TSA Experiences

[Scorp]

OMMFGGG...THIS IS FRIGGIN' HILARIOUS!!!! I literally was laughing out loud!!! LOVE IT!

Originally Posted by Andrea

South Park's take on the TSA.

[Andrea]

I feel much safer now..../temporarily end sarcasm

[Andrea]

TSA screener busted while in uniform. Now I feel safer?

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/uniformed_tsa_screener_busted_in_RuJhwOv5tdqOWIgao 5GMkI

[Andrea]

No comment except ICK!

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/crime_checker/baltimore_county_crime/former-tsa-agent-from-baltimore-county-indicted-on-federal-porn-charges#ixzz1pVwGQjPk

[ruffryder]

Originally Posted by Andrea

I feel much safer now..../temporarily end sarcasm

This video is going viral. Also others that include people with disabilities, using canes and the elderly. I'm sure these TSA agents are just doing their job how they are supposed to no matter who the traveler is. It is unfortunate however when this happens to these individuals especially.

In Orlando, travelers now older than 75 will be able to keep their shoes and light jackets on and avoid pat downs.

What do you all think? Do we still need pat downs and who warrants them?
How is it determined who could be a threat?

Again, working in security I have seen some people fly through the line while others may get a second look, a wand, or a pat down. Knowing this I like to treat everyone the same. If you let one person through with their child's meds and bottle filled with liquid you have to do it for all. . just my thought.

I also heard some airports may start to look at private security companies to do security instead of TSA..

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by ruffryder

snip...

What do you all think? Do we still need pat downs and who warrants them?
How is it determined who could be a threat?

/snip

I don't feel pat downs are warranted. I am unaware of any terrorists discovered by TSA in the ten years using any of their security features.

One could say the pat downs are a deterrent to terrorists, but if deterrents worked we wouldn't have jails full of murderers, rapist, abusers, drug users and pushers, drunk drivers, etc.

Planes are now equipped with reinforced doors to the cockpit to prevent unauthorized entry and passengers have shown they will not allow anyone to disrupt flights.

All of this fear over something that will probably never happen again. Let's put our resources into places that can really help. Let's feed the hungry with the billions of dollars spent on TSA. Or supplement tuition for those in college. Or help people that are losing their homes in this economy.

/end of rant

[Andrea]

Is this a TSA success story? I don't think so. It appears the man had no intention of using the firearms for anything nefarious or he would have 1) gone off (pulled his gun) in the airport or 2) attempted to hide the firearms.

Also note, according to other articles, the pat down where his holstered gun was found, was not required until the firearms were discovered in his carry on. Does this mean the gun he carried on his person wasn't found in the backscatter screening? The walk through metal detector would have beeped for a gun.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2012/03/23/20120323phoenix-passenger-guns-found-sacramento-airport.html

[Chancie]

There is no way to know how the passenger intended to use those guns.

It stretches my credibility that someone planning a plane trip could be unaware of the rules regarding whether guns may be packed in carry on luggage.

In general, I find the business of the TSA suspect at best.

The issue is not whether overworked, probably undertrained staff are considerate or rude. Obviously there are polite friendly people and judge-y inconsiderate people everywhere.

For me the question is Does the TSA have the right to have intimate access to our private bodies, and whether that invasion of privacy does anything anyway.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Chancie

There is no way to know how the passenger intended to use those guns.

It stretches my credibility that someone planning a plane trip could be unaware of the rules regarding whether guns may be packed in carry on luggage.

In general, I find the business of the TSA suspect at best.

The issue is not whether overworked, probably undertrained staff are considerate or rude. Obviously there are polite friendly people and judge-y inconsiderate people everywhere.

For me the question is Does the TSA have the right to have intimate access to our private bodies, and whether that invasion of privacy does anything anyway.

Chancie:

Thank you for your comment. My guess is this was a cry for help in the way attempted suicide is. He had to have known he would be stopped from carrying guns on the plane but he attempted it anyway. We will probably never know his thinking but his resulting actions upon being discovered did not indicate (to me) ill intent.

I agree with you about the questionable rights to "have intimate access" to our bodies. I seldom mention how our constitutional rights are being violated because I don't believe those that feel 'anything for safety' care about that so I focus on the TSA really doesn't make us safer things.

Everyone:

Since I don't believe TSA is going away, I would love to be convinced that we are safer with TSA and DHS. That would make my travels much more comfortable. Please explain to me your views. Please help me see what you see.

[Andrea]

TSA manager arrested at airport for operating his second job as a pimp.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/tsa-manager-arrested-for-running-prostitution-ring-032812#ixzz1qRISaevM

[Andrea]

Just imagine the ramp service officer and/or TSA allowing a bomb through.

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId={561bc07a-5da1-4fea-ac81-09e04b66417a}&src=MWHEAD

[Andrea]

Janet Napolitano's response to why airports in other countries don't require you to take your shoes of:

"one is, first of all, not all airports in the world face the same threats we face. everything being done is because of constant continual attempts to try do something to the united states and its aviation system . that’s number one."

Full interview here: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/mitchell-reports/46906528#46906528

Do you believe terrorists are only after U.S. airports?

[Andrea]

Still more documentation the TSA is not adding to our safety.

[Andrea]

This makes 12 child sex crimes in 16 months.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061123719&srvc=rss

[Andrea]

Elderly couple has money stolen at TSA checkpoint.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120418/OPINION03/204180345/1409/METRO/Seniors-get-TSA-runaround-lose-300

[Andrea]

"Anyone who rode the bus in Houston, Texas during the 2-10pm shift last Friday faced random bag checks and sweeps by both drug-sniffing dogs and bomb-sniffing dogs (the latter being only canines necessary if "preventing terrorism" were the actual intent of these raids), all courtesy of a joint effort between TSA VIPR nests and three different local and county-level police departments."

So much for if you don't like it, don't fly.....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/apr/18/tsa-mission-creep-us-police-state

[ruffryder]

A lady stripped naked at Denver International Airport and recently a man protesting TSA and harrasment also did in Portland. haha!

It's a shame it has to come to this when people feel harrased and think they have no other alternative.

[ruffryder]

Screening Rules if you knew or didnt:

You can carry on small amounts of liquids, but you must follow what TSA calls the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4-ounce container(s) or smaller, in one quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag, one bag per passenger. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces, and don’t have to be in the bag. Declare these things at the checkpoint. Officers may open some or all of them to screen them.

The 3.4 ounces applies to the container. Larger containers that are partly filled and large toothpaste tubes that are rolled up aren’t allowed. What’s a “liquid”? Use this informal rule of thumb: If you can pour, pump, squeeze, spread, smear, spray and/or spill it, it’s a liquid. Pastes, ointments and mascara are considered liquids.

Frozen food is considered a solid. If it’s partially melted — “such as gravy,” TSA’s website says — it’s liquid, and subject to 3-1-1.

Snow globes and other tchotchkes containing liquid are prohibited, “even with documentation.”

Gel shoe inserts are forbidden onboard aircraft. Gel-filled bras are allowed. Children 12 and younger may now keep their shoes on.

Scissors with blades shorter than four inches, even with pointed tips, are now allowed. Ice skates — despite having potentially long, sharp blades — are allowed. Screwdrivers seven inches long or shorter are allowed, perhaps surprisingly, as are wrenches and pliers seven inches long or shorter.

Common lighters are O.K., as is one book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches.

Passing through electronic detection equipment is optional, though TSA assures it is safe for all, including pregnant women. Those opting out will be searched via pat-down.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyl...reening-rules/

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by ruffryder

Screening Rules if you knew or didnt:

You can carry on small amounts of liquids, but you must follow what TSA calls the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4-ounce container(s) or smaller, in one quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag, one bag per passenger. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces, and don’t have to be in the bag. Declare these things at the checkpoint. Officers may open some or all of them to screen them.

The 3.4 ounces applies to the container. Larger containers that are partly filled and large toothpaste tubes that are rolled up aren’t allowed. What’s a “liquid”? Use this informal rule of thumb: If you can pour, pump, squeeze, spread, smear, spray and/or spill it, it’s a liquid. Pastes, ointments and mascara are considered liquids.

Frozen food is considered a solid. If it’s partially melted — “such as gravy,” TSA’s website says — it’s liquid, and subject to 3-1-1.

Snow globes and other tchotchkes containing liquid are prohibited, “even with documentation.”

Gel shoe inserts are forbidden onboard aircraft. Gel-filled bras are allowed. Children 12 and younger may now keep their shoes on.

Scissors with blades shorter than four inches, even with pointed tips, are now allowed. Ice skates — despite having potentially long, sharp blades — are allowed. Screwdrivers seven inches long or shorter are allowed, perhaps surprisingly, as are wrenches and pliers seven inches long or shorter.

Common lighters are O.K., as is one book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches.

Passing through electronic detection equipment is optional, though TSA assures it is safe for all, including pregnant women. Those opting out will be searched via pat-down.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyl...reening-rules/

Some things were left off the list:

Cupcakes in a jar - http://consumerist.com/2012/01/tsa-rules-that-once-a-cupcake-is-inside-a-jar-its-not-okay-to-carry-on.html

Empty breast milk containers - http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/hawaiian-mom-breast-pump-humiliated-tsa/story?id=15835844#.T4-LyNXEN5o

I didn't know about the gel filled inserts. Wonder how come they are dangerous but gel filled bras aren't.

[Andrea]

Diabetic 5th grader gets the grope

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/airport-security-pat-downs_b_1432606.html