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TSA: Prohibited Items Backing Up Queues

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 16: Passengers at O'Hare International Airport wait in line to be screened at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint on May 16, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. Waiting times at the checkpoints today have been reported to be as long 2 hours. The long lines have been blamed for flight delays and a large number of passengers missing flights completely. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

According to CBS Miami, the TSA is now shifting some responsibility of longer wait times on passengers following recent criticisms that the queues for security screenings at airports across the country have become extensive and unacceptable. TSA Regional Spokesperson Mark Howell said, “We are not here today to blame passengers, but it is one contributing factor to long lines at the airports.”

TSA agents staged a screening at Chicago Midway Airport International Airport (MDW) to show that prohibited items, like knives, do indeed back up lines.

For more information on this story, visit CBS Miami.

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[Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images]

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8 Comments
K
KRSW May 23, 2016

Let's see... TSA hasn't changed the banned items list in awhile... So unless you've got a bunch of pax who've never flown before suddenly storming the airports (unlikely), the problem solely rests on the TSA. No, this is an INTENTIONAL hostage-taking by the TSA. They're using the pax as hostages to get more funding, pure and simple. Even some of the Kettles are noticing that it's a charade. @UncleDude presents a great problem with TSA, even for well-seasoned travelers. It's Regulation Roulette!

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BJM May 23, 2016

I would agree with UncleDude on the inconsistency of check points. One problem I see is people who wait to disassemble themselves at the bag scanner. Can't they take their belts off, change out of pockets, take jackets off before hand? This, from what I have observed and is my opinion, what is causing a lot of these line issues. The set up in many locations in europe is so much better, where they have tables for you to prep yourself before you get in the line. Everyone thinks they do not contribute to the issue, but in my opinion they do. Blaming the TSA is lazy and typical.

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UncleDude May 23, 2016

Perhaps if the TSA have National Consistency, even better if there was International Consistency. Some Airports want Shoes in a Tray.... Some Dont Some Want you to Carry Boarding Cards...Some Dont Some dont mind Small CockScrews...Some Take them off you Some dont object to nail files in Nail Clipper...,Some do Some downt ask for watches to be removed...Some Do And that just in the USA, when we talk International, I-Pad Minis are OK in Bags...some places they have to be removed, as for Belts, Jumpers, old people with shoes and various other items every Airport/Country sets its own rules. How is an infrequent traveler supposed to plan ahead in the line.

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FBWFTW May 22, 2016

Prohibited items like the toothpaste I had in my roll aboard coming back from Hawaii that the TSO pulled out. Meanwhile, the rest of the TSA was busy allowing knives and all kinds of hazardous stuff thru the checkpoints with no issue. #TSAFail #ThousandsStandingAround

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hangpilot May 22, 2016

More like it's the bad planning i witnessed at MSY (Delta) this afternoon... Two ID checkers. One services Pre-Check and then general masses, the other services airline priority travelers and the general masses. What happens when there's a steady flow of Pre-Check and Airline Elite passengers? The general line is at a total standstill. Just ridiculous.