TSA Experiences

DamonK · 08-12-2012, 08:08 PM

Flew recently from PDX to Detroit. No problems either way. Only thing was I forgot to take off my tags before going through scanner, so TSA asked me about it and asked if it was ok if they patted me down. Very upper top, near collar bone and up, down sides and down sides of legs.

No big deal. Respectful and nice

alexri · 08-12-2012, 09:20 PM

Not an attempt to hijack/steal this thread... a serious question and I thought this was the best place to post...

But has anyone had any issues with strapons/feeldoes in their luggage? I'm thinking putting my gear in my checked bag, and I'm definitely not packing while flying because I just don't want to deal with it.

I've always opted for pat-downs. I refuse go to through the xray machines because I fly so much. I can average 8-10 flights a month during my busy race season. The TSA people always tell me it's no worse than the equivalent of getting an xray at the dentist. Then I ask them if they would get 10-20 xrays a month.

Sometimes the TSA staff is rude when I opt out because they're already busy and have to call someone over to do it.

Andrea · 08-12-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexri

Not an attempt to hijack/steal this thread... a serious question and I thought this was the best place to post...

But has anyone had any issues with strapons/feeldoes in their luggage? I'm thinking putting my gear in my checked bag, and I'm definitely not packing while flying because I just don't want to deal with it.

I've always opted for pat-downs. I refuse go to through the xray machines because I fly so much. I can average 8-10 flights a month during my busy race season. The TSA people always tell me it's no worse than the equivalent of getting an xray at the dentist. Then I ask them if they would get 10-20 xrays a month.

Sometimes the TSA staff is rude when I opt out because they're already busy and have to call someone over to do it.

What do you mean by "issues"?

I doubt TSA would confiscate... er... request that you voluntarily surrender them if found in your carry on but they might pull them out and expose your personal belongings to others. If you put them in your checked bag, the worse that would happen is they could be taken by the baggage inspectors.

alexri · 08-13-2012, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea

What do you mean by "issues"?

I doubt TSA would confiscate... er... request that you voluntarily surrender them if found in your carry on but they might pull them out and expose your personal belongings to others. If you put them in your checked bag, the worse that would happen is they could be taken by the baggage inspectors.

I guess my concern about issues would be confiscation/removal of any objects, (excuse my bluntness but it's necessary) such as one's strap on, feeldoe, handcuffs, etc. anything packed in a checked-bag. I know to take the batteries out of anything (I do in storage anyway) to prevent something from vibrating if accidentally switched on, thus causing a suspicious bag issue. From the research/checking I've done, the best thing I can think of is to pack items in plastic ziplock bags and put in check in luggage.

Quite frankly I don't trust the TSA. There have been issues in my home airport with TSA agents being caught taking thousands of dollars of jewelry, electronics, etc. out of people's bags. And with the maturity of some of the officers I've seen here, I'm really debating whether or not to bring anything. Just wondering if anyone's had their personal items disappear from checked bags.

DamonK · 08-13-2012, 04:54 PM

Nothing disappeared from mine. Even though my bag tore.

I packed my strap on with no problem. I wouldn't pack handcuffs though.

Andrea · 08-16-2012, 06:11 PM

Taking Pictures at the Checkpoint directly from the TSA website http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/taking_pictures.shtm

"TSA does not prohibit the public, passengers or press from photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or slowed down. We do ask you to not film or take pictures of the monitors. While the TSA does not prohibit photographs at screening locations, local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances might."

So why are the TSA clerks telling this person he can't film the searching of his bag and then not allowing him to fly?

Andrea · 08-16-2012, 06:44 PM

In 2010, 1.73 million passengers flew per day.

Every week TSA posts the items 'found' the week before. You can read about it here: http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/08/tsa-week-in-review-passengers-continue.html

8-3-12 through 8-9-12:
Firearms: 30: 24 loaded; 6 unloaded
7 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

At 7.85 Billion a year budget, that's over $80,000 an object.

08-16-2012, 06:11 PM	#6
Andrea Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Mature Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Her/She Relationship Status: I heart Rene Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 3,755 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15,427 Thanked 14,921 Times in 3,020 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	Taking Pictures at the Checkpoint directly from the TSA website http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/taking_pictures.shtm "TSA does not prohibit the public, passengers or press from photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or slowed down. We do ask you to not film or take pictures of the monitors. While the TSA does not prohibit photographs at screening locations, local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances might." So why are the TSA clerks telling this person he can't film the searching of his bag and then not allowing him to fly? __________________ I am very spoiled! What we think about and thank about, we bring about! Today I will treat my body with love and respect.

08-16-2012, 06:44 PM	#7
Andrea Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Mature Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Her/She Relationship Status: I heart Rene Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 3,755 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15,427 Thanked 14,921 Times in 3,020 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	In 2010, 1.73 million passengers flew per day. Every week TSA posts the items 'found' the week before. You can read about it here: http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/08/tsa-week-in-review-passengers-continue.html 8-3-12 through 8-9-12: Firearms: 30: 24 loaded; 6 unloaded 7 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints At 7.85 Billion a year budget, that's over $80,000 an object. __________________ I am very spoiled! What we think about and thank about, we bring about! Today I will treat my body with love and respect.

08-12-2012, 08:08 PM	#1
DamonK Senior Member How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: May 2010 Location: . Posts: 2,199 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,527 Thanked 7,762 Times in 1,881 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Flew recently from PDX to Detroit. No problems either way. Only thing was I forgot to take off my tags before going through scanner, so TSA asked me about it and asked if it was ok if they patted me down. Very upper top, near collar bone and up, down sides and down sides of legs. No big deal. Respectful and nice

08-12-2012, 09:20 PM	#2
alexri Member How Do You Identify?: - Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 549 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,209 Thanked 2,799 Times in 468 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	Not an attempt to hijack/steal this thread... a serious question and I thought this was the best place to post... But has anyone had any issues with strapons/feeldoes in their luggage? I'm thinking putting my gear in my checked bag, and I'm definitely not packing while flying because I just don't want to deal with it. I've always opted for pat-downs. I refuse go to through the xray machines because I fly so much. I can average 8-10 flights a month during my busy race season. The TSA people always tell me it's no worse than the equivalent of getting an xray at the dentist. Then I ask them if they would get 10-20 xrays a month. Sometimes the TSA staff is rude when I opt out because they're already busy and have to call someone over to do it.

08-13-2012, 04:54 PM	#5
DamonK Senior Member How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: May 2010 Location: . Posts: 2,199 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,527 Thanked 7,762 Times in 1,881 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Nothing disappeared from mine. Even though my bag tore. I packed my strap on with no problem. I wouldn't pack handcuffs though.