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TSA wants to test your drink -- at the gate

TSA wants to test your drink -- at the gate

Old Jul 5, 2012, 8:10 am
  #76  
 
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I'm certain that this is supposed to be explosives testing. But, according to those whith more chemistry knowledge than me, there is no chemical test for explosives or the chemicals that make up explosives, which doesn't require the test articles to come into physical contact with the tested material. In other words, the Magic Strips (TM) they're currently waving over beverages to "test" are absolutely useless for that purpose.

This is one screening procedure I will not comply with. I'll dump my drink, or chug it, or whatever, but nobody is going to wave some kind of chemical test strip over something I'm about to ingest, or worse, dip the strip into it.

Last edited by aztimm; Jul 5, 2012 at 3:12 pm Reason: merged thread cleanup
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 8:16 am
  #77  
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Originally Posted by WillCAD

I'm certain that this is supposed to be explosives testing. But, according to those whith more chemistry knowledge than me, there is no chemical test for explosives or the chemicals that make up explosives, which doesn't require the test articles to come into physical contact with the tested material. In other words, the Magic Strips (TM) they're currently waving over beverages to "test" are absolutely useless for that purpose.

This is one screening procedure I will not comply with. I'll dump my drink, or chug it, or whatever, but nobody is going to wave some kind of chemical test strip over something I'm about to ingest, or worse, dip the strip into it.
It has to be far more likely that the TSO does something to endanger you via your beverage than for the Coca Cola Company to alter your drink.

Last edited by aztimm; Jul 5, 2012 at 3:12 pm Reason: merged thread cleanup
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 8:35 am
  #78  
 
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Originally Posted by TBD
I'm trying to think of a scenario where this sort of testing would be effective.
It is very effective at keeping TSOs employed to waste your tax dollars.
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 8:46 am
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Originally Posted by tev9999
It is very effective at keeping TSOs employed to waste your tax dollars.
^

Thousands Standing Around.
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 9:51 am
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Originally Posted by tev9999
It is very effective at keeping TSOs employed to waste your tax dollars.
That's exactly it, busy work.
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 10:59 am
  #81  
 
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I am curious how this would work.

If I refused, would I be arrested or escorted out for refusing screening?

What if I just chugged the drink and handed them the empty bottle? Same thing?

This has got to be one of the dumbest - and clearly thuggish - policies I've ever heard of from them, and that's saying something.
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 11:10 am
  #82  
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Just once I'd like to see them try this on a 'screamer'.

You know, the stereotypical woman who, in a tense situation, immediately starts screaming.

TSA approaches 'screamer' in gate area.

TSO: Ma'am, I need to test that drink for security reasons.
Pax: But I just bought this drink right over there at Starbucks! (voice rising)
TSO: Sorry, Ma'am, it's just one of our many layers designed for your protection. (Actually designed for TSA's protection, each 'layer' is one more chance for us to do our job right and catch anything that we should have caught during a previous layer...).
Pax: (screams, throws beverage) Help! Help! My drink is poisoned! Starbucks has explosives in their coffee! Help! I want my money back!
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 11:12 am
  #83  
 
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Refuse and ask the TSA for this sheet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Material_safety_data_sheet
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 11:18 am
  #84  
 
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Originally Posted by chollie
Pax: (screams, throws beverage) Help! Help! My drink is poisoned! Starbucks has explosives in their coffee! Help! I want my money back!
The passenger would be arrested for interfering with the screening process (or for burning the TSO thug, if it was a hot drink) and would have a starring role in the "People Say the Darndest Things" section of the weekly TSA blog police log.

On a serious note, how should one fight back against this disgusting make-work scheme, that will not get a LEO summoned?
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 11:28 am
  #85  
 
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Originally Posted by saulblum
On a serious note, how should one fight back against this disgusting make-work scheme, that will not get a LEO summoned?
Say no, finish the drink and explain (slowly) to whoever is summoned that since you're not dead/dying and they are welcome to test[sic] the empty cup ("it's in the trash, over there"), that you have satisfied their request.

Really, just say NO. @:-)
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 11:30 am
  #86  
 
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Originally Posted by Wally Bird
Say no, finish the drink and explain (slowly) to whoever is summoned that since you're not dead/dying and they are welcome to test[sic] the empty cup ("it's in the trash, over there"), that you have satisfied their request.

Really, just say NO. @:-)
I should have clarified my question to add, "while keeping the beverage you intended to drink during the flight."
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 11:40 am
  #87  
 
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Originally Posted by InkUnderNails
And one of the most entertaining comment threads ever.
^^^ Over 1500 comments and counting!!!
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 11:44 am
  #88  
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Originally Posted by saulblum
The passenger would be arrested for interfering with the screening process (or for burning the TSO thug, if it was a hot drink) and would have a starring role in the "People Say the Darndest Things" section of the weekly TSA blog police log.

On a serious note, how should one fight back against this disgusting make-work scheme, that will not get a LEO summoned?
Hand over the drink, obviously (assuming you really are at the gate because you want to fly..).

Hand it over, and as you do so, immediately stand up, gather your things and put some distance between you and the screener (just to be safe). Communicate. Make it clear that you are not happy that you just forked over $ to a vendor who sold you suspect goods. Make it clear that you intend to ask for a refund. Make it clear that you don't understand why the beverages sold in the sterile area are not screened at point of sale for the pax safety. Make it clear that you don't understand why you jump through hoops to enter the sterile area, but clearly the vendors and their wares are not screened. Ask if the testing is the result of particular intel or if it's just a new level of security implemented to cover up the fact that the vendors and their wares are a gaping security hole.

Above all, do not try to disguise your terror at being at risk of consuming a potentially harmful beverage (if it can damage a plane, think what it can do to your insides). Do not try to disguise your fright at realizing that the sterile area is anything but and that you are still highly at risk. Express your concern that there might be razor blades or other contraband in the paperback you just purchased at a sterile-side vendor.

Do not take the beverage back when they are through. If you are told to hold it, don't. For your own safety, place it on the floor and distance yourself, preferably hiding slightly behind another TSO in the immediate area. Make it clear that even after it has been 'tested' and deemed 'safe', you still don't trust the beverage, the testing, or the entire situation that puts a pax in the sterile area at risk from a vendor purchase. Make it clear that you are heading directly to the vendor for a refund - ask the TSO if he/she will accompany you.

Take it seriously. Very seriously. Out of an abundance of caution. Because you really do want to fly. Because they're doing this is a tacit admission that the other 21 layers of security aren't enough.
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 12:25 pm
  #89  
 
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Originally Posted by Wally Bird
Say no, finish the drink and explain (slowly) to whoever is summoned that since you're not dead/dying and they are welcome to test[sic] the empty cup ("it's in the trash, over there"), that you have satisfied their request.

Really, just say NO. @:-)
Yep... this is the only correct response. For all types of reasons.

If they 'push back' on that answer? I chug the drink - too much too drink? It oops (sorry about that) spills - If I feel that either of these will get me into trouble? I just plain ignore them - not too much of a stretch when I'm jet lagged to act like a total zombie. But? No matter how I do it? Nobody - not even with their stupid silly magic strips - is chemically testing a drink that I then continue to drink. Not happening

There was once a land of the brave and the free - whatever happened to that fabled land?
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Old Jul 5, 2012, 12:39 pm
  #90  
 
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Originally Posted by Darkumbra
There was once a land of the brave and the free - whatever happened to that fabled land?
I hear that it was celebrated mourned last night with fireworks in cities and towns across the land.
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