TSA wants to test your drink -- at the gate
Sep 4, 2012, 1:09 pm
#227
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 821
And what happens to the poor fellow whose drink tests positive on these magic strips? Will he be forced to voluntarily surrender his airside-purchased drink? Will the nation's flights be grounded at once, since it's clear that the nation's airport concessions have been contaminated with bomb-making material?
I've got to wonder about these passengers eagerly handing over their drink: if they were dining at a fine restaurant and a uniformed health inspector on a spot inspection entered and demanded that they give them a portion of their plate to sample, would they comply? Or do people lose all notions of common sense when it's a matter of the War on Terror™?
I've got to wonder about these passengers eagerly handing over their drink: if they were dining at a fine restaurant and a uniformed health inspector on a spot inspection entered and demanded that they give them a portion of their plate to sample, would they comply? Or do people lose all notions of common sense when it's a matter of the War on Terror™?
Sep 4, 2012, 1:11 pm
#228
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This is just stupid. If the only drinks are purchased after security, how ridiculous, are they testing the food too. I can see them asking if they can have a bite of my candy bar.
I will never allow anyone to test my drink after I clear security, flight be damned this is my llimit.
I will never allow anyone to test my drink after I clear security, flight be damned this is my llimit.
Sep 4, 2012, 2:04 pm
#229
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Has anyone figured out the thought process here? Are they concerned that the bad guys have infiltrated McDonald's? Are they worried that you have brought in a nefarious substance and have put it in your Starbucks cup and are presently drinking it to avoid suspicion? What is it?
Mike
Sep 4, 2012, 2:29 pm
#231
Join Date: Jun 2012
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When I saw it at LAX, it looked like a mandatory gate check. Boarding was announced early with a mention of extra security at the gate. It was a LAX-MRY flight at a gate right next to my LAX-SMF flight. The agents had a large cart with a lot of machinery looking stuff on it. I didn't know what to make of it until I saw this. Yet, I didn't see anyone actually get pulled aside.
Sep 4, 2012, 2:30 pm
#232
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston
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Sep 4, 2012, 4:35 pm
#233
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,789
I myself would prefer the "Concerned Citizen" gambit.
"What??? There may be something wrong with my drink??? But.... I just bought it from that nice man at the kiosk! Oh, wait... he looks a little middle eastern. Do you think he might be with Al Qaeda? OH... MY... GOD... they're trying to POISON US!!!!!!!"...
"What??? There may be something wrong with my drink??? But.... I just bought it from that nice man at the kiosk! Oh, wait... he looks a little middle eastern. Do you think he might be with Al Qaeda? OH... MY... GOD... they're trying to POISON US!!!!!!!"...
Sep 4, 2012, 5:45 pm
#234
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NBC doing a piece on this tonight on 'Nightly News', but sadly, nothing really new, at least to anyone in here. Fluff from TSA spokesperson about multi-layered security' and 2 sheeple @ ORD bleeting about rather being safe than sorry 
Sep 4, 2012, 5:48 pm
#235
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On tonight's NBC News, it was the 2nd story (after the convention coverage). Unfortunately, half the people commenting said "anything for security". There is no way I would submit my drink for screening. I would throw it in the garbage before I let them wave one of their stupid strips over it.
The reporter did note that if you didn't surrender a drink for screening, you could be denied boarding.
The report went on to say that the TSA doesn't always screen the trusted airport workers/vendors on a daily basis.
I assume the vendors won't surrender 1% of their beverages for random testing. Though it makes a whole lot more sense to screen beverages before they make it to the stores on the concourses.
The reporter did note that if you didn't surrender a drink for screening, you could be denied boarding.
The report went on to say that the TSA doesn't always screen the trusted airport workers/vendors on a daily basis.
I assume the vendors won't surrender 1% of their beverages for random testing. Though it makes a whole lot more sense to screen beverages before they make it to the stores on the concourses.
Sep 4, 2012, 5:58 pm
#236
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 821
Until we see hard-hitting pieces showing the lack of any science backing the TSA's actions, and showing the influence of lobbyists in the equipment the TSA purchases, even faced with a lack of scientific grounding in its policies, we will continue to see the mainstream media produce puff pieces such as the NBC News one.
Sep 4, 2012, 6:17 pm
#237
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Sep 4, 2012, 6:25 pm
#238
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 966
Actually, that last should be, "Make sure and throw your trash there away once you're done with it. Wouldn't want to have the cop over there have to charge you with littering..."
Sep 4, 2012, 6:31 pm
#239
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Immediately set it on the ground and react as you should when a rational human is informed they were just holding a bomb. I suggest screaming "oh my, the water is dangerous!!!" and running away.
Sep 4, 2012, 6:43 pm
#240
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