Just say "No!" - Drink Testing at some airports
Jan 24, 2010, 7:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 2,976
Just say "No!" - Drink Testing at some airports
Was in Terminal A today at SMF waiting for my Southwest flight to SEA, just watching the rain and drinking my Java City non-fat mocha.
Two Smurfs were wandering the terminal, one with a clipboard and the other with the Magic Strips(tm) and something in an eyedropper; they were going up to people and testing their beverages. Sure enough they eventually came over to me.
Smurf 1: "Good afternoon sir, may we test your beverage?"
Me: "No." (Both Smurfs' eyes get wide...apparently they are not used to the proletariat standing up for themselves)
Smurf 1: "This will only take a sec, may we please test your drink?"
Me: "Absolutely not."
Smurf 2: Writes down something briefly on the clipboard and tells Smurf 1, "Let's go on."
They collar a young lady who submits to the test some 10 feet away from me. The young lady THANKS the Smurfs for "keeping us safe" and I just bust out laughing out loud. The Smurfs glare at me but say nothing and head on to the next lamb.
The young lady asks me what's wrong with them doing the test and we have a teaching moment about security theatre and slippery slopes.
Score: El Cochinito 1. Smurfs: 0.
So when it comes to the beverage test: Just say No!
P.S. --- The new game they're apparently also playing at SMF is to have four Smurfs eyeball passengers as we board the aircraft. Two Smurfs outside the jetway and two just inside the jetway. No gate groping or ID checks going on, just a staredown.
Two Smurfs were wandering the terminal, one with a clipboard and the other with the Magic Strips(tm) and something in an eyedropper; they were going up to people and testing their beverages. Sure enough they eventually came over to me.
Smurf 1: "Good afternoon sir, may we test your beverage?"
Me: "No." (Both Smurfs' eyes get wide...apparently they are not used to the proletariat standing up for themselves)
Smurf 1: "This will only take a sec, may we please test your drink?"
Me: "Absolutely not."
Smurf 2: Writes down something briefly on the clipboard and tells Smurf 1, "Let's go on."
They collar a young lady who submits to the test some 10 feet away from me. The young lady THANKS the Smurfs for "keeping us safe" and I just bust out laughing out loud. The Smurfs glare at me but say nothing and head on to the next lamb.
The young lady asks me what's wrong with them doing the test and we have a teaching moment about security theatre and slippery slopes.
Score: El Cochinito 1. Smurfs: 0.
So when it comes to the beverage test: Just say No!
P.S. --- The new game they're apparently also playing at SMF is to have four Smurfs eyeball passengers as we board the aircraft. Two Smurfs outside the jetway and two just inside the jetway. No gate groping or ID checks going on, just a staredown.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:09 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
No, say it's not true...
they had something in an eyedropper that they were going to put into your drink??? I'm kind of new to the forum, and I realise you have more than 2000 posts under your belt so this may seem kind of disrespectful... but... you're joking. Aren't you???
Jan 24, 2010, 8:09 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
It's not just in Sacramento, seen it in about four other cities.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:12 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,597
Was in Terminal A today at SMF waiting for my Southwest flight to SEA, just watching the rain and drinking my Java City non-fat mocha.
Two Smurfs were wandering the terminal, one with a clipboard and the other with the Magic Strips(tm) and something in an eyedropper; they were going up to people and testing their beverages. Sure enough they eventually came over to me.
Smurf 1: "Good afternoon sir, may we test your beverage?"
Me: "No." (Both Smurfs' eyes get wide...apparently they are not used to the proletariat standing up for themselves)
Smurf 1: "This will only take a sec, may we please test your drink?"
Me: "Absolutely not."
Smurf 2: Writes down something briefly on the clipboard and tells Smurf 1, "Let's go on."
They collar a young lady who submits to the test some 10 feet away from me. The young lady THANKS the Smurfs for "keeping us safe" and I just bust out laughing out loud. The Smurfs glare at me but say nothing and head on to the next lamb.
The young lady asks me what's wrong with them doing the test and we have a teaching moment about security theatre and slippery slopes.
Score: El Cochinito 1. Smurfs: 0.
So when it comes to the beverage test: Just say No!
P.S. --- The new game they're apparently also playing at SMF is to have four Smurfs eyeball passengers as we board the aircraft. Two Smurfs outside the jetway and two just inside the jetway. No gate groping or ID checks going on, just a staredown.
Two Smurfs were wandering the terminal, one with a clipboard and the other with the Magic Strips(tm) and something in an eyedropper; they were going up to people and testing their beverages. Sure enough they eventually came over to me.
Smurf 1: "Good afternoon sir, may we test your beverage?"
Me: "No." (Both Smurfs' eyes get wide...apparently they are not used to the proletariat standing up for themselves)
Smurf 1: "This will only take a sec, may we please test your drink?"
Me: "Absolutely not."
Smurf 2: Writes down something briefly on the clipboard and tells Smurf 1, "Let's go on."
They collar a young lady who submits to the test some 10 feet away from me. The young lady THANKS the Smurfs for "keeping us safe" and I just bust out laughing out loud. The Smurfs glare at me but say nothing and head on to the next lamb.
The young lady asks me what's wrong with them doing the test and we have a teaching moment about security theatre and slippery slopes.
Score: El Cochinito 1. Smurfs: 0.
So when it comes to the beverage test: Just say No!
P.S. --- The new game they're apparently also playing at SMF is to have four Smurfs eyeball passengers as we board the aircraft. Two Smurfs outside the jetway and two just inside the jetway. No gate groping or ID checks going on, just a staredown.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: SW Rapid Rewards, Hilton Honors, Marriott, Avis First
Posts: 4,831
Here is a woman who thinks that the TSA is keeping her safe by testing the beverage she purchased airside.
If they were doing their proper job, they wouldn't have to test beverages airside, but I am sure something as basic as that would never occur to her.
Good grief.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:20 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 2,976
The disturbing part of your report is this section.
Here is a woman who thinks that the TSA is keeping her safe by testing the beverage she purchased airside.
If they were doing their proper job, they wouldn't have to test beverages airside, but I am sure something as basic as that would never occur to her.
Good grief.
Here is a woman who thinks that the TSA is keeping her safe by testing the beverage she purchased airside.
If they were doing their proper job, they wouldn't have to test beverages airside, but I am sure something as basic as that would never occur to her.
Good grief.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:21 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 2,976
No - they just wave the Magic Paper over your beverage. Not sure what the eyedropper is - I'm guessing it contains some kind of reagent which they can use on the test strip to further the drama somehow.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:27 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,597
The disturbing part of your report is this section.
Here is a woman who thinks that the TSA is keeping her safe by testing the beverage she purchased airside.
If they were doing their proper job, they wouldn't have to test beverages airside, but I am sure something as basic as that would never occur to her.
Good grief.
Here is a woman who thinks that the TSA is keeping her safe by testing the beverage she purchased airside.
If they were doing their proper job, they wouldn't have to test beverages airside, but I am sure something as basic as that would never occur to her.
Good grief.
Jan 24, 2010, 8:50 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2006
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Jan 24, 2010, 9:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
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Posts: 4,863
Jan 24, 2010, 9:18 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
Why do you guys have to constantly insult people that are just doing their jobs? It's no surprise that some TSA folks have a bad attitude when they have to deal with people like the OP all day long. 
They don't go to your day job and laugh at you. Cut these guys some slack.
Complain to management, or don't participate in the VOLUNTARY test. But save your crappy attitude for the internet.
They don't go to your day job and laugh at you. Cut these guys some slack.
Complain to management, or don't participate in the VOLUNTARY test. But save your crappy attitude for the internet.
Jan 24, 2010, 9:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BLI or CLT
Programs: The usual suspects
Posts: 1,903
Unfortunately, it seems most passengers don't have a "crappy attitude," as they are on board with the "anything for security" crowd.
I don't see that the OP had an attitude problem anyway - he simply declined to have his drink "tested" by two strangers who appeared prepared to put something in his drink. I think it would be unwise to allow that - one has no idea what is in the dropper, and no guarantee they will not slip a toxin into your beverage, even though they claim they are "just testing" or "just keeping you safe."
As a female who frequently travels alone, I am far too wary of potential date rape to allow such behavior, and I am surprised TSA finds it acceptable, as do most passengers, apparently.
I don't see that the OP had an attitude problem anyway - he simply declined to have his drink "tested" by two strangers who appeared prepared to put something in his drink. I think it would be unwise to allow that - one has no idea what is in the dropper, and no guarantee they will not slip a toxin into your beverage, even though they claim they are "just testing" or "just keeping you safe."
As a female who frequently travels alone, I am far too wary of potential date rape to allow such behavior, and I am surprised TSA finds it acceptable, as do most passengers, apparently.
Jan 24, 2010, 9:35 pm
#13
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,953
My tax dollars and "security" fees pay these people to harass me. That a big reason for the attitude. They are welcome to take another, more honorable job any time they like.
Jan 24, 2010, 9:47 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 1,653
Unfortunately, it seems most passengers don't have a "crappy attitude," as they are on board with the "anything for security" crowd.
I don't see that the OP had an attitude problem anyway - he simply declined to have his drink "tested" by two strangers who appeared prepared to put something in his drink. I think it would be unwise to allow that - one has no idea what is in the dropper, and no guarantee they will not slip a toxin into your beverage, even though they claim they are "just testing" or "just keeping you safe."
As a female who frequently travels alone, I am far too wary of potential date rape to allow such behavior, and I am surprised TSA finds it acceptable, as do most passengers, apparently.
I don't see that the OP had an attitude problem anyway - he simply declined to have his drink "tested" by two strangers who appeared prepared to put something in his drink. I think it would be unwise to allow that - one has no idea what is in the dropper, and no guarantee they will not slip a toxin into your beverage, even though they claim they are "just testing" or "just keeping you safe."
As a female who frequently travels alone, I am far too wary of potential date rape to allow such behavior, and I am surprised TSA finds it acceptable, as do most passengers, apparently.
No TSA agent is going to put "toxins" in your drink. In fact, they aren't going to put anything in there. They would have waved their magic paper above your drink, dropped a liquid on it, and then moved on.
Before you cry date rape, you might want to check the facts.