I don't see why you're singling out the TSA as the target of your frustrations. Many public institutions have some type of item prohibition in place, and it's an increasingly common experience to be searched -- and have "problem items" seized -- whether you're attending high school, a major-league sporting event, or an airport. I can tell you that when I go to Court this afternoon, I won't be able to bring food, liquids, a hat, chewing gum, or dress shoes in a colour other than black into the courtroom, without the risk of having it seized (and, in the case of edibles, tossed). Court attendees aren't currently searched for contraband, but they will be when Calgary's new "all-in-one" court house opens next year. I'm just hoping that they'll maintain change rooms and lockers for those litigants caught making the fatal sartorial faux pas of wearing brown oxfords with their robes.

I agree that the attempt to ban the increasing number of "suspect" items is futile and onerous, but the correct course of action, I think, is to contact your representative instead of ranting at Bart (not that you did this, specifically), or the TSA. The problem is a systemic one, and growing in magnitude.

i have friends who did not know about Sept 11 until 10 days later cause they were on an island with no TV, internet, radio and generators for electricity - and before you ask, they had emergency radios in case of emergency, they just did not use them or turn them on cause there was no emergency for them while they were there.

Reminds me of a picture I saw once of a British Army traffic checkpoint in Belfast back in the 80s. There was a big sign approaching the checkpoint that said 'Sorry for the inconvenience - Blame the terrorists'.

This just in. I just went through security at one of my favorite airports.

A little old man and his wife just had their Starbuck's coffee "confiscated". They heard about a water ban. They didn't think it would apply to their coffee!



Yes it happens!!!!

Oh, right, big talk from your parents basement in your bunny foot PJ's.

How's that feel?

Don't make the rest of us suffer for their ignorance. If a person doesn't keep up with the world around them, that's their problem.

Feels good. Being a retired old fart, I miss my bunny foot p,j.'s, and haven't thought about them in a looong time! Mahalo.

Correct perhaps, effective ? See other threads.

Hint: WOMBAT

"my representative" would have little influence on the policies of a sovereign nation (USA), even though that same nation sure has an impact on mine!

I'm also not sure why someone who posts on an internet forum would disparage such communication?

Who said anything about making anyone else suffer? Yes, it is their problem but that only impacts you if you allow it to.

However, anyone who make a statement to the effect that "everybody knows the rules" is also showing his/her ignorance.

Agreed. Even TSA doesn't know it's own rules.

And I'm in Canada. We are all facing security measures that are largely complementary to those imposed by/through the TSA in the US, though, and this discussion (and any plans to take action) are therefore relevant to all of us.

Disparage? I'm just pointing out that neither Bart nor any other TSA screener on this board has much latitude (or authority) to tailor enforced regulations as they see fit.

Err...not true: we all suffer. If the voting populace kept up with the world around them, I doubt many of the current office holders in the legislative and executive branch would still be employed in their present positions.

If all these gels and liquids they are seizing are so dangerous why aren't they all being disposed of correctly by a police or fire department explosive ordinance disposal unit rather than just thrown in the trash? Is the janitorial crew properly trained in EOD?

We may be surprised, but believe it.

I am amazed at how few of my friends or office staff who do not travel don't "get it." Most of them thought it was just a 1 or 2 day thing. Guarantee the TSA will have a ton of fun at holiday time when droves of clueless infrequent travelers show up.