I guess I can explain my tweet of last night. Flying out of PDX, for some reason I didn’t get TSA PreCheck again. Three weeks in a row. I made a “Ugh!” type comment, was overheard by a TSA agent, and she proceeded to “bait” me into a fight. Here’s the exchange:
Me (to TSA ID Checker): Oh jeez… Three weeks without PreCheck? You guys are killing me! (said in a more jovial than not tone).
TSA ID Checker just rolled her eyes. I made my way into the regular security line.
TSA Overhearing Agent: “You know there’s a line over there?” she said, pointing to the other lane.
Me: “Yes, but that one is wrapped around and this one is shorter, thanks.”
TSA Overhearing Agent: “I’m not arguing with you, sir. I know you’re angry for not getting PreCheck.”
Me: I rolled my eyes at her obvious bait and asked, “Do you want me to switch lines anyway?”
TSA Overhearing Agent: “I said I’m not going to fight with you, sir.”
Me: “I’m not fighting with you; I simply asked if you wanted me to move to the other line.”
TSA Overhearing Agent: “I understand that you wanted to get PreCheck. It’s not our fault; it’s handled elsewhere. I’m not going to fight with you, sir.”
At this point, I closed my eyes, counted to ten, and just stayed where I was. I had a TSA Agent arbitrarily provoking me for whatever douchy reason she had. I never raised my voice, said anything derogatory, or anything to the woman. She just wanted me to snap at her for some reason.
Well I wouldn’t take the bait. But that’s not going to stop me from calling her a giant douchenozzle and blogging about it.
Aah, adventures with the TSA. Fun, eh?