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-   -   TSA Adjusting Prohibitions/Designated "Ask Bart" Thread (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/589864-tsa-adjusting-prohibitions-designated-ask-bart-thread.html)

bdschobel Aug 24, 2006 6:43 pm

Very well said!

Bruce

MIKESILV Aug 24, 2006 6:54 pm


Originally Posted by bethster
While your attempts at poetic flattery are not lost on me, you are missing the point.

I should not be deprived of ANYTHING because I am a law-abiding, tax-paying, voting, hardworking AMERICAN CITIZEN.

Not a terrorist.

Not a criminal.

Just a plain old ordinary American citizen who wants to get to Point A to Point B in relative safety and something remotely passing as comfort.

And while doing so, I want to drink from my OWN bottle of water.

And while doing so, I want to be able to carry on the little things that make me me (remember, an American citizen, and not a terrorist): cologne, mouthwash, a pill box for my prescriptions, a bottle of nail polish.

And while doing so, I want to be free of the racist hysteria that so many of my fellow Americans seem only too quick to affect, causing planes to be delayed or diverted because someone had a twitch.

Being naturally beautiful or not has nothing to do with it. Having the freedom to do as I please as a law-abiding American citizen is. Whether or not Revlon is my best friend or not is not the issue. Being forced to comply with absolutely ridiculous restrictions that punish me for a crime that I did not commit nor would ever commit is. Your personal opinion as to a woman's physical attractiveness does not matter. What does matter is that I believe the TSA and the airlines are putting me, as a woman, at a disadvantage in my business by treating me with the suspicion you would afford to a common criminal (although not John Karr, apparently). A business that, I might add, I have worked my manicured fingers to the bone to keep afloat and make profitable.

Sorry...your argument doesn't "fly" with me.

Hear, hear ^ ^ ^

mike

LLM Aug 24, 2006 7:17 pm

Go, Bethster!
 
And you're absolutely right. This about more than lipgloss - it is about our dignity, our rights and our presumption of innocence.

yyzprincess Aug 24, 2006 7:21 pm

Bethster Could not have said it better ^ ^

flysurfer Aug 24, 2006 7:31 pm


Originally Posted by bethster
I should not be deprived of ANYTHING because I am a law-abiding, tax-paying, voting, hardworking AMERICAN CITIZEN.
...
Just a plain old ordinary American citizen who wants to get to Point A to Point B in relative safety and something remotely passing as comfort.
...
And while doing so, I want to be able to carry on the little things that make me me (remember, an American citizen, and not a terrorist): cologne, mouthwash, a pill box for my prescriptions, a bottle of nail polish.
...
Being naturally beautiful or not has nothing to do with it. Having the freedom to do as I please as a law-abiding American citizen is.

So what about non-American citizens? :confused: Do they even exist in your world, and if yes, do they have any human rights, too?

Superguy Aug 24, 2006 7:34 pm


Originally Posted by bethster
While your attempts at poetic flattery are not lost on me, you are missing the point.

I should not be deprived of ANYTHING because I am a law-abiding, tax-paying, voting, hardworking AMERICAN CITIZEN.

Not a terrorist.

Not a criminal.

Just a plain old ordinary American citizen who wants to get to Point A to Point B in relative safety and something remotely passing as comfort.

And while doing so, I want to drink from my OWN bottle of water.

And while doing so, I want to be able to carry on the little things that make me me (remember, an American citizen, and not a terrorist): cologne, mouthwash, a pill box for my prescriptions, a bottle of nail polish.

And while doing so, I want to be free of the racist hysteria that so many of my fellow Americans seem only too quick to affect, causing planes to be delayed or diverted because someone had a twitch.

Being naturally beautiful or not has nothing to do with it. Having the freedom to do as I please as a law-abiding American citizen is. Whether or not Revlon is my best friend or not is not the issue. Being forced to comply with absolutely ridiculous restrictions that punish me for a crime that I did not commit nor would ever commit is. Your personal opinion as to a woman's physical attractiveness does not matter. What does matter is that I believe the TSA and the airlines are putting me, as a woman, at a disadvantage in my business by treating me with the suspicion you would afford to a common criminal (although not John Karr, apparently). A business that, I might add, I have worked my manicured fingers to the bone to keep afloat and make profitable.

Sorry...your argument doesn't "fly" with me.

While the "woman" points don't apply to me, your thoughts are very well said. ^ ^ ^

studentff Aug 24, 2006 7:36 pm


Originally Posted by flysurfer
So what about non-American citizens? :confused: Do they even exist in your world, and if yes, do they have any human rights, too?

If the USA can't even allow it's own citizens to avail themselves of what should be recognized as basic human rights (i.e., hydradtion), there is little point in considering the actions toward non-citizens.

flysurfer Aug 24, 2006 7:37 pm


Originally Posted by studentff
If the USA can't even allow it's own citizens to avail themselves of what should be recognized as basic human rights (i.e., hydradtion), there is little point in considering the actions toward non-citizens.

Strange country.

bethster Aug 24, 2006 10:17 pm


Originally Posted by flysurfer
So what about non-American citizens? :confused: Do they even exist in your world, and if yes, do they have any human rights, too?

That's a cheap anti-American shot that is wholly undeserved. "Do they even exist in (my) world"? I've been all over the planet, so spare me the typical non-American-toward-native-American condescension.

The topic of discussion is the restrictions as they pertain to AMERICAN passengers and our rights as AMERICANS.

When you fly in and out of American airports, you abide by our rules, just as I would expect any American, myself included, to abide by yours. If you have trouble with our rules, you certainly have the right to protest them. However, right now we Americans have far enough to worry about protecting what remains of our own rights than having to worry about yours. We'll leave that to you to handle.

You see, we have this pesky thing called the Constitution, and this other bothersome document called The Bill of Rights. Don't make it an American/anti-American argument, because it simply isn't one. I wouldn't barge into a discussion about Australian airports and whine about no one seems concerned with my rights as an American.

Cholula Aug 24, 2006 10:36 pm

Let's keep this topic on-topic....and the topic is the ever-changing TSA regulations.

It's not about American's, non-American's, the constitution or other political matters.

Thanks for your cooperation.

__________________

Cholula

Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator

IceTrojan Aug 24, 2006 10:43 pm

Deleted - mod's post appeared before mine...

flysurfer Aug 24, 2006 11:34 pm


Originally Posted by bethster
The topic of discussion is the restrictions as they pertain to AMERICAN passengers and our rights as AMERICANS.

I have to disagree.

The topic of discussion is the restrictions as they pertain to air travellers to, from and within the USA.

We could open seperate threads for each nationality of air travellers (discussing each nationality's constitution and its application to "citizens" as opposed to "the people" and the impact of TSA telling other countries how to handle security for flights to the U.S.), but I'll happily leave that to OMNI, as it really doesn't help the topic, which is, as pointed out by Cholula, the ever-changing TSA regulations and their impact on air travellers.

This, btw, means air travellers worldwide, because other countries usually (have to) copy these ever-changing TSA regulations for flights to the U.S.

AINITFUNNY Aug 24, 2006 11:48 pm

What older people may have noticed (and younger not) is that the way governing authorities deal with OTHERS from the individual citizen to the other nation has gradually changed. While giving token lip service to the precept of "innocent until proven guilty" our "authorities" have actually moved toward a "defacto" presumption that... everyone- from the individual citizen to other global nations are to be treated as if they were guilty and a "potential threat" UNLESS ANY AND EVERY MEANS BY WHICH THEY ARE EMPOWERED IS DENIED TO THEM. Our great nation has degenerated into a fearful trembling bully who fears everyone, trusts no one, and is only comfortable and fearless among those people and nations over which it has total control and over which it has overwhelming power. We are no longer at ease among empowered people and nations, accepting others as equal, and/or respecting differences and other nations right to defend themselves EVEN AGAINST US. Every nation and person now must be utterly "disarmed" and made powerless to resist WHATEVER our authorities and nation decides ought to be their portion and fate. The rules be damned, they make the rules and no rules apply to our authorities either on the international scale nor on the individual citizen to "authority" aspect. The "authorities" have carefully laid down an escape web of legal bypasses and semantic obstacles to the enforcement of every constitutional, common law and legislative restraint and measure of accountability that has ever been imposed to limit their abuse of power.

And if you once saw how strong, confident and self-reliant American authority once walked among it's empowered individuals and even among other strong, armed nations you would feel sad for the changes that have taken place.

fly no more Aug 25, 2006 12:23 am


Originally Posted by AINITFUNNY
What older people may have noticed (and younger not) is that the way governing authorities deal with OTHERS from the individual citizen to the other nation has gradually changed. While giving token lip service to the precept of "innocent until proven guilty" our "authorities" have actually moved toward a "defacto" presumption that... everyone- from the individual citizen to other global nations are to be treated as if they were guilty and a "potential threat" UNLESS ANY AND EVERY MEANS BY WHICH THEY ARE EMPOWERED IS DENIED TO THEM. Our great nation has degenerated into a fearful trembling bully who fears everyone, trusts no one, and is only comfortable and fearless among those people and nations over which it has total control and over which it has overwhelming power. We are no longer at ease among empowered people and nations, accepting others as equal, and/or respecting differences and other nations right to defend themselves EVEN AGAINST US. Every nation and person now must be utterly "disarmed" and made powerless to resist WHATEVER our authorities and nation decides ought to be their portion and fate. The rules be damned, they make the rules and no rules apply to our authorities either on the international scale nor on the individual citizen to "authority" aspect. The "authorities" have carefully laid down an escape web of legal bypasses and semantic obstacles to the enforcement of every constitutional, common law and legislative restraint and measure of accountability that has ever been imposed to limit their abuse of power.

And if you once saw how strong, confident and self-reliant American authority once walked among it's empowered individuals and even among other strong, armed nations you would feel sad for the changes that have taken place.

True enough. This is an absolute realization of the mantra "absolute power corrupts absolutely".

Unfortunately, many of the populace are too lazy to prevent this from happening.

Dovster Aug 25, 2006 12:42 am


Originally Posted by bethster
While your attempts at poetic flattery are not lost on me, you are missing the point.

I should not be deprived of ANYTHING because I am a law-abiding, tax-paying, voting, hardworking AMERICAN CITIZEN.

No, bethster, you are missing my point.

If you recall, I posted the following:


Originally Posted by Dovster
Do I think I am getting better security for this? No.

Do I believe that a trained terrorist will be able to work around these regulations? Yes.

Do I wish that a more logical system of security were in effect? Of course.

So, no, I don't support the TSA's methods or rules. Indeed, I have been saying on this forum for years that America should follow the Israeli system, which emphasizes looking for terrorists, not looking for weapons.

I would feel more comfortable being on a plane with a WWII veteran who is holding his old M-1 carbine than I would with an Al Qaeda member armed with nothing more than a ballpoint pen.

For all of that, I am not willing to go overboard in my reaction to these rules. I miss, for example, being able to carry my Zippo with me and lighting up as soon as I get to a spot where I am allowed to smoke, but I won't let that stop me from flying.

As far as my "flattering" of you is concerned, it might, indeed, happen if I knew what you looked like but, alas, I don't. The only thing I really know about you which could lead me to flattery is that you have remarkably good taste when selecting the second half of a user name. :)

lili Aug 25, 2006 1:32 am


Originally Posted by Dovster
....
So, no, I don't support the TSA's methods or rules. Indeed, I have been saying on this forum for years that America should follow the Israeli system, which emphasizes looking for terrorists, not looking for weapons....

Or perhaps hiring TSA personnel who can think and are given the responsibilty to make decisions?

I agree with Dov, and recently have been thinking about my two trips through Israeli airport security. It was qute a different experience from most airport security. Not unpleasant, but serious. You couldn't just blow them off and mumble something, they made eye contact and asked you to listen up and pay attention. Politely. (Some of the FTers attending the TLV DO elicited much more attention, and were quite disturbed, but they were in a different demographic group than I. :eek: )

Indian security has always been pretty heavy-handed, but one comes away thinking they at least know what they're looking for. They've been wanding travelers and confiscating batteries for years. You step off a flight and there's a guy with a machine gun observing the area and sweeping the plane interior between takeoffs.

Another thread pointed out that TLV only has 40+ flights a day, and their methods would be impossible say at Heathrow or DFW. Not if we're serious about security.

What needs to be decided is whether we are serious or not. If we are, we can do it, we just have to do it in a rational way. Asking travelers to throw out makeup and medicine to make the TSA's job easier is insane. And complaining that it's un-American to be questioned is also insane.

The TSA guy at the scanner needs to be trained and empowered to make decisions, not forced to follow a set of rules that may or may not be applicable to the situation. And they need to improve their attitude.

You all are going to laugh, but I think any good Nordstom exec could turn this fiasco around and make the security checkpoints less demeaning, more effective and for god's sake faster. Mostly by doing the Nordstrom thing of empowering their frontline people to make decisions that make sense. (And it's a given they wouldn't be taking away our toothpaste and lipstick!)

bdschobel Aug 25, 2006 5:53 am


Originally Posted by bethster
That's a cheap anti-American shot that is wholly undeserved. "Do they even exist in (my) world?" I've been all over the planet, so spare me the typical non-American-toward-native-American condescension....

Wow, you're tough!!!

Bruce

bdschobel Aug 25, 2006 5:58 am


Originally Posted by AINITFUNNY
What older people may have noticed (and younger not) is that the way governing authorities deal with OTHERS from the individual citizen to the other nation has gradually changed. While giving token lip service to the precept of "innocent until proven guilty" our "authorities" have actually moved toward a "defacto" presumption that... everyone- from the individual citizen to other global nations are to be treated as if they were guilty and a "potential threat" UNLESS ANY AND EVERY MEANS BY WHICH THEY ARE EMPOWERED IS DENIED TO THEM. Our great nation has degenerated into a fearful trembling bully who fears everyone, trusts no one, and is only comfortable and fearless among those people and nations over which it has total control and over which it has overwhelming power. We are no longer at ease among empowered people and nations, accepting others as equal, and/or respecting differences and other nations right to defend themselves EVEN AGAINST US. Every nation and person now must be utterly "disarmed" and made powerless to resist WHATEVER our authorities and nation decides ought to be their portion and fate. The rules be damned, they make the rules and no rules apply to our authorities either on the international scale nor on the individual citizen to "authority" aspect. The "authorities" have carefully laid down an escape web of legal bypasses and semantic obstacles to the enforcement of every constitutional, common law and legislative restraint and measure of accountability that has ever been imposed to limit their abuse of power.

And if you once saw how strong, confident and self-reliant American authority once walked among it's empowered individuals and even among other strong, armed nations you would feel sad for the changes that have taken place.

Not only do I agree with every word you say, but I hereby award you the bdschobel Eloquence Prize for August 2006. This is really terrific. And only your 13th post, too!!! ^ ^ ^

Bruce

doober Aug 25, 2006 6:24 am

Op Ed piece
 

Originally Posted by AINITFUNNY
What older people may have noticed (and younger not) is that the way governing authorities deal with OTHERS from the individual citizen to the other nation has gradually changed. While giving token lip service to the precept of "innocent until proven guilty" our "authorities" have actually moved toward a "defacto" presumption that... everyone- from the individual citizen to other global nations are to be treated as if they were guilty and a "potential threat" UNLESS ANY AND EVERY MEANS BY WHICH THEY ARE EMPOWERED IS DENIED TO THEM. Our great nation has degenerated into a fearful trembling bully who fears everyone, trusts no one, and is only comfortable and fearless among those people and nations over which it has total control and over which it has overwhelming power. We are no longer at ease among empowered people and nations, accepting others as equal, and/or respecting differences and other nations right to defend themselves EVEN AGAINST US. Every nation and person now must be utterly "disarmed" and made powerless to resist WHATEVER our authorities and nation decides ought to be their portion and fate. The rules be damned, they make the rules and no rules apply to our authorities either on the international scale nor on the individual citizen to "authority" aspect. The "authorities" have carefully laid down an escape web of legal bypasses and semantic obstacles to the enforcement of every constitutional, common law and legislative restraint and measure of accountability that has ever been imposed to limit their abuse of power.

And if you once saw how strong, confident and self-reliant American authority once walked among it's empowered individuals and even among other strong, armed nations you would feel sad for the changes that have taken place.

Don't know where you are from, AINITFUNNY but I would urge you to consider submitting this post to several major newspapers as an Op Ed piece.

Bart Aug 25, 2006 8:00 am

Deleted

FWAAA Aug 25, 2006 8:24 am


Originally Posted by Bart
So I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what it is about this specific threat that prompted this general ban on all liquids, gels and lotions.

IMO, somone desperately needed to prevent a super-tragedy. They failed to prevent or even mitigate the horror of September 11 and thus needed a home-run. In their own little minds, they got that four-bagger two weeks ago. Banning all beverages serves to drive home to the recalcitrant skeptics and intellectuals just how darned serious this imaginary threat was.

Backing off the beverage ban (as you predicted would happen rather quickly) can not happen now without the skeptics asking very difficult questions like: "If they're safe on Aug 25, why weren't they safe on Aug 10 when screeners acted the part of thugs and bullies by confiscating medicine from sick children?"

And since there's no logical (or acceptable) answer to that question, the beverage ban (and the general liquid ban, subject to its myriad exceptions) must remain.

Still find lots of job satisfaction in being a TSA screener?

fly no more Aug 25, 2006 8:31 am


Originally Posted by Bart
Friends,

As some of you may have read in today's news already, it appears that the liquid ban is going to be around for a while longer. The concern is over certain non-explosive chemicals which can be lethal when mixed with other substances. Each, by itself, would pass ETD scrutiny because the substance, by itself, is not explosive. Bottom line: we need a better mouse trap.

My personal view is that I can't believe that it's as easy as mixing a bottle of substance "x" with a bottle of substance "y" in the confines of an airplane lavatory and presto: enough explosive to blow an airplane out of the sky. Makes for a great storyline in an adventure thriller, but I'm not sure it's a realistic threat. Seems to me that if it was as easy as that, then the bad guys would have figured this out a long time ago.

What does make sense to me is the 75% solution. In other words, the explosive is 75% complete and all the bomber has to do is introduce component "y" to make it a real bomb. However, I would think that the 75% component would be detectable because it would have the same characteristics as an explosive minus a couple of elements. And we have plenty of ETD alarms (what some of you call "false positives") that may at least serve as a rational method of detection, or at least serve as the basis for additional scrutiny.

I'm not a chemist and can't speak with much authority on this. However, my experience in the Army tells me that the reason we worked with ready-made explosives is because they were stable until detonated. In other words, to work with any improvised explosive charge is to work with something that is unpredictable and unstable. There are too many ways it can detonate prematurely or accidentally, or not detonate at all. So I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what it is about this specific threat that prompted this general ban on all liquids, gels and lotions.

I don't know if there's a middle ground here. I don't know if, for instance, the real culprit is anything that contains peroxide, that it would be feasible to ban all items that contain elements of peroxide. I don't know if it would be equally as effective to ETD all liquids and gels, for example, and prohibit them only if they alarm the ETD even though we may have mitigated their alarms prior to 8/10. This may slow down the screening process to a snail's pace and the easier alternative may be to just ban everything that is liquid or gel.

One part that bothers me is the apparent lack of confidence the bozos up the chain have in the screening workforce. I've been a member of some pretty elite organizations and the backbone of our effectiveness was always training, training and more training. It is how we maintained our proficiency. While I mean no direct comparison between these units and TSA, I will say that TSA is one of the most training-intensive organizations I've seen. We really get trained from all angles ranging from classroom instruction to online computer courses to no-notice performance evaluations to no-notice pop quizzes to special briefings. My point here is that with all that training, for TSA to place a general ban is to say that the staff weenies don't have confidence that we can tell the difference between a tampered bottle of liquid and untampered one. Again, this goes back to my number one criticism of TSA, its lack of effective leadership.

For those of you who question my motives (thanks for the hate mail, you've been promptly deleted, ignored and reported): I come here primarily to share information that will hopefully make your next experience at the security checkpoint a little less frustrating or to at least shed some insider perspectives. I don't violate any SSI restrictions although some may argue that I pretty much step right up to the line. I refer to my military background from time to time because I am, indeed, an expert in certain areas, particularly in counter-terrorism, and can offer some additional insights from that perspective.

amen brotha, amen.

However, I find it very amusing that there are many sheople out there who excuse the egregious TSA behavior, defending these mindless actions as "anything for security!!"

I find these sheople are receiving the security that they truly deserve.

However, it is refreshing to find voices of sanity on both sides of the coin, on this forum.

Bart Aug 25, 2006 8:49 am

Deleted

Wally Bird Aug 25, 2006 8:49 am


Originally Posted by Bart
I'm not a chemist and can't speak with much authority on this. However, my experience in the Army tells me that the reason we worked with ready-made explosives is because they were stable until detonated. In other words, to work with any improvised explosive charge is to work with something that is unpredictable and unstable. There are too many ways it can detonate prematurely or accidentally, or not detonate at all. So I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what it is about this specific threat that prompted this general ban on all liquids, gels and lotions.

Yeah, if shake-and-bake bombs were so easy and effective I would expect every country's military to be making great use of them.
They ain't AFAIK.

As to why the Great Liquid Menace is currently such a BFD, I'm hard-pressed to explain it, even with my political skepticism and legendary "hatred" of the TSA ;) .

It may simply be yet another manifestation of Uhlman's Razor.

Global_Hi_Flyer Aug 25, 2006 10:46 am


Originally Posted by Bart
One part that bothers me is the apparent lack of confidence the bozos up the chain have in the screening workforce. I've been a member of some pretty elite organizations and the backbone of our effectiveness was always training, training and more training. It is how we maintained our proficiency. While I mean no direct comparison between these units and TSA, I will say that TSA is one of the most training-intensive organizations I've seen. We really get trained from all angles ranging from classroom instruction to online computer courses to no-notice performance evaluations to no-notice pop quizzes to special briefings. My point here is that with all that training, for TSA to place a general ban is to say that the staff weenies don't have confidence that we can tell the difference between a tampered bottle of liquid and untampered one. Again, this goes back to my number one criticism of TSA, its lack of effective leadership.

First, Bart, let me thank you for posting here. Must feel like a war-zone at times. Speaking for myself, I appreciate your common-sense perspective, and I certainly hope you run the checkpoint at Terminal 1, the terminal I usually fly out of at SAT.

With respect to the specific quote above, I can add a little perspective. I am currently on a job search, focused on the DC area. Although I have a high-level management background, I have little interest in working in the government - I don't care for the politics, I don't care for the inability to effect change in agencies (unlike private sector, it's not easy to make the necessary changes in policies, procedures, or personnel), and I don't care for the public scrutiny that invariably comes with the position. That being said, as I visit with people in my network in the DC area, I am almost universally told about what a mess DHS and its divisions are, the lack of management skills or common sense, and the difficulty they have hiring people that understand both sides of the equation. In other words, we have an agency tasked with national security that is a "mess" (my friends' words) but can't find people who will step up. I won't go into a situation where I can't achieve change and be a success - and I don't know any other motivated private sector person that will.

(As a side note, I heard the story of one DHS employee that ended up interviewing with the executive director. When asked how he had spent the last 9 months out of work, he said "I took training classes". The director looked at him and said "I don't know what position you're interviewing for, but whatever it is, you're hired".)

I really don't want to get into a political discussion, but until the stature of high-level government employees changes, and until the institutional issues with the government changes, and until the media changes (none of which I see happening anytime soon), the "system" will continue to have a lack of leadership.

Most of us here know, and I surmise from your postings that you know, the impact of ill-informed management decisions in this area. But until there are major changes in DC, starting from the top, this will continue to be a festering issue.

My point is: I agree, and a lot of people agree that agency leadership is lacking. And there are 'employment opportunities' within that leadership. But a lot of otherwise qualified people won't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Anyway, thanks for being willing to jump into the lion's den here.

N830MH Aug 25, 2006 9:54 pm

Hey Bart,

Can you please explain me about due to new security measures is effort in airport. How much longer will still bans under new rules? Do I mind that I can take my bottled water with the Evian can go through the checkpoint? I have nothing problem with me under new rules. Do I mind that I am really take shoes off while I am go through the metal detector? You know that I am working for PHX airport. I am one of an airport employee. I have been working over 1 year from last month and I am changed different shift work for 7:00am to 3:00pm is much better than for early morning while I was working at Pizza Hut Prep. I didn't work out well for me when they gave me work for early morning at 4:00am. It does not good for me. I am bit tired when I am go to work early morning. I am really need to give me more sleep time until 6:00am when I am go to work in the morning.

Also, do I need take toothpaste is still allowed beyond the checkpoint when we going to Florida for next weekend. I'm sure if DHS will rethink about toothpaste is allowed again. I'm sure they are doing well.

ANZAC_1915 Aug 25, 2006 10:01 pm

Bart: Prescription toothpaste with a prescription label with my name on it. I can't buy it at my destination and basically it comes down to being medication for my teeth. (my opinion, they're my teeth you know)

I called the TSA 800 number but they got really wrapped around the axle and said "that is a non-essential medication". I said "your web site says nothing about "non-essential prescriptions" and if it is a prescription medication then are your screeners equipped to make such a decision about something a doctor has prescribed?"

(I think she was confused with essential but non-prescription supplies for diabetics etc.)

Is there a way I can get the phone number of the airport TSA office to ask them directly?

Cholula Aug 25, 2006 10:08 pm


Originally Posted by ANZAC_1915
Bart: Prescription toothpaste with a prescription label with my name on it. I can't buy it at my destination and basically it comes down to being medication for my teeth. (my opinion, they're my teeth you know)


ANZAC_1915...welcome to FT!

And as friendly suggestion to those of you who have medical issues and concerns with things that are prohibited.

Place this stuff in a checked bag.

Yeah, you may have to wait a few minutes with the rest of us at the baggage carousel but it'll save you a stroke/heart attack as you worry whether or not the prohibited items will be confiscated from your carry-ons.

Gargoyle Aug 25, 2006 10:14 pm


Originally Posted by Cholula
Place this stuff in a checked bag.

Yeah, you may have to wait a few minutes with the rest of us at the baggage carousel but it'll save you a stroke/heart attack as you worry whether or not the prohibited items will be confiscated from your carry-ons.

You trust the checked baggage system a lot more than I do. The system is overloaded right now, since a much greater volume of stuff is getting checked. For example, last week at SNA three flights at a time were being unloaded onto single carousels, with excess getting stacked in piles against the wall. Lots of baggage misses flights. It's been years since I've seen airport personnel look at baggage claim tags to confirm that people are taking the correct bags...

Just too many ways for bags to be delayed or lost. The baggage lottery is going to get considerably worse in the next few months (just wait till Thanksgiving!)

ANZAC_1915 Aug 25, 2006 10:20 pm


Originally Posted by Gargoyle
You trust the checked baggage system a lot more than I do. The system is overloaded right now, since a much greater volume of stuff is getting checked. For example, last week at SNA three flights at a time were being unloaded onto single carousels, with excess getting stacked in piles against the wall. Lots of baggage misses flights. It's been years since I've seen airport personnel look at baggage claim tags to confirm that people are taking the correct bags...

Just too many ways for bags to be delayed or lost. The baggage lottery is going to get considerably worse in the next few months (just wait till Thanksgiving!)

I travel with only one bag, and I have to keep my laptop and other papers with me for security reasons. It seems silly to me to check a large bag with just my prescription toothpaste in it....

Also, the TSA has busted open my TSA approved locks (and bent them) without using the proper key TWICE now on my leisure trips where I checked bags. I'm running out of locks.

All I want is a clear answer on what is and is not allowed, I didn't find that at the website, just contradicting information, and the TSA 800 staffer didn't really know the answer.

Points Scrounger Aug 25, 2006 10:22 pm


Originally Posted by Gargoyle
You trust the checked baggage system a lot more than I do. The system is overloaded right now, since a much greater volume of stuff is getting checked. For example, last week at SNA three flights at a time were being unloaded onto single carousels, with excess getting stacked in piles against the wall. Lots of baggage misses flights. It's been years since I've seen airport personnel look at baggage claim tags to confirm that people are taking the correct bags...

Just too many ways for bags to be delayed or lost. The baggage lottery is going to get considerably worse in the next few months (just wait till Thanksgiving!)


But the airlines like it this way? :confused:

Cholula Aug 25, 2006 10:32 pm


Originally Posted by Gargoyle
Just too many ways for bags to be delayed or lost. The baggage lottery is going to get considerably worse in the next few months (just wait till Thanksgiving!)




Originally Posted by ANZAC_1915
All I want is a clear answer on what is and is not allowed, I didn't find that at the website, just contradicting information, and the TSA 800 staffer didn't really know the answer.




My point is that for those who are seriously stressing about getting essential items confiscated, check the stuff in your freakin' suitcase.
Yeah, the suitcase may not get there exactly when you do but it'll eventually show up and you'll be reunited with your stuff.
Trying to get a hard and fast "Yes or No" from TSA isn't going to happen.
As Bart and others have stated, there's too much individual TSA discretion nowadays as to what's allowed and what isn't.
This BS isn't getting fixed in the short-term so if in doubt, check it rather than lose it.

ANZAC_1915 Aug 25, 2006 10:35 pm


Originally Posted by Cholula
Trying to get a hard and fast "Yes or No" from TSA isn't going to happen. As Bart and others have stated, there's too much individual TSA discretion nowadays as to what's allowed and what isn't.

And the point of this thread is....?

Cholula Aug 25, 2006 10:39 pm


Originally Posted by ANZAC_1915
And the point of this thread is....?

To discuss the ever-changing TSA prohibitions.
And to offer suggestions to cope with them.

AINITFUNNY Aug 25, 2006 11:16 pm

My brother-in-law is a CANCER survivor. He has had HIS SALIVARY GLANDS, part of his tongue and palate removed and radiation treatment. HE CANNOT GO ANY TIME BEYOND A FEW MINUTES WITHOUT WATER. He walks around with it at ALL times. His body has no other way to wet his mouth and throat. But you wouldnt know it to look at him.

WATER IS MORE THAN "MEDICINE" FOR HIM. WHAT IS HE TO DO??

Spiff Aug 25, 2006 11:20 pm


Originally Posted by AINITFUNNY
My brother-in-law is a CANCER survivor. He has had HIS SALIVARY GLANDS, part of his tongue and palate removed and radiation treatment. HE CANNOT GO ANY TIME BEYOND A FEW MINUTES WITHOUT WATER. He walks around with it at ALL times. His body has no other way to wet his mouth and throat. But you wouldnt know it to look at him.

WATER IS MORE THAN "MEDICINE" FOR HIM. WHAT IS HE TO DO??

Hopefully file a lawsuit against these filth "in charge" of the TSA. Perhaps via the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Comrades Hawley and Chertoff need to be fired and deported. They are both a disgrace to this nation. :td:

bethster Aug 25, 2006 11:51 pm

It's A Frigging OUTRAGE
 

Originally Posted by Spiff
Hopefully file a lawsuit against these filth "in charge" of the TSA. Perhaps via the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Comrades Hawley and Chertoff need to be fired and deported. They are both a disgrace to this nation. :td:

Denial of water is a clear violation of the Air Carriers section of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is what I plan to cite when I sue the TSA (and possibly United and American airlines).

I would also suggest that the following groups be contacted:

ACLU (always)
American Medical Association
American Cancer Society
news media: local, national
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Real Time with Bill Maher
Randi Rhodes
DailyKos and the other prominent "liberal" blogs
Coca-Cola and Pepsi (both manufacture bottled water; this affects their bottom line)

Were I him, I would also seek the counsel of an attorney. An ACLU attorney can be found through their website. There are also a number of aviation activist groups out there, and lawyers are attached to those.

Superguy Aug 25, 2006 11:54 pm


Originally Posted by bethster
Denial of water is a clear violation of the Air Carriers section of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is what I plan to cite when I sue the TSA (and possibly United and American airlines).

I would also suggest that the following groups be contacted:

ACLU (always)
American Medical Association
American Cancer Society
news media: local, national
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Real Time with Bill Maher
Randi Rhodes
DailyKos and the other prominent "liberal" blogs
Coca-Cola and Pepsi (both manufacture bottled water; this affects their bottom line)

Were I him, I would also seek the counsel of an attorney. An ACLU attorney can be found through their website. There are also a number of aviation activist groups out there, and lawyers are attached to those.

You gotta contact Steven Colbert too! :D

MovieMan Aug 26, 2006 12:03 am


Originally Posted by Spiff
Comrades Hawley and Chertoff need to be fired and deported. They are both a disgrace to this nation. :td:

I agree, and I particularly like the "deported" part. :D

tlc Aug 26, 2006 1:26 am


Originally Posted by Cholula
My point is that for those who are seriously stressing about getting essential items confiscated, check the stuff in your freakin' suitcase.
Yeah, the suitcase may not get there exactly when you do but it'll eventually show up and you'll be reunited with your stuff.

Essential items are those you can't be parted from. If I pack things that are medicine and yet don't take a prescription, into a suitcase that doesn't arrive for 2 days, my health is at risk. Any yes long before this whole mess started I've had the experience of suitcases taking that long to arrive. I will not allow the TSA to make medical decisions for me. That is my and my doctor's responsibility.


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