I guess my concern about issues would be confiscation/removal of any objects, (excuse my bluntness but it's necessary) such as one's strap on, feeldoe, handcuffs, etc. anything packed in a checked-bag. I know to take the batteries out of anything (I do in storage anyway) to prevent something from vibrating if accidentally switched on, thus causing a suspicious bag issue. From the research/checking I've done, the best thing I can think of is to pack items in plastic ziplock bags and put in check in luggage.

Quite frankly I don't trust the TSA. There have been issues in my home airport with TSA agents being caught taking thousands of dollars of jewelry, electronics, etc. out of people's bags. And with the maturity of some of the officers I've seen here, I'm really debating whether or not to bring anything. Just wondering if anyone's had their personal items disappear from checked bags.

Nothing disappeared from mine. Even though my bag tore.

I packed my strap on with no problem. I wouldn't pack handcuffs though.

Taking Pictures at the Checkpoint directly from the TSA website http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/taking_pictures.shtm

"TSA does not prohibit the public, passengers or press from photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or slowed down. We do ask you to not film or take pictures of the monitors. While the TSA does not prohibit photographs at screening locations, local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances might."

So why are the TSA clerks telling this person he can't film the searching of his bag and then not allowing him to fly?

In 2010, 1.73 million passengers flew per day.

Every week TSA posts the items 'found' the week before. You can read about it here: http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/08/tsa-week-in-review-passengers-continue.html

8-3-12 through 8-9-12:
Firearms: 30: 24 loaded; 6 unloaded
7 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints


At 7.85 Billion a year budget, that's over $80,000 an object.

TSA ‘Reaches’ Out at Paul Ryan Event

http://shark-tank.net/2012/08/18/tsa-reaches-out-at-paul-ryan-event/

Upon arriving at Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s first Florida stop in The Villages, Florida, we could help but notice that alongside Secret Service and the local Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, were members of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checking people’s belongings. A big WTF is in order here.

We heard that the TSA was going to expand its ummm, ‘reach,’ but to assist in political campaigns is quite the jump in broadening their ‘transportation security horizons.’ I counted no less than (6) TSA agents alongside the usual uniformed Secret Service detail-not to be confused with the ‘Men In Black’ looking agents.

Lack of Studies, Questionable Safety of Full Body Airport X-Rays Continue to Raise Alarm

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/375178/20120820/lack-studies-questionable-safety-full-body-airport.htm#.UDIuD6NG_Q3

Steve Gunn: Just say no when the TSA asks you to 'chat'

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/08/steve_gunn_37.html

Most of us have a point that something is no longer okay. To Steve Gunn this point was interrogation by a TSA BDO. Read his column by clicking the link above.

Many of us also have heard rumblings about what is to come... Maybe things we say "oh, that will never happen". I heard this comment when when I spoke of pat downs, private searches, etc.

I am curious. What is your breaking point? What would be that final straw for you? Would you be willing to apply to fly (Check Point) but not willing to submit to a body cavity search? Would you be willing to forgo carry on luggage but not willing to discuss the purpose of your travel with a BDO?

What is your limit to anything for security?

Actually I am in favor of trained competent agents talking with every passenger in the airport. That is part of Israeli airport security measures. It works the large majority of the time.. There are tell-tale signs to look for....and it's well documented in the research.

The incident described is textbook for how NOT to do this. Damn these folks make me nuts sometimes.


-------------------

I also must point out some fairly blatant sexism in the article:

He actually presented himself in the deceptive form of a young, attractive female officer,

What do any of those adjectives have to do with anything? Would he use any of those adjectives if it was not 'an attractive, female officer'. Would he have said it was an 'ugly old female officer'? A fat old man? A hot hunky young man.

WTF???

I don't know enough about that form of security but I will say I don't think TSA trains their people well enough to do an adequate job. According to the following news article they receive four days of classroom training and three days of on the job training. If it were that easy, we would all do it.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20005566-10391695.html

Oh, and I bet the security in Israel are not hired off pizza delivery boxes as the TSA agents are.

What my father would have said about the TSA

http://tsanewsblog.com/5338/news/what-my-father-would-have-said-about-the-tsa/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaig n=Feed:+tsanewsblog/Azgs+%28TSA+News%29

This well written piece describes my feelings so well. Please take the time to read it.

TSA agent admits detaining people is not really about airline safety


Poster's comment:
"This was inside the terminal at the Houston airport. I was not allowed to board a plane (even though I had already been through airport security) because I drank my water instead of letting the TSA "test" it. The TSA agent finally admitted that it wasn't because they thought I was a security risk-it was because they were mad at me!

I was able to get on the very next flight out of houston-and even managed an upgrade! (thanks United)

Sorry for crappy phone video-but the audio is what I wanted to post.

I know this is not really news (it seems like the TSA is retaliating all the time against people), but it was a little satisfying to get that statement on video."

TSA Worker Charged With Possession Of Child Porn

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/09/12...of-child-porn/

ABC News Tracks Missing iPad To Florida Home of TSA Officer

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/abc-news-tracks-missing-ipad-florida-home-tsa/story?id=17331937#.UGWjR1GlvIU

Got to love how he threw his wife under the bus after being caught. LOL

TSA hired defrocked Camden priest without background check

http://articles.philly.com/2012-10-01/news/34199381_1_tsa-camden-diocese-peter-feuerherd

So I have no problems flying with my "gear" in my checked bags last week. My bag was inspected at all three airports where I checked in and I got the TSA flyer about them checking my bag.

So my big debate is... on a future trip I will want to bring my stuff with me, but I really don't want to check a bag. Anyone put your toys in a carryon? I'm talking harness and c*ck here, nothing else.

yep I have done the carry-on toys in the bag thing...........the worst that will happen is TSA will want to have a look see at them, which can be lots of fun.....laughin....I put mine in individual plastic bags in my carry on.

I'm just curious. Why do people often write "cock" as "c*ck"?

I see it a lot on the site. Just wondering.

You will also see bitch as b*tch, whore as wh*re, cunt as c*nt....

it harkens back to the days of censoring certain words on public web sites.....and I think there are some sites today that will not let you say bitch or cock

either that or they think it's more polite........it's not like we don't know what the word is.......so I frankly do not see the point........

TSA agent admits to stealing cash from passenger as punishment

http://tsanewsblog.com/6380/news/tsa-agent-admits-to-stealing-cash-from-passenger-as-punishment/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaig n=Feed%3A+tsanewsblog%2FAzgs+%28TSA+News%29

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I do not want to derail this conversation from what the thread is about so I will keep this short. I just wanted to respond to two posts. Who knows this may turn into a discussion on another thread.

I cannot speak for why other people use * to spell words like c*ck. But this is why I did, and why I actually have to do it right now. I was doing it because I was posting/replying at a location where posting certain words will set off a spam filter. I'm on the wireless at my car dealership and their system blocks certain things out. For some reason it won't block a page if certain words are written out but it knows when you type it. If some people feel the need to that's their concern and I wouldn't judge them for it (and I am not saying anyone was). Not pointing any fingers here, just offering a response.