TSA mess and the police

[laurie31]

My recent experience with airport screening was nothing out of norm. I flew out of my hometown airport to Florida and flew home from Orlando. Piece of cake.

What did bother me was the fact that while unpacking upon getting home I found my normal sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner each about 3/4 full in the outside pocket of my carry on. I thought it had been packed in my checked luggage. I was shocked it was there. I made sure to pull my 1.5oz bottle of hand sanitizer and 2 oz bottle of lotion out to be screened, but didn't even know the shampoo and conditioner were there.

Apparently neither did the TSA...

I did the same thing. I left a bottle of hand sanitizer in the side pocket of my purse. I thought I'd gotten all the liquids out, but I missed that one. So did security. Twice.

THIS is what bothers me the most! How do they miss stuff like this? And if they do, how easy would it be for them to miss something that was actually dangerous? I just read on another board about someone who cleaned out his bag after several business trips and found a KNIFE in the bottom! He had made it through security in several airports and was never caught. He had no idea it was in there, but it was never discovered by security.

If I thought the TSA was making us safer, it would be easier to accept. I just don't see it. Not at all.

 

[skater]

My recent experience with airport screening was nothing out of norm. I flew out of my hometown airport to Florida and flew home from Orlando. Piece of cake.

What did bother me was the fact that while unpacking upon getting home I found my normal sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner each about 3/4 full in the outside pocket of my carry on. I thought it had been packed in my checked luggage. I was shocked it was there. I made sure to pull my 1.5oz bottle of hand sanitizer and 2 oz bottle of lotion out to be screened, but didn't even know the shampoo and conditioner were there.

Crazy. It does remind me of a positve experience I had with tsa last Feb. They pulled my bag aside because they saw something that bothered them. It was my make-up brush . They were very polite and used fresh gloves. I didn't mind that at all because there was a reason for the extra search.

 

[nolatron]

In regards to photography/filming...

My wife emailed the TSA at MCO and MSY yesterday about recording the Pat-down at security because if her crazy sister gets picked, she wanted my wife to film it.

Here's the reply she got from MCO (nothing from MSY yet).

Thank you for your inquiry regarding AIT and pat-downs at Orlando International Airport. Our partners in security at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority have forwarded your questions to me in order for an informed response.

As a general rule, TSA does not prohibit photographing or video at security checkpoints. There are exclusions in order to protect other passenger’s privacy such as not capturing images on x-ray monitors or filming passengers that are not part of your family or group without their permission. Any filming that might be construed as interfering with the screening process might also be prohibited.

In the event you are required to receive a pat-down I would advise speaking to a supervisor at the checkpoint prior to the process so that they can inform the officer doing the procedure that their image may be captured on video.

Circumstance may vary in certain situations, so it is always recommended that you address your request with the assigned management at the checkpoint the day you travel.

Regards,

Scott Moss
Customer Support/Quality Improvement Manager
Transportation Security Administration
Orlando International Airport
5850 T. G. Lee Blvd. Suite 610
Orlando, FL 32822

 

[skater]

Apparently neither did the TSA...

I did the same thing. I left a bottle of hand sanitizer in the side pocket of my purse. I thought I'd gotten all the liquids out, but I missed that one. So did security. Twice.

THIS is what bothers me the most! How do they miss stuff like this? And if they do, how easy would it be for them to miss something that was actually dangerous? I just read on another board about someone who cleaned out his bag after several business trips and found a KNIFE in the bottom! He had made it through security in several airports and was never caught. He had no idea it was in there, but it was never discovered by security.

If I thought the TSA was making us safer, it would be easier to accept. I just don't see it. Not at all.

I agree. It seems like they're making travel harder for law abiding citizens, but in reality, not that much harder for the terrorists. I'm guessing they will eventually get around this new enhanced process too.

 

[nolatron]

THIS is what bothers me the most! How do they miss stuff like this? And if they do, how easy would it be for them to miss something that was actually dangerous? I just read on another board about someone who cleaned out his bag after several business trips and found a KNIFE in the bottom! He had made it through security in several airports and was never caught. He had no idea it was in there, but it was never discovered by security.

Check this out too:

http://gizmodo.com/5697222/adam-savage-mythbusting-airport-security-***-tsa

 

[punkin]

I agree. It seems like they're making travel harder for law abiding citizens, but in reality, not that much harder for the terrorists. I'm guessing they will eventually get around this new enhanced process too.

That has always been my main complaint against the airport security.

 

[Lionqueen2]

That has always been my main complaint against the airport security.

Mine, too.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

But you cannot get access to a jet-fueled bomb on that military base, with less scrutiny. Indeed, gaining access to a military base, the context of your analogy, is like gaining access to the parking garage at the airport. It is not analogous to gaining access to an aircraft.

Why? That assumption is comforting to hold in one's heart, but it isn't necessarily true. There are surely ways where one factor or another is better served, but there is no reason to believe that all the relevant factors would be better served through some other means.

Aside from a ticket that is not even scanned....I don't have access to the aircraft until boarding. I find them quite similar.

As for the whole security charade, I wonder how far this will be permitted to go. It has reached an albeit voluntary level that violates some laws if we weren't boarding a plane.

I just don't see how circumnavigating my breasts should be allowed. Taking s hand and running it up the middle and around the perimeter. I nurse, so such an action WILL cause a response. So now my potentially mandated search has now crossed the line. Graphic? Perhaps. But that is now what the TSA can now do. I would have to be presumed to have broken the law before a police officer can even touch me in that manner. I believe I would also have to be under arrest and read my rights...but I'm a little rusty in how that occurs since I haven't done anything to warrant that process.

Oddly---I haven't heard much from fondled women on this matter. But that certainly could be by design of the sensationalistic media. They may bechoosing either to not ask women, or they aren't getting any that are okay with it.

Additionally, these plots are all occurring overseas on US bound flights.


I just don't get it and probably never will. It has struck s chord with me and isn't something I wish to submit myself or my small children to---even if these types of searches are just random

I don't want my breasts touched, and that is my right to not have them touched. If I have to not fly to maintain that right, then so be it. Does it limit my travel? Not anymore than it did 2 weeks ago as our finances limit us.

I have an odd suspicion that if the travel requirements get more invasive or limiting, that money will talk. If airlines see their client base shrink and hurt their bottom line too much, the govt will just ease up restrictions as they have done in the past.


I can't say much more as it will tread into hostile territory of dis-allowed topics, so I will leave it at that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

In October 2009, I was flying from Atlanta to Orlando. I was a very sick pregnant woman and had bought some things that I just didn't want to toss, but were TSA allowed. The security person spotted toe questionable container and was in hold for a higher up. I told him what it was and I think out of his embarrasment...he let it go through and didn't wait for additional screening.

While I would never deliberately sneak things through....it seems that things are getting through in just the bags.

Bad guys and "mystery travelers" (who test to se if something gets through) will still be able to get them through.

This latest step is just another thing that means to make things more secure, but will probably not.

Apparently neither did the TSA...

I did the same thing. I left a bottle of hand sanitizer in the side pocket of my purse. I thought I'd gotten all the liquids out, but I missed that one. So did security. Twice.

THIS is what bothers me the most! How do they miss stuff like this? And if they do, how easy would it be for them to miss something that was actually dangerous? I just read on another board about someone who cleaned out his bag after several business trips and found a KNIFE in the bottom! He had made it through security in several airports and was never caught. He had no idea it was in there, but it was never discovered by security.

If I thought the TSA was making us safer, it would be easier to accept. I just don't see it. Not at all.

 

[DMRick]

I have yet to get onto a cruise ship without going through a metal detector and having my bags xrayed. Where do you cruise from on what line that doesn't do this?

I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't clear enough. I'm talking about the new scans that show much more. I personally feel (over a dozen cruises in the past three years) they are very laid back in the cruise ship scans. I've bought some stuff in different ports that they never gave a second thought too..stuff that would have been given an actual look at at most airports that I've flown through. Sometimes when we go through the scanners, the people are chatting and paying no attention. Perhaps that hasn't happened to you, but it has to many people I've talked with on cruise ships.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't clear enough. I'm talking about the new scans that show much more. I personally feel (over a dozen cruises in the past three years) they are very laid back in the cruise ship scans. I've bought some stuff in different ports that they never gave a second thought too..stuff that would have been given an actual look at at most airports that I've flown through. Sometimes when we go through the scanners, the people are chatting and paying no attention. Perhaps that hasn't happened to you, but it has to many people I've talked with on cruise ships.

Wasn't it the Achille Loro (sp?) highjacking when they realized they should screen passengers? I'm not sure when that took place exactly, but I recall my mom mentioning how noone realized that someone would hijack
a cruise ship. I saw a movie about it and my heart still breaks for that man in the wheelchair.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I just took a look and was very surprised to see that I could still book trip to MCO for my family of 4 leaving tomorrow and returning on Sunday from all the airports near me, Newark, JFK, Laguardia and Philly. Even more surprising is the fact the flights are still very reasonably priced. Whadda'ya'know. It seems like the people saying it's ok aren't actually buying tickets and those of us saying we'll stay home are actually staying home.

 

[LuvOrlando]

And now the other shoe

http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...scanners-could-be-trains-boats-and-the-metro-

 

[WDWMom]

I just took a look and was very surprised to see that I could still book trip to MCO for my family of 4 leaving tomorrow and returning on Sunday from all the airports near me, Newark, JFK, Laguardia and Philly. Even more surprising is the fact the flights are still very reasonably priced. Whadda'ya'know. It seems like the people saying it's ok aren't actually buying tickets and those of us saying we'll stay home are actually staying home.

I did the same thing. I could still book flights tomorrow but most of them left early (would have to miss work/school). And the were not reasonably priced. Most around $400. We normally buy around tickets for around $230 from MI to Orlando.

Plus I don't think Orlando is a BIG Thanksgiving destination so I am going to try some other spots.

I honestly think the economy is more of an issue than security right now. Most people buy their tickets way in advance, not the week of a trip, especially during any holiday.

 

[WDWMom]

Checked Grand Rapids to Philly, NYC, Houston, LAX and Seattle. I think they were all over $500 a ticket! I would not call that reasonable. Seattle and Houston were both over $700!

 

[OceanAnnie]

And now the other shoe

http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...scanners-could-be-trains-boats-and-the-metro-

I saw that. On the bright side, now would be a good time to invest in body scanners (j/k).

 

[skater]

And now the other shoe

http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...scanners-could-be-trains-boats-and-the-metro-

No surprise there. Shopping malls soon won't seem like such a stretch.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

No surprise there. Shopping malls soon won't seem like such a stretch.

Don't forget, we will also have to show "papers" and other assorted fascist things.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Don't forget, we will also have to show "papers" and other assorted fascist things.

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic thinking this is fine or sarcastic thinking it's not. Personally, I like sarcasm but I can't read you. Yay or neigh?

 

[tiggerplus5]

Right now it's all about pride and vanity and I'm not going to let some bottom rung TSA agent quasi-military wannabe-cop touch my kids just because some big shot says it's in my best interests. I am not a criminal and my body and my kids bodies are off limits. Good grief, has everyone lost their minds? Our children do not deserve this, I do not deserve this.

.

Gandhi would not be proud. In order for others to consider your ideas, you would have to refrain from name calling and hysterical generalizations. It just makes you appear petty and mean. Maybe you don't care? And that's fine too. But it's still mean.

I just took a look and was very surprised to see that I could still book trip to MCO for my family of 4 leaving tomorrow and returning on Sunday from all the airports near me, Newark, JFK, Laguardia and Philly. Even more surprising is the fact the flights are still very reasonably priced. Whadda'ya'know. It seems like the people saying it's ok aren't actually buying tickets and those of us saying we'll stay home are actually staying home.

Most Americans with plans to travel on the busiest travel day of the year probably purchased their tickets well before the media grabbed this news story and ran with it. How can you come to this conclusion? Now, if these ticket holders boycott the airlines tomorrow and stay home, I will agree that public opinion is changing.

You are really surprised that many Americans are not flying? Imagine this...There may be other reasons why they are not flying. Off the top of my head..the poor economy, no jobs, the high rate of foreclosures in this country. I just heard Pete on the dis podcast say that disney profits were down 7% in the last quarter (even with all the promos and free dining). In 2009 more people drove to their destinations than ever before because they could not afford to fly.

Just because people are not flying, does not mean that eveyone agrees with you.