Another family abused by the TSA, over boxed milk
Aug 29, 2015, 4:13 pm
#1
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Another family abused by the TSA, over boxed milk
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...by_s_milk.html
Ronnie Polaneczky did a great story on the man who was jailed on trumped up charges by the TSA - charges that were thrown out of court.
Plus, the TSA permits them on board. On the Bunns' trip to Philly, agents in Santa Ana and Houston passed the milk boxes right through the security scanner and sent the family on their way....
But the agent continued to insist that he had to open the milk to test it - which he did, destroying Lily's milk for the afternoon....
A spokesman for the TSA told me that, without reviewing security tapes of the Bunns' trip through Stupidville (OK, he didn't call the checkpoint Stupidville), he couldn't comment on the veracity of their complaint. But he assured me that milk boxes, like juice boxes, need not be opened to be screened.
But the agent continued to insist that he had to open the milk to test it - which he did, destroying Lily's milk for the afternoon....
A spokesman for the TSA told me that, without reviewing security tapes of the Bunns' trip through Stupidville (OK, he didn't call the checkpoint Stupidville), he couldn't comment on the veracity of their complaint. But he assured me that milk boxes, like juice boxes, need not be opened to be screened.
Aug 29, 2015, 4:23 pm
#2
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The Dad Gets It...
He's also an assistant DA in Orange County.
Unfortunately, I suspect this is the reason the TSA will use to blow off the family and blame the victim:
"I can't believe the level the TSA has stooped to, that they would ruin a baby's milk, depriving her of important nutrition," says Steve, flabbergasted. "Maybe this is why they miss most of the dangerous items being brought through security - they're too busy depriving babies of milk and inflicting other abuses."
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...sJbZy5eSPKp.99
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...sJbZy5eSPKp.99
The agent also told the Bunns that if they didn't allow him to test the milk, he'd have to put the entire family through a more invasive screening: heavy pat-downs of them and the kids, sifting through their three carry-on-bags and testing Lily's stroller.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...sJbZy5eSPKp.99
<snip>
"We were afraid we'd miss our flight," says Steve. "So we said, fine, open the milk."
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...sJbZy5eSPKp.99
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...sJbZy5eSPKp.99
<snip>
"We were afraid we'd miss our flight," says Steve. "So we said, fine, open the milk."
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...sJbZy5eSPKp.99
Aug 29, 2015, 4:37 pm
#3
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He's also an assistant DA in Orange County.
Unfortunately, I suspect this is the reason the TSA will use to blow off the family and blame the victim:
The agent also told the Bunns that if they didn't allow him to test the milk, he'd have to put the entire family through a more invasive screening: heavy pat-downs of them and the kids, sifting through their three carry-on-bags and testing Lily's stroller.
<snip>
"We were afraid we'd miss our flight," says Steve. "So we said, fine, open the milk."
<snip>
"We were afraid we'd miss our flight," says Steve. "So we said, fine, open the milk."
Unfortunately, I suspect this is the reason the TSA will use to blow off the family and blame the victim:
This seems to be a case either of a screener not knowing the rules or making them up on the fly.
Aug 29, 2015, 5:48 pm
#5
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However, even that is wrong from what we have read before. ONE of the parents would have to be patted down, not both parents, and not the kids. Yes, TSA would go through all their belongings and probably try to delay them as much as they could while doing so.
This seems to be a case either of a screener not knowing the rules or making them up on the fly.
This seems to be a case either of a screener not knowing the rules or making them up on the fly.
We do know that no matter what the website says, any screener is free to exercise his/her discretion.
BTW...one of the commenters on the article posted in the OP notes that TSA's posted (which is not necessarily what will actually happen) comments say:
"Formula, breast milk and juice for infants or toddlers are permitted through the security checkpoint. TSA officers may test liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items. If officers are unable to use X-ray to clear these items, they may ask to open the container and have you transfer the liquid to a separate empty container or dispose of a small quantity of liquid, if feasible."
Aug 30, 2015, 11:52 am
#6
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Another way to look at this is what is the size of these milk boxes? I'm assuming they are around 6 oz. That would easily fit inside a quart bag. I doubt they make a 3 oz milk box but if they did, why is one 6 oz box "dangerous" but two 3 oz boxes are "safe"? The TSA never answers that question.
Aug 30, 2015, 2:18 pm
#7
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However, do screener's have the authority to determine which people in a party get a patdown, in this case both parents and all the children?
Here's another recitation of a screening at PHL that went "bad" because of a piece of medical equipment:
The TSO explained that since the nebulizer was in the bag but should have been placed separately in a bin, a complete pat-down was now required. I objected to this and asked that a supervisor be summoned. The supervisor arrived and stated that only a mandatory pat-down of someone would resolve this situation, and that this was required by “procedure.”
Aug 30, 2015, 4:40 pm
#8
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It's a screener's call whether or not an item will board the plane, agreed.
However, do screener's have the authority to determine which people in a party get a patdown, in this case both parents and all the children?
Here's another recitation of a screening at PHL that went "bad" because of a piece of medical equipment:
http://observer.com/2015/02/the-tsa-...can-liberties/
However, do screener's have the authority to determine which people in a party get a patdown, in this case both parents and all the children?
Here's another recitation of a screening at PHL that went "bad" because of a piece of medical equipment:
http://observer.com/2015/02/the-tsa-...can-liberties/
Sep 3, 2015, 10:21 pm
#10
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Another way to look at this is what is the size of these milk boxes? I'm assuming they are around 6 oz. That would easily fit inside a quart bag. I doubt they make a 3 oz milk box but if they did, why is one 6 oz box "dangerous" but two 3 oz boxes are "safe"? The TSA never answers that question.
Sep 5, 2015, 9:08 pm
#11
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Another way to look at this is what is the size of these milk boxes? I'm assuming they are around 6 oz. That would easily fit inside a quart bag. I doubt they make a 3 oz milk box but if they did, why is one 6 oz box "dangerous" but two 3 oz boxes are "safe"? The TSA never answers that question.
Sort of related, I have been looking for 100 ml flasks for adult beverages. They are rare but available. I figure I ought to be able to get nearly a fifth in a quart bag, 100 ml at a time.
Sep 6, 2015, 11:19 pm
#12
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I wasn't aware regular milk or juice was considered a baby food and permitted. We never brought any for our kids when the were little. I recall one incident when a screener insited my whife open a jar of baby food and taste it though.
Sep 8, 2015, 9:29 am
#13
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Mike
Sep 8, 2015, 3:00 pm
#14
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This happened to me once - I made my son eat the entire pouch instead, which he was more than happy to do, right in front of them. Honestly, why would I open it for the TSA to let, therefore ruining the no refrigeration required part? It pissed them off, but too bad for them.