Watch Your Bags....TSA is Now Planting "Evidence"
Jan 21, 2010, 3:12 pm
#31
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
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Posts: 6,091
I had the same thing happen to me, except I caught them first. When I hollered “That screener placed something on top of my bag that does not belong to me!” the look on all their faces was priceless. 
It was a flat object wrapped up in cardboard and tape, so I’m guessing it was a simulated weapon.
It was a flat object wrapped up in cardboard and tape, so I’m guessing it was a simulated weapon.
Jan 21, 2010, 3:30 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
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Disgusting. My heart goes out to that poor woman.
I've been locking one of my carry ons after a TSO in COS opened my bag before it emerged from the X-ray to gleefully seize a liquid (it was a powdered deodorant).
I'll need to look at more locks.
What a disgusting agency. "Dismissed"? Why isn't that piece of garbage in jail?
TSO's on this list ... there was a line in a movie by one of the Wayan's Brothers: "There's work at the post office."
I've been locking one of my carry ons after a TSO in COS opened my bag before it emerged from the X-ray to gleefully seize a liquid (it was a powdered deodorant).
I'll need to look at more locks.
What a disgusting agency. "Dismissed"? Why isn't that piece of garbage in jail?
TSO's on this list ... there was a line in a movie by one of the Wayan's Brothers: "There's work at the post office."
Jan 21, 2010, 3:34 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
Zip ties are cheap, and available in sizes to work on just about every zipper size available on luggage. I just carry a pair of electrician's snips (less than 4" blade, sharp with a pointed tip) with me in my pocket to remove them as needed (put them in the same bin as my laptop when going through the WTMD).
Also gives me a slightly more security conscious feeling if I fall asleep on the plane (no one can get into my bags onboard without attracting attention).
Also gives me a slightly more security conscious feeling if I fall asleep on the plane (no one can get into my bags onboard without attracting attention).
Jan 21, 2010, 3:35 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
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Posts: 19,719
If you need any more evidence that TSA is an abusive, untethered agency as well as a magnet for half-wits on power trips, I don't know what it could be.
Jan 21, 2010, 3:42 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 398
As an aside, I wonder if the TSO agent in question took the same orientation course as the agent at BWI who told me - "Don't worry I won't shoot you". She subsequently clarified the situation be telling me it is okay for TSA to make a joke (threatening as is it seemed), but not the passenger. I can only surmise that the subject agent wasn't fired for the joke but perhaps for attributing the plastic zip-lock bag to the young lady.
Jan 21, 2010, 3:48 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
Jan 21, 2010, 4:19 pm
#39
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: FrostByte Falls, Mn
Programs: Holiday Inn Plat NW gold AA gold
Posts: 2,157
I always wait, but many over zealous screeners bark orders to go through the "golden arches". I respond in a calm polite voice that "I prefer to wait, as according to the frequent airport announcements, I am required to keep my possessions under my control/sight at all times." At least 60% of the time there is a caustic grunt, "don't you trust us", or some variation there of, for which I remain silent. However, I do seem to get additional screening 20% of the these times, although there are no alarm issues with me or my carryon possesions.
As an aside, I wonder if the TSO agent in question took the same orientation course as the agent at BWI who told me - "Don't worry I won't shoot you". She subsequently clarified the situation be telling me it is okay for TSA to make a joke (threatening as is it seemed), but not the passenger. I can only surmise that the subject agent wasn't fired for the joke but perhaps for attributing the plastic zip-lock bag to the young lady.
They are there to do a job of screening for WEI. Forget about the playful banter as TSOs need to be focusing on the situation at hand. They want to joke around then they should quit TSA to become full time comedians.
Jan 21, 2010, 5:09 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: UA
Posts: 109
I had the same thing happen to me, except I caught them first. When I hollered “That screener placed something on top of my bag that does not belong to me!” the look on all their faces was priceless. It was a flat object wrapped up in cardboard and tape, so I’m guessing it was a simulated weapon.
It was a flat object wrapped up in cardboard and tape, so I’m guessing it was a simulated weapon.
Jan 21, 2010, 5:43 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 53
Also, am I the only one who refuses "private screenings?" They don't seem to know what to say when I tell them that "I'm not going anywhere out of public view with you."
Gosh, now I'm wondering about sailing to Puerto Rico instead of flying.
Jan 21, 2010, 5:44 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
I stay with my gear until the last vestiges of the tray with my coat/shoes is no longer visible through the hanging rubber strips of the X-Ray. Both of my carry-ons are placed on the belt before those two items, just to make sure I know if they get backed out prior to walking through the WTMD. I routinely piss off the TSO personnel at BWI C C/P with this, and could care less as to their reactions.
Jan 21, 2010, 5:53 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 684
They have been putting things in people's bags to see if they were caught way before the TSA even existed.
I had a bag screened once and the screener yelled out GUN as the bag went through the screening machine. They were testing them, the person at the front of the machine put a "test" gun under my bag as it went into the machine, and backed off the impending pounce on me.
The looks the other passengers gave me was very real, even though the white shirt was saying "it's only a test people"
They have to be tested and trained somehow to make sure they can detect the items they are supposed to be looking for.
I had a bag screened once and the screener yelled out GUN as the bag went through the screening machine. They were testing them, the person at the front of the machine put a "test" gun under my bag as it went into the machine, and backed off the impending pounce on me.
The looks the other passengers gave me was very real, even though the white shirt was saying "it's only a test people"
They have to be tested and trained somehow to make sure they can detect the items they are supposed to be looking for.