Originally Posted by TSASuper
I don't know if I can find the screener or the supervisor at fault here. If I was to come across an item that could appear to be a weapon, but am not absolutely sure, I would summon a LEO to clear it up. I will say that cuffing her was a bit excessive.
So was the TSA requiring a "full investigation" and saying they "probably" won't fine her instead of simply apologizing for their humiliation of this poor woman.
For example, one of my screeners came across a slapjack.
. . .
Like I said, the only thing I find excessive was the cuffing portion.
There needs to be a pax-protection rule that forbids TSA from calling for the arrest of or "gathering information on so the regulatory department can threaten with a fine that can only be contested in a kangaroo court thousands of miles from their home" passengers for carrying items not specifically listed on the prohibited items list. Slapjacks/batons are listed, so fine. Heavy bookmarks are not. Let TSA confiscate the item if it looks like a weapon--so what. But don't subject the passengers to police or "administrative fine" terror.
There's way too much potential for abuse here. There have already been too many such cases of abuse.
TSA and that police department need to formally apologize to this woman. The administrators/spokesmen who have called for investigation and evaluation of an administrative fine for her instead of an apology should be terminated.