If this is true, as you say, it's another sign of the unprofessionalism which many accuse TSA of tacitly acknowledging. There's simply no justification for laughing at a passenger's personal effects.

What about netbooks? Mine is just about as big as an iPad, o a DVD player. One comes out, the other doesn�t. Bobo says netbooks don�t have to be removed, but the TSA officers on the frontline always say it does. I�m confused.

That's an example of a laptop that should come out if there are wires of other things obstructing our view of said machine. If there isn't, and we can clearly see it, than no worries. Just think that like anything bigger than a PSP should come out of the bag, unless there aren't anything obscuring our view of it.

And how was I supposed to know it was a joke?

Was the TSO in PHL who put a bag of white powder in a passenger's bag just telling a "joke"?

Should the passenger in 2004 who, according to TSA, was jailed after "joking" about bombs in her luggage, have been allowed to go about her way without being jailed?

Given that TSA won't tell us exactly what to expect when we approach a checkpoint, and all we have to rely on is what TSA employees tell us, how in the world is any of us supposed to tell the difference between an honest statement from a TSO and a joke?

And, yes, I'm completely over-reacting here. But, honestly ... when does telling someone to "lighten the ... up, dude" ever result in the recipient actually lightening up?

+1

About half the time I must put my Kindle by itself, the rest of the time not. My guess is that regardless of whatever official policy may be promulgated. It is a computer so the policy actually is fairly clear.

I have a Kindle 2, before that I had the original Kindle, and I haven't once been asked to take it out of my carry on (usually a soft-sided computer bag).

Laughing about vibrators = TSO's planting fake bombs? Come on =P

And I know you're overreacting. I just find it funny how everyone here does. Even over the tiniest thing.

No joking on the part of the passengers going through the checkpoint. Your rules, not ours. We've deal with snide/snotty comments on the part of your coworkers and really just want you to finish doing your paw through our luggage so we can get on with our travels. We're not your friends. We share little in common with you and any attempts at humor on your part might get just an icy stare from frequent travelers.

No, laughing about vibrators = unfairly exercising your unequal power over passengers.

What's next? Laughing when someone removes a prosthetic arm and puts it through the x-ray, because it's got metal in it? Laughing when someone's pants fall down because they had to take their belt off before going through the WTMD?

When I sit in a classroom, I expect my teacher not to laugh at me, even when I ask a stupid question (which I do a lot). When I go to my physician, I expect him/her not to laugh at the condition of my body, even though I ain't exactly Brad Pitt. When I go to the bank, I expect the tellers not to laugh at me when they see the pitiful balance in my bank account.

I expect you to treat me, and my personal items, with respect and dignity. And, believe it or not, your employer expects the same.

Some things just aren't funny.

Boy, I learned not to have that expectation. I had a swollen throat once, told him it was hard to swallow. He grabbed a belly roll and said "Don't think that'll hurt you any".

You mean like the FAMs who just diverted a flight because a guy who took too long in the bathroom said sarcastically that he was trying to set his shoes on fire?

I always pack wires beside my netbook, in no way obstructing the view. I carry it in a bag that usually contains a sweater, book and snacks, and have always been asked to remove it. As far as I can tell, that is the same policy as for laptops.

But Bob posted that netbooks do not have to be removed (unlike laptops).

I am still confused. "Things obstructing our view of the said machine" can be just about anything, and basically allows the frontline to declare that only checkpoint friendly or sleeve bags are allowed. Ergo, the same policy for laptops

Bob's apparently never worked in the field nor does he know what his colleagues do.

TSA at every airport I've traveled through that has insisted that the netbook needs to come out and be in a bin by itself.