Fun with TSOs
Feb 3, 2010 | 5:15 pm
#106
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
Plus you can give one to the BDO to simplify his job!http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Ball-Min.../dp/B0017WMGIO
Feb 3, 2010 | 5:24 pm
#107
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: COS
Programs: DL Gold, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 162
Are you qualified to distinguish between OTC nutritional supplements and narcotics? For that matter, even if it is a narcotic, are you able to mind read and determine that the holder does not have a current prescription for said items and obtained it through illicit means?
Feb 3, 2010 | 5:29 pm
#108
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
Can you explain your inability to "fight about IDs" on this trip? If by fighting about them you mean politely declining to present any proof of identity, and if what you're worried about is the possibility of making the wrong people angry and ending up in jail, then might most of the other suggestions discussed in this thread carry the same risk?
Do you plan to carry a camera in a visible manner to keep people on their best behavior? Have you considered wearing an inconspicuous camera to document your experience without raising the hackles of those who think you're not allowed to film at the checkpoint? I looked into such devices recently and found that there are several options available for less than $50. Skipping the pen cameras and key fob cameras, I bought these three to try them out: one looks like a bluetooth headset, one fits in a pack of gum (or could be clipped on your pocket with a nondescript black bar sticking up), and one is an MP3 player that also has a camera in it. Each takes stills or video. The first two have 2 GB memory and are expandable using micro-SD cards, and the MP3 player has no on-board memory, using only a micro-SD card. I bought a 2 GB card on sale for $10.
I particularly like the MP3 player. Mine cost $25 delivered from Hong Kong and took about a week to arrive, but you can probably find U.S. sellers, get it sooner, and likley pay a small premium for the convenience. Even under close inspection, it's unlikely that anyone would guess that it was anything more than an MP3 player unless he was familiar with this model and looking for the pinhole lens. All the markings are those you'd expect to see on an MP3 player -- no "record" or "video" printed on it. To get your recordings off it, you either plug it in to a computer using the included cable (works like any USB mass storage device, i.e., like a USB flash drive), or just pull out the card and read it on your computer like you would any other micro-SD card (USB adapter, full-size-SD adapter, etc.)
The instructions are all poorly translated, and the user interfaces are functional but not intuitive. The MP3 player's is reasonably simple: hold the play button to turn it on, press volume up to start and stop recording.
You'd be wise to consider the laws of any state in which you might use such a camera. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides a "Practical Guide to Taping Phone Calls and In-Person Conversations in the 50 States and D.C" which states:
See RCFP's state-by-state guide for more details. I don't know if a camera that is positioned right out where everyone can see it, but that doesn't have the appearance that most people associate with cameras, is considered a "hidden camera".
I wonder if others would be interested in assembling an archive of video of our TSA staff doing the jobs we pay them to do. Sticking with TSA's retail metaphor (they refer to us as their "customers" although we don't purchase anything from them and we're really their employers), participants would be "secret shoppers". We could provide valuable feedback to TSA.
Do you plan to carry a camera in a visible manner to keep people on their best behavior? Have you considered wearing an inconspicuous camera to document your experience without raising the hackles of those who think you're not allowed to film at the checkpoint? I looked into such devices recently and found that there are several options available for less than $50. Skipping the pen cameras and key fob cameras, I bought these three to try them out: one looks like a bluetooth headset, one fits in a pack of gum (or could be clipped on your pocket with a nondescript black bar sticking up), and one is an MP3 player that also has a camera in it. Each takes stills or video. The first two have 2 GB memory and are expandable using micro-SD cards, and the MP3 player has no on-board memory, using only a micro-SD card. I bought a 2 GB card on sale for $10.
I particularly like the MP3 player. Mine cost $25 delivered from Hong Kong and took about a week to arrive, but you can probably find U.S. sellers, get it sooner, and likley pay a small premium for the convenience. Even under close inspection, it's unlikely that anyone would guess that it was anything more than an MP3 player unless he was familiar with this model and looking for the pinhole lens. All the markings are those you'd expect to see on an MP3 player -- no "record" or "video" printed on it. To get your recordings off it, you either plug it in to a computer using the included cable (works like any USB mass storage device, i.e., like a USB flash drive), or just pull out the card and read it on your computer like you would any other micro-SD card (USB adapter, full-size-SD adapter, etc.)
The instructions are all poorly translated, and the user interfaces are functional but not intuitive. The MP3 player's is reasonably simple: hold the play button to turn it on, press volume up to start and stop recording.
You'd be wise to consider the laws of any state in which you might use such a camera. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides a "Practical Guide to Taping Phone Calls and In-Person Conversations in the 50 States and D.C" which states:
See RCFP's state-by-state guide for more details. I don't know if a camera that is positioned right out where everyone can see it, but that doesn't have the appearance that most people associate with cameras, is considered a "hidden camera".
I wonder if others would be interested in assembling an archive of video of our TSA staff doing the jobs we pay them to do. Sticking with TSA's retail metaphor (they refer to us as their "customers" although we don't purchase anything from them and we're really their employers), participants would be "secret shoppers". We could provide valuable feedback to TSA.
If the camera caught audio I would have to be conspicuous with the device. I don't want to call undue attention to myself by using a camera through the checkpoint. I prefer this time to be subtle and let the bad TSOs react on their own.
I can't fight the ID battle this go around because the trip I am making is to pick up a vehicle. Any delay in departure means less time to drive back.
My co-worker just had surgery and will still be on light duty when I make my trip. If I am delayed getting back it would risk him injuring himself to cover the department.
And I know me, if I refused to present ID and had some half wit TDC, TSO or STSO attempt to quote law to me I would end up going for the ride. I can't afford that time loss this go around.
Feb 3, 2010 | 5:36 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Programs: Lifetime AA Gold-1MM
Posts: 4,909
Lost and Found at SEA has a whole wall of shoes people left at screening.
Feb 3, 2010 | 5:58 pm
#110
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,957
Under the statute, consent is not required for the taping of a non-electronic communication uttered by a person who does not have a "reasonable expectation of privacy" in that communication. However, this oral communication must be one that is made in a setting in which a person does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. There are various circumstances when a person may not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. See also Florida Statute section 934.02 for the definition of oral communication. See also Stevenson v. State, 667 So.2d 410 (Fla. DCA1996); Paredes v. State, 760 So.2d 167 (Fla. DCA 2000).
In Cohen Brothers, LLC v. ME Corp., S.A., 872 So.2d 321 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2004), the District Court of Appeal for the Third District of Florida held that members of a limited liability companys (LLC) management committee did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to participation in telephone conference calls with other committee members to discuss continued financing of the LLC, and thus could not hold the committee members liable for recording the conference calls.
In Cohen Brothers, LLC v. ME Corp., S.A., 872 So.2d 321 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2004), the District Court of Appeal for the Third District of Florida held that members of a limited liability companys (LLC) management committee did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to participation in telephone conference calls with other committee members to discuss continued financing of the LLC, and thus could not hold the committee members liable for recording the conference calls.
Feb 3, 2010 | 6:10 pm
#111
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
Are you qualified to distinguish between OTC nutritional supplements and narcotics? For that matter, even if it is a narcotic, are you able to mind read and determine that the holder does not have a current prescription for said items and obtained it through illicit means?
Feb 3, 2010 | 6:18 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: COS
Programs: DL Gold, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 162
Feb 3, 2010 | 6:27 pm
#113
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: TSO, AS MVP, AOPA member, Private Pilot ASEL
Posts: 571
Are you qualified to distinguish between OTC nutritional supplements and narcotics? For that matter, even if it is a narcotic, are you able to mind read and determine that the holder does not have a current prescription for said items and obtained it through illicit means?
Feb 3, 2010 | 6:32 pm
#114
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 1,439
Feb 3, 2010 | 6:37 pm
#115
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
This is not legal advice, but I don't think that Florida law is that black and white based on further review. This site provides a synopsis of what I have read:
Feb 3, 2010 | 6:47 pm
#116
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: TSO, AS MVP, AOPA member, Private Pilot ASEL
Posts: 571
Depends. I wouldn't report finding a small knife for example. If someone has a butterfly knife though or something along those lines (that are illegal to possess here by the way) then yes, or if I came across, say, a prescription bottle that has something obviously other than pills in it, like narcotics or possible narcotics, then that would be reported.
Feb 3, 2010 | 6:49 pm
#117
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MIA
Programs: PC Plat/Amb
Posts: 1,152
Feb 3, 2010 | 9:37 pm
#118
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
I carry a modified one of these on my keys:
Mine has just the nail file, tweezers, and scissors, but no knife.
Just recently they caught it on x-ray and called a bag check, the first time in about 50 flights. I explained it wasn't a knife, and the TSO opened it all the way up and then passed it with a stern warning that I should pull it out of my bag and send it through separately because they'll catch it every time. Wrong--she is far more confident in TSA's detection ability than seems warranted.
Maybe it seems like a stupid little game, but my little not-a-knife fob reminds me of the waste that is TSA. (Yeah I'm bitter--the bastages made my wife cry.)
Mine has just the nail file, tweezers, and scissors, but no knife.
Just recently they caught it on x-ray and called a bag check, the first time in about 50 flights. I explained it wasn't a knife, and the TSO opened it all the way up and then passed it with a stern warning that I should pull it out of my bag and send it through separately because they'll catch it every time. Wrong--she is far more confident in TSA's detection ability than seems warranted.
Maybe it seems like a stupid little game, but my little not-a-knife fob reminds me of the waste that is TSA. (Yeah I'm bitter--the bastages made my wife cry.)
Feb 3, 2010 | 10:28 pm
#119
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 464
If he is finger snapping distance away he could be in trouble.
Wonder how cops like being summoned by high school drop outs?
Feb 3, 2010 | 11:04 pm
#120
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
The question you asked was whether we would want you to stop a child pornographer. Everyone said "no." Let's not worry about who is assuming what about your actions. You had questions, we had answers.
Sorry, TK, the question was actually about fun at the airport. Please continue.
Mike
Sorry, TK, the question was actually about fun at the airport. Please continue.
Mike
