Different TSA Rules At Every Airport
After the last few weeks of flying in and out every weekend, I wanted to share my latest travel pet peeve and vent a bit. I am always good for a rant post a few times a year after all! Over the last year or two I have noticed this, but it has become worse recently in my opinion. I am so tired of the different TSA rules at every airport you go to.
The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, is a government run agency that is supposed to be a unified presence across the country. Our younger readers may not remember a time when airports ran their own security via independent contractors, but that is how it was pre 9/11. In that set up it would be somewhat understandable to have differing set ups. I mean, they are run by completely different companies and all. I swear things were more unified from airport to airport back then, and I get it, there were less rules in those days which made that easier.
Every US Airport Has A Completely Different Set Of Rules
My frustration is now it feels like going to airports in the US is like going to a different country each time you enter one. The rules are not unified because they are all running different equipment. Some say leave everything in your bag, others only your large electronics come out. Even then, sometimes it needs to be in their own bin and other times they consolidate it with other stuff. I had one even mention liquids being pulled out recently. I'll admit it, I was pretty floored on that one. Some airports want everything put in one bin, others want your bag on the belt directly. If you have to take shoes off, some airports want them in the bin with everything else, in their own bin or sometimes on the belt directly.
TSA Agents Act Like We Should Know The Flavor Of Rules They Use
The problem is you never know what you are going to get when you walk up to the TSA area. The part that is the worst, the thing that drives me nuts, is the TSA agents act like we are dumb and should know these rules already. How can I know what YOU want at THIS airport when each one is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I get that they have to say the same thing over and over again every day, and that probably sucks for you, but guess what, not everyone flies out of this airport all the time. They don't know what process you guys want to go with.
Different TSA Rules At Every Airport: ToP Thoughts
I wish there was a unified requirement across all US airports. It would streamline everything and make people feel more comfortable going through the airport. It would also reduce the annoyance TSA agents have towards people not knowing their particular set of rules.
The truth of the matter is it isn't like this “security theater” does a ton anyway, TSA's own record has proven that. Let me know over in the ToP Facebook Group if you have noticed this during your travels. Does it drive you a little nuts too?
