RoyalFlush

Tonight 90 minutes ago. At one of the 10 busiest airports in the lower 48.

I missed my flight protesting this.

Interesting, the local PD was summonsed when I requested a "lead" TSO.

Local PD officer, "you don't have a prescription, it is not allowed."

(OTC medical item in reasonable quantity).

I'm meeting the FSD at his office first thing Tuesday.

I'm filing at least several ADA complaints with the US DOJ and opening an Internal Affairs complaint against the local PD officer.

To be updated..

flyupfrnt

More details would be great

RoyalFlush

Okay. I'm leaving out the airport for now.

I transited the checkpoint T-45 minutes to departure. There were only two flights departing from this checkpoint for the remainder of the night.

I was the only one at the checkpoint.

TSA Pre line closed. I had one simple backpack and a North Face Jacket.

Removed my shoes and took my Hyatt toilet bag with all liquids out, placed everything in the bins.

Walked thru, went to collect my belongings.

Disgruntled Blue Shirt #1 loudly demands that other minions do a bag check.

Disgruntled Blue Shirt #2 pills my medicine out and starts into a triad of 3-1-1 etc.

I told him that's a medical item.

Not budging.

I calmly ask for a supervisor. The Local PD (25 year-old tattoo clad officer) comes along.

Simply states, to TSA, looking at them, not me, "he doesn't have a prescription, it's not allowed."

Disgruntled Blue Shirt #1 sarcastically says "you have the option of returning to the counter downstairs to check it in"

I present myself at the podium for the next 45 minutes awaiting the TSM.

Who was absolutely useless.

gingersnaps

The FSD, even if agreeing to met with you, will bury your complaint.

What airport?

RoyalFlush

The FSD and his superiors will never forget my name.

Guaranteed. I guarantee it.

I'll name the airport in a bit, after this is run up the proverbial flagpole.

Finkface

If you don't mind saying, what was the OTC medication? And what quantity?

flyerCO

Unless you have a prescription for it, TSA AFAIK doesn't have to allow it. Your doctor can write you a script even for an OTC medicine. In TSA view they have no way of knowing if this is prescribed or just you saying it is. I don't think you're going to get far, especially since OTCs can easily be bought after security or at destination. If traveling international I recommend it for any medicine.

Boggie Dog

Never been in a U.S. airport with a drug store.

OP you might want to look up FT member SAI, he has had some similar issues.

flyerCO

It doesn't need to be a drug store. You can get a lot of OTCs at C-stores, etc. You don't say what the OTC is thus it's hard to give exact information.

petaluma1

You'll be told that since you didn't declare it initially, it isn't allowed as medicine.

However, file a complaint with the DHS IG, https://www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline/hotline.php

Also, didn't Sai write recently that he has information that FSDs have been given leeway to declare how much medicine is "reasonable" for a flight?

gingersnaps

Wow, TSA is really on the forefront. FSDs are medical practicioners AND security experts.

I wish the AMA would say something about TSA playing Doctor.

TWA884

chollie

Keep in mind, it doesn't really matter what the website says about OTC meds (all medications, actually). They are treated just like anything else you bring to the checkpoint.

From the TSA website, "Can I Bring OTC meds"?

Aren't you glad TSA has spent millions on a 'training academy'? We're the only nation in the world with an airport security 'academy'!

That expensive taxpayer-paid boondoggle, aka 'professional training', really shows at the checkpoint, doesn't it?

I think they spend two weeks in the classroom learning how to say "I can confiscate anything I want at my discretion".

RoyalFlush

I sure surprised the heck out of the FSD and his TWO "Executive Assistants" when I showed up at 8:15am at their off-airport office this morning.



More details to come, once they cut a check for compensation, as promised.

I'll state the airport (c'mon, only like 10 choices) and what the 6oz non-aersol, non-liquid medical item was when the above happens.

Right now, they are $325.00 in the hole ($5 item, $200 to change my flight, $120 for the nearby airport Hilton).

I've already gotten a Congresswoman's staff involved.

Boggie Dog

If the product is something that the passenger may need in flight then it has to be available in the airport. Restrictions on medical items is just not necessary. TSA has the means to screen these items so that's what TSA should be doing.