Airline Security

[FreshDave04]

I thought this could be a general discussion topic regarding questions, experiences, etc - stay on topic and out of The Ring!


My wife and I fly out of Chicago Midway for a week's vacation in Las Vegas to visit my dad - we leave tomorrow. Does anybody know if police officers are allowed to have their badges with them on board an an aircraft?

 

[GranPrix]

Yes, you can have your badge and only your badge/id.

 

[FreshDave04]

Yes, you can have your badge and only your badge/id.

Good to know. I wasn't sure if things had changed with the new(er) security precautions.

 

[FireEMSPolice]

No, you might use the pin and stab someone or hijack the plane or it can be taken from you and used in that manner. :roll:

 

[Stendec]

No, you might use the pin and stab someone or hijack the plane or it can be taken from you and used in that manner. :roll:

I actually got that line once, when I was pulled out because they thought my Deputy Sheriff's star was a ninja death device. I pointed out that each arm of the star had a little ball on it, just so we couldn't hurt ourselves. They also wanted to confiscate a kubaton, but I threw it in a trash can and told them they could fish it out if they wanted it that bad, and that having a trash can so close to a security point was stupid, cause somebody could leave a bomb in it.


Amazingly, I made my flight.


Unless I'm working, all I carry is my agency ID card, and it's buried where it won't be found or taken in a robbery. I'm not sure the people on the plane need to know I'm police, and if I get into the poop while on vacation the ID card is more important than a shield.

 

[FreshDave04]

I actually got that line once, when I was pulled out because they thought my Deputy Sheriff's star was a ninja death device. I pointed out that each arm of the star had a little ball on it, just so we couldn't hurt ourselves. They also wanted to confiscate a kubaton, but I threw it in a trash can and told them they could fish it out if they wanted it that bad, and that having a trash can so close to a security point was stupid, cause somebody could leave a bomb in it.


Amazingly, I made my flight.


Unless I'm working, all I carry is my agency ID card, and it's buried where it won't be found or taken in a robbery. I'm not sure the people on the plane need to know I'm police, and if I get into the poop while on vacation the ID card is more important than a shield.

My police ID would suffice, as well, if it weren't 3yrs old and cheaply made by the city. It's so badly faded that my face is barely recognizable and the lettering of my name is almost unreadable.

 

[ParkPiggy]

My full time PD ID is 10 years old!! 30lbs thinner, and more hair on the top back then.

 

[FreshDave04]

My full time PD ID is 10 years old!! 30lbs thinner, and more hair on the top back then.

I'm having the hair issue, as well. Maybe it's a park police thing? :? :lol:

 

[crescentstar69]

They have never looked twice at my badge.

 

[dustymedic]

My full time PD ID is 10 years old!! 30lbs thinner, and more hair on the top back then.

I'm betting your hair is darker in the photo too


A lot of guys on my FD carry their badges off duty. One claims that when he travels along the east coast, the badge gives him more leeway than the ID. I've never carried my badge off duty, including my brief time as an LEO. The ID is easier to carry & hide, doesn't need a special wallet or case, and since it's got my name & picture on it; it proves I didn't steal it or buy it at a flea market...

 

[jdh]

I think it is more about the person screening. I have never had a problem at the airport, however, I was on jury duty one time, my wallet went through the scanner and the first court deputy questioned me on it ( not a 9th degree thing) but questioned it, when I went through after lunch, different deputy and he was like "hey we have a fire fighter here".

 

[RL1]

I took mine on my last trip to see the gf. Flying up, no one said anything (kept it in my carry on with my laptop), but flying down, the TSA guy pulled it out and showed it to the x-ray tech since she had seen the point on the back. Only reason I took it was because we were going to the range up there and I like to have my badge on when I carry a weapon.

 

[FreshDave04]

I took mine on my last trip to see the gf. Flying up, no one said anything (kept it in my carry on with my laptop), but flying down, the TSA guy pulled it out and showed it to the x-ray tech since she had seen the point on the back. Only reason I took it was because we were going to the range up there and I like to have my badge on when I carry a weapon.

+1.


I plan on doing some shooting as well. And like I said before, my ID is pretty much worthless. At least my badge has my P/N on it - helps if I should ever really need to identify myself to other LEO's in other jurisdictions, I suppose.

 

[charlie82]

This thread is actually quite helpful; I will be traveling home tomorrow from school via airplane, and I have my badge in my wallet. I need to have it back home for a department funeral, and I am reassured that it will not be an issue.

 

[EVModules]

My brother's been on with cuff's, badge, and duty weapon! Of course, he volunteered (begged) for a trip to Hawaii to bring back a felon. Turns out he was there for a few days while they had to clear up some papers. He didn't forget to bring his swim suit, go figure.

 

[Rofocowboy84]

Just heard on the radio that any sauces or whatever (gravy, cranberry sauce, etc) are not permitted on carry-ons, yet pies and cakes are. Right, because you can't hid a bomb in a pie, but you can mix two chemicals precisely to make them explode...

 

[FreshDave04]

Well, I literally JUST went through security at Chicago Midway International... considering it's the busiest week in domestic flights of the year, security was surprisingly lax. My wife and I made it through the entire security screening in less than 4 minutes (I timed it - I guess I'm a nerd like that). They never confronted me in regards to my badge, just asked that I remove my laptop from it's carrying case. That was the only "invasive" security precaution they made with us. There were none of the new scatter x-ray machines in the domestic terminal and we saw no passengers getting the "more detailed" pat downs. It was shocking, really, as there are TONS of people in this airport.

 

[kinnelonfire75]

I'm betting your hair is darker in the photo too


A lot of guys on my FD carry their badges off duty. One claims that when he travels along the east coast, the badge gives him more leeway than the ID. I've never carried my badge off duty, including my brief time as an LEO. The ID is easier to carry & hide, doesn't need a special wallet or case, and since it's got my name & picture on it; it proves I didn't steal it or buy it at a flea market...

Carrying a badge as a FF or EMT is silly and excessive IMO. I have a badge for fire and a badge for EMS. Both stay with my uniforms. I also have dept issued photo id. That stays with me everywhere. We don't carry guns, or ever need to be "official". If something comes up the ID will suffice.

 

[Bonanno]

I havent had a problem with my badge at all during travel. Actually has helped me thru security faster. I know when I went to Colorado earlier this year I didn't have my passport with me and just used my ID for security as you need a photo ID, they put me to the front of the line and was right thru security. When I was in Houston on my way back from Trinidad the guy on the scanner saw the badge in the x-ray and asked where I was on, and he actually used to live in the town I work in in NJ. Same thing, he said just to go straight thru security, grab and go.


Only time I did have a problem was with Customs Agents in Houston.... myself and the girl i was traveling with got sent to go to baggage control. This is where they hand search all of your bags. We had 45min between our arrival and our connecting flight back to NJ. Well I was talking with one of the customs agents letting them know i was OTJ and I had a connecting flight in 30min, they laughed and said not my problem.

 

[RL1]

Well I was talking with one of the customs agents letting them know i was OTJ and I had a connecting flight in 30min, they laughed and said not my problem.

No offense, but last time one of our officers said they were on the job, trying to get special treatment like that, they got their butt chewed by the chief and eventually got days off (for how they dealt with the chief, some comments about how he was 'entitled', and some other stuff).


As my SGT was telling our new girl last night when talking about getting stopped off duty 'get you license photo in uniform and you're a douche; throw up your badge when you get stopped and you're a dick; try to say 'Hey man, you know ---? We worked a case together' and you're a loser. If you act cool to the point where the cop comes back and says 'Are you blue?', then you're a cop.'

 

[pondfly]

I've flown enough times with my badge and ID's and never had an ounce of trouble from them, Midway, O'Hare, Tampa, London, Orlando, Dallas.

 

[swbc20]

I was travelling once to escort a casket. This was before they started using private charter aircraft to move caskets. Because of unexpected changes in events at Dover AFB, we had to change the manifest up and reschedule a bunch of flights. My boarding pass received an "SSSS" because of a last minute change which is one of the criteria for suspected activity.


So, even with orders in hand and being in full military dress, every security screening was a full screen with pat down. The personal affects, which were hand carried, of the deceased were also subject to selected screening.


Back when the military used commercial flights, the escorts were given access to the flight line to watch the casket move and be loaded and also escorts were first to deboard to watch the casket get unloaded and render military honors.


Because the screening process took so long, the flight was delayed and there were a lot of passengers complaining asking why they couldn't board the aircraft yet and why their baggage was still sitting on the luggage tugs. They all got the point when they looked out of the terminal window and saw a casket being loaded into the aircraft.


When I got to the connecting airport, the layover was a few hours long, and every time i needed a cigarette, I would have to go through the same screening process because of the "SSSS" on my boarding pass. I must have taken at least 4 smoke breaks at this airport and got screened every time by the same TSA screeners.


I understand they have a job to do, but really... how retarded are we gonna let the system go?

 

[Bonanno]

No offense, but last time one of our officers said they were on the job, trying to get special treatment like that, they got their butt chewed by the chief and eventually got days off (for how they dealt with the chief, some comments about how he was 'entitled', and some other stuff).


As my SGT was telling our new girl last night when talking about getting stopped off duty 'get you license photo in uniform and you're a douche; throw up your badge when you get stopped and you're a dick; try to say 'Hey man, you know ---? We worked a case together' and you're a loser. If you act cool to the point where the cop comes back and says 'Are you blue?', then you're a cop.'

Before I left I talked to my Sgt about that since I never really even say that, he said if you're having trouble with customs do it since everytime anyone he knows did it had no problem afterwards. I only did it because at that point I had less then 30min to get to my connecting flight to get home, but still missed it, had to wait 5hrs in Houston for a connecting flight which was the last 2 seats available for the entire day/night (our original flight was for 2pm). I talked to a friend of mine who works in Newark Customs and he was completely dumb founded, he and everyone he knows gets people OTJ thru as quickly and painlessly as possible.

 

[AdaFire38]

Here's a solution to all the Controversy over full-body scanners at the airports:


All we need to do is develop a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have hidden on or in your body.


The explosion would be contained within the sealed booth. This would be a win-win for everyone. There would be no racial profiling and the device would eliminate long and expensive trials.........


This is so simple it's brilliant! I can see it now: you're in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion.


Shortly thereafter an announcement comes over the PA system,


"Attention standby passengers, we now have a seat available on flight number 0008, and would the passengers that were in line for screening at booth number 7 please divert to booth number 8".


Thanks you for your co-operation.

 

[RJ*]

Here's a solution to all the Controversy over full-body scanners at the airports:

All we need to do is develop a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have hidden on or in your body.


The explosion would be contained within the sealed booth. This would be a win-win for everyone. There would be no racial profiling and the device would eliminate long and expensive trials.........


This is so simple it's brilliant! I can see it now: you're in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion.


Shortly thereafter an announcement comes over the PA system,


"Attention standby passengers, we now have a seat available on flight number 0008, and would the passengers that were in line for screening at booth number 7 please divert to booth number 8".


Thanks you for your co-operation.

Sadly that would not work, someone would hijack a flight using nail clippers... :roll:

 

[TX-LEO]

Here's a solution to all the Controversy over full-body scanners at the airports:

All we need to do is develop a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have hidden on or in your body.


The explosion would be contained within the sealed booth. This would be a win-win for everyone. There would be no racial profiling and the device would eliminate long and expensive trials.........


This is so simple it's brilliant! I can see it now: you're in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion.


Shortly thereafter an announcement comes over the PA system,


"Attention standby passengers, we now have a seat available on flight number 0008, and would the passengers that were in line for screening at booth number 7 please divert to booth number 8".


Thanks you for your co-operation.

Not bad idea!!!


My solution is simply not to fly. If anyone needs to see me, it better not be important as It takes time to _DRIVE_


Though, this was my opinion years ago, before the scanners and the ridiculous body searches. Nothing has changed for me.


The badge should be fine though regardless.

 

[Ben E.]

I never liked flying in the first place. I like BEING IN airplanes and the actual act of being in flight, however I hate airports and being around all the other people. There's very few places in this country that I wouldn't drive to. Every year my parents offer to buy me a plane ticket to fly to Colorado to ski with them, I always decline and drive the 14 hours.