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Originally Posted by janetdoe
(Post 18296997)
My guess: SATTSO saved the day!! :D
Originally Posted by fishferbrains
(Post 18297487)
He is missed as a rational voice in a the debate. Has anyone seen him lately?
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TSA does allow tools like screwdrivers in carryon luggage, as long as they are shorter than 7 inches.
Originally Posted by Combat Medic
(Post 18298042)
Except there were no locks. That is like saying that the zipper on my suitcase is a lock.
Zipper - closure system designed to be easily opened by hand Lock - closure system designed to be opened with a specialized tool (a key) Screw - closure system designed to be opened with a specialized tool (a square driver in this case) At the airport, the only difference between a TSA lock and a specialized screw is the fact that TSA screeners are expected to have the tool to open the TSA lock, but are not expected to keep a toolbox of specialty screwdrivers or bits to open custom crating. <shrug> |
Originally Posted by janetdoe
(Post 18300668)
TSA does allow tools like screwdrivers in carryon luggage, as long as they are shorter than 7 inches.
That's a little disingenuous, at best. Zipper - closure system designed to be easily opened by hand Lock - closure system designed to be opened with a specialized tool (a key) Screw - closure system designed to be opened with a specialized tool (a square driver in this case) At the airport, the only difference between a TSA lock and a specialized screw is the fact that TSA screeners are expected to have the tool to open the TSA lock, but are not expected to keep a toolbox of specialty screwdrivers or bits to open custom crating. <shrug> |
Originally Posted by janetdoe
(Post 18300668)
TSA does allow tools like screwdrivers in carryon luggage, as long as they are shorter than 7 inches.
That's a little disingenuous, at best. Zipper - closure system designed to be easily opened by hand Lock - closure system designed to be opened with a specialized tool (a key) Screw - closure system designed to be opened with a specialized tool (a square driver in this case) At the airport, the only difference between a TSA lock and a specialized screw is the fact that TSA screeners are expected to have the tool to open the TSA lock, but are not expected to keep a toolbox of specialty screwdrivers or bits to open custom crating. <shrug> It is significant to me that WN accepted the item to be checked, even though it was to their (tiny) financial disadvantage to do so. It met weight/dimension requirements. The CA judged it unlikely to delay or harm the flight, or waste WN's time. I've experienced WN counter staff to be better-informed on the TSA prohibited list than the shift supervisor was. X-rays of the strength used for checked luggage do see through some depths of metal; if this was a casting with some lead content, possibly not. The crate itself certainly should not have posed a problem. If it contained a painting, resin cast or some other art item the screener simply didn't recognize, rather than resemble WEI, this was another TSA fail. The no-lock rule is an excuse for fishing expeditions that has little to do with safety. As there was never a question of a lock on this crate, I'm not sure why locks have gotten into this thread. If I'd ever seen a compact manual #2 SD (which I need in one of my vehicles) I'd own one! :D |
Originally Posted by Combat Medic
(Post 18291771)
My wife and I were flying from SAT to BWI to visit family. One of our checked items was a wooden crate with a piece of art inside. The art isn't overly expensive so I was happy to have Southwest transport it for free for me.
I check in an hour before my flight and all is well. Then about fifteen minutes before we board the GA comes to me and asks if I am Combat Medic. Then she says that the case is locked and the TSA needs to search it. At first I'm confused thinking that they aren't able to figure out the latches on my pelican case that I used as my other checked item, but that wasn't it. I ended up having to go to the ticket counter where my item was waiting for me. They told me that the TSA didn't have a #2 Square Drive bit the remove the screws. I remind them that the TSA won't allow me to have tools either so we are at an impasse. The customer service manager asks if somebody can come and pickup the item for me and I reply that I couldn't have somebody here in fifteen minutes....I then ask if he can just store it until Monday when I come back. He said that once the system alarmed the TSA had no choice but to open it and screen it. I didn't point out that it has come out recently that a number of airports haven't been screening checked luggage. Somedays I really hate traveling. We're going to be at BWI in 6 weeks for a trip to Cancun. Inigo's going to be there at the same time, but I'm going to miss him, too. :( Sorry that you were so close on my side of the country and we couldn't get together! |
Originally Posted by YCTTSFM
(Post 18309100)
X-rays of the strength used for checked luggage do see through some depths of metal; if this was a casting with some lead content, possibly not. The crate itself certainly should not have posed a problem. If it contained a painting, resin cast or some other art item the screener simply didn't recognize, rather than resemble WEI, this was another TSA fail. The no-lock rule is an excuse for fishing expeditions that has little to do with safety.
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Originally Posted by JObeth66
(Post 18311238)
[Nyny]Oy [/Nyny]
We're going to be at BWI in 6 weeks for a trip to Cancun. Inigo's going to be there at the same time, but I'm going to miss him, too. :( Sorry that you were so close on my side of the country and we couldn't get together! |
Originally Posted by Combat Medic
(Post 18311293)
The crate was plywood and 2x4's, the art is painted on a piece of wood, and the packing material is styrofoam. The X-Rays should have blasted right through it. Only thing I can think of is that something was thought to be drugs but then why would they return it to me?
X-rayed wood looks like wood. If styrofoam looks like drugs to them, they always passed on a "big catch" huge block I had with a wine-bottle-shaped cavity in it. I carried wine in soft-sided luggage with it on half a dozen flights, until it was too broken to tape. Next week I'm driving a 2000-mile four-stop grope-avoidance RT. If you were on the right side of the Rockies:p I'd offer to deliver it. |
More than likely they were just ticked off that they could not open it and inconvenienced the OP just because they could. It is not that they wanted to see what was inside, it was that they could not see what was inside.
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Originally Posted by InkUnderNails
(Post 18312967)
More than likely they were just ticked off that they could not open it and inconvenienced the OP just because they could. It is not that they wanted to see what was inside, it was that they could not see what was inside.
I'll take a deep breath and go have some chocolate now. ;) |
Originally Posted by InkUnderNails
(Post 18312967)
More than likely they were just ticked off that they could not open it and inconvenienced the OP just because they could. It is not that they wanted to see what was inside, it was that they could not see what was inside.
Originally Posted by YCTTSFM
(Post 18315527)
I'll take a deep breath and go have some chocolate now. ;)
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Originally Posted by Combat Medic
(Post 18292431)
I'm just trying to figure out what they thought it was. Unless the X-Ray is programmed to look for art.
Just think, your "art" might influence a child, an adult, or even a foreign national to act out against Americans, a politician, or even an ideal favored by others. That's something we just can't have happening in this country. Shame on you for travelling with something so extreme. ;) |
Originally Posted by Combat Medic
(Post 18311293)
The crate was plywood and 2x4's, the art is painted on a piece of wood, and the packing material is styrofoam. The X-Rays should have blasted right through it. Only thing I can think of is that something was thought to be drugs but then why would they return it to me?
(seriously - I know someone who had to unwrap and display a valuable antique lead crystal bowl at the checkpoint because the x-rays couldn't penetrate it. Scary part was a screener carrying the bowl in one hand, bag in the other, talking over his shoulder as he walked back to re-screen everything). |
Originally Posted by DillMan
(Post 18321000)
Please keep in mind that art is one of the most effective ways to influence people. The "art" you had (which could be a picture or writing) could be something that influences people toward terrorist ideals. I was stopped by the TSA when a TSO noticed a copy of the book Lipstick Jehad (a really good book for those interesting in ME issues, btw) and I was super thankful when given the chance to turn over my book and go ahead and fly that day.
Just think, your "art" might influence a child, an adult, or even a foreign national to act out against Americans, a politician, or even an ideal favored by others. That's something we just can't have happening in this country. Shame on you for travelling with something so extreme. ;) |
Wow don't you just hate the TSA? I mean come on they don't have the tools to open your pelican case and here you can't carry any tools. Wow takes a lot of nerve to call you back to the ticket counter with only 15 minutes to spare.
I sure hope the TSA allowed you through security again quickly. Obama you need to work to make the TSA do a better job. These agents are acting dumb and are not resourceful enough. All it would take is a quick call to baggage services or the maintenance department for the proper tools. Gosh they really didn't need to call you back I mean if I were the TSA agent I would have used my noggin and asked Southwest to call Baggage Services for me to ask for the tool.
Originally Posted by Combat Medic
(Post 18291771)
My wife and I were flying from SAT to BWI to visit family. One of our checked items was a wooden crate with a piece of art inside. The art isn't overly expensive so I was happy to have Southwest transport it for free for me.
I check in an hour before my flight and all is well. Then about fifteen minutes before we board the GA comes to me and asks if I am Combat Medic. Then she says that the case is locked and the TSA needs to search it. At first I'm confused thinking that they aren't able to figure out the latches on my pelican case that I used as my other checked item, but that wasn't it. I ended up having to go to the ticket counter where my item was waiting for me. They told me that the TSA didn't have a #2 Square Drive bit the remove the screws. I remind them that the TSA won't allow me to have tools either so we are at an impasse. The customer service manager asks if somebody can come and pickup the item for me and I reply that I couldn't have somebody here in fifteen minutes....I then ask if he can just store it until Monday when I come back. He said that once the system alarmed the TSA had no choice but to open it and screen it. I didn't point out that it has come out recently that a number of airports haven't been screening checked luggage. Somedays I really hate traveling. |
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