TSA Confiscates Pregnant Woman's Insulin, Ice Packs
#16
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IAD 19L
Programs: IHG; DL, JB, SW, UA, US, Ch, Crl, HzG, EmC, AmtGR regular; TSA Disp Tinfoil
Posts: 292
I was under the impression that TSA regulations clearly state that medical supplies (such as insulin) and stuff to keep medical supplies cool shall be allowed through. This is yet another incident where TSA screeners (a) violate their own regulations; (b) claim the regulations don't apply; (c) claim the regulations are out of date. {Pick one or more.}
I hope the people in the article file complaints with DHS OIG, the Congressional oversight committees, etc.
I hope the people in the article file complaints with DHS OIG, the Congressional oversight committees, etc.
#17
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 142
At a minimum, seems a small claims court action to be reimbursed for the costs that were associated with the confiscation is easily justifiable. Even the larger civil suit for emotional distress seems warranted - how long did she go before she was able to obtain more insulin to make her feel less stressed and secure? [It's unclear when she found the small amount in the lunch box, but even then, that's only a partial relief as she would still need to worry about obtaining more before she needs it.]
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,113
If a TSA employee deprived a person of needed medicines that should result in the harshest criminal charges possible. Then the attorney should also ask for charges against every supervisor in the persons chain of command up to and including Pistole to demonstrate poor management and training of TSA employees.
I maintain that TSA presents a greater threat to the public than current terrorist threats.
I maintain that TSA presents a greater threat to the public than current terrorist threats.
#19
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
I love how the TSA is framing this as a customer who is just a little dissatisfied with her screening experience, rather than a pregnant woman whose life was endangered by the TSA. Classic.
#20
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
There's something wrong with this story.
I don't possibly see how they would have taken the insulin and the ice packs without telling her, and I don't understand how she would not check her lunch box (which would have weighed half what it did when she put it down if they took the ice packs) before leaving the area to make sure everything was in it.
Granted, she should have removed it and declared it and all that too.
It sounds to me like they removed stuff to check the lunch box and just didn't put it all back and the woman was not watching them, and did not check her bag. I also don't believe that there was a discussion about stuff being a risk for explosives, and her not checking the second she got her bag to make sure everything was back in it.
I'd really hope they release the tapes on this one to clear it up one way or the other.
I don't possibly see how they would have taken the insulin and the ice packs without telling her, and I don't understand how she would not check her lunch box (which would have weighed half what it did when she put it down if they took the ice packs) before leaving the area to make sure everything was in it.
Granted, she should have removed it and declared it and all that too.
It sounds to me like they removed stuff to check the lunch box and just didn't put it all back and the woman was not watching them, and did not check her bag. I also don't believe that there was a discussion about stuff being a risk for explosives, and her not checking the second she got her bag to make sure everything was back in it.
I'd really hope they release the tapes on this one to clear it up one way or the other.
#21
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 959
Good point, but I would also like to point out that when they make that judgement against us, we have done NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong! (...except purchase a plane ticket, of course. )
#23
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 616
It sounds to me like they removed stuff to check the lunch box and just didn't put it all back and the woman was not watching them, and did not check her bag. I also don't believe that there was a discussion about stuff being a risk for explosives, and her not checking the second she got her bag to make sure everything was back in it.
I have enough to worry about when travelling. I really don't want to worry about if my insulin is going to be confiscated or misplaced by the TSA.
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
I was under the impression that TSA regulations clearly state that medical supplies (such as insulin) and stuff to keep medical supplies cool shall be allowed through. This is yet another incident where TSA screeners (a) violate their own regulations; (b) claim the regulations don't apply; (c) claim the regulations are out of date. {Pick one or more.}
I hope the people in the article file complaints with DHS OIG, the Congressional oversight committees, etc.
I hope the people in the article file complaints with DHS OIG, the Congressional oversight committees, etc.
#25
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
Even if it were some sort of error, common sense would dictate that you handle pregnant women and insulin with a bit more caution than a romance novel and some Cheetos.
I don't recheck my bag when I've been standing right there during the search. Probably should....
I don't recheck my bag when I've been standing right there during the search. Probably should....
#26
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: JMB Diamond, Hilton Silver, UAL
Posts: 251
If a TSA employee deprived a person of needed medicines that should result in the harshest criminal charges possible. Then the attorney should also ask for charges against every supervisor in the persons chain of command up to and including Pistole to demonstrate poor management and training of TSA employees.
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Dirt Status w/ All
Posts: 5,040
Hypothetical situation: What if a passenger was traveling with a prescription such as liquid morphine and a TSO decided to "require the voluntary surrender" of it. Could you then have the TSO arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance?
#28
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: RDU
Programs: OnePass
Posts: 772
If a TSA employee deprived a person of needed medicines that should result in the harshest criminal charges possible. Then the attorney should also ask for charges against every supervisor in the persons chain of command up to and including Pistole to demonstrate poor management and training of TSA employees.
I maintain that TSA presents a greater threat to the public than current terrorist threats.
I maintain that TSA presents a greater threat to the public than current terrorist threats.
I'd show no quarter.
#29
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Even if it were some sort of error, common sense would dictate that you handle pregnant women and insulin with a bit more caution than a romance novel and some Cheetos.
I don't recheck my bag when I've been standing right there during the search. Probably should....
I don't recheck my bag when I've been standing right there during the search. Probably should....
#30
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
Not sure how "you" could. The crime committed against you might be theft, butas we all know, if the screener wants your pasta, hummus, water bottle, sunscreen, pie or injectable drugs...they are never stolen from you; you gift them to your screener.