Originally Posted by
cparekh
I have a question about TSA procedure: If I have an item confiscated, can I simply say then I do not want to fly, take the item with me and leave the secure area?
I ask this because I fly out of O'Hare, which, in terminal 3, has 4 separate security checkpoints. In some cases, I see TSOs removing items from baggage that might (or are) actually be allowed. Some of the things I have seen are Play-Doh, a large bottle of contact lens solution, prescription medicated toothpaste, and and a 3.3 oz bottle of lotion (greater then 3 oz).
If this happens to me, I am usually able to convince the TSO or their supervisor the item is allowed, but many flyers cannot, or would not, do that. My suggestion to them has been to take the item, leave the security area, and go to another security checkpoint, where the TSOs random changing of the rules might be more in their favor.
The last time I saw this, however, the traveler said that the TSO took their item (contact lens solution) and told them that once their brought it into the checkpoint they cannot leave with it. Their only recourse is to use the (astoundingly expensive) mail it to yourself option. This seems to be not correct to me, since TSA does not confiscate items.
Any opinions or, better yet, facts?
First, I believe you are trying to convey that you are in possession of a prohibited item. Depending upon the nature of the prohibited item it may be as simple as a return of the item to the non-secure area of the airport. If it a more dangerous type of prohibited item we are required to call the police to investigate further. So, you may be able to take it back out and do with it what you wish, depending upon the LEO decision.
Your example of ORD where there is 4 different CP in T3 alone presents another issue. If we find a prohibited item in your bag and you choose to go out and dispose of the item in any manner you see fit, and attempt to bring the item through the CP again in hopes it will not be caught is treading on dangerous waters. I have caught someone doing this. I escorted a man out who had a leatherman in his carry on and decided to go "check it in" and I brought him back out past the passenger queue and directed him to the ticket counter. Only to see him walk away and look back to see if I was still there and turn around and head to the other CP, I went to the other CP and informed the Sup that the man had been through my CP and was told the item was not allowed and chose to check it in, and did not, and decided to try another CP to see if they would catch it. Sup called for LEO to come and by the time LEO showed up his bag had just went into the machine and sure enough... "Bag Check!" and they proceeded to check his bag and he again stated "O can I go check that in?" at which point Sup and LEO stepped in to inform the man that what he just did was in essence illegal. He was attempting to circumvent the CP process, by bringing in an item that he was already informed was not allowed.
These things do happen, and more often than you may think. And there are fines that get issued to people that try this. Reports filled out at the checkpoints get sent to regulatory and regulatory then decides what to do with the "case". Whether or not to fine and if so how much.
Originally Posted by
okazon69
I have yet to see such a locked container. So far, all I have come across is garbage cans or recycling bins or similar brimming with hazardous waste, I mean, half-empty water bottles.
Not 100% sure about other airports but at ORD every CP has its own prohibited item bin which looks like a large mailbox.(you know the big blue ones one the corner for you to drop your letters into)Ours are gray, they are emptied every night before the CP closes. We have to tape them up at night because morning shift would find outgoing mail inside of them.@:-) LOL
I am confident that other airports, while they may not have bins like ours, still secure the prohibited items separate from the other umm "non-dangerous" prohibited items (i.e. your half-full water bottles.)
