I took a quick work trip to Meridian, MS on an adorable CRJ-200. I was loving the tiny airport, personal service, single-serve everything. But when I met TSA on the departure, that all changed.
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Itty-Bitty But Wonderful
There are so few airports like this left in the world. Most have died away with much of the community resigned to drive an hour and a half, pay less and fly out of Jackson, MS. It’s nice to fly from home and this airport fits that description (though not my home).
A single terminal splits a viewing/receiving area with a secured area through TSA security. There is no PinkBerry, no Sbarro, not even a local restaurant. Meridian, however, does offer free pots of coffee and… slushies to visitors and passengers. Everything that is wonderful in the world has to be found in an airport that offers free slushies.
Enterprise is the only rental agency at the airport and there was a line when I landed but that’s ok, the customer service was great. Where’s my rental car? It’s right up front, sir. Literally in the passenger drop off lane 20 feet from the counter. Anywhere else in the world, that car would have been removed by SWAT.
Limited Flights
Only American Airlines flies to Meridian, an EAS city. American flies from both Chicago and Dallas. They add tag flights on to two more EAS cities with some passengers disembarking en route to destinations onward or filling the plane prior to a return to the hubs.
Side Note: It would be a shame if these flights went away. Meridian has put a lot of money into their new facility. Sometimes I forget just how many employees it takes to run an airport. If Meridian were to lose service, a couple of dozen people would lose their jobs. That’s not to say a financial liability should be carried without a market to support it, but rather, that a decision made in the halls of a Dallas headquarters would devastate the community who have demonstrated a lot of pride in their airport and that alone would be a disappointment.
My flight from Chicago continued on to Hattiesburg. My departure to Dallas was already half loaded. Good news for Meridian, my Dallas flight was 100% full – I am doing my best not to imagine what an oversell situation looks like on a two-flight, 50 passenger airport.
The Most Rigorous Security I Have Ever Seen. Anywhere. Ever.
While there are just two daily flights on 50-seat CRJ-200s, the TSA employs at least six staff. The morning of my departure could not have had more than 25 passengers departing Meridian joining the rest of the passengers already onboard from Laurel, MS.
I finished a water in the unsecured waiting room before entering the secured area because, why not? For those interested, Mississippi native and hero, John Grisham, is beloved and his books are available for reading in the waiting area. It’s a nice touch, though my cynical self is asking, “Who starts a 400-page legal thriller they won’t take with them while they wait for their flight?”
My TSA experience started with a very diligent inspection of my ID and boarding pass. After an intense 30 seconds of staring, checking, re-checking, holding the ID up to my face, then back under the scanner – I was permitted to proceed. My boarding pass was free of the dreaded “SSSS”, my license is about 90 days old so there aren’t any deficiencies in the hologram nor picture.
I was given an orange We don’t have TSA PreCheck but we know this exists card and took out my laptop, emptied my pockets and thought about what was in my backpack. I remembered a backup cellphone I carry and removed it, proceeding to the metal detector. It went off because, of course, it did. I removed my belt, jacket, and per their instructions, my boots (none of which set off sensors elsewhere). I put those items in a tray. I was immediately rebuked and told they all needed to be in separate trays – though if I had first put them in a tray, to begin with, it would have been fine.
My aluminum Rimowa Topas made it through without incident, but my backpack – a cornucopia of cords, and random electronic accompaniments – not so much.
“Is this bag yours, sir?”
Really? There are six TSA Agents, just one on the scanning screen, I was the only one to walk through the area within five minutes, with no one behind me. I look around a little, reign in my sarcasm before it overtakes me entirely, and say yes. A Kindle is withdrawn and the bag is put back through. Fair enough TSA, I forgot that thing was in there though it’s barely larger than some cell phones.
But then the bag comes out again and the agent starts rifling through it, his back to me concealing his search. He files through my items and puts them in separate trays. I am damned sure that’s a violation of TSA policy and my rights. He spent 4-5 minutes taking nearly everything out of my bag and putting them in separate bins.
In one tray the following items were removed for scanning. Oddly, based on TSA guidelines they should have been able to remain in the bag:
- Camera charger
- Camera
- Very small external battery
- Portable power strip
Then the second tray came through and I lost most of my remaining cool. As the trays behind mine (there was finally a second passenger behind me) started to stack up, I finished dressing and putting the approved items back in my bag. The vigilant TSA employee decided that my paper goods could be a threat and needed to be scanned.
I want to be clear on the above statement. A few 20-page notebooks, a novel (The Punch Escrow, it’s great, I highly recommend it) and printed papers needed to be scanned on their own. Before you suggest that he simply cleared them out because he empties the rest of the backpack, I can assure you he did not. There were a handful of other chargers and a larger external battery that was never removed.
Why The Fifth Degree?
Maybe it’s because they take the safety of the traveling public really seriously, for which we have aligned interests. In the areas in which they were following protocol (like my Kindle) – I will never be mad at someone for doing their job correctly.
But the invented rules? Come on. I fly a lot. Not quite Ryan Bingham level yet, but suffice it to say that I am particularly familiar with the process. I have a real issue with employees in the travel industry using security as a crutch to dismiss any possibility that the employee could be wrong and is somehow above reproach. Whether it’s a false security concern over Matthew taking picture of an IFE screen, or my TSA experience in Meridian, it’s not ok to use security as a crutch or a reason to be above reproach.
I could understand feeling my notebooks, maybe even flipping through to make sure that something that showed up on the scan was not hidden inside them. Fine. But scanning them in a separate tray? There are minimum levels of intelligence that should apply in these situations and there is no explanation for scanning papers. There was also no intelligence behind the size of some devices that were removed for scanning, while others were left in the bag. I suspect it’s a case of lack of experience and employees trying to justify their pay.
What do you think? Are TSA employees disproportionally diligent at smaller outposts? What has your experience been in smaller markets?
These are just bored TSA agents struggling for relevance and meaning in their lives, IMHO.
It’s Mississippi
@anthony. wow. Snark much? As for this review it is ridiculously over critical and smacks of self righteousness and entitlement. Give it a break. No I am not TSA but I would love to see you do the job for a day and deal with passengers who bitch about everything
literally anyone with a pulse could do their “job”
job is a loose term because even they don’t do it well: look at the rate of banned items that get through
dealing with them is a lot worse than dealing with most of the traveling public
@retired. Yes. Perhaps also to compete with Alabama
The real problem is that the TSA isn’t accomplishing anything. They have never stopped a single terrorist, and they never will. (As has been widely reported, they fail almost all of the government’s own tests at bringing fake bombs and other weapons inside security.) Your experience was galling because, in addition to the normal security theater, they took up a notch to kafkaesque. It’s perfectly reasonable and rational to be annoyed when they go over the top at doing something useless.
Not disagreeing with your point about TSA being security theatre, but it does work. While they are terrible at finding weapons, there hasn’t been any US airplane terror attack since 9/11.just because they are acting doesn’t mean it’s not effective. Making a big scene about frivolous screening procedures and announcing the increased spending on new technology still is a deterrent against attacks. At the very least, most visible guns are detected. Security Theatre is a good way to avoid the blunt truth of security that only Israel will accept. Certain people are more trustworthy than others, and your degree of invasion should be adjusted accordingly. Was it uncomfortable to be asked about my complete travel history by Israeli Security? Yes! But they raised no objection to my full size bottle of shampoo.
You are incorrect. People who intend to die while committing terror attacks are not dissuaded by security. The embassy bombing in Nairobi took place at the security gate.
The TSA does not deter terrorists; they know that they can get their weapons through. That’s how DHS simulates its weapon attacks — what they think that terrorists are most likely to attempt. Terror attacks are prevented by our intelligence services (e.g., CIA, NSA, FBI, etc.), not the TSA. That’s why there has been on terror attack since 9/11. e TSA is essentially completely ineffective.
On the day after the most deadly synagogue shooting in US history, your decision to compare your moderately unpleasant experience to a Nazi agency that played a key role in the Germans plan to exterminate the Jews of Europe, is incredibly insensitive and reflecting a lack of perspective. Kindly change your headline
I live in Pittsburgh and was about two miles from the incident when it happened – police vehicles raced past us to get to the Synagogue. I frequent the area often and we are deeply concerned for the affected families and the Jewish community more broadly. However, the title and post was written prior to the event and in no way references yesterday’s horrible attack. I can understand that times are sensitive in light of the events but the term is also part of the vernacular.
@Kyle
By using the term “Gestapo”, you both comparing government workers/contractors/human beings to an entity that was a part of a systematic genocide. If you think that this is ok, then there’s a big problem here.
Also, by using these terms you are significantly undervaluing the outcomes of that genocide and undermining the victims, their families and many others.
This is the kind of language that creates divide, antisemitism and hate by simply borrowing terms from that horrible time of human kind and using it nonchalantly in every day events. And being next to Pittsburgh synagogue or whatever you think justifying writing and using terms like this simply doesn’t cut it.
Kindly consider changing the headline.
The synagogue shooting is a tragedy, made all the worse by the fact it was (apparently) committed by a person who deliberately targeted Jewish attendees at a synagogue.
Kyle’s headline obviously doesn’t refer to that type of atrocity, but rather to agents of the U.S. government who systematically abuse their authority and cause undue fear in the public in the name of security, of the type that could be a precursor to a police state. The term “Gestapo TSA” is somewhat of a click-bait title (and the timing couldn’t be worse), but it is relevant to the author’s story/point.
On a lighter note, this clip from Family Guy (Meg working briefly as a TSA agent) conveys plenty of truth…
After consideration, my point could be made using the word “pedantic” instead. I have changed it accordingly. I don’t generally have in issue with the use of the word, but today perhaps, “pedantic” is better.
I greatly appreciate you changing the headline. I did not know you wrote it before the murders (I thought I checked it before sending, and it appears as Oct 28 above, but I certainly take you at your word). I also imagine as someone living close by it must hit close to home. I appreciate your willingness to be proportional in your use of language and sensitive of issues of importance to many people, particularly at a time of great national divisiveness.
Thank you, Kyle.
Not to be petty about this, and it’s probably something beyond your control – it still shows the old heading on Boarding Area.
This just further comfirms that EAS service to Meridien (and other cities) needs to be discontinued. Drive to Jackson.
Flights were full.
Great, then they can do away with the subsidies!
Thank you, Kyle. I couldn’t agree more and it’s nice to FINALLY see someone speak out against this circus.
I mean, look at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. Sure, the security there is strict, but they’re professional and they know exactly what they’re doing.
Now try TSA. Morons in make-work programs with way, way too much power.
Was at University in Hattiesburg for a year, was cheaper to hire a car, and drive to New Orleans – never mind jackson – and do the same on the return than fly out of Hattiesburg/Laurel airport. Airfare pricing is a weird and wonderful thing.
“the TSA employs at least six staff.”
Yes, the conservative, republican deep south hates any government influence, except when it benefits them…
Another example of “keep your government hands off my medicare”.
Sadly, a great example of what lack of education and ignorance cause, and why they support trump.
They would have just as much security for an EAS airport in Washington State. It’s not a Trump matter, it’s a TSA-overstaffing issue.
Comparing TSA to the Gestapo is both ignorant of history and disrespectful to their actual victims. I didn’t waste my time reading your whining rant.
+1
+2
I was prepared to write the same comment. It’s hard to offend me. But this title is disrespectful and insensitive, regardless of where you live in proximity to the latest round of terrorism.
I’d suggest changing the title, regardless of when you posted it.
After consideration, my point could be made using the word “pedantic” instead. I have changed it accordingly. I don’t generally have in issue with the use of the word, but today perhaps, “pedantic” is better.
This reminds me of TSA at little ole Florence SC. Same ridiculous theater (even after I saw them 10 weeks straight and they remembered me). It’s ridiculous.
I gotta say that I think you’re being over-sensitive here. They took more time and were more careful with you because you set off the alarm more than once. It’s just that simple. It sucks, but that’s understandable. Even them insisting on separate trays is a minor issue when they now are heightened due entirely to the fact that your belongings set off the alarm twice.
I understand you being annoyed…but you are taking it out on the easy punching bag that is TSA. There are many examples where TSA has gone too far or been stupid, not in this case. In this case, the TSA doesn’t deserve your ire. You’re just being a bit of a diva.
I’m pretty sure the TSA have to ask “Is this bag yours?” and receive an acknowledgment before they can proceed to open it.
I often fly out of my tiny little airport (COD). Fortunately I know most of the TSA agents and they are relatively friendly. But, I have learned to take everything out of my backpack and have seen the kind of activity you experienced with other passengers. That said, you wouldn’t believe the kinds of stuff they have on them when they go through the metal detector.
Gestapo? That’s a very strong adjective. My father was arrested by the Gestapo during the occupation of the Netherlands. I respect your print and your opinions but I cannot concur with your definition. You weren’t taking into a back room, assalted and force to sign an affidavit to never speak ill of the TSA?
Small airports do have very thorough if not anal TSA practices. Like yourself, I fly a lot. And I have see it all when it comes to the TSA and the passengers who go through the process. Big airports or small air fields. Give them a break.
The term was changed to pedantic.
Gestapo was completely fine. I just hate it when people get all sensitive and entitled demanding rectifications that suit their definition of correctness. Stop being so uptight, I am a Latin American immigrant living in Europe and even I laugh at the jokes about drug smuggling, laziness, and ilegal immigration. Just learn to read the context, if no offense is intended, then none should be taken, it’s as simple as that.
As a side note, I find this sensitivity issue to be a very American thing. Seriously, where I come from jews laugh at holocaust jokes, blacks laugh at slavery jokes, and all of us beaners share a good chuckle when talking about our sh*thole countries. Loosen up people, the world has broader horizons beyond your self-righteousness.
TSA is generally untrained, unskilled, and uncivilized. I always feel they pulled some jerks from the street, stuck them in something that resembles a uniform and shouted at them to ‘take care of security’.
In no other country I have even come across anything like it.
To be fair, once in a while you encounter friendly, funny and well behaved/well trained guys. Unfortunately they are a minority.
I recently went through a few airports in Europe and Turkey. Security was swift, practical, friendly and even plastered a few jokes here and there.
If only you could teleport! 🙂 Although I imagine after what the Gehinnomites pulled, IT probably implemented some similarly stringent security controls. Glad you’re enjoying my book and that TSA didn’t confiscate it.
This happened to my husband when we were departing St. George Utah a couple of years ago. Total overkill inspecting him from head to toe, repetitive questions, etc., taking forever to inspect his one carryon. The airport is tiny. We were the only two people at the TSA checkpoint (we tend to arrive very early for flights). By the way, he was 82-years-old at the time….don’t the “rules” say he doesn’t have to take off his hat or shoes anymore? Ridiculous, they had him all confused, though he stayed calm. Yes, it is Gestapo to me!
Meridian clearly has a case of Small Airport Syndrome. I find it in nice, out of the way places all over the world where security staff think they have to be ultra vigilant and obnoxious or else they are not doing their jobs. These people are poorly trained, on minimum wage and were probably sent there to work when benefits were cut. They hate the job but hate you more.
Even in the largest places security is not intelligence led and the first function of it is to keep the worried worried while also inconveniencing regular travelers as much as possible.
If only we had a viable ground-based system for public transport, then we might not needs these small town airports. In Europe, the corridor between Jackson and Birmingham would be served by a train so that even people without a car could access both cities. Or, continue it on to Atlanta or Dallas for access to direct flights. Take all of the excess money paying for security at these small airports and put it into good ground transportation.
Some of the feedback here is severely misguided virtue signaling. This form of recreational outrage only looks sane inside one’s echo chamber. My favorite was the one who linked your usage of “Gestapo” with tasteless disrespect of holocaust victims, especially due to your proximity to a tragic, yet grossly unrelated criminal event.
Anyway, it’s been a while since I used to fly out of Laurel, MS (Hattiesburg-Laurel Airport.) It was 2010/2011 when I was doing work at MSU Hattiesburg. I remember one or two flights in and out daily. Delta still was the sole airline at the time there. The outbound went nonstop to Nashville (or Memphis) on what I’m sure were 34 seat Saab 340b turboprops. I only remember two TSA staffing security at a time, but many of those flights went out with only two or three passengers midweek. I know things got better with American Eagle and better routes, thankfully. Always a casual experience as I remember it, but things change. Hopefully for the better in the long run.