TSA Verification for non-US citizens???

On a multi-leg trip around the US last week I pulled as usual for SSSS and given the once-over. I don't overly object to this (although it could be a lot smarter), however while chatting to a TSA supervisor in JFK about this, he said "well of course you can register to be verified on the TSA website, and while it won't garuantee a slicker journey it'll probably help".

Needless to say I went straight to the TSA web site, and of course it's asking for US-oriented documentation, although it'll accept a non-US passport, plus two other means of identification. That's fine however;

1) They're asking respondents to SEND a passport, Birth Certificate and Drivers License through the mail for verification! Would you MAIL this instant ID kit to anyone??? Surely if it gets "lost in the mail" or stolen someone then has a complete false ID set - surely exactly they're trying to avoid?

2) Is anyone aware of whether they'll allow me to take originals to a US Immigration office at an airport and complete the paperwork locally, as I really don't want to to 1) above!

I sent an email through the "TSA" "contact us" email address on their website a couple of weeks ago, and of course I've heard nothing in reply...

Grateful for any advice. (and yes I've registered with the various airlines FF progs, and I pay with CC and not cash - not sure if there's much else I can do avoid being SSSS).

Thanks.

Happened to me at Toronto airport last month. They asked me the same question so many times, I assume in the hope I would slip up and say I didn't work for a bank and was there for some other reason. [V]

Hopefully there is some way to avoid this, as i'd be up for that!

[fozzyo]

Whats SSSS?

[Neil]

Originally posted by fozzyo
Whats SSSS?

Selected for Secondary Security Screening!!:)

[fozzyo]

Guess I don't look that shadey ... haven't had it happen yet.

Originally posted by locutus
Happened to me at Toronto airport last month. They asked me the same question so many times, I assume in the hope I would slip up and say I didn't work for a bank and was there for some other reason. [V]

Hopefully there is some way to avoid this, as i'd be up for that!

Apparently some of the following will cause a level of interest;

1) Paying for the flights by cash
2) Being a foreign national - especially certain countries
3) Name is of interest
4) One way flights/Single sector flights
5) No bags
6) Eyes too close together [}:)]
7) On other countries or US "watch lists"

There are two more:
8) multiple one-way trips, even if on business visa within a short period (Probably the reason in this instance; see the words 'multi-leg' and 'last week' in OP)

and, unfortunately,
9) Just because they can. They have to meet a minimum quota of SSSS. Although they deny that, it's true.

Now the TSA is stating you can't take an empty water bottle or other container past a checkpoint, or anything which holds over 3 ounces. This includes the popular Platypus folding water bottles, and now seems to include insulated coffee mugs. (Last month the coffee mugs were allowed.) Have a 4 oz Nalgene bottle with 3 ounces of shower gel in it? Wave it good-bye. You a zip-o-phobe? If you don't have everything considered a toiletry in that zip-lock clear quart bag, it goes. Even if it's a bar of soap. Or so the TSA now claims in interviews. It's not at all clear on their own website. I print out the regs and still have trouble each time I fly. I swear they make stuff up! Coming here for the holidays? Chill before arriving or departing, it's going to be a bumpy ride thru security...[n]

Welcome to the US! If you can get out before going postal at the TSA, you're a better flyer than many, Gunga Din...

So who decides? The TSA tell the airline in advance? The airline? The check in person? [?]

TSA, unfortunately. And they have no bleeping idea what they're doing most of the time. I can fly out of SEA to LAX to PHX with the same stuff, but woe on me when I try to fly OUT of PHX!

You can print the regs (I do) and ask politely for a supervisor (I have) and you are still unsure of what they'll do. Even the spokespeople for the TSA state stuff in interviews (like one this week for the Wall Street Journal) that is counter to their own website.

And they have the nerve to wonder why so many US-based airlines are in bankruptcy... I don't! Really need that thing? Check it, TSA-approved lock it, and make sure you excess-value your bags (US airlines lose a LOT of bags, or they're tampered with, something else the TSA doesn't want to openly admit to), or pay big $$$ to ship by one of the luggage shippers so the TSA can never come near your stuff. I could go UC full fare to SYD 2x with what I've paid in baggage freight this year alone!

[Scrooge]

Ok i'm just wondering how you equate the TSA being..hell I will be tactful and say less than efficient to Delta, Northwest and Comair etc being in bankruptcy? I could of sworn that it was more to do with their costs being higher than their revenues.

Sorry to be sarcastic but your comment is just plain wrong.

Ok back to the subject in hand, The TSA.

Well a quick search on here for post's will find what most of us think about them, but what it comes down to is you get what you pay for.

Actually, I was referring to the mass migration many business travelers are making to road travel when faced with short flights. With all the hassles at many airports, and the rise in time taken getting to/waiting at/clearing TSA per flight, it's often simpler to drive. Many times I've looked at the calendar (weekend jam or holiday) and just said, 'oh, where are my keys? It's only a 6 hour drive!!'

I, like many other US travelers, really dislike specific airports/terminals for the way they handle screening. Not all, mind you - but certain ones will never see me unless I'm diverted! PHX Terminal 4 comes to mind as my all-time won't-go-there.

If US airlines want to get people to fly short hops like they used to, they need to get the TSA problem sorted out sooner or later. I have fewer problems flying internationally, which doesn't bother me at all. You'd think domestic travel would be smoother. Sorry. Not.

Now I just add a half-day for travel, and drive if I can (up to 400 miles). I'm not alone. And you can thank the scrambled-egg mentality at TSA for the switch. What I carry I NEED upon arrival. None of it's on the prohibited list, but it's a dice roll if I can take it onboard. A bigger dice roll if I check it so I know TSA won't take it away. Will it be there? Won't it?

With the influx of bags from people unsure what will get taken away, there will be many more unhappy people at the carousels this winter. US airlines couldn't cope BEFORE the new crackdown, and now it will be worse.

Until the baggage problem (hear me, USAir?) gets fixed, there will be many more unhappy travelers picking up car keys. THAT'S why I equate TSA with bankruptcy. If TSA had a standard rule and STUCK BY IT (at every line at every airport), many people wouldn't drop bags and overload an already-dismal baggage system or avoid the airport altogether.

Avoiding the airport=more airlines go bye-bye. I don't want that. Nobody wants that. But it's going to happen if something isn't done pronto.

[Scrooge]

Ok there you go, now you have made a good argument for your reasoning.

Shame of it is that even though (as I would expect from a writer) that even though you bring up some good points, what you are missing is the fact's.

The fact's are that more people are flying now on domestic flight's than ever.The reason for the BK's is simply that the airlines were selling tickets at a loss, the revenue stream from the high priced J tickets dried up and the "legacy" airlines were no longer able to support their own cost structures meaning wages, aircraft costs and fuel.

Hence the endless rounds of wage cuts endured by the workers at various airlines over the last 5 years.
Now throw in the new airlines like JetBlue who ordered massive amounts of new aircraft and with new staff had a much lower cost base for their service, the legacy carrier decided to match them on price which in hind sight was pretty much the nail in the coffin.

Anyways thanks for posting on here, nice to see someone that cant carry over their thoughts so clearly.

Um should we split this little spat off into "Other Ailines" perhaps with a title along the lines of "Why have all the US Airlines gone?" or perhaps "Chapter 12 - Is this an FAA rule which airlines have to operate under?"

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by sailor99
Um should we split this little spat off into "Other Ailines" perhaps with a title along the lines of "Why have all the US Airlines gone?" or perhaps "Chapter 12 - Is this an FAA rule which airlines have to operate under?"

Nope no need, but thanks for checking.

Wasn't checking, I was suggesting, probably because I thought there maybe a need. Gosh, I seem to be in a fighting mood tonight!

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by sailor99
Wasn't checking, I was suggesting, probably because I thought there maybe a need. Gosh, I seem to be in a fighting mood tonight!

LMAO maybe you have been spending to much time on a certain blog?

Anyways an argument was made, another argument was posted to rebut that post, it's not going OT the thread is doing what a good thread should, offering differing opinions, all I asked for was a clarification.

Anyways thanks for posting on here, nice to see someone that cant carry over their thoughts so clearly.

Do remind me not to clarify if you ask me .

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by sailor99
Um should we split this little spat off into "Other Ailines" perhaps with a title along the lines of "Why have all the US Airlines gone?" or perhaps "Chapter 12 - Is this an FAA rule which airlines have to operate under?"

US airlines operate under 14 CFR 121 which is enforced by the fine southern lady Marion Blakey and her folks at the FAA.