cmn.jcs

On a different note, apparently TSA doesn't know their airport codes. BGM is Binghamton, NY. BHM is Birmingham, AL.

goalie

Looks like the only items found were firearms as this is an exact copy and paste from the TSA's weekly spin blog (that is unless the TSA changed their reporting style-but we'll never know if they did cuz that, as we all know, is SSI )

• 38 Firearms Discovered
• Artfully Concealed Prohibited Items – It is important to examine your bags prior to traveling to ensure prohibited items are not inside. If a prohibited item is discovered in your bag or on your body, you could be cited and possibly arrested by local law enforcement.
• Inert Ordnance and Grenades etc. – We continue to find inert grenades and other weaponry on a weekly basis. Please keep in mind that if an item looks like a real bomb, grenade, mine, etc., it is prohibited. When these items are found at a checkpoint or in checked baggage, they can cause significant delays because the explosives detection professionals must resolve the alarm to determine the level of threat. Even if they are novelty items, you cannot bring them on a plane
• Miscellaneous Prohibited Items – In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly, our officers also regularly find firearm components, realistic replica firearms, bb and pellet guns, airsoft guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons and many other prohibited items too numerous to note.

http://blog.tsa.gov/2014/08/tsa-week...irearms_1.html

gsoltso

Just an FYI, not all items found each week are reported in the weekly post, as not all of them clear the wire prior to the collation and publication. Some items discovered are not always reported on (which is why you may see nunchaks one week, knives one week, and different types of items from time to time), because there is such a large variety, and there is somewhat limited space on the blog, the list is pared down a bit each week.

NoMoreFlying

Please clarify how there is a "somewhat limited space on the blog". Is this an arbitrary limit to characters used, the maximum number of items TSA is allowed to disclosed as discovered, the space taken up in inches? Who and/or what is limiting the amount of space on the blog?

Since you state some items are left off the blog, is it also possible some items are reported more than once?

Thank you

FliesWay2Much

Perhaps reducing the size of the life-size pictures of everyday guns and bullets might just free up some space.

gsoltso

"Somewhat limited in space" is probably a bad use of terminology. I mean that the size of the posts are not going to be all inclusive of every item abandoned at all of the checkpoints. Certain items are included because they are eye-catching, some are included because we are seeing an increase in their discovery (most recently seen with the CC knives), some items are included to help raise awareness that they are prohibited. Some items are left off of the blog because their entries are not completed by the cutoff time, meaning some weeks may have 36 firearms listed, when there were actually 38 found that week, but the entries for 2 of them did not make the cutoff time for publication. That is why this disclaimer is found at the end of the posst each week -

"*In order to provide a timely weekly update, this data is compiled from a preliminary report. The year-end numbers will vary slightly from what is reported in the weekly updates. However, any monthly, midyear or end-of-year numbers TSA provides on this blog or elsewhere will be actual numbers and not estimates."

chollie

Would nitro pills be included in the count?

Not quite the same threat (although everyone from TSA assured me they were), but I assume that the blocks of un-artfully concealed government-issue C4 were included, even though they were missed by the first checkpoint they passed through.

goalie

Not sure if there were any artfully concealed items and/or ordinance discovered as all that is listed from the TSA is a statement as to what not to do

• 34 Firearms Discovered
• 0 Artfully Concealed Prohibited Items?

• 0 Inert Ordnance and Grenades etc?

• Miscellaneous Prohibited Items

• 12 Stun Guns discovered

http://blog.tsa.gov/2014/08/tsa-week...-firearms.html

WillCAD

They seem to have left out the weekly count of credit card knives. Perhaps there were none this week. Or perhaps the person typing the report simply got lazy.

goalie

Or they found them all

goalie

Looks like all the credit card knives have been found as none reported over the past week

• 51 Firearms Discovered
• 1 Fireworks kit

• Artfully Concealed Prohibited Items

• Inert Ordnance and Grenades etc.

• Miscellaneous Prohibited Items

• 11 stun guns were discovered
• Two Airsoft guns were discovered this week in carry-on bags at the New Orleans (MSY) and Dallas Love (DAL) airports
• Ammunition Discovered in Carry-on Bag at Houston (IAH)

http://blog.tsa.gov/2014/08/tsa-week...-firearms.html

petaluma1

It was pointed out to Bob that this was not a "grenade" but rather a plain old smoke flare. The hyperbole continues at the blog to keep us afraid, very afraid.

chollie

In the comments, <deleted> notes that TSA has 'rotated focus', so apparently TSA is deliberately letting credit card knives slide for right now, obviously putting us all at risk. Or perhaps credit card knives don't sell as well as multi-tools on Ebay.

He promises a full year end review that will include "crazy stuff we see in the checkpoints".

I wonder if that review will include people foolish enough to try to take medical nitro through.

petaluma1

By "rotated focus" I think he means on the reporting end of things, not the confiscation end.

FWIW, I do know someone who gets a credit card knife through the TSA on a regular basis.

chollie

I would settle for knowing that my nitro pills will be allowed.