"Talking Turkey with The TSA"
Dec 7, 2007 | 10:01 am
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,343
"Talking Turkey with The TSA"
Better read this on an empty stomach...
"Talking turkey with the TSA
Security is predictably unpredictable — by design"
Sorry -- I know it's lunchtime here on the east coast...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22085274/
"Talking turkey with the TSA
Security is predictably unpredictable — by design"
“We’re really not out to take anyone’s peanut butter away,” White said. “We’re just focused on finding liquid explosives. And with 2 million people and 3.5 million bags to screen each day, our officers must use their discretion.” That’s why, he adds, the TSA Web site lists some “no-fly foods” but reserves the right to turn back many others with this wide-reaching warning: “If you can pour it, pump it, squeeze it, spread it, smear it, spray it or spill it, it could be considered a liquid or gel.”
White says he knows a policy like that will understandably frustrate some travelers who can’t be sure if their cheesecake or prized flan will fly. But he says the inconsistency is intentional and a necessary sign of the times. “The 9/11 terrorists knew exactly what to expect at security so we like to introduce a bit of unpredictability.”
<snip>
So if you see someone acting inappropriately, you can report it to the supervisor at the checkpoint, call the TSA’s Contact Center (1-866–289–9673), or send an e-mail to [email protected].” If you do, be sure to note the airport, the checkpoint location and the time of day that you experienced or witnessed the incident. And try to get the name and badge number of the officer involved.
White says he knows a policy like that will understandably frustrate some travelers who can’t be sure if their cheesecake or prized flan will fly. But he says the inconsistency is intentional and a necessary sign of the times. “The 9/11 terrorists knew exactly what to expect at security so we like to introduce a bit of unpredictability.”
<snip>
So if you see someone acting inappropriately, you can report it to the supervisor at the checkpoint, call the TSA’s Contact Center (1-866–289–9673), or send an e-mail to [email protected].” If you do, be sure to note the airport, the checkpoint location and the time of day that you experienced or witnessed the incident. And try to get the name and badge number of the officer involved.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22085274/
Dec 7, 2007 | 10:37 am
#2
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
“We’re really not out to take anyone’s peanut butter away,” White said. “We’re just focused on finding liquid explosives.
You lying little piece of trash.
You lying little piece of trash.
Dec 7, 2007 | 10:37 am
#3
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
“If you can pour it, pump it, squeeze it, spread it, smear it, spray it or spill it, it could be considered a liquid or gel.”
That's not only a mouthful, excuse the unintentional pun, but it also covers a whole lot of ground.
Dec 7, 2007 | 12:03 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Diamond; Marriott Bonvoy - Platinum
Posts: 14,287
If I didn't know better, I'd swear there was a DHS mindset of: "Let's see how much we can get away with (unless public pressure is too great: passport fiasco, iPod/cell phone hassling, medicine/kids' juice, etc.) ..."
I could be wrong, But, I doubt it.
I could be wrong, But, I doubt it.
Dec 7, 2007 | 12:17 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 898
I am inclined to agree. I could add to this list the pat-downs, somewhat scaled back after a number of complaints from women (which, of course, TSA denied).
Dec 7, 2007 | 4:47 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
I could add to this list the pat-downs, somewhat scaled back after a number of complaints from women (which, of course, TSA denied).
Dec 10, 2007 | 10:12 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: The People's Republik of MSN
Programs: Hilton Diamond. Anti-Apostheid Platinum, PWP CentCom
Posts: 4,768
Or, spill the beans.Morton salt doesn't rain, it pours.
Def Leppard can't tell us to pour some sugar on them in the sterile area of an airport, either.
Dec 10, 2007 | 6:13 pm
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 16,126
Dec 11, 2007 | 4:41 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 966
IIRC, they denied that the patdowns were inappropriate in any way, not that they never happened.
Having seen video of some of the earlier offenders in the "random-attractive-female-groping" searches, I find even THAT comment to be, shall we say, overly presumptive of stupidity on the part of the listener
. Cupped hands over the breasts and REALLY close full-body contact, etc. If I "searched" my fiancee in public like that, the charge would be "lewd and lascivious public conduct", a misdemeanor I believe. If such a "search" were performed by a random unwelcomed stranger, the charge would be "sexual assault".
Funny how, after those complaints became public, the "back-of-the-hand" patdowns became exclusive SOP...
Having seen video of some of the earlier offenders in the "random-attractive-female-groping" searches, I find even THAT comment to be, shall we say, overly presumptive of stupidity on the part of the listener
. Cupped hands over the breasts and REALLY close full-body contact, etc. If I "searched" my fiancee in public like that, the charge would be "lewd and lascivious public conduct", a misdemeanor I believe. If such a "search" were performed by a random unwelcomed stranger, the charge would be "sexual assault".Funny how, after those complaints became public, the "back-of-the-hand" patdowns became exclusive SOP...
Dec 11, 2007 | 6:01 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953