Airline Security Since Sept. 11, 2001: The story of our experience

Our trip to and from our vacation destination was rather different this year (Jan. 2002) because of the changes made after September 11. We flew from Cleveland to Tampa with a stop in Memphis. Cleveland seemed to do the best job with security. They had extra precautions without being a pain to go through. For some reason, the "random" extra security checks that the airports do weren't very random, and we kept getting picked by the computer. Here's our story:

The first change I noticed was when we were checking our bags in Cleveland. The guy at the counter informed us that we had to keep all luggage unlocked for possible checks. We had to take all our little locks of our bags that we always use. No big deal (as long as no one steals anything). Then when we were going to the gate, we had to present our tickets at the security checkpoint since now only ticketed passengers are allowed by. They had slowed the x-ray machine down, stopping each item inside for a close look. They also made Jeff take his hat off as he walked through the metal detector and show them that nothing was inside. We still got through very quickly, but it was 5am in the morning so there weren't exactly crowds of people around. There were 5 or 6 men in camouflaged uniforms standing there watching as everyone came through.

As we began to board the plane, they announced that we would have to show our IDs again with our tickets and that some people had been randomly selected by the computer for extra security checks. The woman looked at our tickets, told us we were selected, and directed us to a couple tables they had set up nearby. They opened our carry-on bags and my purse, after asking if it was ok, and looked through them. (I wonder what would have happened if we said no). They were pretty thorough, opening up my glasses cases and everything. They made me turn on my camera and change the display on my cell phone screen as well (to make sure they were real, I guess). We also had to take off our shoes (they looked inside them) and they checked our whole bodies with a metal detector wand. They patted our legs down as well (after asking permission again). Then they finally let us on the plane.

In Memphis, the random checks were decided by the person at the table rather than the computer. They checked less people, since only one person was doing it instead of a few. We didn't get chosen, so I didn't see how thorough they were. It looked pretty much the same as Cleveland, but on a smaller scale. I'd hate to be the one randomly choosing people for the fear of them saying "Why me???" but everyone I saw was cooperative.

When we were in Florida, Jeff opened his golf bag (which was checked luggage) and found a slip of paper in it saying that they had opened his bag for a security check. The whole experience went well and I didn't mind anything they did. The trip home was much more annoying....

When we got to the Tampa airport to come home, the guy giving us our tickets informed us that we were chosed by the computer for our checked luggage to be x-rayed and someone would come and take us and our luggage to where we needed to go. We waited there for what seemed like forever until a guy finally came with a cart and loaded up our luggage. He took our tickets from the guy at the counter and instructed us to follow him. On the walk over, he informed us that they usually have other guys doing this so that they can get tips but they were all busy at the moment (he didn't say what his job was). He took us to an area with very large x-ray machines and a long line with ALOT of luggage and told us where to stand and wait, in case they needed to have us open something of ours. After a while, he gave our cart and tickets to another guy and told us to "take care of him" when we were done. Now, I understand tipping when you ask someone to take your luggage for you, but why should we pay for them to take our luggage against our will and confiscate our tickets until they are done? Of course, we didn't see a single person tip those guys (and believe me, we had plenty of time to watch). They finally put our luggage through and gave us our tickets. The whole process took more than 45 minutes. I guess this is why you need to get to the airport early. Jeff was upset because he wanted to be watching the football game and relaxing, not standing there watching endless luggage go through a machine. And I was starving. I want to know why they had to make us be there. They said it was so we could open a bag to look inside if they needed us to, but Cleveland opened Jeff's while we weren't there. The whole time we stood there, I only saw them open one bag. I liked Cleveland's approach much better. Just take our luggage and do what you need to do, as long as we get it all back.

At the security checkpoint to get to the gate, the x-ray belts were moving at normal speed this time, but there were a couple military guys with REALLY big automatic weapons on their hips. I wanted to take their picture, but I wasn't so sure that was a good idea!

When we went to get on the plane, we discovered that we were again chosen by the computer to step aside to the tables. They informed us that those lucky enough to stand around forever for their checked luggage were the same ones who had the extra checks when boarding. She even told us what the secret marking on our tickets was. Jeff thought that it was stupid to tell people that because someone trying to sneak something on would know ahead of time and could give their stuff to someone else or abandon their plan to avoid being arrested. I agree, but it's not that hard to figure out if you really wanted to know, and the word would get out anyway (no I'm not going to tell what it is). Anyway, they did the same things as they did in Cleveland, but their attitude was much worse and they weren't very thorough. The people doing it just seemed like they didn't care. I had my backpack filled completely with shells that I had bought and they were carefully wrapped in newspaper with extra paper wads around them. One woman opened it, saw the paper on top, and immediately closed it again without looking at anything or at the bottom of the bag. She even informed the other guy at the table, "I checked the backpack already". If you're going to do extra checks at least do it right! It seemed pretty pointless. The other bags were only half checked as well.

Going back through Memphis we weren't picked for any extra checks.