Story time! They probably had different reasons but I had funny encounters with the TSA involving hoodies.
One time I missed a flight in Miami and the next flight was 6-8hrs later. I decided to hang around the airport. Eventually I became sleepy, put my bags next to me, sat down where there are no passengers, put headphones and covered myself with a large hoodie to keep it dark enough for a nap. A couple of hours later I take off my hoodie for a peek and this uniformed TSA guy is sitting in front of me and staring at me, I stared back for a few seconds, checked the time and went back to sleep. A while later I am rested so I get up, now there are 2-3 people around me but the TSA guy is still staring at me. We had a staring contest for like 5-10min the I got bored and started wasting time on my phone. A little later, I was hungry and my departure time was within 1h so I ignored the guy and went to my gate area and ate an expensive tuna sandwich before leaving miami.
Second story, same hoodie I think, I was similarly taking a nap (forgot the airport), I hear a small commotion and look up there are TSA people standing around one is trying to make it look like they are not trying to look at me, then another TSA worker brought a k-9 dog straight to me without saying a single word and had the dog take its time sniffing me and all my stuff. I didn't mind tbh. Then they had the dog sniff around a couple of nearby seats and took it away. Not a big deal, I just couldn't figure out what they were thinking? Did they think I was a terrorist but needed a nap before my attack?
Also, I don't know if facial recognition flags people but I can tell by their body language when I am standing line if they will do a chemical test, to the point I prepare my hands and volunteer them before the guy even asks (they comment on how I am too used to it lol).
People complain about this stuff but personally I care more about all the surveillance they buy that then gets paired with your facial/biometrics and sticks with you for life.
Also, had a rookie TSA agent follow procedure one time and tell me I can request a private pat-down if I so wish. I told him "sure" just to see what they do, they knew I was fooling around so they didn't pat me down properly but they took me to a private room for the pat down. Worth mentioning because it sounded like they are supposed to inform you of that for each pat down and if you are legitimately a person sensitive about being touched and fondled in public you have that option (they even leave the cash on the dresser before they leave /s ).
I say all this but I do understand that the TSA workers on the ground are well meaning folks keeping everyone safe. I have much respect for them even if I don't always agree with TSA/DHS policy, which ulitimately is a product of the american voter's will.
One time I missed a flight in Miami and the next flight was 6-8hrs later. I decided to hang around the airport. Eventually I became sleepy, put my bags next to me, sat down where there are no passengers, put headphones and covered myself with a large hoodie to keep it dark enough for a nap. A couple of hours later I take off my hoodie for a peek and this uniformed TSA guy is sitting in front of me and staring at me, I stared back for a few seconds, checked the time and went back to sleep. A while later I am rested so I get up, now there are 2-3 people around me but the TSA guy is still staring at me. We had a staring contest for like 5-10min the I got bored and started wasting time on my phone. A little later, I was hungry and my departure time was within 1h so I ignored the guy and went to my gate area and ate an expensive tuna sandwich before leaving miami.
Second story, same hoodie I think, I was similarly taking a nap (forgot the airport), I hear a small commotion and look up there are TSA people standing around one is trying to make it look like they are not trying to look at me, then another TSA worker brought a k-9 dog straight to me without saying a single word and had the dog take its time sniffing me and all my stuff. I didn't mind tbh. Then they had the dog sniff around a couple of nearby seats and took it away. Not a big deal, I just couldn't figure out what they were thinking? Did they think I was a terrorist but needed a nap before my attack?
Also, I don't know if facial recognition flags people but I can tell by their body language when I am standing line if they will do a chemical test, to the point I prepare my hands and volunteer them before the guy even asks (they comment on how I am too used to it lol).
People complain about this stuff but personally I care more about all the surveillance they buy that then gets paired with your facial/biometrics and sticks with you for life.
Also, had a rookie TSA agent follow procedure one time and tell me I can request a private pat-down if I so wish. I told him "sure" just to see what they do, they knew I was fooling around so they didn't pat me down properly but they took me to a private room for the pat down. Worth mentioning because it sounded like they are supposed to inform you of that for each pat down and if you are legitimately a person sensitive about being touched and fondled in public you have that option (they even leave the cash on the dresser before they leave /s ).
I say all this but I do understand that the TSA workers on the ground are well meaning folks keeping everyone safe. I have much respect for them even if I don't always agree with TSA/DHS policy, which ulitimately is a product of the american voter's will.