Philly.com Op Ed: Another case of TSA overkill
Feb 15, 2010 | 9:19 am
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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.
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.
Wonder what took this story so long?
Feb 15, 2010 | 10:02 am
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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 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.
Feb 15, 2010 | 10:37 am
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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
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
Feb 15, 2010 | 11:03 am
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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
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.
Feb 15, 2010 | 12:46 pm
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Absolutely. This is the exact reason we have the civil system we do.
LOL. They already try and practice law without a license everyday.
Game. Set. Match. Another idiotic example of the TSA not even following their own rules, not to mention breaking laws passed by Congress that supercede anything they try to do.
i vote for d: the tso has no business holding their job
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1370.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1370.shtm
Feb 15, 2010 | 3:09 pm
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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
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.
Feb 15, 2010 | 3:09 pm
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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.
Feb 15, 2010 | 5:12 pm
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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
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
Feb 15, 2010 | 5:12 pm
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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.