?? Interfering with the screening process??
Apr 5, 2011 | 3:38 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 5,014
Adding to the confusion, TSA considers "non-physical interference" with screening a fine-worthy offense:
http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/enforc...nce_policy.pdf
Nobody has ever given a good definition for that. I doubt they ever will.
It seems like a catch all contempt-of-screener charge similar to contempt-of-cop charges like disorderly conduct. It probably includes things like exercising your right to free speech or asking hard questions
http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/enforc...nce_policy.pdf
Nobody has ever given a good definition for that. I doubt they ever will.
It seems like a catch all contempt-of-screener charge similar to contempt-of-cop charges like disorderly conduct. It probably includes things like exercising your right to free speech or asking hard questions
http://law.justia.com/cfr/title49/49....3.3.10.4.html
Here is one well known case that was appealed:
http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions...5a0399p-06.pdf
Last edited by FlyingUnderTheRadar; Apr 5, 2011 at 3:48 am
Apr 5, 2011 | 5:22 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 855
I have searched the Forum and the Internet and have been unable to find any information as to what the TSA offically considers to be " interfering with the screening process". If any of our more knowledgeable members can direct me to the information I would appreciate it. PLEASE refrain from speculative or irrelevant comments. Thanks
I'm sorry. I know you'd like a definitive answer. You're entitled to a definitive answer. Every American citizen is.
Don't like it? Protest the TSA's unconstitutional pattern of malfeasance.
Apr 5, 2011 | 6:03 am
#18
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
- I have presented my NEXUS and the TDC refuses it. I have a DL but I insist that he/she take the NEXUS. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I have opted out of the WBI. I insist on clean gloves. The screener pulls a pair of gloves from his non-sterile pocket. I insist he gets them out of the box. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I do not take my 3-1-1 bag out of my carry on. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I refuse to move from where I can see my belongings for the opt out frisking. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I insist on seeing my belongings or having them brought to me before allowing the start of the opt out frisking. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am told that I will need a private search. I offer to only have the search done in public and will sign an authorization. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I have my companion record on video my opt out frisk. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I insist that my medical liquids be screened separately and the sealed sterile container not be opened. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I put my shoes in the bin, rather than the belt. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I put my shoes on the belt, rather than the in the bin. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I forget to hold up my boarding pass as I pass through the WTMD. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I refuse to pronounce my last name for the TDC. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I refuse to tell the screener how much money I am carrying. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- When SPOTTED, I do not answer the questions. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- In the sterile area I am asked to present my beverage for an unknown test and I refuse. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- After being cleared at the check point, I am asked again to submit to a search or a document check while at the gate but I refuse on the grounds that I have already been cleared. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am in the airport taking pictures of things that are viewable by the public. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am in the airport taking pictures of the check point being careful to avoid the x-ray screens. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am taking pictures of the pat down of someone I do not know. It is occurring in full public view. Have I interfered with the screening process?
Thanks. Simple "yes" or "no" responses are all that is needed.
Apr 5, 2011 | 6:05 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,972
Here is one well known case that was appealed:
http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions...5a0399p-06.pdf
http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions...5a0399p-06.pdf
Apr 5, 2011 | 7:36 am
#20
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,070
I have searched the Forum and the Internet and have been unable to find any information as to what the TSA offically considers to be " interfering with the screening process". If any of our more knowledgeable members can direct me to the information I would appreciate it. PLEASE refrain from speculative or irrelevant comments. Thanks
as the TSA will use "SSI" as a catch all for what they don't want to tell you/what they don't want you to know-even if the information has absolutely no impact on or is absolutely no threat to nash'nul skewrity whatsoever 
Adding to the confusion, TSA considers "non-physical interference" with screening a fine-worthy offense:
http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/enforc...nce_policy.pdf
Nobody has ever given a good definition for that. I doubt they ever will.
It seems like a catch all contempt-of-screener charge similar to contempt-of-cop charges like disorderly conduct. It probably includes things like exercising your right to free speech or asking hard questions. Or using Jedi mind tricks to change the outcome of screening. ("These are not the shampoo bottles you're looking for. Move along.")
http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/enforc...nce_policy.pdf
Nobody has ever given a good definition for that. I doubt they ever will.
It seems like a catch all contempt-of-screener charge similar to contempt-of-cop charges like disorderly conduct. It probably includes things like exercising your right to free speech or asking hard questions. Or using Jedi mind tricks to change the outcome of screening. ("These are not the shampoo bottles you're looking for. Move along.")
Apr 5, 2011 | 8:31 am
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
And they like it that way, because if you're not afraid of the thugs in blue shirts, they no longer have any relevance and thus no income because they're wholly unemployable in any other position.
Apr 5, 2011 | 8:38 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,972
IOW it is totally at the whim of whoever is manning that checkpoint on that day at that airport. That's as close to a 'definition' there is; the TSA kangaroo court will decide the specifics of each case. Guess how that goes.
Last edited by Wally Bird; Apr 5, 2011 at 9:44 am Reason: sp
Apr 5, 2011 | 9:45 am
#24
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,425
There are two problems with the above definition:
(1) What constitutes the TSO's "assigned duties" are in a document that we're not permitted to see. Since we can't know what those duties are, there's no way to know whether an action that we may take will "delay, impede or distract" such person from their duties.
(2) It doesn't take into account that there are constitutionally protected activities (or those permitted by other laws, such as the ADA) which are still legal even if they "delay, impede or distract" a TSO. For example, a person who presents themselves at the checkpoint with medical items are going to "delay" a TSO, but they are permitted to do so by the ADA.
Can you try again?
(1) What constitutes the TSO's "assigned duties" are in a document that we're not permitted to see. Since we can't know what those duties are, there's no way to know whether an action that we may take will "delay, impede or distract" such person from their duties.
(2) It doesn't take into account that there are constitutionally protected activities (or those permitted by other laws, such as the ADA) which are still legal even if they "delay, impede or distract" a TSO. For example, a person who presents themselves at the checkpoint with medical items are going to "delay" a TSO, but they are permitted to do so by the ADA.
Can you try again?
now multiply this kind of mental confusion times 60,000 screeners, many of whom are probably far less mentally acute than the person who made this statement. What are the odds that ANYTHING these people don't like will end up being "interference".
To be valid, laws must be "promulgated", correct?
Apr 5, 2011 | 11:15 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
There are two problems with the above definition:
(1) What constitutes the TSO's "assigned duties" are in a document that we're not permitted to see. Since we can't know what those duties are, there's no way to know whether an action that we may take will "delay, impede or distract" such person from their duties.
(2) It doesn't take into account that there are constitutionally protected activities (or those permitted by other laws, such as the ADA) which are still legal even if they "delay, impede or distract" a TSO. For example, a person who presents themselves at the checkpoint with medical items are going to "delay" a TSO, but they are permitted to do so by the ADA.
Can you try again?
(1) What constitutes the TSO's "assigned duties" are in a document that we're not permitted to see. Since we can't know what those duties are, there's no way to know whether an action that we may take will "delay, impede or distract" such person from their duties.
(2) It doesn't take into account that there are constitutionally protected activities (or those permitted by other laws, such as the ADA) which are still legal even if they "delay, impede or distract" a TSO. For example, a person who presents themselves at the checkpoint with medical items are going to "delay" a TSO, but they are permitted to do so by the ADA.
Can you try again?
Apr 5, 2011 | 11:18 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
And you never will as the TSA will use "SSI" as a catch all for what they don't want to tell you/what they don't want you to know-even if the information has absolutely no impact on or is absolutely no threat to nash'nul skewrity whatsoever
Bolding mine: Yup ^ and I can't wait for a pax to be arrested for interfering with the screening process because they gave a middle digit salute while in the NoS.
as the TSA will use "SSI" as a catch all for what they don't want to tell you/what they don't want you to know-even if the information has absolutely no impact on or is absolutely no threat to nash'nul skewrity whatsoever Bolding mine: Yup ^ and I can't wait for a pax to be arrested for interfering with the screening process because they gave a middle digit salute while in the NoS.
Apr 5, 2011 | 11:27 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Under the Cone of Silence
Programs: UA Gold; AA Dirt; HH Diamond; National Emerald; CONTROL SecretAgent Platinum; KAOS EvilFlyer Gold
Posts: 1,679
And you never will as the TSA will use "SSI" as a catch all for what they don't want to tell you/what they don't want you to know-even if the information has absolutely no impact on or is absolutely no threat to nash'nul skewrity whatsoever
Bolding mine: Yup ^ and I can't wait for a pax to be arrested for interfering with the screening process because they gave a middle digit salute while in the NoS.
as the TSA will use "SSI" as a catch all for what they don't want to tell you/what they don't want you to know-even if the information has absolutely no impact on or is absolutely no threat to nash'nul skewrity whatsoever Bolding mine: Yup ^ and I can't wait for a pax to be arrested for interfering with the screening process because they gave a middle digit salute while in the NoS.
Apr 5, 2011 | 11:29 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
Fair enough. Here are a few scenarios:
Thanks. Simple "yes" or "no" responses are all that is needed.
- I have presented my NEXUS and the TDC refuses it. I have a DL but I insist that he/she take the NEXUS. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I have opted out of the WBI. I insist on clean gloves. The screener pulls a pair of gloves from his non-sterile pocket. I insist he gets them out of the box. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I do not take my 3-1-1 bag out of my carry on. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I refuse to move from where I can see my belongings for the opt out frisking. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I insist on seeing my belongings or having them brought to me before allowing the start of the opt out frisking. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am told that I will need a private search. I offer to only have the search done in public and will sign an authorization. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I have my companion record on video my opt out frisk. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I insist that my medical liquids be screened separately and the sealed sterile container not be opened. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I put my shoes in the bin, rather than the belt. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I put my shoes on the belt, rather than the in the bin. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I forget to hold up my boarding pass as I pass through the WTMD. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I refuse to pronounce my last name for the TDC. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I refuse to tell the screener how much money I am carrying. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- When SPOTTED, I do not answer the questions. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- In the sterile area I am asked to present my beverage for an unknown test and I refuse. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- After being cleared at the check point, I am asked again to submit to a search or a document check while at the gate but I refuse on the grounds that I have already been cleared. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am in the airport taking pictures of things that are viewable by the public. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am in the airport taking pictures of the check point being careful to avoid the x-ray screens. Have I interfered with the screening process?
- I am taking pictures of the pat down of someone I do not know. It is occurring in full public view. Have I interfered with the screening process?
Thanks. Simple "yes" or "no" responses are all that is needed.
Apr 5, 2011 | 11:32 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,952
You are making it more difficult than it is. I am searching a bag, you keep reaching into the bag and intentionally impede me. I am on the x-ray and you come in screaming and yelling obscene remarks and I look to see what the commotion is about, you distracted me. I am patting you down and you begin to berate me with personal insults and tell me that I am sexually assaulting you, you have delayed me from performing a patdown.
Gosh, anywhere else I might be subject to a fine there is a detailed description of what it takes to be charged with that offense.
Apr 5, 2011 | 11:33 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Here today gone tomorrow
Programs: *G, ow Saph
Posts: 2,865
Thanks. ^