TSA Experiences

[Andrea]

Woman with prosthesis says TSA agent made her feel uncomfortable

http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Woman-with-prosthesis-claims-TSA-agent-made-her-feel-uncomfortable-210951141.html

"Steiner said the agent never acknowledged her or told her what she was doing. Instead, according to Steiner, the agent proceeded to pull the prosthesis out of her bra, about an inch away from her body."

[Andrea]

Former TSA worker faces child porn charges

http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x1472212120/Former-TSA-worker-faces-child-porn-charges

"Miguel Quinones, 38, of 67 Whittemore Ave., Manchester, faces 10 felony counts after he turned himself over to police on an arrest warrant yesterday, according to Londonderry police Lt. Timothy Jones."

[Andrea]

Report Says T.S.A. Screening Is Not Objective

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/us/report-says-tsa-screening-program-not-objective.html?_r=1&

"The Transportation Security Administration has little evidence that an airport passenger screening program, which some employees believe is a magnet for racial profiling and has cost taxpayers nearly one billion dollars, screens passengers objectively, according to a report by the inspector general for the Homeland Security Department."

[Andrea]

The TSA’s Solution For My Reluctance To Open Baby Food Jars? A Pat-Down

http://consumerist.com/2013/06/19/the-tsas-solution-for-my-reluctance-to-open-baby-food-jars-a-pat-down/

"What he wasn’t expecting was a request from the agent to actually open the jars. While the TSA’s published policies do say that it has the authority to request that baby food containers be opened, actually unsealing the food jars is problematic as, once the lids are opened, the contents need to be refrigerated within an hour or be tossed out. Given that the family still had hours of traveling in front of them, opening the jars would effectively be the same as being told to throw them in the trash."

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by Andrea

The TSA’s Solution For My Reluctance To Open Baby Food Jars? A Pat-Down

http://consumerist.com/2013/06/19/the-tsas-solution-for-my-reluctance-to-open-baby-food-jars-a-pat-down/

"What he wasn’t expecting was a request from the agent to actually open the jars. While the TSA’s published policies do say that it has the authority to request that baby food containers be opened, actually unsealing the food jars is problematic as, once the lids are opened, the contents need to be refrigerated within an hour or be tossed out. Given that the family still had hours of traveling in front of them, opening the jars would effectively be the same as being told to throw them in the trash."

Yes, they must not know about vacuum sealing....I guess terrorists could?

Reminds me of a post I put in here a while back. Had a prescribed liquid med with pharmacy label and it was factory sealed. Had to open it so they could test it. Then had to pray it wasn't contaminated from the test solution.

Also had brought a letter on letterhead from my MD regarding the medication.

I guess all of that could be faked?

I recently traveled to NM on business. Though I hate to check luggage, I did anyway, just to avoid all the security hassle and just prayed they would put the top back on tightly.

They did.

No pat down either this time.

I don't know what the answer is.

We are kind of damned if we do or damned if we don't, aren't we? (As a nation, with airport security).

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

Yes, they must not know about vacuum sealing....I guess terrorists could?

Reminds me of a post I put in here a while back. Had a prescribed liquid med with pharmacy label and it was factory sealed. Had to open it so they could test it. Then had to pray it wasn't contaminated from the test solution.

Also had brought a letter on letterhead from my MD regarding the medication.

I guess all of that could be faked?

I recently traveled to NM on business. Though I hate to check luggage, I did anyway, just to avoid all the security hassle and just prayed they would put the top back on tightly.

They did.

No pat down either this time.

I don't know what the answer is.

We are kind of damned if we do or damned if we don't, aren't we? (As a nation, with airport security).

(Bolding mine) I respectfully disagree. I believe the reinforcing of the cockpit doors and the change in how a terrorist on an airplane is dealt with (no longer passive), are sufficient to deal with the once in a while terrorist on a plane actions.

There is NO evidence that the security measures of the TSA has in any way stopped terrorists. In fact, I am surprised a terrorist hasn't targeted the queue for the TSA as the lines often contain more people than a single plane.

I don't know what the answer is either but I do know it isn't the TSA and the security theater we are currently subjected to.

Thank you for your comments, Anya.

[Andrea]

Tomorrow, June 24, 2013, is the last day to submit your comments about Passenger Screening Using Advanced Imaging Technology

http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=TSA-2013-0004-0001

[Andrea]

TSA's new Instagram shows all the dangerous items that presented no danger

http://boingboing.net/2013/07/03/tsas-new-instagram-shows-all.html

"But what they don't show is all the grand-jury indictments for conspiracy to commit air terrorism that they secured after catching people with these items -- even the people who were packing guns.

That's because no one -- not the TSA, not the DAs, not the DHS -- believe that anyone who tries to board a plane with a dangerous item is actually planning on doing anything bad with them. After all, as New York State chief judge Sol Wachtler said (quoting Tom Wolfe), "a grand jury would 'indict a ham sandwich,' if that's what you wanted." So if there was any question about someone thinking of hurting a plane, you'd expect to see indictments."

And my favorite part of the article:

"But," he said, "maybe someone who did want to crash the plane might take the bad thing away from them and attack it."

"That doesn't sound like a very reliable plan," I said. "If you were a terrorist and that was your plan, you'd have to spend a lot of time in the air waiting for someone to open his laptop bag and show you that he forgot to take his handgun out of it before he boarded."

"Yeah," he said. He thought for a moment. "This is really above my pay-grade."

[Andrea]

TSA searches valet parked car

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S3101080.shtml?cat=566

"Rochester, N.Y. -- She says she had no warning that someone was going to search her car after she left to catch her flight. So the woman contacted News10NBC.

We found out it happened to her because she valet parked her car. Those are the only cars that get inspected.

So if security feels it is necessary to search some cars in the name of safety, why not search all of them?

Laurie Iacuzza walked to her waiting car at the Greater Rochester International Airport after returning from a trip and that's when she found it -- a notice saying her car was inspected after she left for her flight. She said, “I was furious. They never mentioned it to me when I booked the valet or when I picked up the car or when I dropped it off.”

Iacuzza's car was inspected by valet attendants on orders from the TSA. But why only valet parked cars? That's what News10NBC wanted to ask the TSA director about. We reached him by phone.

Berkeley Brean asked, “Are the cars in the short term lots and long term lots getting searched as well?”

John McCaffery, TSA, said, “No, those vehicles that are in the garage, short term long term parking, even if they carry pretty large amounts of explosives, they would not cause damage to the front of the airport. But for those who use the valet, the car could be there for a half hour or an hour so there is a vulnerability.”

News10NBC went to the valet parking and one of the attendants showed us the notice they put in the cars.

We asked, “You're required, they tell you, you have to search the car?” Valet Parking Attendant Frank Dettorre said, “I have to do it.”

We also noticed a large sign that alerts customers that their vehicle will be inspected. The sign is on the kiosk window. Iacuzza says it was not there when she dropped off her car. “I think the public should be aware of the fact that if their car is going to be searched, they should be informed of it.”

Iacuzza said she doesn't mind the security measure. She just wants to be told if her car is getting searched.

News10NBC asked the owner of the company that runs the valet parking when they put up the sign but he wouldn't answer.

TSA says this is part of its overall security plan and that it's a proactive move. The attendants said they've only been doing it for about a month."

[Andrea]

Ex-Honolulu TSA screener denies stealing cash

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/19/4355041/ex-honolulu-tsa-screener-accused.html

"She acknowledged pleading no contest to theft in 1995 in a separate case..."

[Andrea]

TSA to expand speedier screening — for a fee

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2013/07/19/tsa-screening-pre-check-global-entry-dulles-indianapolis/2568101/

"But TSA Administrator John Pistole announced Friday the agency will expand eligibility for the program to include travelers who pay a one-time fee of $85 for five years, to cover an application with identifying information such as address and birthplace, a background check and fingerprinting."

Would you be willing to pay $85 and give the TSA/Homeland Security your information in exchange for the possibility (no guarantee) of speedier screening?

[Andrea]

TSA Agent Beats Up Woman at ATL MARTA Station

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMKekIG8_Zk&feature=youtube_gdata"]TSA Agent Beats Up Woman at ATL MARTA Station - YouTube[/nomedia]


This occurs at a railroad station and the TSA person is NOT at work.

[Rockinonahigh]

On the 14th of next month i'm flying to vegas for a pool tournament,I am told I can bring on my pool case as a carry on,but i'm thinking of buying a large suit case and puting it in cady conered then packing my clothes around it.Many ideas have ben thought of by my team members all I know if someone messes up my very expensive custom stick I will be on really pissed off person..if it can be carryed on i'm ok with it but wonder if it's possable to do that.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Rockinonahigh

On the 14th of next month i'm flying to vegas for a pool tournament,I am told I can bring on my pool case as a carry on,but i'm thinking of buying a large suit case and puting it in cady conered then packing my clothes around it.Many ideas have ben thought of by my team members all I know if someone messes up my very expensive custom stick I will be on really pissed off person..if it can be carryed on i'm ok with it but wonder if it's possable to do that.

According to the TSA website you can't take a cue stick as a carry on.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items

[Rockinonahigh]

Originally Posted by Andrea

According to the TSA website you can't take a cue stick as a carry on.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items

Thats what I thought,it was my team captain who said we could carry them on.Back to plan b..thanks for clearing this up.

[Andrea]

TSA officer, ex-Tarpon Springs police officer accused of kidnapping, sexually battering

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/dunedin-man-accused-of-posing-as-police-officer-sexually-battering-woman/2133549

He left the police to work for TSA? Something stinks about that story.

[Andrea]

Airport Security Without the Hassle

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/opinion/sunday/airport-security-without-the-hassle.html?_r=1&

"The chance of dying in an airplane is vanishingly small. The chance of being killed by a terrorist in an airplane is smaller still. Mark Stewart, a civil engineer who studies probabilistic risk, has put the odds at one in 90 million a year. Looking at these figures dispassionately, one might wonder if the Transportation Security Administration has found the right balance between safety and convenience with its notoriously burdensome airport screening procedures."

Bolding mine.....

[Nic]

I got pulled for random search in Boston about 3 weeks ago. It was less of a pat down and more of a fondle if you ask me. Fortunately my gear wears well and it's not discernible as "after market equipment". I would have complained but the TSA agent was having a hard time getting used to her job and she seemed pretty embarrassed. It was her first day and she was obviously nervous. I thought that the female TSA agents did pat downs on women and the male TSA agents on men. Guess not. I hope that female passengers don't have to get patted down by male TSA agents somewhere. Is that sexist? I don't mean it to be. I think I wouldn't want my nieces patted down by a man but a woman could be equally efficient or disrespectful. I guess depends upon the person as always and it's not my right to hope anything except that everyone gets treated respectfully.

[Andrea]

Report: TSA employee misconduct up 26% in 3 years

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/31/travel/tsa-misconduct/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

"Some of the most serious violations include: Employees sleeping on the job, letting family and friends go without being screened, leaving work without permission and stealing."

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Nic

I got pulled for random search in Boston about 3 weeks ago. It was less of a pat down and more of a fondle if you ask me. Fortunately my gear wears well and it's not discernible as "after market equipment". I would have complained but the TSA agent was having a hard time getting used to her job and she seemed pretty embarrassed. It was her first day and she was obviously nervous. I thought that the female TSA agents did pat downs on women and the male TSA agents on men. Guess not. I hope that female passengers don't have to get patted down by male TSA agents somewhere. Is that sexist? I don't mean it to be. I think I wouldn't want my nieces patted down by a man but a woman could be equally efficient or disrespectful. I guess depends upon the person as always and it's not my right to hope anything except that everyone gets treated respectfully.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/pat-downs

"If a patdown is required in order to complete screening:

The patdown should be conducted by an officer of the same gender. Sometimes, passengers must wait for an officer of the same gender to become available."

It appears the TSA did not comply with their own rules and they should be reported.