TSA Suspicious Items
Jan 10, 2011 | 6:38 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
To me, the greater mystery is why my carry on often does not get additional screening.
My Pelican roller bag is crammed full and has a vibration analyzer, an analog vibration meter, 2 integrating power analog power supplies built into Radio Shack handy boxes, a strobe light/photo tachometer, a PDA spectrum analyzer, 4 PI tapes, 4 feeler gage sets, a spare display unit for the analyzer, 8 accelerometers with rare earth magnets, various (about 20 total) BNC, military two-pin, USB, coiled RG58-CU and power supply cables, a small screw driver kit, safety glasses, hearing protection, and about 30 spare batteries for all of the stuff mentioned above.
Sometimes it goes through the xray and rolls out of the machine before I can get my computer back in the backpack. About a third of the time it gets no additional screening. If they are not opening ETD checking my bag, anything could get by without a check. About another third I get the full empty and rerun. The other third is an ETD in which the run from one to five swabs before clearing the bag.
They seem most interested in the feeler gages. Occasionally, it is all of the mysterious meters. Once I was warned that I had too many batteries even though they are stored in packaging that keeps them contained.
My Pelican roller bag is crammed full and has a vibration analyzer, an analog vibration meter, 2 integrating power analog power supplies built into Radio Shack handy boxes, a strobe light/photo tachometer, a PDA spectrum analyzer, 4 PI tapes, 4 feeler gage sets, a spare display unit for the analyzer, 8 accelerometers with rare earth magnets, various (about 20 total) BNC, military two-pin, USB, coiled RG58-CU and power supply cables, a small screw driver kit, safety glasses, hearing protection, and about 30 spare batteries for all of the stuff mentioned above.
Sometimes it goes through the xray and rolls out of the machine before I can get my computer back in the backpack. About a third of the time it gets no additional screening. If they are not opening ETD checking my bag, anything could get by without a check. About another third I get the full empty and rerun. The other third is an ETD in which the run from one to five swabs before clearing the bag.
They seem most interested in the feeler gages. Occasionally, it is all of the mysterious meters. Once I was warned that I had too many batteries even though they are stored in packaging that keeps them contained.
Jan 10, 2011 | 6:41 am
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
Oh, I understand. The suspension of disbelief required for me to pass through a checkpoint at this time would be overwhelming - so I choose not to fly at all any more rather than deal with the idiots who really do believe they're making a difference or the thugs who enjoy their work.
Jan 10, 2011 | 6:46 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 569
To me, the greater mystery is why my carry on often does not get additional screening.
My Pelican roller bag is crammed full and has a vibration analyzer, an analog vibration meter, 2 integrating power analog power supplies built into Radio Shack handy boxes, a strobe light/photo tachometer, a PDA spectrum analyzer, 4 PI tapes, 4 feeler gage sets, a spare display unit for the analyzer, 8 accelerometers with rare earth magnets, various (about 20 total) BNC, military two-pin, USB, coiled RG58-CU and power supply cables, a small screw driver kit, safety glasses, hearing protection, and about 30 spare batteries for all of the stuff mentioned above.
Sometimes it goes through the xray and rolls out of the machine before I can get my computer back in the backpack. About a third of the time it gets no additional screening. If they are not opening ETD checking my bag, anything could get by without a check. About another third I get the full empty and rerun. The other third is an ETD in which the run from one to five swabs before clearing the bag.
They seem most interested in the feeler gages. Occasionally, it is all of the mysterious meters. Once I was warned that I had too many batteries even though they are stored in packaging that keeps them contained.
My Pelican roller bag is crammed full and has a vibration analyzer, an analog vibration meter, 2 integrating power analog power supplies built into Radio Shack handy boxes, a strobe light/photo tachometer, a PDA spectrum analyzer, 4 PI tapes, 4 feeler gage sets, a spare display unit for the analyzer, 8 accelerometers with rare earth magnets, various (about 20 total) BNC, military two-pin, USB, coiled RG58-CU and power supply cables, a small screw driver kit, safety glasses, hearing protection, and about 30 spare batteries for all of the stuff mentioned above.
Sometimes it goes through the xray and rolls out of the machine before I can get my computer back in the backpack. About a third of the time it gets no additional screening. If they are not opening ETD checking my bag, anything could get by without a check. About another third I get the full empty and rerun. The other third is an ETD in which the run from one to five swabs before clearing the bag.
They seem most interested in the feeler gages. Occasionally, it is all of the mysterious meters. Once I was warned that I had too many batteries even though they are stored in packaging that keeps them contained.
Jan 10, 2011 | 6:57 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
Loose change (LAX) - required hand inspection of my computer bag and complete ETD.
Pilot headset, handheld radio, GPS, and charts (BWI). Tore my bag trying to open it (claim denied), refused to give name, supervisor refused to give name OR complaint form, FSD refused to respond. I eventually got to take the items, but not until after the handheld radio was dropped on the floor. 30 minute delay.
SLR camera and lens. Required removing lens caps and TSA screener placed fingers on lens glass "to be sure they're real". Other TSA screeners have had to look through lens.
Fudge. SAT. Threatened confiscation ("Yummy"), eventually let me pass after ETD.
Leaded crystal. Been a problem more than ones. In one case the screener nearly dropped a priceless family heirloom. These were all allowed to pass, but required extra screening.
Passport. Really. BWI refused to accept passport, demanded driver license. Ended up escalating, finally was allowed to pass. Ditto Clear Card at IAD.
Pilot headset, handheld radio, GPS, and charts (BWI). Tore my bag trying to open it (claim denied), refused to give name, supervisor refused to give name OR complaint form, FSD refused to respond. I eventually got to take the items, but not until after the handheld radio was dropped on the floor. 30 minute delay.
SLR camera and lens. Required removing lens caps and TSA screener placed fingers on lens glass "to be sure they're real". Other TSA screeners have had to look through lens.
Fudge. SAT. Threatened confiscation ("Yummy"), eventually let me pass after ETD.
Leaded crystal. Been a problem more than ones. In one case the screener nearly dropped a priceless family heirloom. These were all allowed to pass, but required extra screening.
Passport. Really. BWI refused to accept passport, demanded driver license. Ended up escalating, finally was allowed to pass. Ditto Clear Card at IAD.
Jan 10, 2011 | 7:10 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,990
Loose change (LAX) - required hand inspection of my computer bag and complete ETD.
Pilot headset, handheld radio, GPS, and charts (BWI). Tore my bag trying to open it (claim denied), refused to give name, supervisor refused to give name OR complaint form, FSD refused to respond. I eventually got to take the items, but not until after the handheld radio was dropped on the floor. 30 minute delay.
SLR camera and lens. Required removing lens caps and TSA screener placed fingers on lens glass "to be sure they're real". Other TSA screeners have had to look through lens.
Fudge. SAT. Threatened confiscation ("Yummy"), eventually let me pass after ETD.
Leaded crystal. Been a problem more than ones. In one case the screener nearly dropped a priceless family heirloom. These were all allowed to pass, but required extra screening.
Passport. Really. BWI refused to accept passport, demanded driver license. Ended up escalating, finally was allowed to pass. Ditto Clear Card at IAD.
Pilot headset, handheld radio, GPS, and charts (BWI). Tore my bag trying to open it (claim denied), refused to give name, supervisor refused to give name OR complaint form, FSD refused to respond. I eventually got to take the items, but not until after the handheld radio was dropped on the floor. 30 minute delay.
SLR camera and lens. Required removing lens caps and TSA screener placed fingers on lens glass "to be sure they're real". Other TSA screeners have had to look through lens.
Fudge. SAT. Threatened confiscation ("Yummy"), eventually let me pass after ETD.
Leaded crystal. Been a problem more than ones. In one case the screener nearly dropped a priceless family heirloom. These were all allowed to pass, but required extra screening.
Passport. Really. BWI refused to accept passport, demanded driver license. Ended up escalating, finally was allowed to pass. Ditto Clear Card at IAD.
Training Gibbons takes time.
Jan 10, 2011 | 7:45 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: AAPLT, RR Alist
Posts: 220
Just remembered something that happened a few years ago. I can't remember where.
Going through security... I'd forgotten an unopened bottle of water in my carryon from a flight the day before. My bad.
The screener caught it and told me they had to confiscate it. I said sure, my error.
He then said that I could choose which bin to toss it into... The trash bin to his left OR the donations bin to his right
Donations bin? Yes... Anything in the donations bin was given to local homeless.
Think this through for a second.
The water is too risky to take on a flight BUT BUT BUT it is **is** safe enough to give to homeless people to drink.
After all? Who would care if... ???
The logic of this still leaves me scratching my head
Going through security... I'd forgotten an unopened bottle of water in my carryon from a flight the day before. My bad.
The screener caught it and told me they had to confiscate it. I said sure, my error.
He then said that I could choose which bin to toss it into... The trash bin to his left OR the donations bin to his right
Donations bin? Yes... Anything in the donations bin was given to local homeless.
Think this through for a second.
The water is too risky to take on a flight BUT BUT BUT it is **is** safe enough to give to homeless people to drink.
After all? Who would care if... ???
The logic of this still leaves me scratching my head
As opposed to PDX, where one can pour the liquids into a common bin. http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/08...blem-takes-pdx
Which seems more "dangerous"...but it's not, because the flippin' liquids were never dangerous to begin with!
The thing I used to get stopped for the most was my massage roller thingie...sort of looks like a dumbbell, but I think something of the innards looked funny under xray.
Jan 10, 2011 | 8:24 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
I'll just copy and this from my post elsewhere....
I also donated a 4 ounce bottle of sunscreen at the checkpoint in FLL. Even screeners should protect from those Florida UV rays.
My niece had her hummus confiscated the other day. However, I believe that had more to do with, as the TSA screener put it, "Trader Joe's is my favorite hummus!" than it had to do with the safety of our nation's skies. No word on what is the screener's favorite cracker is, as they were not confiscated.
Jan 10, 2011 | 8:53 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
Jan 10, 2011 | 10:27 am
#42
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Jan 10, 2011 | 11:22 am
#44
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN
Programs: COdbaUA MM, AA EXP, AF G, Bonbon Gold, Hilton G, All G, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis Presidential
Posts: 5,929
Both of which should have been let through.
Jan 10, 2011 | 1:16 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: A small town in North Georgia
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion, AA
Posts: 1,680
