Newsstand - Teen Says TSA Screener Opened Sterile Equipment, Put Life In Danger

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/15511359/detail.html

A sick teenager said an over-zealous security screener at Orlando International Airport put his life in danger. After Channel 9 started making calls, the TSA opened an investigation into the matter.
James Hoyne, 14, has a feeding tube in his stomach and carries a back-up in a sealed clear plastic bag. Hoyne said two weeks ago a TSA officer insisted on opening the sterile equipment, contaminating his back-up feeding up tube which he later needed.

This is just assinine. The packaging would be clearly marked as sterile! Those suckers are expensive and not easily found at your coner drug store. I am glad they got the media attention and brought this to light.

What are the odds that a TSA agent understands the meaning of the word "sterile"?

So as long as it says "sterile" I can take anything through security?

The packaging for those are see thru on one side so there is no reason they could not just visually inspect. No reason for them to put their paws all over something and ruin it. After it was opened it was useless and those suckers are expensive.

Poor kid, it aint bad enough having a feeding tube to survive, then to have to be subjected to this is just sad.

Unfortunately these days, TSA screeners can pretty much do whatever they wish in the name of "security." Not trying to stereotype, I think they have too much "authority" with the level of education and training they have.

LAX

Sickening, wasteful embarassment of an agency.

That did it.

I'm with Spiff. It's time. String em up.

What are the odds that a TSA agent understands the meaning of the word "sterile"?

About as much as them understanding the needs of a diabetic. A friend of mine had a spirited argument once with an TSA agent who attempted to confiscate his insulin syringe. The agent would not back down, but her supervisor put her in her place and apologized to my friend.

BTW, that idiot agent did not last much longer.

About as much as them understanding the needs of a diabetic. A friend of mine had a spirited argument once with an TSA agent who attempted to confiscate his insulin syringe. The agent would not back down, but her supervisor put her in her place and apologized to my friend.

BTW, that idiot agent did not last much longer.

^ Unfortunately, another would come along and similar incidents would occur to another pax at another time.:td:

LAX

in situations like this, why not just say, "if you have to open it then im not flying"

in situations like this, why not just say, "if you have to open it then im not flying"

Not sure what that would do. The TSA agent doesn't have a vested interest in you flying. They likely would wish you a nice day re-developing your travel plans and feel satisfied that they had done their job.

The TSA is the biggest waste of money.

I once saw one of thier "goons" SCREAM at a Senior Citizen that "YOU COULD GET OUT OF THAT WHEELCHAIR AND WALK IF YOU WANTED TO" Reduced the poor woman to tears, I am sure she was wheelchair bound just to jerk off that idiot. I did file a complaint and the idiot supervisor tried to call me names, but about that time another flyer who had been standing just outside the area waiting came forward and backed me up. In numerous trips through that checkpoint again I never saw the goon (and I watched!)

I have written my elected officials and their absolute lack of response will figure into my next vote!

And for all you saying "what the kid should have done' remmber it's a TEENAGER, not an adult. You and I might have reacted differently, but did this kid really know his rights?

The TSA is the biggest waste of money......

I guess it's debatable whether it's the "biggest" waste of money, but there is no question that it's a total waste of money!

LAX

Not sure what that would do. The TSA agent doesn't have a vested interest in you flying. They likely would wish you a nice day re-developing your travel plans and feel satisfied that they had done their job.

Yup. They even use "DO YOU WANT TO FLY TODAY?!" as a threat. :td::td: :mad: