Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Fear of flying

Fear of flying (reply)

frostbite — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:32:27 +0000

The metal sensor beeps because I have some metal body parts, so I go directly to the x-ray booth. The old ones show the metal, requiring a pat down. The new ones don't.

Fear of flying (reply)

Choyera13 — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:24:32 +0000

I follow the same procedure in Mexico as I do in the U.S. At airports. I don't go through the their X-ray machines, I just refuse.
I only go through the metal detector, as I also do in Mexico. I don't feel like I'm being treated as a criminal.

Fear of flying (reply)

Fran — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 21:56:23 +0000

I was told that Mexico did the selection of who, like me, constituted a grave security risk.

Fear of flying (reply)

frostbite — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 14:19:35 +0000

After numerous terrorist attacks, people expect the government to do something about it, hence the creation of the TSA. The fact that they cost a shitpot of money and are largely ineffectual, is another matter.

Fear of flying (reply)

ZihuaRob — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 13:05:24 +0000

I got the dreaded SSSS several times in a row on different airlines leaving Zihuatanejo. I decided it was not random and went through the Redress Procedure on the TSA website. I got a redress number. No explanation given. They said they do not release their findings. But since then, I have not had a problem.. And I don't use the redress number.

What really annoyed me was that it also cancelled my pre-check on the connecting US flight. Doubly annoyed since I had paid the bucks and taken the time to get the Global Entry/Trusted Traveler thing.

Maybe someday you good citizens will tire of being treated like "terrorists" and do something about it. You couldn't pay me to fly through the USA just to be treated like a criminal. Unless you truly are so afraid of the terrorists that your government creates (and even funds) that you don't mind giving up your freedoms, but then you'll really have to consider removing "home of the brave" from your national anthem since I don't see how it could continue applying to the average US citizen.

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

frostbite — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:50:43 +0000

Wow! And to think that I was annoyed that Alaska only puts "precheck" on our boarding passes when leaving the States, but not when returning from Zihua. Which reminds me: when returning through LAX in April, I was having a problem at the kiosk with my passport. The clueless immigration agent insisted that Global Entry only worked when entering the country by sea!

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

Casa Juan — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 04:53:03 +0000

Two years ago('14) when I was on a 4 flight segment from Zihua to Fairbanks Alaska. I received the dreaded "selectee" designation on my boarding passes. It followed me thru two TSA checks after clearing customs in LA for the last segment in Anchorage, I decided just to remain in the secured area for my 4 hour layover. Later in talking to AK Air and TSA, I was told that Alaska Air in '14 used a system approved by the Mexican version of TSA that selected out approx. 10 % of a flight for more rigorous scrutiny and that designation would follow a passenger until the end of their itinerary. IT was Ak Air's way of complying and not inconveniencing 90% of its passengers. Not sure what they are doing in '16. The best advice is to look at your first boarding pass and if it says selectee or SSSS just take the first boarding pass and tell the boarding agent in Zihua that you will get the reminder of your boarding passes in the next country.

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

connie — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 03:29:07 +0000

He also almost lost it when I said, "Did it ever occur to you folks that this might slightly mess up your true number of tourists to the UK?"

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

connie — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 02:57:54 +0000

My husband got the SSS in Zihua on our way home in February. We knew what it meant. In actuality, he was briefly searched, and was on his way within 5 minutes. No big deal.

In contrast, we almost missed our flight in London to Istanbul a couple of years ago because of an unknown reason for a VERY extensive search of his body and carry on bag. He was about 68 then.

BTW: The reason we were going through security in London as transits was because we sent outside to smoke. We had to fill out an immigration form to do so. Reason for visiting London: Smoking. Length of stay: 2 hours. The immigration officer almost wet his pants.

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

Fran — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 02:19:52 +0000

I got the dreaded SSSS several times in a row on different airlines leaving Zihuatanejo. I decided it was not random and went through the Redress Procedure on the TSA website. I got a redress number. No explanation given. They said they do not release their findings. But since then, I have not had a problem.. And I don't use the redress number.

What really annoyed me was that it also cancelled my pre-check on the connecting US flight. Doubly annoyed since I had paid the bucks and taken the time to get the Global Entry/Trusted Traveler thing.

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

OakParkMarcia — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 01:42:27 +0000

Dreaded indeed. The letters were on my boarding pass last time I came home from India; security went through everything I had and asked lots of questions. Then, when they finished, I still had to go through the regular security lines. It took almost an hour.

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

Sun Seeker — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 00:49:18 +0000

Type in, public service announcement.
The dreaded letters are SSSS.

Boarding Pass Info (reply)

midalake — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 23:55:20 +0000

I guess I need help using Rob's search feature. I'm looking for a conversation about some dreaded phrase on your boarding pass. If this phrase is printed on your boarding pass, apparently you will be completely searched even if you have TSA Pre-check. Can anyone help me out?

ZIH..........

Just kidding......

Boarding Pass Info

Cathy in SF — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 23:40:38 +0000

I guess I need help using Rob's search feature. I'm looking for a conversation about some dreaded phrase on your boarding pass. If this phrase is printed on your boarding pass, apparently you will be completely searched even if you have TSA Pre-check. Can anyone help me out?