to the exit point. When my purse came out they took it off the belt and put it on the floor out of my sight. (I am careful about my purse these days as I had a security agent take a $50.00 bill out of my purse once during the screening process.)
I politely informed them that removing my purse form my sight was against FAA regulations and that I wanted to be able to see my purse at all times. They refused. I again told them that I wanted to see my purse and that FAA regulations provided that I could do so. They ignored that request so I called for security.
They all then became very obnoxious and made it clear that they were going to make me wait around until I missed my flight. When I asked how long they thought it would take until they could check my bag, they told me it was my responsibility to arrive 2 hours before my (35 minute) flight.
After they checked my purse twice through X-ray, and once more by hand, and while I was waiting for them to do a gunpowder test, a National Guardsman came over and told me that since I had disrupted the line by calling for security that I was not allowed to fly out of PDX today. ????????????? For real. That was also the reason (I later discovered that he offered the UA Operations Supervisor.)
Well the Guardsman had a gun and insisted so I followed him, so I went. On the way back to the 1k Desk he told me that they always put items to be searched on the floor out of sight and I was the only one who had ever complained. (I guess that being the only one who understands the FAA rules makes me wrong.)
At the 1k Desk I asked them to print my ticket to paper and proceeded to the other end of the airport to fly AS instead. At the AS end I whizzed through security with no problems and was placed on the next AS flight out.
I again called Huntleigh and they were extremely helpful and promised that in the future they would provde a special agent to escort me though the "E" checkpoint to see exactly what was happening.
I also called the UA Operations Supervisor (the same one I had talked to the previous week) who again told me that they have no control over the FAA and that the FAA in PDX didn't understand the concept of customer service. I had been told the previous week that the PDX FAA agents on the "E" gates have actually pulled agents off the line for being too nice to the customers and informed them that it was their job to let the customers know that they were in charge. The UA Supervisor encouraged me to write a report of the incident and send it to him, to the Huntleigh supervisor and to the TSA so that they could act upon the matter.
My impression is that the PDX FAA on the "E" gates have set themselves up as little SS Officers who will not tolerate anybody who questions them on any point and who does not do exactly what they are told. Sadly, it would appear that in this little spot of America, the terrorists have actually won.
Amazing days.
Today I was escorted out of PDX "E" Gate security station, back to the UA 1k desk and told that I was not allowed to fly today out of PDX, because I called for a security supervisor when the line agent tried to take my purse out of my sight line.
Personally, I think it was a weak shot at revenge, because last week, when they tried the same thing, I called the UA Operations Supervisor, and the Huntleigh Supervisor who encouraged me to report it to the TSA, which I did, giving her the names and numbers of all of the people with whom had interacted at PDX.
Here is the story of the day:
I aproached security, put my purse and bag onto the belt and went through security. On the other side they said they had to rerun my purse and I said that that was fine as long as I could see it at all times. I walked back and watched them put my purse on the belt and went back to the exit point. When my purse came out they took it off the belt and put it on the floor out of my sight. (I am careful about my purse these days as I had a security agent take a $50.00 bill out of my purse once during the screening process.)
I politely informed them that removing my purse form my sight was against FAA regulations and that I wanted to be able to see my purse at all times. They refused. I again told them that I wanted to see my purse and that FAA regulations provided that I could do so. They ignored that request so I called for security.
They all then became very obnoxious and made it clear that they were going to make me wait around until I missed my flight. When I asked how long they thought it would take until they could check my bag, they told me it was my responsibility to arrive 2 hours before my (35 minute) flight.
After they checked my purse twice through X-ray, and once more by hand, and while I was waiting for them to do a gunpowder test, a National Guardsman came over and told me that since I had disrupted the line by calling for security that I was not allowed to fly out of PDX today. ????????????? For real. That was also the reason (I later discovered that he offered the UA Operations Supervisor.)
Well the Guardsman had a gun and insisted so I followed him, so I went. On the way back to the 1k Desk he told me that they always put items to be searched on the floor out of sight and I was the only one who had ever complained. (I guess that being the only one who understands the FAA rules makes me wrong.)
At the 1k Desk I asked them to print my ticket to paper and proceeded to the other end of the airport to fly AS instead. At the AS end I whizzed through security with no problems and was placed on the next AS flight out.
I again called Huntleigh and they were extremely helpful and promised that in the future they would provde a special agent to escort me though the "E" checkpoint to see exactly what was happening.
I also called the UA Operations Supervisor (the same one I had talked to the previous week) who again told me that they have no control over the FAA and that the FAA in PDX didn't understand the concept of customer service. I had been told the previous week that the PDX FAA agents on the "E" gates have actually pulled agents off the line for being too nice to the customers and informed them that it was their job to let the customers know that they were in charge. The UA Supervisor encouraged me to write a report of the incident and send it to him, to the Huntleigh supervisor and to the TSA so that they could act upon the matter.
My impression is that the PDX FAA on the "E" gates have set themselves up as little SS Officers who will not tolerate anybody who questions them on any point and who does not do exactly what they are told. Sadly, it would appear that in this little spot of America, the terrorists have actually won.
Amazing days.
May 1, 2002, 10:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Usually on a ship looking for oil and gas; Uruguay, Malaysia, Turkey, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt, Norway, Scotland, India, Congo & Angola, next project who knows? Agreed to CC rules
Programs: AC Altitude E75K/*G, AS MVP, AF/KLM Petroleum Club, BA Blue
Posts: 1,184
unbelievable
May 1, 2002, 10:16 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,950
It never fails to amaze me how quickly a little power can go to someone's head.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely...
JP
Absolute power corrupts absolutely...
JP
May 1, 2002, 10:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The Internets
Posts: 8,266
Punki, I think what these people did was illegal. I would have been livid.
I'd pursue the matter in the local press in Portland, as a first step.
[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 05-01-2002).]
I'd pursue the matter in the local press in Portland, as a first step.
[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 05-01-2002).]
May 1, 2002, 10:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Memphis, TN USA UA 1K, NW Platinum, AA Gold, Starwood Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 701
Punki,
I would make a big stink, and would involve the media and anyone else of influence. It is unacceptable that this kind of behaviour is allowed. A call to the Senators of the state might also be in order.
So very sad this happens at all, let alone to such a gracious person as yourself!
I would make a big stink, and would involve the media and anyone else of influence. It is unacceptable that this kind of behaviour is allowed. A call to the Senators of the state might also be in order.
So very sad this happens at all, let alone to such a gracious person as yourself!
May 1, 2002, 10:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Usually on a ship looking for oil and gas; Uruguay, Malaysia, Turkey, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt, Norway, Scotland, India, Congo & Angola, next project who knows? Agreed to CC rules
Programs: AC Altitude E75K/*G, AS MVP, AF/KLM Petroleum Club, BA Blue
Posts: 1,184
I agree with Droneklax go to the media ASAP. This sort of behaviour has to be stopped.
May 1, 2002, 10:31 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The Internets
Posts: 8,266
As a matter of fact, this is when we need our journalist lurkers to step in.
Nothing like a good article in the NY Times or the WSJ to put these people back in their place, and pronto .
[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 05-01-2002).]
Nothing like a good article in the NY Times or the WSJ to put these people back in their place, and pronto .
[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 05-01-2002).]
May 1, 2002, 10:38 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
I'd say amazing except that I have watched the PDX security folks play a similar game on me (only on the AS side - C gates) as I described in a thread a while back. I wish I knew what we could do to fix this idiocy. It reminds me of the stories of the INS in PDX back when Delta flew to Asia - we are such a friendly city mostly, what is it with the airport?
May 1, 2002, 11:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 2,976
Does a passenger in a situation like this have any legal recourse?
May 2, 2002, 12:10 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2002
Programs: AA EXP, BA GLD, FT < 30 y
Posts: 2,106
This behavior is unacceptable. I would urge FTers to send the following e-mail to United customer service http://www.united.com/site/primaryNC/1,13494,2076,00.html:
**Be sure to sign your name at the bottom after pasting it into the text box.
**Just to see what kind of response this generates, could you reply to this post with "ditto" or something to that effect?
**Please advise of any changes to the e-mail (i.e. if you can make it more persuasive) or if you have an e-mail address to someone senior at United.
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to comment on the inexcusable abuse a fellow United frequent flyer received at the security screening line in Gate E at PDX on May 1. After this flier objected to her purse being removed from her sight during the security screen, she was unreasonably delayed and ultimately denied passage on her original flight by security officials. This flier's concern is understandable as FAA regulations allow passengers to see their belongings if a hand-search is required. To have a passenger inconvenienced simply because she stood up for her rights is unacceptable. As a very frequent flier on your airline it is disturbing to me that security personnel can abuse passengers by acting in such an arbitary and vindictive manner.
I strongly urge United to investigate this incident to prevent future mistreatment of passengers.
Sincerely yours,
[This message has been edited by CharlesMD (edited 05-02-2002).]
**Be sure to sign your name at the bottom after pasting it into the text box.
**Just to see what kind of response this generates, could you reply to this post with "ditto" or something to that effect?
**Please advise of any changes to the e-mail (i.e. if you can make it more persuasive) or if you have an e-mail address to someone senior at United.
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to comment on the inexcusable abuse a fellow United frequent flyer received at the security screening line in Gate E at PDX on May 1. After this flier objected to her purse being removed from her sight during the security screen, she was unreasonably delayed and ultimately denied passage on her original flight by security officials. This flier's concern is understandable as FAA regulations allow passengers to see their belongings if a hand-search is required. To have a passenger inconvenienced simply because she stood up for her rights is unacceptable. As a very frequent flier on your airline it is disturbing to me that security personnel can abuse passengers by acting in such an arbitary and vindictive manner.
I strongly urge United to investigate this incident to prevent future mistreatment of passengers.
Sincerely yours,
[This message has been edited by CharlesMD (edited 05-02-2002).]
May 2, 2002, 12:36 am
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Pasadena, CA. USA
Posts: 1,438
So sorry to hear about this, Punki. Everyone should stand up aginst these needless and illogical violations to one's civil rights (not to mention common sense)!!
May 2, 2002, 12:50 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
Wowzers! That's just rotten. I always insist on keeping my laptop in sight and haven't ever had any problems. 
I guess I've been lucky -- so far.
[This message has been edited by eastwest (edited 05-02-2002).]
That's just rotten. I always insist on keeping my laptop in sight and haven't ever had any problems. I guess I've been lucky -- so far.[This message has been edited by eastwest (edited 05-02-2002).]
May 2, 2002, 1:02 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SLC
Posts: 600
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by El Cochinito:
Does a passenger in a situation like this have any legal recourse? </font>
Does a passenger in a situation like this have any legal recourse? </font>
However, a civil suit would be more effective with a better chance of success. I'm really praying that someone, somewhere will take this "9/11 security" sh#t to court. Just because you're a passenger on an airliner doesn't mean you're a criminal who needs to be treated like this.
[This message has been edited by pointman (edited 05-02-2002).]
May 2, 2002, 1:17 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
I think this is just another example of what happens when people/staff/military are told to mobilize and "fight terrorism" without being trained in how their authority is to be properly used. It is insulting to us and dangerous that people are given these powers and allowed to abuse them because they think the moment requires it.
Punki's story makes it clear just how disorganized the system is -- crews taking charge of whatever they believe is appropriate, without regard for the systemwide rules that are supposed to govern their jobs. Most disturbing to me is the kind of "retribution" the security staff imposed on Punki b/c she asserted her rights. What kind of security checkpoint staff does this? How can we imagine them to be professional if they do petty things like this?
Tell me, what is the National Guardsman standing at the security checkpoint supposed to be doing? Has there ever been an instance of him/her acting in a useful way? Or is it just for the intimidation of passengers? Certainly, it doesn't seem that they're there to protect our civil rights. That would be asking too much of the military. (And make no mistake, this is the military. This is not a civil authority. We should remember that.)
Read this article if you're interested. It describes a journalist's encounter with the stupidity (yet authority) of airport security in the few weeks after 9/11:
http://www.newsreview.com/issues/sac...0-25/cover.asp
Sorry, this stuff just gets me mad.
[This message has been edited by TA (edited 05-02-2002).]
Punki's story makes it clear just how disorganized the system is -- crews taking charge of whatever they believe is appropriate, without regard for the systemwide rules that are supposed to govern their jobs. Most disturbing to me is the kind of "retribution" the security staff imposed on Punki b/c she asserted her rights. What kind of security checkpoint staff does this? How can we imagine them to be professional if they do petty things like this?
Tell me, what is the National Guardsman standing at the security checkpoint supposed to be doing? Has there ever been an instance of him/her acting in a useful way? Or is it just for the intimidation of passengers? Certainly, it doesn't seem that they're there to protect our civil rights. That would be asking too much of the military. (And make no mistake, this is the military. This is not a civil authority. We should remember that.)
Read this article if you're interested. It describes a journalist's encounter with the stupidity (yet authority) of airport security in the few weeks after 9/11:
http://www.newsreview.com/issues/sac...0-25/cover.asp
Sorry, this stuff just gets me mad.
[This message has been edited by TA (edited 05-02-2002).]
May 2, 2002, 1:19 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,700
I just gave my 2 cents on this to UA customer relations.. .Lets see if they respond.
I've had second searches (explosive test) on my notebook bag at FRA and MUC for flights to the US - they have NEVER hidden my bag - and have always told me what they were about to do. Letting me see the entire process
I've had second searches (explosive test) on my notebook bag at FRA and MUC for flights to the US - they have NEVER hidden my bag - and have always told me what they were about to do. Letting me see the entire process