A discussion was underway in the
Practical Travel Safety Issues about the TSA discovering non-prohibited items and the requirements therefor.
TSORon is now of the opinion that we should no longer have that discussion there:
Originally Posted by
TSORon
And pretty much that’s going to be the last post I have along this subject line in this forum. Again, if you wish to continue this discussion I suggest that you transfer it to the other forum.
So again here we are per his request. To provide some background, here are the salient parts of those posts:
Originally Posted by
TSORon
Where it pretty much says that if something is discovered incidental to the search that indicates a crime is being committed that the TSO is required to report it to his/her supervisor or a law enforcement official.
IOW, we are prohibited from searching for these things, but we do occasionally discover them, and as such are required to report them to those trained to deal with them. Questions?
Originally Posted by
ND Sol
I have two.
1. Has the TSA trained you to detect "these things" that are unrelated to the safety of air travel?
2. Are you aware of any TSO being reprimanded or worse for failing to report "these things" that are unrelated to the safety of air travel and for which you have not been trained to detect (e.g. child pornography, illegal drugs)?
If you are, then I would like to represent that person in a action against the TSA.
If not, then that is evidence of a "requirement" that has no teeth, which doesn't make it much of a requirement now does it.
So here is his "response" and now my reply in this new thread:
Originally Posted by
TSORon
Patience is a virtue.
1.Please show me what “might” be an unrelated threat to the safety of air travel and I’ll show you two ways it can be done.
First, what is your point? This appears to be a non sequitur. Second, you are the one that brought up "these things", not me. But to play your little game, how about cash, child pornography and illegal drugs.
Originally Posted by
TSORon
2. Hmm, punish someone for being wrong about a safety concern. Yeah, that’s a great idea.
Where did I say punish someone for a safety concern? First, we are talking about items that are not prohibited. Per the TSA, "prohibited items" are a safety concern. Non-prohibited items are not an air travel safety concern according to the TSA. So that is your first failure in your comment. Second, the question related to the failure to report non-prohibited items and the ramifications thereof. You continue to state that TSOs are required to report "these things" that are non-prohibited items and for which you have not been trained by the TSA to detect. The issue, therefore, is what the ramifications are for failing to report, not the opposite. As such, that is your second failure in your comment.
Originally Posted by
TSORon
3. I have extensive training in identifying illicit substances. I cant say the same for my fellow TSO’s, but they can bring concerns to those that DO have the training, which is what our management directive requires. Just like we cant arrest someone who breaches security, but we can point that person out to the persons who can.
Are you admitting that the TSA does not train you to recognize "these things", which are non-prohibited items? Once again, you state that the management directive requires you to report "these things", but what are the consequences if you fail to do so?
Perhaps the words of
FlyingHoustonian in the other thread are apropos:
Originally Posted by
FlyingHoustonian
As a tsa clerk you ignored the main question (per normal)....