TSA Checkpoint – Chicago Midway Airport

If you have an early morning flight be sure to know that the TSA check point opens sometime after 3:30a (so if you have a 5a fight, don’t go early). The lines are long and they aren’t terribly efficient no matter when we get there. They need to work on timing, efficiency and well everything. Just be prepared to wait.

It’s ⁸⁄₂₇ 4:30am and there are hardly any people going through security. There is no rush and everyone is calm… then this middle aged TSA agent with a big blonde poof for hair comes over and asks me about lotion/​perfume. I say no, she repeats herself 4 more times in the most condescending manner. Didn’t you hear me woman?! I said no. I know the consequences, go «help» someone else and leave me alone. She makes comments like «ohh geez, my goodness, there are signs everywhere, come on» and «the consequence could result in a 20 minute bag search!!» the tone is unmistakably condescending. Her only sources of power are the questions about lotion and perfume so she repeats them to the same person over and over even after they respond in order to exert some sort dominance, pathetic. I feel sorry for her because she must hate her job so much so to treat others like this for no reason. I am not cattle, I am not an object with clothes and a suitcase. I am a human being, and if nothing else she needs to learn to respect that. I wish I said more to her than just a frustrated «NO, give me a break!» but like I said it was 4am…
Midway TSA in general is fine, no real issues but I’m rating this lady and she gets zero stars.
Oh and by the way, I did have lotion and no my bag did not get searched because it was under the 3oz rule… duh.

Are you unemployed? Can’t get a job anywhere else? Join the crackpot group called TSA. One step below a crossing guard, you can walk around with an attitude, pants that are WAY TOO TIGHT and bark orders at people. No people skills, no past experience, no problem. We can train you. Four people work, while the other 30 are «supervisors» standing around chewing the fat, checking their cell phones or flirting other airport personnel. And the everyone asks why the US is the laughing stock of the world? You have the most uneducated, ignorant, obese, unemployable people in the US securing our airplanes and airports.

Although this line is generally fast, I was asked to stand right next to the X-​ray scanner while holding my 19-​month son. The TSA needs to be more aware of the location of the X-​ray scanner, when it is on, and that pregnant women and parents with small children should not be asked to stand in close proximity to the machine. The TSA has a low likelihood of serving a useful purpose, but at least they could minimize their likelihood of doing something harmful.

The TSA attendant who pulled me aside on my way from Chicago to Las Vegas was very polite and professional. However, the policy she was enforcing is a joke. The xray machines scanning my carry-​on detected my knockoff Alexander McQueen handbag and the attendant confiscated it as «brass knuckles». OK. I guess I can’t really argue that. It would have just ended up as a charming anecdote until I saw a similar item for sale in the Las Vegas airport. IN the AIRPORT. As in, past the TSA. As in, anyone could purchase these «brass knuckles» and take them on the plane. They should review their policy to make sure they’re not confiscating items that are sold elsewhere throughout the airport. (see photos)

What is the point of paying for the GOES pre-​check status if every mom and pop with three crumb snatchers in tow are also given a pass to clog up the pre-​check line? And because of this they need to have one of their agents stand at the beginning of the line barking out instructions to keep your belt and shoes on and put all your metal in your bag. It is not very pleasant having to listen to this over and over again at 5:30 in the morning and have to still wait behind the confused first time travelers trying to get through the metal detectors. Yes, the main checkpoint is a huge scrum and could be much more efficient. They used to have designated lines for experienced travelers, families with children and the just dazed and confused. Let these types inconvenience themselves and not everyone else. Would I be complaining if I only had to endure this a couple of times per year — no. But having to go through this over 100 times a year and paying for expedited service, I would expect better treatment.

While I love my TSA Pre-​check status and the time it saves, I was very offended this day as a small knife, less than ½ in. long that I have carried for at least five years in my purse, got confiscated. It was an oversight on my part by still having it in my purse, but I had flown with it, no problem for those five years. The agent who «discovered» it, acted like she had discovered treasure, so proud of herself, for saving the American public from this dangerous weapon. Changes need to be made in what is reasonable (waters, etc.) that can be taken on planes.

Whenever I go to any TSA checkpoint in the U.S., I always hope for the best and quickest line. Sometimes we’re fortunate, but for the most part the lines are quite long.
Last Saturday at Midway Airport, we got very lucky! The main line was very very very loooong!!! We were directed to a much shorter line which bypassed dozens of folks. I felt like a VIP!
Ended up taking about 5 minutes going through security instead of a minimum of 45 minutes.
As for the staff, they were professional and efficient.
4 stars all around for our experience here.

Jonathan the TSA agent was beyond helpful as well as his other coworkers, just certain agents I will shout out the rest of TSA the one I told off one in particular… people were nice to you and you still were rude and nasty and yeah I called you out cuz of your behavior! I ever see you again it’s a wrap! But yeah he was really nice and I had all of my lotions in my bag but instead of tossing them he let me keep it and check in the bag. Than go to the front of scanning and everything. Thank you very much and even apologized for his fat whale coworker behavior. She was beyond extra and needs to take some slim fast and shut up. But yes I had a great time and people in Chicago were really helpful even one TSA agent. Well… A few more but I don’t like TSA anyway so if your doing your job fine, if your rude and snappy yes I will be on ya and don’t mind missing my flight to lay hands. But Jonathan was very helpful.

as far as airport checkpoints go, this is one of them. there are check points at most major metropolitan airports and this is included in that list of airports that has checkpoints.

I would avoid this checkpoint if only it were possible. I really disliked the intrusive and direct violation of my 4^th amendment constitutional rights by being searched without probable cause, and not being able to move freely without going through the invasive processes of «security screening».
Oh well, might as well go through the motions to avoid problems.