Originally Posted by
gsoltso
The simplest definition of "organic matter" that I have found in the public forum is "an item of decaying plant or animal material". This opens up the definition to include anything made from animals, or plants (living items) - clothes, wooden items, food items that are plant based or animal based. TSOs should be able to relate that to someone that asks them (at least, in my experience, the vast majority of them have been able to). The same goes for inorganic materials - inorganic is simply defined as things that are not derived from living organisms (if we get a bit more technical, I believe a more precise definition is material that lacks carbon that was organically produced - although, I am not a Scientist). Most TSOs will be able to articulate the differences to a passenger. YMMV (I know, I know!), but I have heard tons of TSOs at a few airports explain this quite well.
99.99999% of travelers transiting a TSA Checkpoint truly want to do things that help themselves through the Blue Glove Gauntlet. When screeners play coy and won't explain a concern so that we can assist in the process it only makes TSA seem petty and certainly doesn't build allies. Travelers are not your enemy even though we are too often treated that way. TSA screeners should remember at all times that they are the face of TSA, not the FSD, AFSD, or other higher ups. Want to make your jobs easier? Then build trust and rapport with travelers.