Interesting article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37021555/ns/travel-tips/

...Passengers say the TSA has all but stopped screening their baggage for liquids. They say transportation security officers no longer ask them to remove lotions, shampoos and even water bottles from their luggage, and overlook all manner of liquids packed in their carry-ons during screening.....

Their "passengers" must not fly in and out of the airports I do. Has anybody else actually had such experiences? It's not 1st April is it?

I had a hotel-provided cheap bottle of water stolen from me less than 1 month ago. I sneered at the thief in disgust and went on my way. I hope he enjoyed it.

That would be wonderful for me, if true. I carry water bottles with me everywhere, and it's a pain to have to empty them out every time I go thru security.

Lol you don't really think the TSO drank it, do you??

Bu as to the topic of this thread. Numerous TSA employees have post on this site that we observe LGAs in luggage as it goes through x-ray screening, and make a judgement call as to the size of the LGA. Yes, sometimes larger LGAs get through, sometimes they do not. But how many times have you read on this site where a pax says TSA missed their LGA? It wasn't missed, the TSO let it go, in my opinion.

An no, this is not SOP. And some TSOs do follow SOP and require LGAs to be out.

We, as TSOs, found we can make the checkpoint go more smoothly and more quickly if we do this. Not quicker for us, but for the passengers.

Believe it or not (and you can look up my and other TSOs post were we have said this, if you feel like it).

I've carried my plastic bag with small liquids and jells in my carry-on for at least 8 to 10 TSA Inspections in past 6 months. Not once have they asked to search or mentioned the liquids.
I presumed they are not enforcing this rule any longer; however, since it is still an active rule, they can use it conveniently to harass you if they choose.

I really don't care what the TSA-employed thief did with it, but I know where I would have liked him to put it.

Yeah, it was probably tossed in a trash can. Is that the proper way to dispose of "dangerous goods"?

And that is precisely the problem with the liquids policy. If it's being enforced arbitrarily, it leads to confusion at best --- and abuse at worst.

Either every TSO should enforce the rule as written, or the rule should be changed.

But that ruins the "That's not the way it's done at my airport" and "We do things differently at different times as one of the layers of security" defenses...

Another area TSA has failed to address with any honesty.

How can TSA toss supposedly questionable items in common trash, items so potentially dangerous they cannot be allowed through the checkpoint, yet not take adequate precautions to protect TSA employees and members of the public transiting the checkpoint from these possibly dangerous items?

TSA all Show, no Go!

interesting topic.
I don't think that rules for liquids do not apply anymore.
Here's my recent experience.
SFO, May 7th 2010.
I'm in line for an ID check.
Person behind me has a half empty bottle of water.
Person coordinating the traffic tells pax behind me that she will not be allowed to take it and if she wants she has to drink it now.
Security employee also mentioned that if it was frozen (ice) she would be able to take it.

Same SFO, same May 7th 2010, same checkpoint. One of the crew members had half empty bottle of wine in a Trader Joe's bag. No issues passing the security.

I guess it really depends on who you are... same is with the shoes. I've seen at the same SFO that for some people are not required to take their shoes off, and when I asked screener if rules were changed, response was that "he's an employee"

^

TSA knows what they are doing, so why question them??

Another layer of security?

Spiff, can you prove he is a thief, or do you simply make satements you can back up?