TSA wants to test your drink -- at the gate
Jul 6, 2012, 5:11 pm
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
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No you don't. Just put liberty, freedom, and country above self and you'll be surprised how easy it is.
Jul 6, 2012, 6:07 pm
#122
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
And had your drink tested positive for something-or-pther, with what would you then be complying?
Jul 6, 2012, 6:08 pm
#123
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Jul 6, 2012, 10:18 pm
#125
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern VA
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Jul 6, 2012, 11:24 pm
#126
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SLC or DUB
Programs: The program formerly know as WorldPerks
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Flying out of SLC the other day, had two TSA sheep come up to me with their little secret tester strips. I said I refused to which I got the obligatory "do you want to fly today"? 
One beverage hadn't even been opened yet, which I pointed out and they said it didn't matter. I handed both bottles to them and refused their return. Into the garbage they went. Next time I'll be asking for an MSDS on the strips as well as a complaint form.
One beverage hadn't even been opened yet, which I pointed out and they said it didn't matter. I handed both bottles to them and refused their return. Into the garbage they went. Next time I'll be asking for an MSDS on the strips as well as a complaint form.
Jul 7, 2012, 1:23 am
#127
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Has anyone submitted their drink for testing and then actually had the strip turn purple or develop a faint + sign or do whatever it is that happens when a drink is positive for [something or other]? What, exactly, happens to you and your formerly refreshing beverage at that point?
Jul 7, 2012, 4:51 am
#128
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IAH mostly.
Programs: I still call it Onepass every now and then. Platinum.
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Flying out of SLC the other day, had two TSA sheep come up to me with their little secret tester strips. I said I refused to which I got the obligatory "do you want to fly today"? One beverage hadn't even been opened yet, which I pointed out and they said it didn't matter. I handed both bottles to them and refused their return. Into the garbage they went. Next time I'll be asking for an MSDS on the strips as well as a complaint form.
One beverage hadn't even been opened yet, which I pointed out and they said it didn't matter. I handed both bottles to them and refused their return. Into the garbage they went. Next time I'll be asking for an MSDS on the strips as well as a complaint form.
Jul 7, 2012, 7:13 am
#129
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,207
So - if you refuse and demand a LEO, doesn't that buy you time to continue drinking / finishing your beverage (assuming you've opened it)? They can't physically prevent you from drinking it in their presence (that would be assault/battery).
Jul 7, 2012, 7:22 am
#130
Join Date: May 2012
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 506
Oh boy... wonderful to know I may have this to look forward to
when flying out of here in 10-days.
I wonder what results "your strip has contaminated my drink,
please purchase me a new drink" would have.
I could then request evidence their strips do not leave behind
harmful chemicals.
Why am I reminded of old war movies, check points and the
Gestapo?
Perhaps they think that a pax may have connections with a
vendor that slips them something special when making a purchase.
In that case, direct their attention to the vendors and not the
passengers. Go into their stores and request to test several
unopened drinks in the display.
Seems there may be a security loophole with what a vendor
brings into a sterile area... just speculating.
when flying out of here in 10-days.
I wonder what results "your strip has contaminated my drink,
please purchase me a new drink" would have.
I could then request evidence their strips do not leave behind
harmful chemicals.
Why am I reminded of old war movies, check points and the
Gestapo?
Perhaps they think that a pax may have connections with a
vendor that slips them something special when making a purchase.
In that case, direct their attention to the vendors and not the
passengers. Go into their stores and request to test several
unopened drinks in the display.
Seems there may be a security loophole with what a vendor
brings into a sterile area... just speculating.
Jul 7, 2012, 7:25 am
#131
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 821
Flying out of SLC the other day, had two TSA sheep come up to me with their little secret tester strips. I said I refused to which I got the obligatory "do you want to fly today"? One beverage hadn't even been opened yet, which I pointed out and they said it didn't matter. I handed both bottles to them and refused their return. Into the garbage they went. Next time I'll be asking for an MSDS on the strips as well as a complaint form.
One beverage hadn't even been opened yet, which I pointed out and they said it didn't matter. I handed both bottles to them and refused their return. Into the garbage they went. Next time I'll be asking for an MSDS on the strips as well as a complaint form.If you head paid for the drink with a credit card, could you have later disputed the charge?
"At the time that I had planned to open the drink, the seal was already broken."
After all, you were not planning to open the drink at the gate.
By pulling this crap right as you are about to board, you lose all of the leverage of showing up two hours early for your flight and having all the time in the world to play along with the TSA's games.
The fact that the TSO pulled this crap on an unopened bottle indicates that this is not about security at all. Not one bit. Zero.
Blood boiling on a Saturday morning.
Jul 7, 2012, 7:26 am
#132
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 821
Except this crap is pulled as the flight is boarding, and unless you have an understanding gate crew, you run the risk of missing your flight as you wait for a LEO and try to sort things out.
Jul 7, 2012, 7:34 am
#133
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,207
Jul 7, 2012, 7:56 am
#135
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
I am reminded of a old episode of M*A*S*H where someone gets an unauthorized nose job. To get around Frank Burns discovering who got it everyone in camp wears bandage on their nose.
It would be great to organize a mass protest by handing out a cup to everyone going into the sterile area asking them to hold (not fill) it until boarding. That would give the TSA something to do check a bunch of empty cups for bad air.
Of course I would rather have one of these in my cup:
http://www.sevendeals.com/p-313-snake-nut-can.aspx
It would be great to organize a mass protest by handing out a cup to everyone going into the sterile area asking them to hold (not fill) it until boarding. That would give the TSA something to do check a bunch of empty cups for bad air.
Of course I would rather have one of these in my cup:
http://www.sevendeals.com/p-313-snake-nut-can.aspx