Failing to bring ID to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport not a horrible experience
I misplaced my ID before flying this week (see the earlier post about ID requirements). The experience was not as involved as the other story I had read.
When asked for ID by each TSA agent, I truthfully said “I misplaced it.” The first agent I spoke to (Steve) referred me to the neighboring TSA agent after learning I did not have my ID “because he has more stripes than me.” This man in turn referred me to Joe. Joe was one of the behavioral specialists. He’s probably 50 years old, over 6 feet tall, calm, white, whiskered, even-voiced and level headed. He asked some questions and gauged my response. “What else do you have?” I showed my credit cards, blood card, etc. “Do you remember the last place you put it?” It didn’t appear on the surface that he was paying close attention to my responses but he definitely was. I said “I remember I was at the bar on Sunday for the game and I had it there.” “Which game?” “Eurocup.” He asked another prodding question about if I had any idea, I shook my head. He marked my boarding pass SSSS (selected secondary screening something) and said I would be searched at the next step.
I give the TSA credit for using a human. They didn’t do a machine search on my name, a behavioral specialist human being prompted me with questions and carefully analyzed my responses, looking for inconsistencies and trouble. I give Joe credit personally for coming to the correct conclusion, whether out of ignorance or out of extreme expertise: I am not a threat to anybody flying. He may have thought my situation completely benign, or he may have perceived political activism. But either way he didn’t make a judgment requiring more of a hassle. Except for the secondary screening, but that’s how it worked before the TSA secret law changed.
Secondary screening was the same as always: courteous staff, pat down, quick check in the bag, no problems, sent me on my way.
It was busy July 3 so perhaps the pressure of higher volume helped me, perhaps not. Don’t get me wrong when I speak highly of individual TSA agents. The courtesy of TSA agents does not make up for the unconstitutional, immoral, authoritarian role they fill. However, I recognize that my behavior at the airport is not going to correct the leviathan we have in Washington and these individuals are just doing their jobs.
On the whole, the situation was not a great deal different from before the change in secret law. Then again, the situation rarely changes overnight. The Department of Homeland Security role in our lives will be ever increasing unless we resist it via our legislators. If you have a legislator who has voted in favor of the police state, vote for a candidate who won’t do the same thing.