Nightmare at DCA
New video of DCA checkpoint crasher released...
Jun 15, 2007 | 6:29 pm
#32
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Someone explain this. There are cameras covering virtually every square inch of shopping malls, office buildings, even gas stations and streets. I see them in airports all over. High definition, all kinds of detail covered. With the claimed importance of the security checkpoints, aren't there cameras at the checkpoints? If not, why not? If so, why can't this be reviewed. Why aren't the people manning the checkpoints required to be microphoned like cops, with even eye level cameras?
http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/approach/mythbusters/index.shtm
(ack, sorry, didn't realize I'd posted a double. leaving my post only because it's been quoted already.)
Last edited by Random_Flyer; Jun 16, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Jun 15, 2007 | 6:45 pm
#33
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The TSA actually posted video of the incident. Guess it is gaining traction.
http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/approach/mythbusters/index.shtm
http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/approach/mythbusters/index.shtm
Jun 15, 2007 | 7:24 pm
#34
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OK, interesting tapes. I noticed the main one cuts off prior to the end of the incident. Makes me wonder why.
Without sound, it is impossible to determine much of what went on. A few things appear right away:
1. The lady does appear to drop the water on purpose, though it is not too clear, an whatever amount is was does not appear to be too much (less that 3 oz.?).
2. It appears that both the TSA and cop put their hands on the lady to stop her. Big no-no. Unless you are placing someone under arrest, hands off.
3. Making her clean up the water would seem to be out of bounds too. Public humiliation is not the right of anyone to inflict. The TSA and the cop had no right to sentence this woman to manual labor, even if she did drop it right in front of them. Sentencing is for the judge. All they can do is charge or remove her.
4. Too many people for one woman and a baby. A cop and the TSA person should have been enough. An unnecessary show of force against a passenger. Unless you are dealing with a genuine threat, keep the crowd small. Again, a humiliating condition.
This tape should be used as TSA training in how NOT to create situations out of nothing.
Without sound, it is impossible to determine much of what went on. A few things appear right away:
1. The lady does appear to drop the water on purpose, though it is not too clear, an whatever amount is was does not appear to be too much (less that 3 oz.?).
2. It appears that both the TSA and cop put their hands on the lady to stop her. Big no-no. Unless you are placing someone under arrest, hands off.
3. Making her clean up the water would seem to be out of bounds too. Public humiliation is not the right of anyone to inflict. The TSA and the cop had no right to sentence this woman to manual labor, even if she did drop it right in front of them. Sentencing is for the judge. All they can do is charge or remove her.
4. Too many people for one woman and a baby. A cop and the TSA person should have been enough. An unnecessary show of force against a passenger. Unless you are dealing with a genuine threat, keep the crowd small. Again, a humiliating condition.
This tape should be used as TSA training in how NOT to create situations out of nothing.
Jun 15, 2007 | 7:46 pm
#35
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I cannot believe that the TSA would ever release film of a non-criminal incident.
While I believe the mother was wrong in more ways than one, incidents such as this should remain confidential.
Cleaning it up, well, that is kinda pushing it.
Personally, I think they should have notified the airline's GSC and let them make the call to let her fly.
Only one person has an excuse to act like an infant in this instance.
JMHO though, I wasn't there.
While I believe the mother was wrong in more ways than one, incidents such as this should remain confidential.
Cleaning it up, well, that is kinda pushing it.
Personally, I think they should have notified the airline's GSC and let them make the call to let her fly.
Only one person has an excuse to act like an infant in this instance.
JMHO though, I wasn't there.
Jun 15, 2007 | 7:54 pm
#36
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Ruh roh......
I just read the incident report.
If she is indeed an SSA, this isn't going to bode well for her.
Especially if she goes to the media.
I actually feel sorry for her now.
A small lapse in judgment and emotional outburst could very well cost her a career.
I hope she is smart enough to suck it up, apologize and let this thing die.
If she is indeed an SSA, this isn't going to bode well for her.
Especially if she goes to the media.
I actually feel sorry for her now.
A small lapse in judgment and emotional outburst could very well cost her a career.
I hope she is smart enough to suck it up, apologize and let this thing die.
Jun 15, 2007 | 8:06 pm
#37
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I just read the incident report.
If she is indeed an SSA, this isn't going to bode well for her.
Especially if she goes to the media.
I actually feel sorry for her now.
A small lapse in judgment and emotional outburst could very well cost her a career.
I hope she is smart enough to suck it up, apologize and let this thing die.
If she is indeed an SSA, this isn't going to bode well for her.
Especially if she goes to the media.
I actually feel sorry for her now.
A small lapse in judgment and emotional outburst could very well cost her a career.
I hope she is smart enough to suck it up, apologize and let this thing die.
It's simple - woman shows up with baby, has small cup of water (which she offers to drink), screener says 'please bring the baby's liquids through in an approved container next time' and sends passenger on her way. Done. No issue.
Jun 15, 2007 | 8:48 pm
#38
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How about some accountability on the part of the asinine screeners who got this situation escalated in the first place.
It's simple - woman shows up with baby, has small cup of water (which she offers to drink), screener says 'please bring the baby's liquids through in an approved container next time' and sends passenger on her way. Done. No issue.
It's simple - woman shows up with baby, has small cup of water (which she offers to drink), screener says 'please bring the baby's liquids through in an approved container next time' and sends passenger on her way. Done. No issue.
Water at the checkpoint shouldn't even be an issue, let alone an "approved" container.
Last edited by Superguy; Jun 15, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Jun 15, 2007 | 8:55 pm
#40
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Sippy Cup Spill Sparks Tiff at National Airport
TSA Uses Web to Counter Mother's Allegation of Improper Detention
By Del Quentin Wilber and Cindy Loose
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, June 16, 2007; D01
Federal security officials took the unusual step yesterday of posting an incident report and security camera footage on their Web site to counter allegations that screeners and police officers at Reagan National Airport mistreated a mother and her toddler this week. At issue is whether Monica Emmerson, a former Secret Service officer and District resident, was improperly detained when she spilled water out of her child's sippy cup.
The story emerged Thursday morning and spread quickly on the Internet yesterday, as bloggers expressed outrage at the alleged treatment of the woman. The first blogger to pick up Emmerson's tale was Bill Adler, a District author who said he usually blogs only about issues in his Cleveland Park neighborhood. He was alerted to the airport saga by his wife, who spotted a note Emmerson wrote on a local e-mail mass mailing for parents ( http://www.dcurbanmoms.com).
Adler said he thought the story was interesting, so he contacted Emmerson and interviewed her.
By Del Quentin Wilber and Cindy Loose
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, June 16, 2007; D01
Federal security officials took the unusual step yesterday of posting an incident report and security camera footage on their Web site to counter allegations that screeners and police officers at Reagan National Airport mistreated a mother and her toddler this week. At issue is whether Monica Emmerson, a former Secret Service officer and District resident, was improperly detained when she spilled water out of her child's sippy cup.
The story emerged Thursday morning and spread quickly on the Internet yesterday, as bloggers expressed outrage at the alleged treatment of the woman. The first blogger to pick up Emmerson's tale was Bill Adler, a District author who said he usually blogs only about issues in his Cleveland Park neighborhood. He was alerted to the airport saga by his wife, who spotted a note Emmerson wrote on a local e-mail mass mailing for parents ( http://www.dcurbanmoms.com).
Adler said he thought the story was interesting, so he contacted Emmerson and interviewed her.
Last edited by essxjay; Jun 15, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Jun 15, 2007 | 8:56 pm
#41
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Wow -- What a full-court press by the TSA Spokeshole machine! I wonder why they retaliated like this on their web site? They are obviously taking their case to the court of public opinion. It's interesting that they managed to hold onto this checkpoint videotape for quite a long time.
Jun 15, 2007 | 9:08 pm
#44
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Jun 15, 2007 | 9:10 pm
#45
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How about some accountability on the part of the asinine screeners who got this situation escalated in the first place.
It's simple - woman shows up with baby, has small cup of water (which she offers to drink), screener says 'please bring the baby's liquids through in an approved container next time' and sends passenger on her way. Done. No issue.
It's simple - woman shows up with baby, has small cup of water (which she offers to drink), screener says 'please bring the baby's liquids through in an approved container next time' and sends passenger on her way. Done. No issue.
I doubt they added to the incident on their own.
Perhaps a screener needs to fill in the blanks here,