Originally Posted by chollie

Which terminal was this at?

Supposedly TSA got rid of the wands when the NoSs were installed...

Originally Posted by mre5765

Yes, this is a very critical point. It would be interesting if wands are coming back, or this is a rogue check point.

Originally Posted by DBCme

The way the story is told, OP cleared security and was not subject to any further screening (arguably he is subject to it at any point in the airport though).

So it's not clear how that would be a bribe.

If the TSA agent cannot reconcile that, he may have poor decision making ability. Or just have it in for the OP and thus anger management issues.

Armchair Referee Ruling: Big-headed, previously denied employment as a mall security guard, TSA agent flaunting his superpowers

Originally Posted by goalie

Actually, the TSO should have simply ignored the comment, let the pax go on their way and placed the coins wherever all the other left behind coins get placed by TSO's. Yes, the pax (as they noted) should have held their tongue but so should have the TSO

Originally Posted by harvyk

Well that was poorly handled by the TSA officer, surely all the officer needed to say was "thank you very much sir, but I'm not allow to keep tips, even small ones, please take the money back" and there would have been no problems. Instead they escalated a situation (which I have noticed is not uncommon for US law officers)

Originally Posted by PTravel

The only thing the OP did wrong, as far as the TSOs are concerned, is to not show sufficient respect for their "authoritah." These TSOs were officious, petty martinets, anxious to flex power they did not have.

Originally Posted by Darkumbra

Hmmm I wonder how this would play out... Walk up to the security checkpoint - wink at the TSA individual - smile and whisper with subtle coyness filled with promise, "I'll let you fondle me if you let me through..."

Originally Posted by mikeef

This. Seriously, why did the TSO have to get started?

Oh yeah, because of this...



And I LOVE the use of the word "martinets" here. As Sideshow Bob would say, it's le mot juste.

Mike

Originally Posted by mre5765

Yes, this is a very critical point. It would be interesting if wands are coming back, or this is a rogue check point.

Originally Posted by WillCAD

I don't care what Sideshow Bob says on anything. He's a pompous, overstuffed, pseudo-intellectual windbag with delusions of grandeur.

But I desperately want to know what Sideshow Mel would say about the use of the word "martinets".

And, to a slightly lesser extent, I'm curious about Sideshow LukePerry's opinion.

Originally Posted by kakapo24

Flying out of LAX last week. I was tired and having a bad day as it was the third airport and hence 3rd TSA encounter.


I had bought a drink shortly before going though security and put the change in my back pocket (about 4 bucks of coins).

Coat off, shirt off, belt off yet again, though the metal detector.... Beep, beep.

The TSA agent wands my down. The only thing that's picked up is the coins, which I take out, and put on the counter.

Despite that there is now nothing on picked up the wand he insists I walk back through the metal detector.

I then go to get my stuff from the x-ray machine and the TSA says don't forget your coins.

So I say to him " keep it, consider it a tip" in a moderately sarcastic tone.

By the time I get my belt and shoes on there is two other TSA officers and some kind of security officer and they threaten to detain me and call to police for trying to "bribe a public officer".

After about 5 minutes having my ID and boarding pass examined, of apologizing and being polite they let me on my way.

Yes I know it was my fault, and will hold my tongue in the future.

Originally Posted by DIFIN

That is exactly what they want you to do.

I wound up talking to a suit after I told the TSO and the two striper that they should have watched the documentary about Nazi Germany to get tips on how to do their jobs better