TSA Experiences

[Andrea]

The TSA’s Solution For My Reluctance To Open Baby Food Jars? A Pat-Down

http://consumerist.com/2013/06/19/the-tsas-solution-for-my-reluctance-to-open-baby-food-jars-a-pat-down/

"What he wasn’t expecting was a request from the agent to actually open the jars. While the TSA’s published policies do say that it has the authority to request that baby food containers be opened, actually unsealing the food jars is problematic as, once the lids are opened, the contents need to be refrigerated within an hour or be tossed out. Given that the family still had hours of traveling in front of them, opening the jars would effectively be the same as being told to throw them in the trash."

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by Andrea

The TSA’s Solution For My Reluctance To Open Baby Food Jars? A Pat-Down

http://consumerist.com/2013/06/19/the-tsas-solution-for-my-reluctance-to-open-baby-food-jars-a-pat-down/

"What he wasn’t expecting was a request from the agent to actually open the jars. While the TSA’s published policies do say that it has the authority to request that baby food containers be opened, actually unsealing the food jars is problematic as, once the lids are opened, the contents need to be refrigerated within an hour or be tossed out. Given that the family still had hours of traveling in front of them, opening the jars would effectively be the same as being told to throw them in the trash."

Yes, they must not know about vacuum sealing....I guess terrorists could?

Reminds me of a post I put in here a while back. Had a prescribed liquid med with pharmacy label and it was factory sealed. Had to open it so they could test it. Then had to pray it wasn't contaminated from the test solution.

Also had brought a letter on letterhead from my MD regarding the medication.

I guess all of that could be faked?

I recently traveled to NM on business. Though I hate to check luggage, I did anyway, just to avoid all the security hassle and just prayed they would put the top back on tightly.

They did.

No pat down either this time.

I don't know what the answer is.

We are kind of damned if we do or damned if we don't, aren't we? (As a nation, with airport security).

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

Yes, they must not know about vacuum sealing....I guess terrorists could?

Reminds me of a post I put in here a while back. Had a prescribed liquid med with pharmacy label and it was factory sealed. Had to open it so they could test it. Then had to pray it wasn't contaminated from the test solution.

Also had brought a letter on letterhead from my MD regarding the medication.

I guess all of that could be faked?

I recently traveled to NM on business. Though I hate to check luggage, I did anyway, just to avoid all the security hassle and just prayed they would put the top back on tightly.

They did.

No pat down either this time.

I don't know what the answer is.

We are kind of damned if we do or damned if we don't, aren't we? (As a nation, with airport security).

(Bolding mine) I respectfully disagree. I believe the reinforcing of the cockpit doors and the change in how a terrorist on an airplane is dealt with (no longer passive), are sufficient to deal with the once in a while terrorist on a plane actions.

There is NO evidence that the security measures of the TSA has in any way stopped terrorists. In fact, I am surprised a terrorist hasn't targeted the queue for the TSA as the lines often contain more people than a single plane.

I don't know what the answer is either but I do know it isn't the TSA and the security theater we are currently subjected to.

Thank you for your comments, Anya.

[Andrea]

Tomorrow, June 24, 2013, is the last day to submit your comments about Passenger Screening Using Advanced Imaging Technology

http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=TSA-2013-0004-0001

[Andrea]

TSA's new Instagram shows all the dangerous items that presented no danger

http://boingboing.net/2013/07/03/tsas-new-instagram-shows-all.html

"But what they don't show is all the grand-jury indictments for conspiracy to commit air terrorism that they secured after catching people with these items -- even the people who were packing guns.

That's because no one -- not the TSA, not the DAs, not the DHS -- believe that anyone who tries to board a plane with a dangerous item is actually planning on doing anything bad with them. After all, as New York State chief judge Sol Wachtler said (quoting Tom Wolfe), "a grand jury would 'indict a ham sandwich,' if that's what you wanted." So if there was any question about someone thinking of hurting a plane, you'd expect to see indictments."

And my favorite part of the article:

"But," he said, "maybe someone who did want to crash the plane might take the bad thing away from them and attack it."

"That doesn't sound like a very reliable plan," I said. "If you were a terrorist and that was your plan, you'd have to spend a lot of time in the air waiting for someone to open his laptop bag and show you that he forgot to take his handgun out of it before he boarded."

"Yeah," he said. He thought for a moment. "This is really above my pay-grade."

[Andrea]

TSA searches valet parked car

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S3101080.shtml?cat=566

"Rochester, N.Y. -- She says she had no warning that someone was going to search her car after she left to catch her flight. So the woman contacted News10NBC.

We found out it happened to her because she valet parked her car. Those are the only cars that get inspected.

So if security feels it is necessary to search some cars in the name of safety, why not search all of them?

Laurie Iacuzza walked to her waiting car at the Greater Rochester International Airport after returning from a trip and that's when she found it -- a notice saying her car was inspected after she left for her flight. She said, “I was furious. They never mentioned it to me when I booked the valet or when I picked up the car or when I dropped it off.”

Iacuzza's car was inspected by valet attendants on orders from the TSA. But why only valet parked cars? That's what News10NBC wanted to ask the TSA director about. We reached him by phone.

Berkeley Brean asked, “Are the cars in the short term lots and long term lots getting searched as well?”

John McCaffery, TSA, said, “No, those vehicles that are in the garage, short term long term parking, even if they carry pretty large amounts of explosives, they would not cause damage to the front of the airport. But for those who use the valet, the car could be there for a half hour or an hour so there is a vulnerability.”

News10NBC went to the valet parking and one of the attendants showed us the notice they put in the cars.

We asked, “You're required, they tell you, you have to search the car?” Valet Parking Attendant Frank Dettorre said, “I have to do it.”

We also noticed a large sign that alerts customers that their vehicle will be inspected. The sign is on the kiosk window. Iacuzza says it was not there when she dropped off her car. “I think the public should be aware of the fact that if their car is going to be searched, they should be informed of it.”

Iacuzza said she doesn't mind the security measure. She just wants to be told if her car is getting searched.

News10NBC asked the owner of the company that runs the valet parking when they put up the sign but he wouldn't answer.

TSA says this is part of its overall security plan and that it's a proactive move. The attendants said they've only been doing it for about a month."

[Andrea]

Ex-Honolulu TSA screener denies stealing cash

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/19/4355041/ex-honolulu-tsa-screener-accused.html

"She acknowledged pleading no contest to theft in 1995 in a separate case..."