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But why would anyone with a working brain object to an even better screening method? This is a little like my situation with pat-downs. I have offered many times to go into a private room and strip naked rather than have some stranger touch me. They can x-ray all of my clothes if they like. I wouldn't object.

The TSA always gets all huffy and acts like that would be some sort of grave security threat. But obviously it's even better than a pat-down. So why object? It's just a power-play, nothing more.

Bruce

As oppposed to your "offer?" Not buying it.

I really have no idea what point you are trying to make.

Bruce

Just one question: why would a terrorist EVER ask for a hand check of video tapes?

If they had a bomb, it would surely be found. That's just saying "please catch me sir." People know how much tapes should weigh. If it were packed with explosives, it'd be noticeable. Tapes even have windows so you can see the tape inside anyway.

If they were intent on blowing up the checkpoint, they wouldn't ask for a hand check. They'd just do it.

It might be the SOP, but I think it's a bad call.

I think he was trying to hurt your feelings. :sniff sniff sniff: A very poor attempt too.

The problem, of course, is that the fact that the TSA folks keep referring to "SOP".

I don't want some moron who only knows what SOP is trying to protect me. That's why the people who protect me every day, police officers, have something called "discretion". They know what SOP is, and they know when to ignore it.

Do you? Or when something terrible happens on your watch, will you just ::shrug:: and refer to SOP? Do you know why it's SOP? Do you have any understanding of the rules that you follow everyday and why they exist?

According to the TSA website, I can get a hand search of Motion Picture Film. Can you explain, other than referring to the bible, er, SOP, why videotape is any different?


Of course, I left the best part of the story out. Everyone was following SOP and telling me I had to xray the box. Then I busted out this tale (which happens to be true) -

"These tapes are masters for an ESPN show we just spent $500,000 shooting. I'd rather not chance it."

That's when I was taken through security and the the guy made the phone call.

So it seems that SOP is "We don't want to be bothered, but if you bother us enough, we'll do something reasonable so you'll shut up and we can get back to yelling at people to take off their shoes."

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First, I have never asked for standardization.

Second, you still haven't been able to explain why you follow the SOP, other than you have to. You haven't exhibited any sort of advanced reasoning that makes people think you can, you know, make things secure. All you do is keep saying "I do this because the SOP tells me too."

Don't you care why? Don't you want to make some waves if the SOP is actually not keeping people safe?

And in the time honored tradition ofGodwin's Law, I'll leave you with this -

The Nazis were just following SOP.

Checking the videotapes is a particularly bad idea. Not only are they extremely valuable, but checked baggage is subjected to even higher-intensity x-rays! Seems much riskier to me. I would never do that. And it seems to me the screening manager used common sense, justifying his higher pay grade.

Bruce

Just a guess, but TSA probably wants to X-ray videotapes because of concerns over sharp objects such as boxcutters being hidden in the videotape case. Another example of TSA fighting the last war. For the millionth time, as long as pilots do not open the hardened cockpit door, the airliner cannot be used as a missile. Bottles of wine are on full-size airliners, so bad guys have the means to improvise and fabricate sharp objects if they want to injure passengers and/or flight attendants. Bad guys could also use belts or regular #2 pencils to injure passengers and/or flight attendants, so the likely concern over hidden sharp objects is misplaced. TSA SOP is BS.

Lighten up on myrgirl guys. She is telling you how it is! There are too many other things that could be in the vcr tapes and those things wouldnt be found with ETD. Also per federal law, the TSA cannot tell you that you cannot fly. They could in this case though deny the passenger access to the sterile area because the passenger wont comply with the requirement to have the vcr tapes x-rayed.

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OK, everybody, let's count: How many TSA staff have said to you, "Do you want to fly today?" In my case, the number has to be around 20. Anybody else want to add their count to the total?

Bruce