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Philly.com Op Ed: Another case of TSA overkill
Another case of TSA overkill By Daniel Rubin Inquirer Columnist, 2-15-10 Just when I thought I was out of the Transportation Security Administration business for a few columns, they pull me back in. Did you hear about the Camden cop whose disabled son wasn't allowed to pass through airport security unless he took off his leg braces? Unfortunately, it's no joke. This happened to Bob Thomas, a 53-year-old officer in Camden's emergency crime suppression team, who was flying to Orlando in March with his wife, Leona, and their son, Ryan. Ryan was taking his first flight, to Walt Disney World, for his fourth birthday. The boy is developmentally delayed, one of the effects of being born 16 weeks prematurely. His ankles are malformed and his legs have low muscle tone. In March he was just starting to walk. Mid-morning on March 19, his parents wheeled his stroller to the TSA security point, a couple of hours before their Southwest Airlines flight was to depart. The boy's father broke down the stroller and put it on the conveyor belt as Leona Thomas walked Ryan through the metal detector. The alarm went off. The screener told them to take off the boy's braces. The Thomases were dumbfounded. "I told them he can't walk without them on his own," Bob Thomas said. |
Disgusting :td:Wonder what took this story so long?
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Dad said:
"I'm just looking for things to be done right," he said. "And I just want to make sure this isn't done to anyone else. Just abide by your standard operating procedures." |
C'mon, big expensive lawsuit!!!
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Originally Posted by Spiff
(Post 13393392)
C'mon, big expensive lawsuit!!!
Originally Posted by later in the article
Afterward, Thomas said he appreciated Ellis' call. He said he had no interest in pursuing the matter further or in filing a lawsuit.
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Nowhere in our SOP does it say that we are allowed to tell a passenger that he/she must remove a medical device. Sure, we can ask someone if they can remove their medical device, but if they can't, we cannot force them to it off.
Sounds like this screener was either new, lazy, our really stupid. "Yea sir, I'm going to need you to remove that arm of yours". LOL |
Originally Posted by senseker
(Post 13393646)
Nowhere in our SOP does it say that we are allowed to tell a passenger that he/she must remove a medical device. Sure, we can ask someone if they can remove their medical device, but if they can't, we cannot force them to it off.
Sounds like this screener was either new, lazy, our really stupid. "Yea sir, I'm going to need you to remove that arm of yours". LOL http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1370.shtm Security Officers will not ask nor require you to remove your prosthetic device, cast, or support brace. |
This is going to get a little more publicity as it goes green onto Fark.com this afternoon.
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My, My, My, another TSA Blooper. I'm sure Blogdad Bob is having trouble keeping track. Maybe they should spread them out a bit over the calendar year. Do they have a special SSI training program for this type of nonsense? :o
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Originally Posted by Spiff
(Post 13393392)
C'mon, big expensive lawsuit!!!
Originally Posted by DevilDog438
(Post 13393425)
TSA gets off easy:
I think he should file suit and contact the PA Board of Physicians about the TSO practicing medicine without a license.
Originally Posted by goalie
(Post 13393814)
i vote for d: the tso has no business holding their job
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1370.shtm |
Originally Posted by senseker
(Post 13393646)
Nowhere in our SOP does it say that we are allowed to tell a passenger that he/she must remove a medical device. Sure, we can ask someone if they can remove their medical device, but if they can't, we cannot force them to it off.
Sounds like this screener was either new, lazy, our really stupid. "Yea sir, I'm going to need you to remove that arm of yours". LOL To many cases of TSA screeners not knowing all aspects of their jobs to pass if off to new, lazy or really stupid. I suspect a failure of training. |
Fark.com comments.
There is something truly wrong with this country. I hope there is a special place in hell for power trip people like this. Seriously, airport security is a show they put on for soccer moms who are scared of the terrorist boogie man. |
Originally Posted by LessO2
(Post 13394139)
This is going to get a little more publicity as it goes green onto Fark.com this afternoon.
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Originally Posted by senseker
(Post 13393646)
Nowhere in our SOP does it say that we are allowed to tell a passenger that he/she must remove a medical device. Sure, we can ask someone if they can remove their medical device, but if they can't, we cannot force them to it off.
Sounds like this screener was either new, lazy, our really stupid. "Yea sir, I'm going to need you to remove that arm of yours". LOL |
The TSA keeps on abusing Americans and does so without being held accountable by those best positioned to hold it accountable also for this harassment of a 4-year old child. Then, in response, the TSA -- in its typical way -- goes into propaganda mode.
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