Practical Travel Safety Issues - FLL - "TSA Plunders Boy's Disney Toys"

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/TSA-Plunders-Boys-Disney-Toys.html

A choice quote:

Edge said she became even angrier when she claims that not long after the TSA officers had confiscated the items, she saw the officers playing with the toy sword and gun.

However, there is a happy ending.

The story does have a happy ending. Disney officials sent Jeremiah replacement toys after they heard about the incident.

Disney, you are a class act.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/TSA-Plunders-Boys-Disney-Toys.html

A choice quote:



However, there is a happy ending.



Disney, you are a class act.

Perhaps an act that TSA should try emulating.

And I am sure that the TSA will take appropriate action against all TSO's involved.:rolleyes:

Where would the TSA bashers be if he hijacked a toy plane with that toy gun???

All kidding aside, this is certainly not new. I had the same thing happen with my son in 1986. We tried to take the unrealistic "Pirates of the Caribbean" wooden gun through MCO security and were stopped. We were told we had to check it. Luckily, our Peoples Express pilot overheard the conversation and was allowed to take for us. He had to keep it in the cockpit and walk us out of the terminal after our arrival in EWR.

I believe MKT has the appropriate response:

10 PRINT "Bite Me!"
20 GOTO 10

I am interested, however, to see how the TSA blog would address this. In fact, I think I'm going to make a post there now.

Mike

And I am sure that the TSA will take appropriate action against all TSO's involved.:rolleyes:

Why? This was clearly not the TSA's fault. Stupid people trying to bring toy weapons onto a plane. It is the same reason toy weapons aren't allowed on school campuses. The stupid broad should have put them in their checked baggage. Rules are rules, the fact he has a sad story doesn't make him exempt.

Pfft... I don't even know why this is news.

If Disney toys are "Realistic Replicas of Firearms" (closest thing on the prohibited items list), then God help you if you have pictures of REAL guns.

Even worse, imagine the consequences of taking video & sound recording of a firearm on board (e.g. most movies).

Where would the TSA bashers be if he hijacked a toy plane with that toy gun???

Where would all the TSA apologists be if there weren't magic for them to believe in???

Where would all the TSA apologists be if there weren't magic for them to believe in???

OMNI P/R.

Mike

Where would all the TSA apologists be if there weren't magic for them to believe in???
Ironic choice of words since Disney saved the day ;)

It is a lethal weapon :mad: I have seen the damage and DEATH that it has brought and the pain that it has brought to :mad: Watch the films, you will see the hurt that it causes ^^ TSA you may have saved lives and a plane from crashing to the ground ^^^

It is a lethal weapon :mad: I have seen the damage and DEATH that it has brought and the pain that it has brought to :mad: Watch the films, you will see the hurt that it causes ^^ TSA you may have saved lives and a plane from crashing to the ground ^^^

I've seen that movie too.... Was it Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle or Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke?

It is a lethal weapon :mad: I have seen the damage and DEATH that it has brought and the pain that it has brought to :mad: Watch the films, you will see the hurt that it causes ^^ TSA you may have saved lives and a plane from crashing to the ground ^^^

Your sarcasm is really proving your point. :rolleyes: (see, more sarcasm)

So what, the rules should just apply to those without cute little faces and family tragedy?

Your sarcasm is really proving your point. :rolleyes: (see, more sarcasm)

So what, the rules should just apply to those without cute little faces and family tragedy?

Ah, badgelicking. Always predictable in this type of discussion.

Why? This was clearly not the TSA's fault. Stupid people trying to bring toy weapons onto a plane. It is the same reason toy weapons aren't allowed on school campuses. The stupid broad should have put them in their checked baggage. Rules are rules, the fact he has a sad story doesn't make him exempt.

Pfft... I don't even know why this is news.

This isn't about the TSO's confiscation of the toys. Its the fact that mother caught them in a public area playing with the toys they confiscated. That's the problem, makes you wonder what else some of these same TSO's may have taken home with them after confiscating them.

<SNIP> It is the same reason toy weapons aren't allowed on school campuses.

I’m 41 and took toy cap guns to school all the time. Then there was my famous Star Wars laser rifle I made out of PVC pipe. This Zero Tolerance crap is turning out a generation of wimps that need to be coddled by crisis counselors every time Something Bad™ happens.

Back OT, I tried to find an image of what this toy looked like without any luck. In this day and age, I can’t think of anything more benign that a toy "gun" from Disney.

I hope the sobs are happy:mad::mad:

Ah, badgelicking. Always predictable in this type of discussion.

Ah, avoiding the question. Always predictable when the other side knows they're wrong. So I'll ask again; do the rules apply just to those without cute little faces and family tragedy? If the big issue here was what was done with toys after being confiscated, then I would say you all need to grow up (TSA included) and really ought to pick your battles. However, it's not based on the replies here.

Family breaks rules. Gets toys confiscated. End of story. Nothing different from when I forgot the water stuffed in the side of my backpack last week.

Ah, avoiding the question. Always predictable when the other side knows they're wrong. So I'll ask again; do the rules apply just to those without cute little faces and family tragedy? If the big issue here was what was done with toys after being confiscated, then I would say you all need to grow up (TSA included) and really ought to pick your battles. However, it's not based on the replies here.

Family breaks rules. Gets toys confiscated. End of story. Nothing different from when I forgot the water stuffed in the side of my backpack last week.

What rules? It was a toy. The "sword" was made of rubber and had the POTC logo imprinted on the side. It flopped around when you took it out of its case. I'm sure that a successful hijacking could be made with that! Um... I guess you could use it as a whip, kinda.

The last time I flew out of MCO for pleasure (been there plenty of times for business, but haven't really wandered around the stores then) that kind of thing was being sold inside the security area. I miss my country.

Family breaks rules. Gets toys confiscated. End of story.

You skipped: TSA plays with toy after confiscating it.

That is the issue. The confiscation (or voluntary surrender) is not the issue. Please get with the program.

I’m 41 and took toy cap guns to school all the time. Then there was my famous Star Wars laser rifle I made out of PVC pipe. This Zero Tolerance crap is turning out a generation of wimps that need to be coddled by crisis counselors every time Something Bad™ happens.


Agreed. This "me" generation (I believe that's what they are calling them) is out of control. This is where we are now-a-days for many reasons. It's not something we have to like, but until it gets changed there's nothing you can do.

This isn't about the TSO's confiscation of the toys. Its the fact that mother caught them in a public area playing with the toys they confiscated.

Must’ve been some young whippersnapper TSOs; once they grow up a little they’ll move on to rapping and dancing through the WTMD (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-safety-security/978419-strange-even-tsa.html).

You skipped: TSA plays with toy after confiscating it.

That is the issue. The confiscation (or voluntary surrender) is not the issue. Please get with the program.

IF that was the issue; the article would not be titled as it is; there would be more than one line devoted to it in an entire full page article; multiple posts on here would be irrelevant to the discussion. Since all of the above are true, it could not conceivably be about that.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a TSA supporter these days. I think government needs to step aside now.

I don't see why it is such an issue if they played with the toys. Unprofessional? YES. Petty? YES. Seriously...

Ah, avoiding the question. Always predictable when the other side knows they're wrong. So I'll ask again; do the rules apply just to those without cute little faces and family tragedy? If the big issue here was what was done with toys after being confiscated, then I would say you all need to grow up (TSA included) and really ought to pick your battles. However, it's not based on the replies here.

Family breaks rules. Gets toys confiscated. End of story. Nothing different from when I forgot the water stuffed in the side of my backpack last week.

It has nothing to do with the smiling face or the family tragedy. I don't even care that they were playing with the toy after confiscating it. My outrage has everything to do with the fact that the TSO confiscated what was clearly a toy. There was zero chance of mistaking the souvenirs for a weapon, as the video in the OP shows.

Mike

<SNIP> The last time I flew out of MCO for pleasure (been there plenty of times for business, but haven't really wandered around the stores then) that kind of thing was being sold inside the security area. I miss my country.

I don’t usually frequent Disney Stores, but isn’t there one outside the checkpoint in MCO? It would be a hoot if these things were being sold there.

What rules? It was a toy. The "sword" was made of rubber and had the POTC logo imprinted on the side. It flopped around when you took it out of its case. I'm sure that a successful hijacking could be made with that! Um... I guess you could use it as a whip, kinda.

The last time I flew out of MCO for pleasure (been there plenty of times for business, but haven't really wandered around the stores then) that kind of thing was being sold inside the security area. I miss my country.

No Disney stores inside of security, btw. Not to mention I am 99% sure the sale of those items are prohibited in the airport.

IF that was the issue; the article would not be titled as it is; there would be more than one line devoted to it in an entire full page article; multiple posts on here would be irrelevant to the discussion. Since all of the above are true, it could not conceivably be about that..

I think that is the main objection around here, is what I meant.

Ah, avoiding the question. Always predictable when the other side knows they're wrong. So I'll ask again; do the rules apply just to those without cute little faces and family tragedy? If the big issue here was what was done with toys after being confiscated, then I would say you all need to grow up (TSA included) and really ought to pick your battles. However, it's not based on the replies here.

Family breaks rules. Gets toys confiscated. End of story. Nothing different from when I forgot the water stuffed in the side of my backpack last week.

What "rules" are you blathering about? A partial answer to your question would be that war on water rules, for instance, do not apply to liquids for the baby, so seems clear to me TSA "rules" you are so beholden to, in many circumstances apply just to those "without cute little faces."


No Disney stores inside of security, btw. Not to mention I am 99% sure the sale of those items are prohibited in the airport.

I'm 100% certain you are right about no Disney stores inside security at MCO. Doubt you are correct about an airport wide prohibition on plastic swords, or on the whole spectra of play items that could, potentially, be used as weapons. Airports and their stores have to concentrate on the snow globe threat. :rolleyes:
Common sense might tell you that a pair of 4" surgical scissors (allowed by your hallowed rules) is a better weapon, though still not credible as a hijacking weapon, post 9/11.

This whole piece reminds me of the puff story about the items taken by TSA and stored in a large basement room at BUF, IIRC. (Apparently the TSA don't get to play with confiscated items there.) TS"O" proudly showed off a star wars light sabre that had been "voluntarily surrendered" by some poor sap. I guess TSA didn't want to be responsible for a starship-jacking. :rolleyes:

I guess TSA didn't want to be responsible for a starship-jacking. :rolleyes:

:D:D

Just wait until this goes green on Fark.com at 5:17 p.m. this afternoon.

Comments there will make this thread look like a conversation to The Queen.

Just wait until this goes green on Fark.com at 5:17 p.m. this afternoon.

Comments there will make this thread look like a conversation to The Queen.

Not entirely true. Apparently, the TSA confiscated her scepter on the way out of JFK. Man, was she pissed.

Mike

I don’t usually frequent Disney Stores, but isn’t there one outside the checkpoint in MCO? It would be a hoot if these things were being sold there.

You missed the point. This happened at FLL. The TSA at MCO knows the rules: Do Not Mess with the Mouse.

:eek:

<SNIP> TS"O" proudly showed off a star wars light sabre that had been "voluntarily surrendered" by some poor sap. I guess TSA didn't want to be responsible for a starship-jacking. :rolleyes:

Okay, now I wish I still had my laser rifle made out of PVC pipe. It wasn’t cemented together, so if a TSO deemed it a threat, I could just pull it apart. Picture a straight-faced TSO telling me that my little collection of plastic pipe and fittings was a threat to commercial aviation.

Ah, avoiding the question. Always predictable when the other side knows they're wrong. So I'll ask again; do the rules apply just to those without cute little faces and family tragedy? If the big issue here was what was done with toys after being confiscated, then I would say you all need to grow up (TSA included) and really ought to pick your battles. However, it's not based on the replies here.

Family breaks rules. Gets toys confiscated. End of story. Nothing different from when I forgot the water stuffed in the side of my backpack last week.

Ah no.. unless the screener tried to sprinkle water over herself coyly and reenact a TV scene.

More excellent publicity for TSA.

If Disney toys are "Realistic Replicas of Firearms" (closest thing on the prohibited items list), then God help you if you have pictures of REAL guns.

Even worse, imagine the consequences of taking video & sound recording of a firearm on board (e.g. most movies).

If you train kids young enough that even things that look like weapons will be confiscated, then you can train them that general gun bans are a good thing. :rolleyes:

And I am sure that the TSA will take appropriate action against all TSO's involved.:rolleyes:

If you consider a $250 bonus appropriate action.

If Disney toys are "Realistic Replicas of Firearms" (closest thing on the prohibited items list), then God help you if you have pictures of REAL guns.

Even worse, imagine the consequences of taking video & sound recording of a firearm on board (e.g. most movies).

Next step will be arrest for the felony of carrying a Massachusetts quarter past security.

Just wait until this goes green on Fark.com at 5:17 p.m. this afternoon.

Comments there will make this thread look like a conversation to The Queen.

"The more exposure those short-bus brown-shirts get, the better."

^^^^^

Wirelessly posted (Nokia N97 / Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/TSA-Plunders-Boys-Disney-Toys.html

A choice quote:

Edge said she became even angrier when she claims that not long after the TSA officers had confiscated the items, she saw the officers playing with the toy sword and gun.

However, there is a happy ending.

The story does have a happy ending. Disney officials sent Jeremiah replacement toys after they heard about the incident.

Disney, you are a class act.

+1

I hope those TSOs get a chance to experience another government agency, the unemployment office, after getting fired for cause. Disgusting behavior on the part of those TSOs. Obviously they have too much time on their hands and need to seek other employment, preferably with little or no public contact.

Best comment from the FARK thread:

"Additionally, I know a few TSA workers and I don't necessarily trust that they know the difference between a toy gun and a real gun. There are some very good people working for the TSA, but there are some fantastic imbeciles, too."

More excellent publicity for TSA.



If you train kids young enough that even things that look like weapons will be confiscated, then you can train them that general gun bans are a good thing. :rolleyes:
You know, you are right. I have never owned guns, never allowed them in my home, but I plan to get one. This week. Just because I can. And because nonsense like this makes me wonder.

Guess this incident doesn't jive well with the "think of the children" chicken littling.

If you train kids young enough that even things that look like weapons will be confiscated, then you can train them that general gun bans are a good thing. :rolleyes:

If you train kids young enough that even things that look like liquids will be confiscated, then you can train them that general water bans are a good thing.

Next step will be arrest for the felony of carrying a Massachusetts quarter past security.

Or heaven forbid anyone were to carry copies of terrorist manifestos like Common Sense or the Declaration of Independence that used God as justification for overthrowing the legitimate government here.

You know, you are right. I have never owned guns, never allowed them in my home, but I plan to get one. This week. Just because I can. And because nonsense like this makes me wonder.

Owning a firearm carries a fair amount of responsibility.

My dad was a LEO and he started teaching me about handguns when I was 5 or 6. He gave me a .22 Rifle when I was 7, and I still own it 50 years later. Over the years I have owned several long guns and hand guns. Most I have kept in my small collection. They are all locked away in a safe.

I shot Expert in the military, was certified as an armed escort and currently hold a Concealed Carry License.

Shooting can be a great hobby but training should be obtained before setting out.

Or heaven forbid anyone were to carry copies of terrorist manifestos like Common Sense or the Declaration of Independence that used God as justification for overthrowing the legitimate government here.

Of course, our gov't wouldn't like those lines if they were ever to be used as justification for an overthrow of it.

I guess TSA didn't want to be responsible for a starship-jacking. :rolleyes:

Oh yeah. Laugh now. It won't be so funny when Darth Vader is running the universe.

If the Dark Side got ahold of one of our ships, there is no way the Rebel Alliance will be able to destroy the Death Star.

We've already seen what they did to Alderaan.

Why? This was clearly not the TSA's fault. Stupid people trying to bring toy weapons onto a plane. It is the same reason toy weapons aren't allowed on school campuses. The stupid broad should have put them in their checked baggage. Rules are rules, the fact he has a sad story doesn't make him exempt.

Pfft... I don't even know why this is news.

I couldn't go further in the thread before responding to United....

SERIOUSLY! Are you so convinced that adult humans, obsrving and determining that "toy weapons" (obviously so) are simply and apparently to anyone who observes them are toy weapons are not a threat?

I have a pair of plastic vampire teeth that I might just wear the next time I fly. I'm not on UA though.

I couldn't go further in the thread before responding to United....

SERIOUSLY! Are you so convinced that adult humans, obsrving and determining that "toy weapons" (obviously so) are simply and apparently to anyone who observes them are toy weapons are not a threat?

I have a pair of plastic vampire teeth that I might just wear the next time I fly. I'm not on UA though.

If you do see if you can borrow the black light they use to check IDs, that will make them glow.... ooooooo spooky.

If you do see if you can borrow the black light they use to check IDs, that will make them glow.... ooooooo spooky.

TK, natural teeth fluoresce quite nicely...

Owning a firearm carries a fair amount of responsibility.

Shooting can be a great hobby but training should be obtained before setting out.

I don't disagree, but the problem (at the risk of turning this into an OMNI) is that state-mandated training often turns into a de facto ban. Just look at Rhode Island's concealed permit program: One class per year, 30 students max, and you don't get an invite without a $50K political donation.

Then there's Bloomberg's bullies who are going after a guy with a flintlock (http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m7d29-NYPD-antigun-zealotry-extends-to-flintlocks?#comments) in violation of their own laws.

Even Chad Wolf, who was Assistant Administrator for Transportation Security Policy within the TSA, is critical of this incident:

<SNIP> To say that TSA’s reputation is tarnished from incidents like this one would be a significant understatement. TSA officials will try to deflect the incident by pointing to a very large and dispersed workforce that makes mistakes from time to time. I would agree with this statement – except for the fact that over the past several years TSA has boasted the professional nature of its workforce. In fact, former Administrator Hawley was quick to point to extensive retraining requirements and a change in checkpoint operating procedures allowing screeners to be more analytical and less “checklist-oriented.”

I would argue that TSA still has a long way to go in this area and in restoring its reputation in the eyes of the American public.

Linkage (http://securitydebrief.adfero.com/watch-out-for-those-disney-toys/)

I don't disagree, but the problem (at the risk of turning this into an OMNI) is that state-mandated training often turns into a de facto ban. Just look at Rhode Island's concealed permit program: One class per year, 30 students max, and you don't get an invite without a $50K political donation.

Then there's Bloomberg's bullies who are going after a guy with a flintlock (http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m7d29-NYPD-antigun-zealotry-extends-to-flintlocks?#comments) in violation of their own laws.

I'm not familiar with Rhode Island permit program. Where I am at one obtains an application, attend a certified CCL course and submit proof of course completion, have a background check completed by the state, plus a bit more paper work and if all is good you get your CCL.

To just buy and own a weapon requires none of that. Go to a store complete required paper work, pays your money and in a few days pick up your weapon.

Perhaps each time there is an incident the entire TSA staff at the relevant airport should be re-trained, and the management demoted.

Even Chad Wolf, who was Assistant Administrator for Transportation Security Policy within the TSA, is critical of this incident:



Linkage (http://securitydebrief.adfero.com/watch-out-for-those-disney-toys/)

Lots of other interesting information on that link:

DHS Blinks (http://securitydebrief.adfero.com/tsa-blinks-is-rewriting-controversial-proposals-for-business-and-small-aircraft-2/)

Homeland Security 24/7 (http://securitydebrief.adfero.com/homeland-security-channel-online-tv-station-focuses-on-homeland-security-news-and-content/) :rolleyes:

Lots of other interesting information on that link:

DHS Blinks (http://securitydebrief.adfero.com/tsa-blinks-is-rewriting-controversial-proposals-for-business-and-small-aircraft-2/)

Homeland Security 24/7 (http://securitydebrief.adfero.com/homeland-security-channel-online-tv-station-focuses-on-homeland-security-news-and-content/) :rolleyes:

How many times have we been given assurances that confiscated/surrendered items go into the garbage never to be seen again? Looks like a couple TSOs violated their SOP by pulling those toys out of the garbage to play with the toys. Normally I would wonder what will happen to the TSOs who did this, but since TSA answers to no one and the TSOs will quickly recover from the look of disapproval from their supervisor.:rolleyes::rolleyes::(

How many times have we been given assurances that confiscated/surrendered items go into the garbage never to be seen again? Looks like a couple TSOs violated their SOP by pulling those toys out of the garbage to play with the toys. Normally I would wonder what will happen to the TSOs who did this, but since TSA answers to no one and the TSOs will quickly recover from the look of disapproval from their supervisor.:rolleyes::rolleyes::(

Since we already know that stealing a Leatherman's tool does not get you reported to the police, why should stealing toys?

Since we already know that stealing a Leatherman's tool does not get you reported to the police, why should stealing toys?

Sad, that those two boys had to witness an abuse of authority by TSOs. Wonder if those two lads will grow up to be FT members complete with an attitude against people wearing blue shirts?

TSOs are above the law.

How many times have we been given assurances that confiscated/surrendered items go into the garbage never to be seen again? Looks like a couple TSOs violated their SOP by pulling those toys out of the garbage to play with the toys. Normally I would wonder what will happen to the TSOs who did this, but since TSA answers to no one and the TSOs will quickly recover from the look of disapproval from their supervisor.:rolleyes::rolleyes::(


We all know what happens. No a . thing.

Sad, that those two boys had to witness an abuse of authority by TSOs. Wonder if those two lads will grow up to be FT members complete with an attitude against people wearing blue shirts?I sure hope so. The really sad thing is, by the time they do grow up nothing about the TSA will have changed.

That said, I'm not terribly exercised by this incident. The TSA website prohibits toy weapons and the screeners have no discretion about confiscating them, assuming they actually do find them. All we have here is a couple of "professional" security "officers" :rolleyes: goofing off. Not a huge surprise at FLL. Or most anywhere else for that matter.

Owning a firearm carries a fair amount of responsibility.

My dad was a LEO and he started teaching me about handguns when I was 5 or 6. He gave me a .22 Rifle when I was 7, and I still own it 50 years later. Over the years I have owned several long guns and hand guns. Most I have kept in my small collection. They are all locked away in a safe.

I shot Expert in the military, was certified as an armed escort and currently hold a Concealed Carry License.

Shooting can be a great hobby but training should be obtained before setting out.
Concur 100%. The local arms emporium offers just such a class in weapons safety. The second aspect is a 13 year old who is a far more avid sportsman than I am who has been eager to learn as well. I just signed us both up so we'll learn together. Bonding, and all that.

"Additionally, I know a few TSA workers and I don't necessarily trust that they know the difference between a toy gun and a real gun. There are some very good people working for the TSA, but there are some fantastic imbeciles, too."

http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2007/304/21/1193883553-16433_full.jpg

What if you put it in a blender?



peace,
~Ben~

I wonder if this was the inspiration behind the latest mindfart in the TSA Blog: Can I Take My Hand Grenade on the Plane? (http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/07/can-i-take-my-hand-grenade-on-plane.html)

http://www.viewpoints.com/images/review/2007/304/21/1193883553-16433_full.jpg

What if you put it in a blender?



peace,
~Ben~

This is clearly a real weapon. Well, it is in the same world where 4 oz of liquid can blow up a plane, anyway.

Mike