That depends on what you define as "their boundaries". If you define it as staying within TSA guidelines, yeah, they're good about that. But TSA guidelines are far over what I would consider reasonable boundaries.

>I've had nothing but pleasant experiences going through security.

Surely "pleasant" is too strong an adjective.

Maybe he enjoys being manhandled. Some people appreciate physical contact anywhere they can get it.

I've never been "manhandled" by the TSA.

Well that certainly sheds some light on your "nothing but pleasant experiences", doesn't it?

If you've never had a pat down, then it should not be surprising that they have never overstepped any boundaries during a pat down...

I have had pat-downs. Where did you get that I've never had a pat down? Pat down != "manhandling"

I've never had an experience with a TSA agent that registered one iota of anger or frustration in my mind. However, the long-ish lines do get to me sometimes.

It certainly helps if you're white. I have darker complexion (born in Middle East) and my experiences have been anything but "pleasant."

Anecdote: I'm white, speak English as a first language, and smile and look everybody in the eye. I also go through TSA Precheck. My experiences have been generally excellent.

I'm pretty dark, Bengali, and I never have a problem.

That's good for you. That doesn't mean that he doesn't have problems, nor does it make the problems he experiences any less important.

i agree - the only time i see an issue with other travelers is when they are being assholes and then the TSA does seem to go on a power trip. its hilarious people still dont know what to take off in those lines, i dont blame them for getting pissed.

disclaimer: i do think the TSA is useless

> its hilarious people still dont know what to take off in those lines, i dont blame them for getting pissed.

Why is that hilarious? The simplest explanation is that they simply don't know; why do the people running the show get to be angry? Because they know something experienced travelers don't? Isn't informing people of the crazy rules part of the TSA's job? Maybe they should do it professionally?

The next simplest explanation is that the arbitrary security rules are unimportant to those travelers. Which makes sense, because they are unimportant. Again, I'm not sure what's funny or angering here.

"The simplest explanation is that they simply don't know"

come on now ....

1) There are videos and signs everywhere saying what is and is not allowed

2) TSA officers are verbally telling you what is and is not allowed

3) You need to walk through a metal detector, so figuring that out requires zero intelligence

4) If you cant get 1-3, watch the person ahead of you take off his/her shoes, watch, belt etc. and do the same thing.

In my experience, the people running the show (TSA) get angry when they tell the "inexperienced travelers" they are not following procedures, after which the traveler becomes rude.

It sounds like I am defending the TSA here, but that is not what I am trying to do. I am just saying that I can see how they could get frustrated with the public.

It's like the worst customer service job ever!

Nobody wants you in the way of their plane ticket. Everyone wants special exceptions because they are late. Loads of people (myself included) view you as an agent of tyranny, and visibly control themselves from snarling at you as you ask for Photo ID.

Get paid like you are working at McDonald's, deal with annoying people, and abuse administrative search everyday.

I too understand why the TSA workers could get frustrated. The very existance of the TSA is frustrating and creates frustrating situations. Anti-TSA folks are frustrated by the TSA, Pro-TSA folks are frustrated by the anti-TSA folks. It's a perfect circle of abuse.

The last time I went through TSA (three days ago, Sunday afternoon), I got barked at for having my boarding pass in my pocket. That was a new one for me.