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Old Dec 10, 2016 | 10:20 am
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petaluma1
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Organic Matter

Pulled out protein bars and examined the wrappers
Out of curiosity, had you been asked if you had anything organic in your carry-on, how would you have answered? I've read of more than a handful of people (including Mr. Vanderklok) being asked that question*, answering "no" never considering the protein bars to be organic and then being threatened and subjected to the whole shebang because their response was "not truthful".

Organic matter

Then he was asked if his bag contained "organic matter." Vanderklok said no, as he thought "organic matter" meant fruits or vegetables....

But the TSA's Charles Kieser took issue with Vanderklok's suggestion: that agents make it a bit more clear what "organic matter" entails. Keiser decided Vanderklok didn't appreciate the severity of the situation (that situation being, apparently, that the TSA makes suggestions, not the other way around)
*There seemed to be a spate of "organic matter" questions for a while and I wondered if this was designed purposefully so that screeners could do more invasive screenings, knowing most people would answer "no".


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