My sympathies are with the woman
 

She may have over reacted. She may have been belligerent. She may have been totally innocent of doing anything wrong. I have no way of knowing.

What I do know, based on personal experience, is that some screeners go out of their way to keep passengers from being able to observe as they rifle though bags. Some airports are pretty good. Some are terrible.

One of my more unpleasant experiences was at BOS at the Delta terminal. As I cleared the metal detector I saw a screener grab my laptop case off the out-feed belt and take it a good 15-20 feet away and start opening it; no "Whose bag is this?", no waiting for me to arrive, no word of warning at all. He just grabbed it and took off. I (admittedly loudly) shouted, "Either send my bag back through the xray unopened or let me watch you open it." I repeated myself several times to no avail.

When my bag finally did reappear I'll admit I was in a pretty agitated state. I was trying to keep my eye on the screener who had grabbed the bag when a second person appeared, grabbed my bag and started to open it up. I asked her several times to not start opening my bag, as I wanted to ensure the first screener didn't disappear into the crowd of other TSA people milling around. I knew I couldn't watch both her and the other guy. Next thing I knew, 5 or 6 Mass. state troopers with assault rifles were standing around with the one in charge berating me. I think that I could have very likely been in a similar position with the lady in the video. The only thing I was trying to do was prevent a repeat of theft by TSA as had happened on a prior trip through BOS. My guess is the second screener was trying to distract me from being able to watch the first. She succeeded.

That was about a year ago. Since that episode I've started locking my bag before entering security. Strangely enough, in the time since I've had a highly visible lock on my bag, not a single TSA screener has seen a need to open it. Before then it would get checked about 20% of the time. Coincidence?

+1. The only time I've had real problems is where a screener was not only careless but told me to shut up when I suggested that 1) he be careful, and 2) that he use "that" - and I pointed to it - zipper to open the bag when it was obvious that he had no clue and he was about to tear the bag. He again told me to shut up or he'd make sure I missed my flight - as he proceeded to tear the fabric of the bag liner with no apology.

Jerk.

I have exactly the same experience at the BOS AA terminal. Inevitably, I'll take a few move to a position where I can see them put my bag through and the barkers come straight at me. No one can ever understand why I want to watch the TSO with my bag.

Mike

Did you speak with a supervisor? That's ridiculous.

Yep, I called for one. She refused to give me her name, the name of the screener, and the name of the FSD. It was only when I pressed very hard that she gave me a complaint form. Both the screener and the supe were absolutely disrespectful and a disgrace to even the low standards that TSA has.

I can only conclude that the problem at BWI is institutional - I never received a response from the FSD (got his name elsewhere) or airport management.

From my experience TSA at BWI is pretty pitiful, rivaling only BOS for arrogance, thievery and ineptitude. I am amazed at what gets extra scrutiny at BWI and what gets not ever a second glance.

One time I splashed gasoline on myself while refueling the rental car and when I got to the screening station I still had a very strong gasoline smell. I was fully expecting to get some secondary screening and close questioning; but not a single TSA person even gave me a second look. This was after the airline agent at the ticket stand and several people in line asked me what was causing the smell. Got to keep that dangerous shampoo off the airplanes but gasoline?...... no problem.

Is the case of the original video going to court anytime soon? or is this a never ending story in which one parties hope it will go one forever and the woman finally gives up?

too bad there isnt a soundtrack on this video - it would cut down on all the conjecture.

My guess - the woman objected to ANYONE touching anything that she owns. TSO is not some guy at a bus stop pawing through your handbag. You go to the airport with an expectation that a search may happen and there are rules to that search

TSO starts looking through, woman starts up with some "hey what are you doing" edge to her voice, TSO says stand back, she doesnt, she gets close and then she meets the table. TSO searches hundreds of bags everyday and doesnt have the time to conduct a mood review of the owner prior.

she should have taken Acella to DCA

not every bag search is a government conspiracy

The search was ........ anyway, if someone can pass the metal detector and x-ray search what is the problem. The liquid rules are ........ anyway, any real cop would have understood that there was no crime. The terrorists won big time, they hate our freedom , well they solved that didn't they. We have no freedom anymore.

Travelers need to start recording all interaction with TSA employees. This crap won't change until they are publicly shamed on YouTube.

Unfortunately even this will end on Thursday if congress passes Net Neutrality.

What am I missing? What else could they have done? It looks like she was refusing to step away from the table, and then reached for her purse. Were the cops supposed to wait patiently and see what she pulled out of it?

I guess if her crime was illegal contact solution she should be put to death right. Or maybe some sort of slave labor camp for life. I mean they put that lady who had the problem with her kid's sippy cup problem to death right?