Got Feedback: Salt Lake City (Commenting Disabled)
Due to the new Got Feedback? program, we have disabled commenting on this page. This page was part of a pilot program that has evolved and this page is no longer needed. You are still welcome to leave general feedback on our blog, or you can visit our Got Feedback? page and leave specific feedback with a Customer Service Manager from any one of our 450+ airports.Thanks,
EoS Blog Team
Labels: Gripes and Grins
posted by Glen at
8:05 AM
Subscribe in a reader
33 Comments:
Hi.
I've recently experienced security at Canadian airports vs. the security at SLC. They have a practice that seems to be much more "protective" of the flying public, and that is to check the id and the boarding pass at the gate while getting on the plane. Doesn't this do a better job of authenticating the flyer to the boarding pass and id? I'd feel much safer if we implement that same process. What are the chances?
March 21, 2008 9:55 PM
I have flown out of slc many times. I think they do a great job. Much better than many of the other airports I have flown out of. TSA has a job to do, keep us safe, and they do it well. You think slc is tough fly out of Israel to find out what tough is.
March 22, 2008 8:36 AM
This post is NOT tied to SLC - it is instead tied to DEN.
How do I get a TSA Supervisor's attention (and actual response, versus a file-13 of the complaint) to TSA baggage inspector's abuse of inspection "priveleges"....I have twice this year had my tools subjected TSA tape & bubble-wrap when flying out of DEN.
Please post the answer PUBLICLY
March 22, 2008 6:31 PM
My family was just a victim of TSA problems at the Salt Lake City airport. This morning, the baggage and security lines were swamped (so TSA knew people were probably running late on flight schedules). My family was directed into a trainee screening line and was not allowed to move to another line when it was clear we were going nowhere. Only one of us got to the flight in time and they wouldn't hold it. Now, the screening lines are nearly empty. Wouldn't it make more sense to let the trainees learn when the lines are not in crisis backlog mode? Or at least keep the backlog to a minimum in trainee lines?
March 23, 2008 2:26 PM
Flying in and out of SLC is usually quite easy. My biggest complaint is the passenger pick-up and drop-off areas outside of the terminal. I thought that the sign that says "No Parking" meant that you cannot park and wait for passengers in the pick-up area. SLC is the worst airport I have been to when it comes to enforcement of this rule (law?). Why don't the TSA and Airport police work at correcting this problem? SLC has a cell phone waiting lot with flight information screens to let people know flight status. To me it's a no brainer to make people park there and wait versus at the curb.
March 27, 2008 7:15 PM
The time to get through the SLC security was excessively long compared to most other airports. The sensitivity of the screening was higher than any other airport in the world. It took five trips and removing of my belt, pen, glasses and hearing aid controller - all of which have gone through airports all over the U.S. and world hundreds of times. The TSA officer then said I must have a replacement joint and wanted to know which joint. I told him no and requested a supervisor since the 40 minutes going through security (Platinum elite traveler) was making me tight for the plane.
Detroit has been the fastest, Louisville KY the slowest (one hour).
Some airports now have plastic bags at the security point to help. especially women, save cosmetics. Thank you for that.
March 30, 2008 6:34 AM
TSA is really not that effective--sure they do a good job screening the people they screen (but still a waste of my time in my opinion); but the reason that it isn't that great is that all the private plane passengers have no screening at all! Not only is the process, therefore, fatally flawed; but also it is completely prejudiced against the middle and lower classes. My point is that you should offer the middle and lower (economic) levels of society the same options the upper class enjoy. Perhaps a line where there is no searching and you run the risk at being "less safe." You don't have to worry about (commercial) planes going into buildings; that will never happen again. The only thing a passenger would have to worry about is danger from another passenger--something every passenger should be able to choose for himself or herself.
In the least TSA could set up a long tunnel of equipment that has no personal interaction (with people); where the person just walks through without taking off a belt or unloading a backpack. TSA now exists--and isn't going to disappear (unless you're rich), so we might as well adapt it to streamline the process and to offer some agency to the passengers.
Thanks,
MJ Bountiful, UT
March 30, 2008 10:28 AM
On Friday, 3.28.2008, my sons and I returned home from skiing at Parkcity, UT vis SLC. While the old fashion way of checking baggage was a bit of a pain, this nice TSA lady said we looked like people that knew the drill and directed us to the "Expert Flyer" line - this idea of having the "Casual Traveler", "Family/Assistance Traveler", and the "Expert Traveler" lines is an outstanding idea - helps us get through the process quicker!
March 30, 2008 11:01 AM
TSA may have nothing to do with it, but SLC is not set up to allow anyone to see anyon off, except on the street outside. I like the comment which said that checking is done at the gat and not at the main entrance.
March 30, 2008 12:04 PM
My family flew out of slc at christmas time and I had my shampoo stolen from me by TSA even though it was in a 3.5 oz container and was in a quart sized plastic bag with my toothpaste and conditioner etc. The TSA person looked at the bag and said "This is too big." I have used that container for all of my travel since the liquid ban on carry-ons started and only this one TSA lady ever looked twice at it. There was no arguing with her, she just took it and there was nothing I could do. I think TSA owes me a 3.5 oz bottle of shampoo. ha. I think security is necessary but I believe some TSA agents abuse their positions and are many times rude to passengers. Some are nice and professional but some are not.
March 30, 2008 12:23 PM
The TSA is the most un-American group of fascists ever to be rolled out by the U.S. goverment. The treatment they doll out to our citizenry is an abomination of American ideals. You should be ashamed of yourselves, you are not American at all.
March 30, 2008 12:31 PM
TSA and Homeland Insecurity provide no real protection to the american people or our country.the functions they perform would be most effectivly served by enforcing the current immigration laws and using proper profiling techniques coupled with evolving technology. I have and never will need the government to protect me from terrorists,or criminals,and neither does an educated and armed public. People must realize that these agencys exist only to persecute and enslave the minds and free will of the people of this country in a corrupt and hideous violation of our civil and constitutional rights. They will forever continue to issue reports and studys to justify their existance in perpetuity at our,the taxpayers expense.My observations since 9-11 have convinced me that a well armed and trained group of five or six individuals could kill or injure hundreds if not thousands of people at any airport in this country at any time. With different training and equipment this same size group could kill hundreds of thousands of people. TSA,FBI,CIA,NSA and Homeland security will be just as ineffective as their pre 9-11 counterparts.These agencys exist only to serve an illusion,and as long as people refuse to awaken from their stupor these idiots and incompetants will hold sway over your travels and freedoms!
March 30, 2008 2:01 PM
This comment is for the Portland airport, but is probably valid for almost all.
I have no problem with the security checks that I go through. When I see my father-in-law, who is 83 and has had knee and hip replacements, have to go the steps of removing his shoes when he can barely walk or bend over to do this task, I have to question the common sense of the TSA agents. This is AFTER he has presented his card notifying TSA of his surgeries.
March 30, 2008 2:09 PM
Since SLC has designated their security lines as Expert, intermediate, and novice (don't quote me on the exact names) I have been a much happier business traveler. There is not much worse for an expert traveler to get stuck behind a large group that isn't as familiar with the screening procedures. Now if that could be implemented in all airports, I'll be less critical of the Theatrical Security Agency (TSA)[we all know that you provide no real security, it just looks like you do]
March 30, 2008 3:10 PM
I have traveled through hundreds of airports in the US including Hawaii and Alaska. SLC airport is the absolute worst. The TSA agents are rude and arrogant, thinking they have omnipotent authority. Every time I have been through SLC it has been a horrible experience. The lines were so long this last time that they closed the computers by the time I was helped. The agents were rude, ignored several of us, who all missed planes to different destinations. They were very upset because I had a small carton of yogurt in my purse. By their overreactive calling for a supervisor and his condescending and militant responses, it could not have been worse had there been an actual weapon. He berated me for not being aware that yogart was contraband. Silly me- I thought it was a quick breakfast - since I did not have a chance to eat & was spending most of the day on planes.
I hate traveling through the Salt Lake airport TSA nazis. It destroys my previous beliefs that Utah used to be a reasonable and kind place. NO MORE!
I will try to avoid Utah airports - I'll go thru Mexico - it's easier.
A former Utah resident
March 30, 2008 3:30 PM
I have flown out of hundreds of US airports, including Hawaii and Alaska.
But SLC airport is absolutely the worst.
The TSA "officials" are arrogant, rude, and act as if they are omnipotent authority for the world.
I try to avoid SLC if at all possible. It is just not worth the garbage encountered with the SLC TSA.
March 30, 2008 3:47 PM
Salt Lake City airport TSA is absolutely the worst anywhere I have traveled.
March 30, 2008 3:48 PM
The real question is that all this TSA security is politically correct crap. How many terriosts are White or Black old Ladies and Men. None. What about Children or even Mothers, there are none, this is a diversion to make you believe that everyone is suspect when we know who it was on 9/11.
March 30, 2008 5:12 PM
I travel a lot and as a result have experienced different TSA protocals at different airports. I generally think TSA is doing a good job however some personnel do project a "power trip." Case in point, flying out of Oakland, CA and LAX, one needs to show a boarding pass to go through the metal detector(once ID and pass are verified by the airport workers) while in San Diego, the TSA officer on the otherside of the metal detector asks to see both the boarding pass and ID. So flying out of SLC for the first time, I asked the gentelman working the ID check point if one needs their ID along with the boarding pass in hand while going through the metal dectector, his response "Miss you only need your boarding pass its not that hard" along with a smirk was in a rude and demeaning tone, my replay was of shock and a simple "Excuse Me. It was just a simple question." The TSA officer preceded to tell to me to move on otherwise he will not let me on my plane. I have never felt so insulted in my life. Is there a way to have a universal ID screening process at all the airports so that I don't have to ask and set myself up for ridicule?
March 30, 2008 7:29 PM
Several items TSA should look into.
I fly in and out of SLC weekly, the security line personnel taking the morning shift are simply put rude. They constantly yell directions while your in the cattle line. I was subject to this when you migrated to the green, blue, black, or expert,novice, assistance needed travel lines. This system is confusing for seasoned travelers (20 legs a month) let alone people who only travel a couple times a month. Yelling at paying passengers is no way to implement a new system.
Additionally when are you going to implement the Clear program.
March 30, 2008 9:34 PM
Recently my daughter and her infant traveled from Indiana to Salt Lake to visit us. Soon after arriving she came down with the flu and spent her entire week in bed. When it was time for her to return home she was too ill and weak to wrassle a 10 month old baby and so my husband bought me a ticket at the last minute so I could fly most of the way home with her and help her take care of the baby. We assume that since this was a last minute ticket was the reason I was flagged by security. There I was at the airport to help my daughter through the hassle of security and she was on the opposite side of the security check while I was detained and practically stripped searched. I had only a book and a purse with me. I did relate my distress with this situation and the TSA employee informed me that recently a woman just like me had blown up an airplane in Russia! I am not like that woman, I responded! "Oh, you look just like her to me."he said. Honestly it took all the reserve I could muster to not take him out with my small handbag.
I don't even have a parking ticket on record! I believe in honoring and sustaining the law of the land and do so every day. To be treated like a criminal everytime we want to fly to see family, take care of business affairs or vacation in just disgusting. If there was an easier way to get places, I WOULD TAKE IT!!!
Thanks SLC employees for you tender care!!!
Disgusted grandmother
April 3, 2008 2:51 PM
I am very diappointed in what I encountered when I got home to see that TSA had gone through my infant's food bag. We had bottles, gerber foods, rice, and crackers in the bag neatly packed. When I got home, the rice was laying on its side open, the crackers were upside down, and we were missing two bottles. Of course, we did have the notice that our bag was searched and everything was returned. Bull. Next time, keep it a little cleaner. I spent 20 minutes cleaning out the bag from all the spilled rice and crackers. Thanks a ton for the mess.
April 7, 2008 1:26 AM
I am very disappointed in the expert traveller line. Many of the people in this line are not experts and the TSA was doing nothing to police the line. I found myself waiting longer as an expert than before. Please end this useless program!!!
April 10, 2008 2:43 AM
On April 16th my family flew out of SLC. It was a very slow time and not many people were flying. I was impressed with the way we were treated going through security. My husband and 8 month old daughter were traveling with me and we had lots of things. I went through with the baby and the TSA agent helping was very kind and friendly as I tried to gather together our items while my husband finished putting our things through. Another kind agent helped get our stroller off the convayer belt and opened it so I could put down the baby quickly. The only hard part was taking the bottle out of the baby's mouth so it could go through and as long as no one else seemed to care about the screaming it wasn't that bad.
April 27, 2008 8:45 PM
It is saddening to live with what was told me by one of their managers. I was flying out to Atlanta and I just happen to ask what are they supposed to do if a suicide bomber explodes in the middle of a crowd that's waiting in line and this manager just said that screeners will run for their lives just as bad as you will. Comforting to know nothing would be done. Too bad I have to keep flying.
May 1, 2008 2:04 AM
I am a 1K on United and an Exec Platinum on American - all 200K miles within the US, so I do know what I am talking about when I say that SLC ranks among the worst in terms of interpretation of TSA rules and efficiency. I was in Salt Lake for the National Ski Instructors conference last week. I used the "black diamond" lane as befits my status and the fact that I was traveling first class. Not one of the persons in front of me was a frequest traveler and familiar with the process. Who let these bozos into the lane, and more importantly, why? Following proceedure goes a long way to eliminating stress and waste of time. The screener came away with unbagged make up, water bottles, scissors and else. Irritant #2. I have not tripped a metal detector in years. I had to take off my watch (the band is leather, not metal and it has never tripped a metal detector, ever) and then my bra set it off. Years ago, I used to volunteer to take off my bra because the system was set so high that the underwires set of the alarm. Why Salt Lake? Do the Mormons post more of a threat? The airport was ridiculous and one I will avoid at all costs. A Chicago-based flyer.
May 3, 2008 3:34 PM
I thought for security purposes that if I didn't fly neither did my bags.....well my flight from Ohare to salt lake was cancelled but my bags went the next day.....then 2 days later were flown back to chicago and then on to my home town.....how secure is that??? I never set foot on a plane and my bags flew to 3 different cities!!
May 4, 2008 10:20 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I thought for security purposes that if I didn't fly neither did my bags.....well my flight from Ohare to salt lake was cancelled but my bags went the next day.....then 2 days later were flown back to chicago and then on to my home town.....how secure is that??? I never set foot on a plane and my bags flew to 3 different cities!!
All checked bags are screened either by EDS or another method. Having screened bags fly on the wrong plane does no harm to anyone but the owner of the bags. The airlines clearly messed up in sending your already screened bags all over the country but they were not any more dangerous on the wrong plane than they would be on the right plane.
May 7, 2008 12:58 PM
I view SLC very poorly after my trip through today. Two big problems. First, the sensitivity on the metal detectors is obviously set idfferently than other airports. My belt that has gone through at my home airport (LAS)countless times, earned me a pat down and a condecending told-you-so lecture. Why does it remain impossible to get some consistency across the system? Secondly, the three lane system only works if someone enforces proper usage. The "expert" line attracts a bunch of novice flyers and bogs down.
May 29, 2008 6:38 PM
The machines are calibrated similarly but the trouble is that even humidity affects them. Taking off all removable metal makes it so much simpler than arguing with us. We don't make the metal detectors, we just screen folks that alarm it.
May 30, 2008 9:40 PM
As a Flight Attendant for a Major US Airline, I have passed through TSA Checkpoints at probably just about every airport in the country. However the past 2 weeks I have flown through SLC and each time I have been harrased for one reason or another.
As a Flight Attendant, we normally pass through a seperate security checkpoint line and then are allowed to jump to the front of the line. This being normally because we are especially oriented into what we have to do at the checkpoint. Plus, our schedules are set up for certain time frames and most of the time we are in a hurry to our gates.
However, in Salt Lake City, while we do have a seperate line for ID verification, we are not allowed to jump to the front of the line at the screeners.
This morning, the line at the screener was about 10-15 deep (as usual). Seeing that the line next to it only had 3 people in line, I moved over to the other line.
IN UNIFORM and in front of passengers a TSA Supervisor approached me and said I was in a "Black Tile" area and that getting in that line was not allowed, but he would allow me to pass this time. I then offered to get back into the other line, but he said to continue. It was strange to me because in every other airport, it does not matter which screener Flight Crews go through.
As I approached to put my bag onto the belt, another TSA agent said I was in the wrong line. I explained that I had already been told this and allowed to continue. She then said I had to take my laptop out of the neoprene sleeve I keep it in. As I have been told several times, I do not have to take it out of the sleeve, I did in this case anyway. At this point the screener behind the monitor gave me a look and rolled his eyes. I then removed my wings, union pin, and belt (as I had learned the week before, I basically have to strip down in SLC to avoid the magnometer, even though it does not go off anywhere else).
As my roller bag went throught the scanner, the screener said it had to go through again. I told him that I was crew and he said it did not matter. My roller bag went through 3 times before it was cleared. My food bag went through twice, before another TSA agent said he had to look at it. My food bag was empty. The 2nd TSA agent then did a swab test of my food bag and of course found nothing.
This is not the 1st time this has happened to me in SLC. I just counted and I have passed through checkpoints 15 times, just this month and each time, not a single problem, EXCEPT in SLC. I do not know if it is a training problem with TSA or if the Directer in SLC has a grudge against the airlines. But, if this is how the TSA treats crewmembers, I can only imagine what the general public goes through.
I guess next week I will have to break down all my luggage and strip everything off my uniform to avoid any problems.
July 19, 2008 10:05 PM
Airport: Fresno Yosemite International
Flight:
Horizon flight 2534 - departing Fresno at 5:30 PM 25 July 2008
What I found:
1. My $450.00 multimeter was removed from its protective case, stuffed sideways back into my toolbag, and left in a turned "On" state - draining the batteries.
2. My needle-nosed pliers removed from their pouch, removed from my toolbag, and returned to an OUTSIDE pocket of my suitcase.
3. My wire cutters removed from their pouch, removed from my toolbag, and placed with my
toothbrush - in a completely different bag (my clothes bag).
4. Three coiled & tied network cables (25-foot cables) removed from a zipper pouch inside my toolbag and stuffed loose back into my clothes bag.
Normally, TSA "Inspections" don't bother me all that much.
The United States Supreme Court says that the TSA "Inspections" are legal.
Nowhere in the Court's decision does it say that the TSA has the right to abuse their privilege.
Please don't lie to me and tell me that this is "probably Airline Personnel" doing this.
1. TSA and the Airport Police - BOTH - are responsible for ensuring Airline Personnel's honesty.
2. Airline Personnel wouldn't bother putting my tools back - they'd simply steal the whole tool bag.
If you choose to investigate this incident and apply remedial action, I would appreciate it.
Otherwise, I have to assume that the Cockroaches at Fresno Yosemite International Airport apparently have the run of the facility.
July 27, 2008 6:03 PM
My 15 year old son was lost for about 45 minutes at the SLC airport. The airline could not let me through TSA security to find him. He was expecting me to meet him at the gate. Fifteen to seventeen year olds wondering around airports by themselfs not considered by airlines and TSA as minors? Hello?
July 28, 2008 9:55 PM
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home