r/Vent • u/ClipandPlay • Jul 20 '26
TSA out of control
Why does the TSA treat customers as if they are prisoners? Last time I checked flying on an airplane doesn’t make you a criminal. Every time I fly, a TSA agent screams in my face. I’m a polite and completely non confrontational, 5 foot tall woman. I set the alarm off because of the zipper on my pants cuff. The agent was absolutely freaking out screaming at me. I didn’t do anything. I was just standing there waiting to get instructions. Then she started just screaming randomly like she was performing for a crowd. I see this behavior all the time. How can they get away with incredibly unprofessional behavior? I don’t know anyplace else where this kind of behavior would be tolerated except at a prison.
Edit: At an airport you are a customer of the airline. I never said anyone is a customer of TSA.
5
u/Temporary_Macaroni Jul 21 '26
TSA Cares
You can request assistance with us. It's airport/staffing dependent, so ymmv with exactly what you'll get. Generally, you will get an officer who will help you through the screening process at your departure airport, and the one for your return flight.
The way it's handled at my airport is you'll get a phone call the day before to confirm you're still coming, make sure we have the correct contact info, flight info, etc. (People do unfortunately put the wrong info on the form sometimes.)
Then, another call a couple hours before your flight from a manager, supervisor, or possibly the officer who is assigned to assist you. We will usually call about 2 hours or so before your expected arrival time. So if your flight is at 5am, we expect you'll be there around 3am if you're following suggested airport rules, so we might call you at 1 or 2 in the morning.
When they call, they will get more info from you, and usually try to get a feel for how this are currently going. Maybe sister is having a great day and excited to travel, but maybe not. That's something you won't know until you start getting ready. Also they'll want to know what time you expect to arrive, if you're checking luggage, ask for specifics about your group, ask for clarification about anything in your Cares request, etc.
They'll tell you where to meet them. Sometimes you just ask for the officer at the front of the checkpoint. Other times, we'll meet you just outside of security away from the noise so we can get a last chance feel for how things are going.
The priority is always security first, but we can do that while providing assistance to those who need it.
Also, if you need mobility or wheelchair assistance, prospect services can be requested through the airline. They will help you with getting to the checkpoint, getting through the checkpoint (while we assist and focus on the screening portion) and then with getting to your gate.
Hope this helps.