Must be a Zip-Loc
Mar 24, 2011 | 5:08 am
#16
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"Rules" made up on the spot for no apparent reason, nor measurable increase in security on the whim of heightened security just instituted that day?
Yeah, it happens at every checkpoint, at every airport, every day.
Remember, you have NO IDEA what they see, and only they can protect America from the next bomb.
Yeah, it happens at every checkpoint, at every airport, every day.
Remember, you have NO IDEA what they see, and only they can protect America from the next bomb.
Mar 24, 2011 | 6:51 am
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 52,801
ZipLock bags have been proven to prevent explosions. 
I have a particular problem with the baggies. Zip top bags of this exact size are simply not available in my part of the world. There are zip top bags, sold by the size of their sides (not volume), none of them are square, and obviously they look different and therefore dangerous to the astute TSO at the frontline.
Ive tried all sorts of compensation tactics, and been scolded for:
1. Using a 23 x 17 cm baggie (wrong size, not square).
2. Using a torn baggie (old one I got in the US and reused until in tatters).
3. Using a durable non-disposable baggie which holds 960 mLs (I measured!), is transparent and has a real zipper on top. (not zip top baggie = bad).
4. Using a sandwich baggie (no zip top, but exactly 1 L volume, square size, like a US ZipLock).
My problems only decreased after SSSS disappeared and I stopped taking the baggie out.
I have a particular problem with the baggies. Zip top bags of this exact size are simply not available in my part of the world. There are zip top bags, sold by the size of their sides (not volume), none of them are square, and obviously they look different and therefore dangerous to the astute TSO at the frontline.
Ive tried all sorts of compensation tactics, and been scolded for:
1. Using a 23 x 17 cm baggie (wrong size, not square).
2. Using a torn baggie (old one I got in the US and reused until in tatters).
3. Using a durable non-disposable baggie which holds 960 mLs (I measured!), is transparent and has a real zipper on top. (not zip top baggie = bad).
4. Using a sandwich baggie (no zip top, but exactly 1 L volume, square size, like a US ZipLock).
My problems only decreased after SSSS disappeared and I stopped taking the baggie out.
Mar 24, 2011 | 6:58 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,444
2. Amazon does not sell taxable products abroad - mostly just books can be bought from Amazon here. Many other countries, like Canada, have separate Amazon sites, with a different, shorter, product list.
Mar 24, 2011 | 7:00 am
#19
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Why should someone have to order specially-sized bags (not locally available) just because the dimwitted high-school drop-outs in the blue shirts can't understand metric?
Especially when the whole 3-1-1 rule is fundamentally flawed in the first place?
Mar 24, 2011 | 7:02 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,444
^ And there is that, too.
Mar 24, 2011 | 7:09 am
#21
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I'm not saying the rule isn't flawed, or that they shouldn't continue to use their methods. However, I'm making other suggestions, rather than just whining about the problem and the rule.
Mar 24, 2011 | 7:13 am
#22
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Another alternative would be to fire every last employee of the TSA who makes up bogus rules like the one mentioned in the OP.
Mar 24, 2011 | 7:15 am
#23
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Interesting. I came through LAS on Tuesday. A couple ahead of me had to 'surrender' their LGAs because both of them had their items in regular ziploc bags - but the gallon size, not the quart size. The TSO explained that the problem wasn't the size or quantity of the LGAs, it was the size of the baggie.
The only LGAs I happened to have on me were eye drops and a chapstick. I often have them in a snack-sized baggie, but fortunately this time I had them in a quart-size baggie (ran out of the small size) or I might have had to surrender my LGAs too.
I wish the local news would cover things like this. Make an attempt to contact the LAS FSD. Explain on the evening news that there have been reports from the field of 'heightened' attention to baggie size and style at the LAS airport. Provide a few anecdotal examples, then ask the FSD for a comment (none will be given, of course). Close with a comment wondering about what dastardly sort of potential threat has just been narrowly averted by the LAS FSD's timely directive.
The only LGAs I happened to have on me were eye drops and a chapstick. I often have them in a snack-sized baggie, but fortunately this time I had them in a quart-size baggie (ran out of the small size) or I might have had to surrender my LGAs too.
I wish the local news would cover things like this. Make an attempt to contact the LAS FSD. Explain on the evening news that there have been reports from the field of 'heightened' attention to baggie size and style at the LAS airport. Provide a few anecdotal examples, then ask the FSD for a comment (none will be given, of course). Close with a comment wondering about what dastardly sort of potential threat has just been narrowly averted by the LAS FSD's timely directive.
Mar 24, 2011 | 7:58 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,957
4.3.19. EXERCISE OF FSD DISCRETION
Situations may arise which merit a temporary, short-term deviation from established security procedures. Where an articulable risk-based assessment supports a temporary deviation from such procedures, an FSD only (or the Acting FSD) has the authority to proceed as good judgment warrants.
A. An FSD (or Acting FSD) must be prepared to provide a well-reasoned justification for any deviation. For instance, where the presence at the checkpoint of an elected official or other trustworthy person of notoriety has the potential of creating a distraction that might lessen security, escort of the passenger and accompanying family members directly into the sterile area might be justified.
B. An FSD (or Acting FSD) should not exercise the discretion to deviate from established procedures where any doubt exists that aviation safety or national security might be compromised. Where such doubt exists, prior approval of the Area Director should be obtained.
Situations may arise which merit a temporary, short-term deviation from established security procedures. Where an articulable risk-based assessment supports a temporary deviation from such procedures, an FSD only (or the Acting FSD) has the authority to proceed as good judgment warrants.
A. An FSD (or Acting FSD) must be prepared to provide a well-reasoned justification for any deviation. For instance, where the presence at the checkpoint of an elected official or other trustworthy person of notoriety has the potential of creating a distraction that might lessen security, escort of the passenger and accompanying family members directly into the sterile area might be justified.
B. An FSD (or Acting FSD) should not exercise the discretion to deviate from established procedures where any doubt exists that aviation safety or national security might be compromised. Where such doubt exists, prior approval of the Area Director should be obtained.
Mar 24, 2011 | 8:06 am
#26
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Besides, if the ziploc bag is removed from your carry on, there is a chance you will forget it in the filthy, grey plastic tub.
Mar 24, 2011 | 8:49 am
#27
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We need a list of FSD phone numbers so when some TSA employee pulls this local rule stuff we can say "Ok, give me a moment so I can call your FSD and we will see about this local rule."
I suggest a new thread pinned to the top of TS/S for FSD contact info.
I suggest a new thread pinned to the top of TS/S for FSD contact info.
Mar 24, 2011 | 10:25 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,444
I'm simply offering another solution to the "problem." Other solutions, if they don't want to be "scolded for" their solutions, include buying a box the next time they're in the US, or asking someone in the US to ship them a box.
I'm not saying the rule isn't flawed, or that they shouldn't continue to use their methods. However, I'm making other suggestions, rather than just whining about the problem and the rule.
I'm not saying the rule isn't flawed, or that they shouldn't continue to use their methods. However, I'm making other suggestions, rather than just whining about the problem and the rule.
The truth is that every time a TSO complains to a foreigner about the size of a metric bag or any other ridiculous thing we dont have to deal with when traveling in the rest of the World, the US looses more tourism money. I myself only go there for business currently, despite the fact that I have extensive family and friends there.
Mar 24, 2011 | 10:34 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,964
I'm simply offering another solution to the "problem." Other solutions, if they don't want to be "scolded for" their solutions, include buying a box the next time they're in the US, or asking someone in the US to ship them a box.
I'm not saying the rule isn't flawed, or that they shouldn't continue to use their methods. However, I'm making other suggestions, rather than just whining about the problem and the rule.
I'm not saying the rule isn't flawed, or that they shouldn't continue to use their methods. However, I'm making other suggestions, rather than just whining about the problem and the rule.
There are still reports of TSA documentation reflecting 3.0 oz instead of 3.4 oz even though the sizing was standardized to the more common worldwide measurement of 100ml.
Unfortunately we have seen many times from TSA as well as from some of their representatives here that what is done outside the US is not being considered as a viable option (not just referring to plastic bag size).
That sort of ignorance and arrogance is just another reason why people here are frustrated.
Mar 24, 2011 | 10:37 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Count me another one surprised that they're still taking them out of the carry-on -- I haven't removed in months and haven't been called on it at 6 different airports.