Follow up to TSA Response - Airline Management cannot request TSA to search bags on thier behalf...
I decided to do one more attempt to see if airline management can request TSA or any immigration/ag. officer to do a search on their behalf.
The answer is NO!!! (as you can see from the responses below).
So if you hear or find out that TSA is searching bags to look for items taken off the plane or by request of airline management, they are violating their own rules. If the TSA agent makes a comment in regards to bag search on behalf of the airline, dont put up a fight but request the TSA agent's name and the supervisor on duty. Report it via the TSA website and call your local AFA office. As your own personal choice, you might look into personal legal advise.
However, London and Frankfurt are a totally different story... Crews are getting searched left and right! So be aware. And those security agents have the direct lines to supervisors' cell phone numbers which they get called right away when a suspicious item is found on a crew member's bag. But that is a deal that AFA in FRA and LHR need to look into.
Take care and Happy Holidays!!!
Raul
From: XYZ
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 2:56 PM
To: Hornbach, Barbara
Cc: GotFeedback; SALGADO, PATRICK
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Chicago-O'Hare Int'l Airport (ORD)
Ms. Hornbach:
Thank you so much for your reply and I do appreciate your time.
The issue we have, as Flight Attendants and crew members, is that we need to know, for once and for all, if a TSA Officer, a US Customs & Boarder Protection Officer, or a CBP Agricultural Specialist has the right to be asked by an Airline Management to do bag and personal searches on their behalf.
I don’t think that qualifies as a “sensitive/security” information. It should be a straight yes or no answer.
If you cannot answer that question, who should I speak to.
Thank you so much and I do hope to get an answer from you soon,
Raul
Mr. Zambrana:
I can only speak for TSA but I assume CBP works in the same way. Our Officers will not search a bag based solely on the request of a non-TSA employee. Officers will assess the situation and determine for themselves whether a bag search is required or not.
Regards,
Barbara Hornbach
Barbara H. Hornbach
Customer Service Quality Improvement Manager
Transportation Security Administration
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Tel: (773) 377-1217
Cell: (773) 343-1772
Email: barbara.hornbach@dhs.gov
Yes, we work the same way. If feel we need to ask questions or search bags, we can do it with our Border Search Authority.
Thank you,
Patrick Salgado
Passenger Service Manager
United States Customs and Border Protection
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago, Illinois 60666
773-894-2900 Ext. 2872
312-296-6528-Blackberry
Showing posts with label TSA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TSA. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Read this!!! Interesting!!! I received an email from an ORD based flight attendant with the story below. And for those of you who know me, you know I need to follow-up when I see an injustice. So I went ahead and shot an email to TSA... and read the story below. The emails are set in chronological order. If anyone has any input, please send me a message. Thanks!
From an Chicago based UA Flight Attendant: (Dec.05)
I got pulled today at O'hare customs. The customs agent asked me specifically if I took anything from the plane and if I bought anything from the crew or purser (thought that was a weird question). He said they were doing random crew searches because of reports of crew stealing from the airplane. I am going to contact the union and find out if united is once again trying to get around proper bag searches by having customs search us.
By the way, just talked to the union. Customs Agents are reporting crews and you need to get the Customs Agent(s) badge numbers and names if this happens to you!
My questions are:
1. Why would TSA help United this way? Any benefits for TSA?
2. Does UA has the authority to ask TSA to do searches on their behalf?
3. What are TSA proper procedures when searching crew bags?
I guess this is a story what will continue to develop....
Then, I decided to send this email via the TSA website feedback section:
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2008 7:31 AM
To: Hornbach, Barbara
Subject: Got Feedback : Chicago-O'Hare Int'l Airport (ORD)
Current Date/Time: 12/13/2008 8:31:47 AM
Airport: Chicago-O'Hare Int'l Airport (ORD)
Date/Time of Travel: 12/5/2008
Airline & Flight Number: United
Checkpoint/Area of Airport: O'Hare Immigrations at Terminal 5
TSA Employee: (If Known):
Compliment/Complaint:
One of the crew members of a United flight got pulled to a secondary check at O'Hare customs. The TSA agent asked the crew member, specifically, if s/he took anything from the plane.
The TSA agent also asked if the crew member if she "bought anything from the crew or purser" (thought that was a weird question).
The TSA agent said they were doing random crew searches because of reports of crew stealing from United airplanes.
I would like TSA to answer the following questions:
1. What are TSA proper procedures when searching crew bags? Anywhere crew members can read or access these procedures?
2. Does any airline management has the authority to ask TSA to do bag searches on their behalf? If so, what is the procedure?
3. If an airline management member asks TSA to do bag searches on their behalf, is this public information that can be look at? if so, how?
4. If these are not the proper procedures, what are the resources the crew member has to report the TSA agent who does an improper bag search?
5. Lastly, what is considered an improper bag search?
Thank you very much and any help you can send, (i.e. online resources or regulations available) will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Would you like a response?: Yes
Passenger’s Name: XXXX
Phone Number: XXXX
Email: XXXX
-----Original Message-----
From: Hornbach, Barbara
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:36 AM
To: XXXX
Cc: Hornbach, Barbara; GotFeedback; SALGADO, PATRICK
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Chicago-O'Hare Int'l Airport (ORD)
Mr. XYZ:
I am forwarding your Got Feedback email to Customs & Border Patrol for their consideration.
Regards,
Barbara Hornbach
Barbara H. Hornbach
Customer Service Quality Improvement Manager
Transportation Security Administration
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Tel: (773) 377-1217
Cell: (773) 343-1772
Email: barbara.hornbach@dhs.gov
Sent: December 17, 2008
Mr. XYZ:
We discussed this Got Feedback email that you sent us. First of all, if a crew member has a complaint, he/she needs to contact us directly with the following information:
- Name
- Date/time
- Exact airline/flight number
- Inbound/outbound
- Is the issue with a TSA Officer, a US Customs & Boarder Protection Officer, or a CBP Agricultural Specialist? These are distinct positions and in the case of TSA and CBP different agencies.
Moreover, the answers to the questions you have asked are sensitive security information and cannot provided you. In addition, owing to the Privacy Act of 1974 we not at liberty to investigate the incident or release any information on the individual who prompted your inquiry.
We will be glad to direct the individual impacted to the proper authorities when we hear from him/her.
With kind regards,
Barbara Hornbach
Barbara H. Hornbach
Customer Service Quality Improvement Manager
Transportation Security Administration
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Tel: (773) 377-1217
Cell: (773) 343-1772
Email: barbara.hornbach@dhs.gov
-------------------
Then, I replied on December 17th:
Ms. Hornbach:
Thank you so much for your reply and I do appreciate your time.
The issue we have, as Flight Attendants and crew members, is that we need to know, for once and for all, if a TSA Officer, a US Customs & Boarder Protection Officer, or a CBP Agricultural Specialist has the right to be asked by an Airline Management to do bag and personal searches on their behalf.
I don’t think that qualifies as a “sensitive/security” information. It should be a straight yes or no answer.
If you cannot answer that question, who should I speak to.
Thank you so much and I do hope to get an answer from you soon,
Raul
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
THE TSA EXPERIENCE -- MY HORROR STORY AT JFK AIRPORT WITH TSA CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATIONS AUTHORITIES
I arrived today (December 9th) from Germany at Terminal 1 in JFK Airport. Flight was great and had a good time... till it was time to clear Customs and Immigrations.
The line I was assigned was moving too slow; actually not moving at all. I jumped to another line, which happens to be a young TSA's agent: Mr. Rowdings line. When I approached him, this is the conversation that ensured:
Me: "Good evening!"
Rowdings: "You jumped from that line to this one!"
Me: "So? If there is a problem with that, give me my passport and I will go back."
Rowdings: "You don't need to have an attitude!"
Me: "Well, you don't need to ask."
Rowdings: "It is my job to ask!"
Me: "Oh... new job responsibilities; also taking care of lines?"
With that, I sealed my fate... He made the mark that I would have to go through the secondary TSA check with my luggage. So, I went through the secondary check. However, that was a different story.
But I need to digress for a moment...
There was a woman who came in with her 4 dalmatian dogs; one older and 3 puppies. She was sobbing crying in the secondary security line next to the one I was. I've traveled with my dog internationally so I know how stressful it is. I don't know the details of the situation or what was happening with this woman, but it could have been something wrong with the veterinarian's paperwork or vaccinations. She was quite hysterical and the TSA agent taking care of her 'case' was not helpful at all. He only needed to be sympathetic to her; that's all. The only thing he needed to do was, at least, be nice to her. At one point she was trying to make a phone call and the TSA Agent got two inches away from her face and started to scream: "There is no cell phone usage in this area!" And he kept screaming at her! I was getting very upset watching this happening in front of me. I wanted to jump in an defend the woman but did not want to get in any more trouble than I already was.
Back to my story... I got to my secondary check and the guy could not be any nicer. We started talking and I did not have anything in my suitcase to be checked except the usual German coffee I bring every time I come back from Europe and my dirty underwear.
The conversation turned interesting when he asked me what I do for a living. I told him: "I am a flight attendant." Then I proceeded to tell him what happened to me earlier and that I wanted to file a complaint with TSA. He told me what to do (go to tsa.gov and click on the feedback icon). He let me go right away with no problems.
And you might ask yourselves... why did you confront the TSA agent to start with?
Here is my take... I've flown all over the world and solely internationally for over 9 years. I've seen the best and the worst of TSA agents... Sadly, the worst is the normality more than the exception. . is a shame that these TSA agents have to be such big a**holes!
What bothers me the most is that this is the first point of contact for most tourists and visitors to the USA. And this is the way these TSA Agents behave? Is this the image we want to create that we behave in our Country? What's up with the attitude?
From my experiences, the worst airports for entry into the USA: New York's JFK and Washington DC (Dulles). The best airports: Denver (all the time) and Chicago (only in a good day). I wonder what kind of Customer Service training they receive. I do know that they are there primarily for safety but there is no need for their nasty behavior.
By the way, if you are wondering, the TSA Agent did not let the dogs go. The TSA Agent was doing the paperwork to hold the doggies back; quarantine or who knows... And the doggies kept crying and barking for mama! It was so sad to watch and see the lady crying and going between the dogs in the cages and back to the nasty, power-driven, a**hole TSA Agent. At one point I had to turned the other way because it was just too much to bear! For those of us who are doggy/pet lovers, this was a horrific scene to witness!
As we call it in the industry: "TSA is going on a Power Trip!"
And why do they do it? Because they can screw up your day if they want to!
I can go on and on with other examples I've witnessed and be a victim of, but won't bore you with any more details. Ok... a couple of quick ones: they held one internationally based flight attendant for 4 hours because one crew member made a comment about how slow the line was moving and a passenger held because he did forget he had a fruit (banana) in his carry-on.
I did write my letter to TSA and does hope that does not fall in deaf ears or gets lost in cyberspace. If I do get a reply, I will ensure I post it here immediately.
The line I was assigned was moving too slow; actually not moving at all. I jumped to another line, which happens to be a young TSA's agent: Mr. Rowdings line. When I approached him, this is the conversation that ensured:
Me: "Good evening!"
Rowdings: "You jumped from that line to this one!"
Me: "So? If there is a problem with that, give me my passport and I will go back."
Rowdings: "You don't need to have an attitude!"
Me: "Well, you don't need to ask."
Rowdings: "It is my job to ask!"
Me: "Oh... new job responsibilities; also taking care of lines?"
With that, I sealed my fate... He made the mark that I would have to go through the secondary TSA check with my luggage. So, I went through the secondary check. However, that was a different story.
But I need to digress for a moment...
There was a woman who came in with her 4 dalmatian dogs; one older and 3 puppies. She was sobbing crying in the secondary security line next to the one I was. I've traveled with my dog internationally so I know how stressful it is. I don't know the details of the situation or what was happening with this woman, but it could have been something wrong with the veterinarian's paperwork or vaccinations. She was quite hysterical and the TSA agent taking care of her 'case' was not helpful at all. He only needed to be sympathetic to her; that's all. The only thing he needed to do was, at least, be nice to her. At one point she was trying to make a phone call and the TSA Agent got two inches away from her face and started to scream: "There is no cell phone usage in this area!" And he kept screaming at her! I was getting very upset watching this happening in front of me. I wanted to jump in an defend the woman but did not want to get in any more trouble than I already was.
Back to my story... I got to my secondary check and the guy could not be any nicer. We started talking and I did not have anything in my suitcase to be checked except the usual German coffee I bring every time I come back from Europe and my dirty underwear.
The conversation turned interesting when he asked me what I do for a living. I told him: "I am a flight attendant." Then I proceeded to tell him what happened to me earlier and that I wanted to file a complaint with TSA. He told me what to do (go to tsa.gov and click on the feedback icon). He let me go right away with no problems.
And you might ask yourselves... why did you confront the TSA agent to start with?
Here is my take... I've flown all over the world and solely internationally for over 9 years. I've seen the best and the worst of TSA agents... Sadly, the worst is the normality more than the exception. . is a shame that these TSA agents have to be such big a**holes!
What bothers me the most is that this is the first point of contact for most tourists and visitors to the USA. And this is the way these TSA Agents behave? Is this the image we want to create that we behave in our Country? What's up with the attitude?
From my experiences, the worst airports for entry into the USA: New York's JFK and Washington DC (Dulles). The best airports: Denver (all the time) and Chicago (only in a good day). I wonder what kind of Customer Service training they receive. I do know that they are there primarily for safety but there is no need for their nasty behavior.
By the way, if you are wondering, the TSA Agent did not let the dogs go. The TSA Agent was doing the paperwork to hold the doggies back; quarantine or who knows... And the doggies kept crying and barking for mama! It was so sad to watch and see the lady crying and going between the dogs in the cages and back to the nasty, power-driven, a**hole TSA Agent. At one point I had to turned the other way because it was just too much to bear! For those of us who are doggy/pet lovers, this was a horrific scene to witness!
As we call it in the industry: "TSA is going on a Power Trip!"
And why do they do it? Because they can screw up your day if they want to!
I can go on and on with other examples I've witnessed and be a victim of, but won't bore you with any more details. Ok... a couple of quick ones: they held one internationally based flight attendant for 4 hours because one crew member made a comment about how slow the line was moving and a passenger held because he did forget he had a fruit (banana) in his carry-on.
I did write my letter to TSA and does hope that does not fall in deaf ears or gets lost in cyberspace. If I do get a reply, I will ensure I post it here immediately.
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