Wall Street Journal: Baby bottles shut Newark (EWR) airport checkpoint
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Wall Street Journal: Baby bottles shut Newark (EWR) airport checkpoint
Another incident at the airport that really needs its own TS&S subforum:
The Wall Street Journal:
Baby bottles shut Newark airport checkpoint
Updated January 25, 2013, 2:12 p.m. ET
A short quote:
The Wall Street Journal:
Baby bottles shut Newark airport checkpoint
Updated January 25, 2013, 2:12 p.m. ET
A short quote:
A couple and their toddler had already gone through the checkpoint when security officials determined that equipment that screens liquids had malfunctioned and the baby bottles hadn't been properly screened.
The family was located and brought back to the checkpoint to have the bottles and their luggage re-screened.
The checkpoint was closed for approximately 30 minutes.
The family was located and brought back to the checkpoint to have the bottles and their luggage re-screened.
The checkpoint was closed for approximately 30 minutes.
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And the Secret Service wrestled the bottles of baby formula to the ground...
I give up with EWR (he says as he's waiting for his redeye flight LAX-EWR )
I give up with EWR (he says as he's waiting for his redeye flight LAX-EWR )
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If you choose to depart from there on your return, that's your fault
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Loved this quote from the Taking Sense Away blog writer.
Newark is like the little ....... problem child airport-within-the-problem-child-agency that is the TSA, an ongoing sentiment I’ve heard from screeners across the nation.
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Never having traveled with a baby, I am wondering this:
Exactly what "equipment" is used to "screen" baby formula and other medically necessary liquids? Is it chemical? Radiological? Ultrasonic? Does the container have to be opened, exposing the liquid contents to potential contamination or exposure to unsterile conditions at the c/p?
This would naturally be a matter of grave concern to anyone traveling with liquids that will later be consumed by someone.
Exactly what "equipment" is used to "screen" baby formula and other medically necessary liquids? Is it chemical? Radiological? Ultrasonic? Does the container have to be opened, exposing the liquid contents to potential contamination or exposure to unsterile conditions at the c/p?
This would naturally be a matter of grave concern to anyone traveling with liquids that will later be consumed by someone.
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Never having traveled with a baby, I am wondering this:
Exactly what "equipment" is used to "screen" baby formula and other medically necessary liquids? Is it chemical? Radiological? Ultrasonic? Does the container have to be opened, exposing the liquid contents to potential contamination or exposure to unsterile conditions at the c/p?
This would naturally be a matter of grave concern to anyone traveling with liquids that will later be consumed by someone.
Exactly what "equipment" is used to "screen" baby formula and other medically necessary liquids? Is it chemical? Radiological? Ultrasonic? Does the container have to be opened, exposing the liquid contents to potential contamination or exposure to unsterile conditions at the c/p?
This would naturally be a matter of grave concern to anyone traveling with liquids that will later be consumed by someone.
The sequence of events as reported doesn't make sense.
For example: a screener doesn't rub me all over, take off the gloves, tell me 'you can go' and then process his gloves for ETD, because if the test does come back positive, duh, I'm long gone.
The article specifically mentions equipment malfunction, not that the pax were told 'step over here and wait for an assist to test your baby drinks', while someone took the suspicious fluids and someone else watched to make sure pax didn't leave the area before the fluids were cleared.
I can't envision a scenario (except stupidity and carelessness all around) that makes sense.
A TSO tests the liquids, says 'you are good to go', mentions the test to another TSO who says 'hey, that machine is out of order?'
Or a TSO tests the liquids, says 'you are good to go', mentions the test to another TSO who says 'hey, you did the test wrong?'
And the roving (or standing gaping at the podium) LTSO's and STSO's were...where? doing ...what? while this was going on?
Last edited by chollie; Jan 27, 2013 at 10:43 am
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The infant formula is opened and tested underneath a sneeze guard or SOMEthing to minimize airborne contamination I wish/hope especially during an especially virulent flu season! Clean gloves donned for the test without prompting at the very least?
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I've travelled with a friend with an infant. On that occasion, at that airport (LAX), at that checkpoint (T6, IIRC), each container had to be opened and a test strip was waved over it.
The sequence of events as reported doesn't make sense.
For example: a screener doesn't rub me all over, take off the gloves, tell me 'you can go' and then process his gloves for ETD, because if the test does come back positive, duh, I'm long gone.
The article specifically mentions equipment malfunction, not that the pax were told 'step over here and wait for an assist to test your baby drinks', while someone took the suspicious fluids and someone else watched to make sure pax didn't leave the area before the fluids were cleared.
I can't envision a scenario (except stupidity and carelessness all around) that makes sense.
A TSO tests the liquids, says 'you are good to go', mentions the test to another TSO who says 'hey, that machine is out of order?'
Or a TSO tests the liquids, says 'you are good to go', mentions the test to another TSO who says 'hey, you did the test wrong?'
And the roving (or standing gaping at the podium) LTSO's and STSO's were...where? doing ...what? while this was going on?
The sequence of events as reported doesn't make sense.
For example: a screener doesn't rub me all over, take off the gloves, tell me 'you can go' and then process his gloves for ETD, because if the test does come back positive, duh, I'm long gone.
The article specifically mentions equipment malfunction, not that the pax were told 'step over here and wait for an assist to test your baby drinks', while someone took the suspicious fluids and someone else watched to make sure pax didn't leave the area before the fluids were cleared.
I can't envision a scenario (except stupidity and carelessness all around) that makes sense.
A TSO tests the liquids, says 'you are good to go', mentions the test to another TSO who says 'hey, that machine is out of order?'
Or a TSO tests the liquids, says 'you are good to go', mentions the test to another TSO who says 'hey, you did the test wrong?'
And the roving (or standing gaping at the podium) LTSO's and STSO's were...where? doing ...what? while this was going on?
As you say, the baby-bottle scenario seems odd.
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No clean gloves. Told it wasn't required or necessary because nothing would actually touch the liquids.
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