TSA - was this really necessary? UPDATED!

[needtogomore]

I like the way London Heathrow works. It was so easy and simple.

yes so easy, that a wanted terrorist(male) dressed in a burka walked right through security and got out of the country.

 

[pr surfer]

yes so easy, that a wanted terrorist(male) dressed in a burka walked right through security and got out of the country.

wait what?!

Link please!

 

[crashbb]

wait what?!

Link please!

Happened in 2006.

Although he was a murder suspect, not a terrorist. In a separate issue (not at LHR), a suspect in a anti-terror investigation evaded capture for 4 days while dressed in a Burka.

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/murder-suspect-fled-britain-dressed-as-a-veiled-woman

At least, that is what Google turned up.

 

[pr surfer]

Happened in 2006.

Although he was a murder suspect, not a terrorist. In a separate issue (not at LHR), a suspect in a anti-terror investigation evaded capture for 4 days while dressed in a Burka.

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/murder-suspect-fled-britain-dressed-as-a-veiled-woman

At least, that is what Google turned up.

Thanks.

From what I can tell, the problem wasn't the UK TSA... they're not police. It's not their job to search for warrants. As long as the persons flying on the plane have been searched and found free of weapons/explosives, I could care less what their story is.

 

[WillCAD]

Are the Germans worried about me and the fact that I have a fondness for British candy?!!

It is a widely held belief here in the US that German or Bavarian chocolate would beat the proverbial pants off British chocolate in a blind taste test. Since I can't afford the more expensive imported stuff, I have not been able to test this belief empirically, but perhaps you could arrange for some samples?

I had to redo my attitude after 9/11. I'm a chatty Kathy and love to talk to people (I've got the Elementary report cards to prove it!). I've found most TSA agents are not personable, hence the "don't even JOKE about bringing a bomb" signs. Silence is not natural for some people (actually that would make a great tag for me but the tag fairy doesn't visit the land of no-pixie dust).

I have found something of the opposite; most of the TSA agents with whom I have spoken are quite personable (excluding those with whom my entire conversation consisted solely of "Okay, step through now, sir.") And although I have had a few who only grunted, or completely ignored me, when I said "Hello" or "Good morning" while handing over my boarding pass and ID for inspection, or collecting my bag from the belt, or whatever, the vast majority reply in kind, often with a slight smile, or at least a look into my eyes acknowledging that I have been courteous to them.

 

[bavaria]

It is a widely held belief here in the US that German or Bavarian chocolate would beat the proverbial pants off British chocolate in a blind taste test. Since I can't afford the more expensive imported stuff, I have not been able to test this belief empirically, but perhaps you could arrange for some samples?

HEY are you trying to get on 'the list' too? it's getting a little full - I may have to bump someone off if you are trying to get on.

M&S is a relatively decent substitute in Asia when I cannot access 'the good stuff'. For some reason even though Lindt and Callier are sold in India and China, they just don't taste the same.

 

[pr surfer]

http://www.forcv.com/articles/post/...Taking-Medical-Supplies-for-Dengue-to-CV.aspx

http://www.universalhub.com/node/28809

Absolutely disgusting, no common sense from the TSA.

What are they gonna do? Hijack the plane by making everyone healthy?!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Surfer, surfer, surfer... were you actually EXPECTING common sense from the TSA? There isn't a single "Playbook" (the TSA'S super neato catch-phrase for implementing hare-brained ideas across multiple platforms on the pretense it's policy and allowed under the 4th amendment) currently in circulation that addresses medication in luggage, yet these patriotic TSA officers took it upon themselves to 'save' the world.

http://www.forcv.com/articles/post/...Taking-Medical-Supplies-for-Dengue-to-CV.aspx

http://www.universalhub.com/node/28809

Absolutely disgusting, no common sense from the TSA.

What are they gonna do? Hijack the plane by making everyone healthy?!

 

[pr surfer]

I suppose that is expecting too much.

Like expecting free admission from WDW on my 364 unbirthdays

 

[mgilmer]

http://www.forcv.com/articles/post/...Taking-Medical-Supplies-for-Dengue-to-CV.aspx

http://www.universalhub.com/node/28809

Absolutely disgusting, no common sense from the TSA.

What are they gonna do? Hijack the plane by making everyone healthy?!

You gotta "love" the post from the TSA searcher from Boston that essentially says "We were just following orders." Haven't we heard that too much before? When will we ever learn?

 

[brendrek]

Last year we traveled to Europe. I wouldn't say they are any nicer than the US. Actually, my worst experience was in Germany. The foil on a pack of gum in my pocket set off the alarm. I didn't realize it was buzzing for me because the woman in front of me had just set it off with her knee replacements. Anyway, as I went to grab my bag the agent blew a gasket. He started screaming at me in German, grabbed my arm hard enough to leave a mark. He then proceded to violently frisk and wand me. When he found the gum he acted like he had just discovered a bomb. "Aha! "Was ist Das?, Was ist Das?"

At MCO, a rude agent made a comment about me tracking germs through "her airport" because I took my new sneakers off just prior to entering the screening area. I had on brand new white socks too. Here I'm trying to be helpful and efficient to speed up the process for everyone and I have to hear this garbage. It really ticked me off, but I held back.

Some of these people are on power trips or they are really not cut out to work with the public. A few bad apples can really spoil the bunch.

 

[CPT Tripss]

There was a poster this weekend complaining about TSA on another part of this website. From their post it is clear that they do not know the basic rules, yet they are complaining about TSA's enforcement of the rules. I don't understand that - if I don't know something myself, how can I critique others and their knowledge level of the subject?

I know the basic rules. I carry a printout from the TSA website with the information about my specific mobility aid. I have had TSA officials tell me that the information does not apply at their checkpoint. That's petty dictatorship at best and likely a violation of ADA.

I learned very early when flying to follow the rules and keep my mouth shut when going through security. If it looks like you have an attitude believe me they pick up on it.

I prefer not to judge every TSA agent I pass. If they are doing their job without attitude is all I ask.

To say that all TSA agents are bad is not true. I think the flying public needs to check their attitudes also at the airport door before walking in.

All are not bad. But too many are. As long as I follow the rules, why should my "attitude" matter? To all too many TSAers calling them on thier lack of knowledge of the rules is considered an "attitude."

mgilmer - thanx for your informative reply, if what you describe happened to me; i'd be upset too. Good thing you covered yourself, hope you've experienced the last of that sort of travel nightmare.

I still believe that the system is all we have and, if inherently flawed; should be overhauled through the proper channels. Perhaps, if the salary and educational requirements were improved a 'better' group of people would apply. In the meantime, we all do just need to go with the flow as best we can.

See above re "attitude." Frankly, I don't think the problem with TSA is as much the individual screeners as it is with TSA managers not managing and too many travelers putting up with the screeners' shenanigans. I for one don't want to pay more for people who are employed to a lot of unnecessary things - hanging around airport gates waiting for significant amounts of time to do random ID or bag checks or minutely "examining" IDs delaying the real security (xray and metal detection) and then rejecting IDs that fully comply with TSA rules.

 

[NHdisneylover]

OP--sorry about you shampoo filled bag. It sounds like someone (TSA or baggage handler--you'll probably never know) was very inconsiderate.

Whenever I read that someone finds all/most TSA agents to be mean/awful/dumb/dictatorial, I have to wonder what kind of traveler they are.

While I have run across a few bad agents (and I travel a fair amount), the vast majority of agents that I have encountered are not bad agents.

If someone is always running into bad agents, I have to wonder what they are doing to encourage this (or, if they are just going to assume that all agents are bad, no matter what).

I have to agree with this. We fly quite a bit and most of the time agents are friendly, or at the least jus indifferent (but not rude). I can think of four borderline rude instances--all at MCO and all when the airport was packed. I figure I have to cut the MCO agents some slack because they deal with very unhappy, inexperienced travelers more than most. Only once have I had anything really rude happen. That was in Detroit (which was normally fine) and in hindsight I should have reported it--but I was just happy to be through and clam my kids that day.

Actually,I had to when I went to Disney for Night of Joy weekend. I forgot to pack underwear!!

I am so glad I am not the only person who has ever done this DD had day of the week princess undies in second grade because it was all we could get at Disneyland after we realized I had not packed her any underwear I think that is the last time she ever let me pack for her

making my 70 year old white as white can be mother take her shoes off. and then paying thru the nose for this are we all crazy have we all drank the kool aid what is wrong or im i just crazy....

Really? EVERYone has to take their shoes off. Not hard to understand. DD once embarrassed the heck out of me by getting fed up with someone who was "above" this rule and telling her like it is. Got us through security and DD got a round of applause from the business men behind us in line and I did not know whether to lecture her or buy her ice cream. Her main point, which was a good one, was that if she and her brotehr at (I think it was 5 and 7 --it was aabout 6 months after the shoe rule started whenever that was) could understand that everyone has to take shoes off for safety reasons SURELY a full grown adult could. I think 70 year old ladies can understand these things too

 

[agnes!]

The worst TSA agents we have ever encountered (rude and unprofessional to the point of dereliction of duty) were at MCO and yes, I *did* file complaints with the office there.

The odd thing for me is that upon departure from Orlando we remember the slow-moving morass that the center area becomes (you know, where the employees can come through?) and so, remembering that, try to head for the left-hand side of the line, the 'experienced traveler' area(which we all are) and which is usually very uncrowded. But, every single stinkin' time the TSA agents "helpfully" direct us toward the extremely crowded and slow-moving central area (this is on the Southwest concourse) and they insist you get into the line they direct you to.

Generally, the TSA agents I've encountered at BWI have been ok, I haven't had the issues there that others have mentioned.

agnes!

 

[kaytieeldr]

OP--sorry about you shampoo filled bag. It sounds like someone (TSA or baggage handler--you'll probably never know) was very inconsiderate.

Oh! I meant to post! I just read a tip about this this weekend.

Open the cap.
Cover the opening with plastic wrap.
Screw the cap back on securely but not so tightly you can't get it open later.
Place the container in a plastic zipper bag, and seal.

Note, this won't work with glue.