TSA & liquid meds/formula -- now there's a FORM to fill out!

[NotUrsula]

OK, so between 8/10 and 9/26 it was OK to just tell the TSA that you had liquid medications -- that was the declaration. If they asked to see them, you said sure, go ahead. It looks like things may be getting more complicated.

TSA has now created a "declaration form" for the meds, which they apparently now want passengers to fill out if they are carrying liquid meds &/or baby formula that does not fit into each passenger's designated 1 QUART toiletries ziploc.

Here is the link: http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/liquids_declaration.pdf

I've been in a travel lull just lately, so I haven't yet had to test this. However, there are some reports being posted on Flyertalk that passengers were told that they would not be allowed to keep their excess OTC "medical" liquids if they didn't fill out the form.

I'm finally joining the ranks of those who are getting truly ticked off at the silliness of these procedures. This is just as ridiculous as the famous "are you a terrorist?" question on in the I-94W form.

 

[CarolA]

I am considering filling this form out with the offical motto of some folks on flyertalk.

KIP HAWLEY IS AN IDIOT!

(I haven't decided if I really want to be arrested for my freedom of speech yet, but... maybe....)

 

[CPT Tripss]

I am considering filling this form out with the offical motto of some folks on flyertalk.

KIP HAWLEY IS AN IDIOT!

(I haven't decided if I really want to be arrested for my freedom of speech yet, but... maybe....)

The truth will set you free!

 

[bicker]

I wonder about what those unwilling to put their declaration in writing have to hide. AFAIC, if you're not doing anything illegal, then just comply.

 

[CarolA]

I wonder about what those unwilling to put their declaration in writing have to hide. AFAIC, if you're not doing anything illegal, then just comply.

And that's the POINT!!!! All this is doing in making life harder on the HONEST. Does the TSA agent think a person planning to do damage will fill this out??? (And besides even if they do fill it out so???? WHAT DOES IT ACCOMPLISH... After the plane blows up they can look at the forms and figure out who blew it up????)

Lets get real... the BOMB is coming in as CARGO. That's not inspected just happily loaded on! So while the passenger are "Dangerous" the cargo is safe.

While it's not a terrorist act, remeber what blew up that ValueJet flight? Not a passenger, CARGO!

 

[Lewisc]

Some of the frequent flyers here, and on flyertalk, must be dealing with different TSA people. I've never had any problems. Seems to me filling out a form is more efficient than asking questions. TSA can decide if the passenger warrants inspection. A passenger that denies having any liquids but the X-Ray shows bottles. That's certainly a passenger that should be screened more carefully.

Some people complain about long security lines but then object to plastic bags and forms which might make the screening process more efficient.

Carol--I agree with you about cargo, I'd fee better if more of it was screened. I thought most airlines are only accepting accepting cargo from regular customers.

 

[bicker]

And that's the POINT!!!! All this is doing in making life harder on the HONEST.

Incorrect. TSA has their reasons for introducing this form. If you ask them, they may or may not fill you in. That's up to their discretion. You may not like the rules they put in place, but that is no reason to make up baseless accusations like this one. TSA is doing their job. You don't like it. We get that. Get over it already -- please.

 

[NotUrsula]

My issue with it is that it is none of TSA's business what my medications are, or even that I take medications. I was relatively OK with telling them "these are medications", and having them glance at the baggie of bottles, but I draw the line at giving them a list to keep. If it isn't my employer's business, it sure as &%#% isn't TSA's. (Anyone remember HIPAA?) I've never even been asked for a copy of such a list by another country's Customs agents. (Show the scrips, yes. Let them have copies? No.)

The larger point is that WHAT IS in the container is not germane to TSA's mission. Their charge is limited to determining WHAT IS NOT in it. If I hand them a bag of liquids and they have probable cause to believe that the liquids could be dangerous, they should just swab it and have done with it. Labels and contents are irrelevant as long as the content is NOT an explosive substance or caustic chemical. They are WAY overreaching their mission when they ask for lists of the liquid medications I use, and they are being pathetically stupid to think that a determined criminal of any stripe is going to comply with an honor system.

As to the cargo, yes, the airlines restrict access to trusted shippers. However, some of those trusted shippers are common carriers, including the United States Postal Service. If I take a box to one of them and pay to have it shipped, they are not going to x-ray and swab it before sending it on to the airport, at least not unless it drips, ticks, or smells noticeably odd.

 

[ransom]

It looks like not that big of a deal. The form simply has you fill in the number of items and their size in ounces if it's a liquid prescription med, baby formula, baby food, or bottled liquid for a medical need. The only time the medication's name has to be entered is if it's OTC.

So, if you had one 8-oz bottle of prescription Happy Fun Liquid Tummy Silencer and one 6-oz bottle of prescription No Cough, your filled out line for those would be like this:

x M- 1 bottles of liquid medication of 8 oz.
x M- 1 bottles of liquid medication of 6 oz.

That doesn't seem too bad.

 

[CPT Tripss]

It looks like not that big of a deal. The form simply has you fill in the number of items and their size in ounces if it's a liquid prescription med, baby formula, baby food, or bottled liquid for a medical need. The only time the medication's name has to be entered is if it's OTC.

So, if you had one 8-oz bottle of prescription Happy Fun Liquid Tummy Silencer and one 6-oz bottle of prescription No Cough, your filled out line for those would be like this:

x M- 1 bottles of liquid medication of 8 oz.
x M- 1 bottles of liquid medication of 6 oz.

That doesn't seem too bad.

Unless the xray screener is a mathophobe and can't figure out whether what he is seeing is what you "declared." Of course that is premised upon the correct form and bag being associated.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I wonder about what those unwilling to put their declaration in writing have to hide. AFAIC, if you're not doing anything illegal, then just comply.

Nothing to "hide" but I am extremely concerned about governments and corporations that want my personal information.

 

[pugdog]

No where on the sheet does it say you HAVE to fill it out. The only change is that you have to declare the medications now. I think the sheet is just a way to make sure that you make sure you tell them about your medication.

 

[CarolA]

Incorrect. TSA has their reasons for introducing this form. If you ask them, they may or may not fill you in. That's up to their discretion. You may not like the rules they put in place, but that is no reason to make up baseless accusations like this one. TSA is doing their job. You don't like it. We get that. Get over it already -- please.

WHY? Should I just believe they are "right" becasue they are the TSA? Is that the way the American Goverement is suppose to work? We the citizens just go along with whatever they ask?

Isn't there a precedent for that? And is that precendent good?

What are they going to do with the VITAL info that you just took on drugs, baby food etc??? As Not Ursala points out thier job is to detect CRIMINALS not HARASS the rest of us!

I am sorry, but treating HONEST citizens like criminals doesn't make much sense in my world.

There appears to be theory on this board that "if they ask us to do it, it's right" Where do you plan to draw the line? When they ask you to take off your infant's diapers? (Terrorists have planted explosives with thier infants in the Middle East) When they ask you to strip? When you are not allowed to board becasue you "look different" or "have an accent"? (Yes that has already happened)

The question is at what price?

 

[bicker]

WHY? Should I just believe they are "right" becasue they are the TSA?

Why should they believe you? Their authority to make rules is validated by the process that is in place to put them in that position of authority, in accordance with our laws. A passenger's reluctance to comply with their duly authorized directions makes that passenger a suspect, and rightfully so.

Is that the way the American Goverement is suppose to work? We the citizens just go along with whatever they ask?

That is absolutely the way. Americans redress our grievances in the legislature and the courts, not the airport. We don't blame officials for the rules. We try to get them changed and if we can't we still don't blame officials, because if we cannot get them changed then it is we who hold the minority opinion.

And until a citizen prevails in their grievance, or if the citizen doesn't prevail, then the citizen complies. That's what it means to be a law-abiding citizen. It doesn't mean you agree with the laws. It means you comply with them.

I am sorry, but treating HONEST citizens like criminals doesn't make much sense in my world.

Non one is treating honest citizens like criminals. That's just another reckless asperation you're casting at TSA.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Just something about the folly of TSA from an aviation expert.
Visit this site - http://www.aviationplanning.com/asrc1.htm
and scroll down to this headline.
"Security Means Never Having to Tell The Truth
TSA: Free Speech. With A Price."
Be sure to check out the picture!

 

[NotUrsula]

Their authority to make rules is validated by the process that is in place to put them in that position of authority, in accordance with our laws.

As TSA is an administrative agency, you could say that the extent of their authority to make rules is in some dispute. They legitimately have just as much authority as Congress gives them, and no more. As we have recently seen in the wiretapping controversy, it is not unheard of for administrative agencies &/or the employees thereof to have exceeded their legitimate authority without express permission, or for persons who likewise do not have the authority to grant permission to go ahead and do so.

I happen to believe that in the U.S., nonviolent civil disobedience is among the legitimate avenues that we have to protest the abuse of power by persons in positions of authority. It has been used by a lot of people since this nation was founded, and in almost every case, it has gotten results. Deliberately getting arrested (or at least detained) in order to prove a point about civil liberties gets the point across that the issue is *really* important to you, in a way that just writing a letter usually does not.

 

[salmoneous]

Every second a TSA agent spends looking at this form is time not spent looking for actual threats. Every pennny spent printing the form, logging and storeing the forms is money not spent keep us safe from actaul threats.

 

[bicker]

As we have recently seen in the wiretapping controversy, it is not unheard of for administrative agencies &/or the employees thereof to have exceeded their legitimate authority without express permission, or for persons who likewise do not have the authority to grant permission to go ahead and do so.

Yup, but no one is raising that as the issue, mostly because they know that TSA is indeed within their defined authority with regard to what they're doing.

Deliberately getting arrested (or at least detained) in order to prove a point about civil liberties gets the point across that the issue is *really* important to you, in a way that just writing a letter usually does not.

I would grant that anyone deliberately intending to be arrested for their non-compliance is exempt from the statements I've made.

 

[jenelope]

It looks to me like the OTC meds lines seem to be providing a space to estimate how many ounces remain of the amount on the label, in case of partially used containers (kind of like page numbering "P. 2 of 5").

I will admit that the form makes me mentally itchy, but that's because I'm a technical writer and I hate forms without instructions.