Forced to relinquish thermos at TSA checkpoint—any recourse?
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
Forced to relinquish thermos at TSA checkpoint—any recourse?
My wife was connecting and unexpectedly had to pass through a checkpoint. Her thermos was full of coffee, which she did not remember (focused on making the short connection) and the agent demanded she relinquish the thermos itself instead of just dumping it out and giving the empty thermos back, which has been done for me before in this situation. She did not argue as it was T-20m to departure.
Is there any recourse? I doubt it of course but still wondered if anyone knows of a channel that responds to such grievances.
Is there any recourse? I doubt it of course but still wondered if anyone knows of a channel that responds to such grievances.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
Best course I can think of (assuming this is a larger airport) - exit screening (tell them you will go put it in your car or some other BS, they don't need to know) and go dump it in a bathroom and wash and dry it out. Then, go to a different checkpoint.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Read the OP--she didn't have time.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Seems like she did the appropriate thing, given the time constraints. Agree with FUTR - file a claim for it. It was one of those super-fancy imported vacuum sealed thermoses which cost like $50, right?
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
Sounds like a "confiscation" of property by TSA and I would suggest using that word when filing a claim. File the claim here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support/claims
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I guess you file a claim. Not likely to be paid.
Needless to say, stay away from the silly stuff such as "confiscation" as your wife clearly had a choice. She is the one who chose to bring liquids to the checkpoint when there was not time to do anything other than "dump" at the checkpoint.
Of greater interest to most here on FT is how did an unexpected checkpoint arise?
Needless to say, stay away from the silly stuff such as "confiscation" as your wife clearly had a choice. She is the one who chose to bring liquids to the checkpoint when there was not time to do anything other than "dump" at the checkpoint.
Of greater interest to most here on FT is how did an unexpected checkpoint arise?
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/06...rt-raucus.html
TSA Releases Tape After Woman Says Sippy Cup Caused Airport Raucus
#10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,507
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: SkyMiles, AAdvantage, TrueBlue, Rapid Rewards, Global Entry
Posts: 204
Last edited by TWA884; Jan 26, 2017 at 3:08 pm Reason: Not practical travel safety/security advice/information
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
When I've forgotten a full water bottle, I've been denied the possibility to drink or dump the liquid and keep the bottle.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Indeed. It may have been one of those airport setups where one has to go to a different terminal to connect between domestic flights and there is no airside transit.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
Sounds like a "confiscation" of property by TSA and I would suggest using that word when filing a claim. File the claim here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support/claims
I guess you file a claim. Not likely to be paid.
Needless to say, stay away from the silly stuff such as "confiscation" as your wife clearly had a choice. She is the one who chose to bring liquids to the checkpoint when there was not time to do anything other than "dump" at the checkpoint.
Of greater interest to most here on FT is how did an unexpected checkpoint arise?
Needless to say, stay away from the silly stuff such as "confiscation" as your wife clearly had a choice. She is the one who chose to bring liquids to the checkpoint when there was not time to do anything other than "dump" at the checkpoint.
Of greater interest to most here on FT is how did an unexpected checkpoint arise?