Agree that this is totally ridiculous! BTW -- I pumped on a plane once, granted, in the restroom. I also nursed on several. And I pumped in a moving car. I was not shy! But I do recognize that others are more modest than I am and that some babies have physical limitations. I will be interested to see what happens here. I have searched the mainstream news media for the story and it has not been picked up which I find interesting.
Packing and Airport Inspection ???'s
- Thread starter goin2dzny
- Start date
shmoogrrrl
Tigger Goddess
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- May 18, 2000
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- 2,899
mcnuss,
*laugh* I've pumped in the car before! I was just thinking that if they have a poblem with bottles of milk, imagine their reaction to a breast pump trying to go through security!
Hehehehe.
Thanks!
Kathy
*laugh* I've pumped in the car before! I was just thinking that if they have a poblem with bottles of milk, imagine their reaction to a breast pump trying to go through security!
Hehehehe.Thanks!
Kathy
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 9,211
Wow, I can't imagine going through all of that! I would NOT be happy with those screeners! That just floors me. No wonder we screeners get a bad rap!
I just don't understand about the milk issue...if that did indeed happen the way it was told it happened, I could totally see her getting a huge settlement. First of all, the milk should have just been wanded with the hand held metal detector. If they weren't happy with that, they should have told her that the milk bottles would not be allowed on board and to get rid of them. They had NO right to tell her to drink them. As long as a suspected item does not go on-board, there shouldn't be any problem!
As for scissors, and other sharp objects, we are instructed to tell the passenger that the item is not allowed on board. Then I always give them their options: Throw it away (we have a box for confiscated items that go to charity at the end of the year), Go back to the check-in counter and check your carry-on bag with the item included, go back in the airport and mail the item to yourself or put it in lost and found (they usually charge about $1 per day to hold the item for you).
Most people just decide to throw them away, no problems. And most people forgot they even had that item in their baggage. I had one man just go bonkers on me yesterday, yelling and screaming at me because their small kids couldn't bring their school scissors on board. I just told him in a polite tone that we have regulations and everyone must follow those regulations. Boy was he mad!
I guess every airport has different rules but they should be somewhat similar so that a passenger can know what to expect and have consistency.
Some of OUR rules just as an FYI for you:
All electronics (anything that is battery operated, anything!) must be taken out of the cases and turned on. If it works, ok...if not, it doesn't fly! No exceptions...so make sure your batteries are all charged! All off these items must go through the x-ray. (remember, all gameboys, PS2's, all games etc must be working!)
Anything sharp doesn't go! Anything! Knives, scissors, knitting needles, darts, any type of tool, metal nail files.
All steel toed boots will have to be removed and put through the x-ray machine. No exceptions! Remember ladies, some of your shoes have a LOT of metal, and if your shoes set off the walk through detector, you will be asked to remove them.
And remember, don't say anything silly, like "did you find my gun in there?" or anything about a bomb, it WILL be taken seriously, even if we know you are joking!
And I hope none of you have a bad experience like the stories that were posted!
I just don't understand about the milk issue...if that did indeed happen the way it was told it happened, I could totally see her getting a huge settlement. First of all, the milk should have just been wanded with the hand held metal detector. If they weren't happy with that, they should have told her that the milk bottles would not be allowed on board and to get rid of them. They had NO right to tell her to drink them. As long as a suspected item does not go on-board, there shouldn't be any problem!
As for scissors, and other sharp objects, we are instructed to tell the passenger that the item is not allowed on board. Then I always give them their options: Throw it away (we have a box for confiscated items that go to charity at the end of the year), Go back to the check-in counter and check your carry-on bag with the item included, go back in the airport and mail the item to yourself or put it in lost and found (they usually charge about $1 per day to hold the item for you).
Most people just decide to throw them away, no problems. And most people forgot they even had that item in their baggage. I had one man just go bonkers on me yesterday, yelling and screaming at me because their small kids couldn't bring their school scissors on board. I just told him in a polite tone that we have regulations and everyone must follow those regulations. Boy was he mad!
I guess every airport has different rules but they should be somewhat similar so that a passenger can know what to expect and have consistency.
Some of OUR rules just as an FYI for you:
All electronics (anything that is battery operated, anything!) must be taken out of the cases and turned on. If it works, ok...if not, it doesn't fly! No exceptions...so make sure your batteries are all charged! All off these items must go through the x-ray. (remember, all gameboys, PS2's, all games etc must be working!)
Anything sharp doesn't go! Anything! Knives, scissors, knitting needles, darts, any type of tool, metal nail files.
All steel toed boots will have to be removed and put through the x-ray machine. No exceptions! Remember ladies, some of your shoes have a LOT of metal, and if your shoes set off the walk through detector, you will be asked to remove them.
And remember, don't say anything silly, like "did you find my gun in there?" or anything about a bomb, it WILL be taken seriously, even if we know you are joking!
And I hope none of you have a bad experience like the stories that were posted!
I was just thinking that if they have a poblem with bottles of milk, imagine their reaction to a breast pump trying to go through security!
It would serve 'em right if someone offered to demonstrate its use for them!!!
It would serve 'em right if someone offered to demonstrate its use for them!!!
BeanoC
I almost don't feel the way I do.
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2000
- Messages
- 3,875
We were 'randomly' chosen last year to have our bags inspected. Mind you, this was on Oct. 7th, less than a month after the attacks. The gentleman was extremely polite. He took us behind some curtains, where our bags were put on some tables. He put on rubber gloves, and proceeded to rummage through our clothes and things. What I didn't understand was, these were our CHECKED bags, so even if there were hidden weapons, we couldn't get to them on a plane! He was fairly thorough, but still could have easily missed a small knife or such.
In my carry-on camera bag there is a sort of "false bottom", which is held in only by Velcro. I will stick cash or other valueable papers under there. I didn't offer this information to him, and when he checked this particular bag, he didn't see the false bottom. I could have EASILY had a 6 inch blade under there! But I suppose the x-ray machines would have caught that. Point is, this physical inspection was a waste of time.
I certainly didn't mind cooperating, but the way they did things made me pray that there weren't any terrorists around, because the inefficiency of the searches left me feeling a little worried!
Hey - frisk me, check all my bags, x-ray me, put me through metal detectors... You bet!! Make me feel safe! Just make sure you do it to everyone! I can't begin to see the sense in random searches - what if the dude who wants to jack the plane isn't randomly selected? I never understood that logic (or lack thereof!)
'Beano'
In my carry-on camera bag there is a sort of "false bottom", which is held in only by Velcro. I will stick cash or other valueable papers under there. I didn't offer this information to him, and when he checked this particular bag, he didn't see the false bottom. I could have EASILY had a 6 inch blade under there! But I suppose the x-ray machines would have caught that. Point is, this physical inspection was a waste of time.
I certainly didn't mind cooperating, but the way they did things made me pray that there weren't any terrorists around, because the inefficiency of the searches left me feeling a little worried!
Hey - frisk me, check all my bags, x-ray me, put me through metal detectors... You bet!! Make me feel safe!
Just make sure you do it to everyone! I can't begin to see the sense in random searches - what if the dude who wants to jack the plane isn't randomly selected? I never understood that logic (or lack thereof!)'Beano'
Beano - if I told you about all the silliness I have seen and experienced in my 100+ flights since 9/11, it would curl your hair. There is no consistency between airports and it is very frustrating. I have kept my cool every time I have been subjected to or observed some kind of nonsense, but it is hard. Just today, in fact, I put my Mom and DD on a plane to FL. Now mind you, as you read this, realize that my Mom got here last week just fine.... This morning we went to check-in, and the girl at the curbside luggage check-in says very sweetly, "Miss, do you have an ID that is not expired?" My Mom, aghast, cannot believe that her license has expired but pulls out another ID with a picture and all is well. She was so embarrassed - it expired 3 months ago. We go to the counter, same thing. No problem. The woman there even says laughingly "Hey we got you here, I guess we need to get you back!". She goes thru the Security line, no problems. They go to the gate. At MHT, the gate area is surrounded by glass so DH and I are watching them get on. She's stopped again. This time by the looks I am observing, they are not being nice. I see lots of gestures and she comes to the window and tells me not to go home, she may not be able to get on! A supervisor comes over and cooler heads prevail - they decide she should just be re-screened. Now here's the even sillier part. She has no carry-ons. Just a magazine. No jacket. Nothing! So what are they screening? She is 4 ft. 10 on tippie toes, 60+ years old. For heaven's sake. I also agree that rules are rules and I for one am all for the TIGHTEST security in the world, but this was inane. And the saddest part is that NOBODY on the trip up even noticed.
BeanoC
I almost don't feel the way I do.
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2000
- Messages
- 3,875
mcnuss - I don't think I want to hear any more of your stories - I am too close to flying again!! 
Seriously, what we need as much as anything is consistency!
I can't help but get the image in my mind of that tired, overweight, underpaid, "who-gives-a-damn" person sitting on a stool at the x-ray machine, not likely knowing or caring about the difference between a curling iron and an Uzi. Yikes.
'Beano'
Seriously, what we need as much as anything is consistency!
I can't help but get the image in my mind of that tired, overweight, underpaid, "who-gives-a-damn" person sitting on a stool at the x-ray machine, not likely knowing or caring about the difference between a curling iron and an Uzi. Yikes.
'Beano'
You might be either gratified or amused that they were very interested in my garage door opener. Apparently none of them had ever seen one before and they were convinced it was a detonator of some sort!
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 9,211
BeanoC,
While I wholeheartedly agree with your comment about needing consistency, I take exception to your very generalized comment concerning the appearance, attitude and general laissez-faire outlook of an Airport Security Officer. While I am sure that your description certainly may fit some screeners, IMHO, I believe it to be less than fair to stereotype us into one category. I am very rarely tired when I am working, I am not overweight or underpayed and I very much care about the security of all passengers on all the flights that go through my security check point. We are not allowed to "sit on a stool" in any area of the security point and not only can I "tell the difference between a curling iron and an uzi", I can also reflect a friendly, courteous, and professional attitude toward someone who is screaming in my face about not being able to take their hunting knife on board with them or does not wish to waste their precious time having to go through the screening process because they were late in getting to the gate.
As in any job, there will be those who are there for the sake of having to be there to pay bills etc and do as little as possible, however, there are others who genuinely care about what they do and reflect that in their performance.
mcnuss, what on earth possessed you to bring your garage door opener on board the plane with you??? During our training, we saw many examples of what ACTUAL people have hidden bombs inside of and one was a garage door opener (well the detonator was in it and the bomb was in a calculator in his checked luggage). I am glad that they were very interested in it, as it is a suspicious item to be in your carry on baggage.
While I wholeheartedly agree with your comment about needing consistency, I take exception to your very generalized comment concerning the appearance, attitude and general laissez-faire outlook of an Airport Security Officer. While I am sure that your description certainly may fit some screeners, IMHO, I believe it to be less than fair to stereotype us into one category. I am very rarely tired when I am working, I am not overweight or underpayed and I very much care about the security of all passengers on all the flights that go through my security check point. We are not allowed to "sit on a stool" in any area of the security point and not only can I "tell the difference between a curling iron and an uzi", I can also reflect a friendly, courteous, and professional attitude toward someone who is screaming in my face about not being able to take their hunting knife on board with them or does not wish to waste their precious time having to go through the screening process because they were late in getting to the gate.
As in any job, there will be those who are there for the sake of having to be there to pay bills etc and do as little as possible, however, there are others who genuinely care about what they do and reflect that in their performance.
mcnuss, what on earth possessed you to bring your garage door opener on board the plane with you???
During our training, we saw many examples of what ACTUAL people have hidden bombs inside of and one was a garage door opener (well the detonator was in it and the bomb was in a calculator in his checked luggage). I am glad that they were very interested in it, as it is a suspicious item to be in your carry on baggage.
Dave_from_Marietta
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 19, 2001
- Messages
- 4,486
The bomb that brought down PanAm Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland was in a checked bag.
Dave_from_Marietta
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 19, 2001
- Messages
- 4,486
I can't speak for mcnuss, but I have a mini garage door opener which I carry on my key ring. It's the same size as a remote control for keyless entry for a car. I carry it with me because I don't care to have a remote control in my car. If somebody was to break into my car, they'd have access to my house as well.
CarolAnnC
<font color=blue>Caught Smuggling Jello Shot Syrin
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I would like to remind everyone here that personal attacks are not tolerated on these boards. Please refrain from attacking and/or insulting individuals or groups here on the Cruise Board. Thank you all for your cooperation.
Pugdog007
<font color=6666FF>Volunteer Alabama Pug Rescue<br
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2001
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- 3,904
I also fly often, mostly business trips. I realized upon my return from a trip to WI last week, that my can of mace (attached to my keyring) made it through security in B'ham, Detroit, Stevens Point WI, Minneapolis and Memphis.
I usually take if off of my keyring before I fly, but I forgot. That's quite scary
That is something they certainly should have caught!!!
I did note the new procedure in regards to taking drinks through. Instead of drinking, you put it through the X-ray. Makes sense to me.
I usually take if off of my keyring before I fly, but I forgot. That's quite scary
That is something they certainly should have caught!!!I did note the new procedure in regards to taking drinks through. Instead of drinking, you put it through the X-ray. Makes sense to me.
First of all, I would like to thank Timon for sharing his knowledge with us. It is always so nice to be able to hear about things from the other side. I can only imagine having to deal with frustrated and angry passengers when you are just trying to keep them safe!
Secondly, with the posts about trying to get a breastpump thru security, I wanted to share that I have done that! I did not have my baby with me as it was a business trip (the whole reason I needed to take the pump!). I was traveling with business associates and was trying to be discrete, the breastpump was built into a boxy looking black bag (the Medela Pump N Style for those who would know what that is). I placed it through the x-ray conveyer and of course it was immediately flagged as being unusual. They politely asked if they could look through my "camera" bag. I am sure that I was blushing as I politely said "Sure, but it is a breastpump." I showed them how to unzip the front compartment to see the pump motor and they hand searched through the compartments holding the tubes, bottles, etc. This seemed to satisfy them and I was allowed to go on my way. My business associates were kind enough to step away from the action to eleviate some of my embarassment.
Peg
Secondly, with the posts about trying to get a breastpump thru security, I wanted to share that I have done that! I did not have my baby with me as it was a business trip (the whole reason I needed to take the pump!). I was traveling with business associates and was trying to be discrete, the breastpump was built into a boxy looking black bag (the Medela Pump N Style for those who would know what that is). I placed it through the x-ray conveyer and of course it was immediately flagged as being unusual. They politely asked if they could look through my "camera" bag. I am sure that I was blushing as I politely said "Sure, but it is a breastpump." I showed them how to unzip the front compartment to see the pump motor and they hand searched through the compartments holding the tubes, bottles, etc. This seemed to satisfy them and I was allowed to go on my way. My business associates were kind enough to step away from the action to eleviate some of my embarassment.
Peg
Originally posted by goin2dzny
Oh... one more thing... if we use our own transfers will I have to cut the "Zip Ties" before we get on the ship???
Do our bags have to be unlocked at port for inspection purposes if we check them in ourselves???
Timon -- I had my garage door opener for exactly the reason that Dave mentioned; it is not safe to leave it in my car in the parking garage bc if my car were stolen, it would be like giving the thieves a key to my house! But I no longer carry it on, I just take it out before I leave for my trip. Please don't get me wrong, I am glad they looked it over, but what was crazy is that NONE of them knew what it was. I am not kidding or disparaging anyone here; they truly did not. I am sure your training has been much improved since these people were trained.
Also, I think I noticed you are from Canada, which I feel has always had better security. For instance, you mentioned that you require travelers to turn on their electronic devices. I have always had to do that in Toronto, not just after 9/11, but never have had to do so in a routine screen in the US. Here, I just have to take it out of the case and put it on the belt. (And BTW, in some airports, they don't even have a container for you to place your $3000 laptop into, which is a travesty in my mind.)
I think being a security screener is a very demanding job, and I thank you for doing it and for sharing your knowledge with us. I assure you that I will never be one of those passengers who yells in your face - although I may fume quietly at the inconsistencies in the procedures.
Also, I think I noticed you are from Canada, which I feel has always had better security. For instance, you mentioned that you require travelers to turn on their electronic devices. I have always had to do that in Toronto, not just after 9/11, but never have had to do so in a routine screen in the US. Here, I just have to take it out of the case and put it on the belt. (And BTW, in some airports, they don't even have a container for you to place your $3000 laptop into, which is a travesty in my mind.)
I think being a security screener is a very demanding job, and I thank you for doing it and for sharing your knowledge with us. I assure you that I will never be one of those passengers who yells in your face - although I may fume quietly at the inconsistencies in the procedures.
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 9,211
Thank you peg2001 & mcnuss for the kind words! I try to do my best at my job and after 10 or 12 hours of standing on my feet, I really don't need any grumpy people yelling at me. I flash a smile and offer kind words to every person that walks through my point, even if they snarl at me! 
I too wish there would be one set of rules for all passengers, no matter where you are travelling. It would make it a lot easier on all of us. We have guidelines we must follow set out by Transport Canada, but I am sure that not all airports here are consistent either.
Happy, safe travelling to all DISers and their families!
I too wish there would be one set of rules for all passengers, no matter where you are travelling. It would make it a lot easier on all of us. We have guidelines we must follow set out by Transport Canada, but I am sure that not all airports here are consistent either.
Happy, safe travelling to all DISers and their families!
FYI -- I am in NYC tonight on business and one of the lead stories on the local news is the breast-milk drinking incident! So here is the full story:
1. This happened last April.
2. She was not required to drain the bottles, just sip from them. (ok, not great, but if the baby can drink it...)
3. The officer offered to hold her baby, did not take him/her away from her.
4. The TSA reminds us all that the new regs require all drinks to go thru the Xray machines now; nobody should be required to taste their beverages.
I don't think she has a case....
1. This happened last April.
2. She was not required to drain the bottles, just sip from them. (ok, not great, but if the baby can drink it...)
3. The officer offered to hold her baby, did not take him/her away from her.
4. The TSA reminds us all that the new regs require all drinks to go thru the Xray machines now; nobody should be required to taste their beverages.
I don't think she has a case....
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