What reasonable suspicion? He had less than $5,000 on him and was on a domestic itinerary.

Any luck on finding out if metal butter knives are permitted through your checkpoint? I do want to ensure that I am following TSA rules.

Ron, with all due respect and humility, I would be happy to compare resumes anytime. Your perspective of "security" is constrained by your airport and the procedures you are given. Many of us on this board, including myself, have had real interactions with real senior managers of both the TSA and the DHS. Many of us have the clearances which allow us access to the raw information that eventually turns into "SOP" and "SSI" information. Many of us, with decades of experience in the national security business, have very different views and perspectives about what the raw information tells us. We have advocated and, on occasion, published opposing views, albeit in classified channels.

If you, given your perspective, could have had the opportunity to broaden your horizons and see what we have seen, I suspect you're a bright enough guy to conclude that you are being used as pawns in personal agendas. Believe me, in the grand scheme of things, your job is to portray an illusion of "security" to the public and that's it. That's really too bad, because way too many innocent Americans are being caught in the crossfire.

What we experience at America's airports as personified by all of you wearing the spiffy blue "intimidating" uniforms is simply a manifestation of a series of really bad decisions made since 9/11/2001.

Reasonble suspicion of what? :confused:

Not that TSORon has much idea what he's writing about, but Northwest airlines, the smallest of the majors, does currently do this, at least for domestic itins. Stapling? might be an individual TA preference.
Likelihood of WTMD minder caring or recognizing an international itin? I would estimate < 1%. Likelihood of this info transferring accurately to X-ray minder who then recognizes real big cash $$$ on X-ray image? (~1%squared), ie 1 in 10,000.
Likelihood of the X-ray minder recognizing lump o'cash $$$ on X-ray image and working back to determine pax is on int'l itin? much higher.
Likelihood if pax has any wit, and a >1 leg boarding pass? Effectively "0"

OK, my fault. I think I flew NW once in the mid-80's so the slip is excusable, I hope. :cool:

Anybody who is still willing to line up for the likes of the TSORons out there (at least he is an HONEST representative of TSA's pledged "dignity and respect" clauses) deserves EXACTLY what you get.

My momma never did raise such a stupid child.

Have fun bending over, paxs. Sucks to be you...

What is really amazing is that TSA has to have a form so they can plan how to be unpredictable.

What a waste of paper, everyone already knows the TSA is unpredictable.

You know, like when a TSO says that only plastic butter knives are allowed.

Well, obviously you don't unnerstand, you're not a securitie profffessionall. (TM) You must have strayed off the "path of knowledge"

:D:D:D

Actually, that part of the plan makes sense. It's incredibly difficult for people to "unpredictably" pick people/items for special attention; we all tend to default into patterns, or let our personal biases/prejudices affect who/what we pick. Having some sort of formal guidance as to how to execute an "unpredictable" plan actually makes a great deal of sense.

When doing QC work, the USAF used a baby food jar with 5 pennies in it. All come up heads and the the piece of equipment got the full QC. Worked pretty well but we would have to trust the keeper of the jar to not steal the pennies.

That's true everywhere but with the TSA. They break their own rules, are accountable to no one, and "cause" means " 'cause we said so." If the TSA were accountable to some higher authority, where citizens could bring action to seek redress of their grievances (as guaranteed in the constitution) instead of the TSA simply saying "For reasons of national security" then your above remarks would hold true for the TSA. The problem is, the TSA has magically exempted itself from those requirements.

--PP

The reasonable suspicion was established for the LEO by the TSO. Its pretty common practice in the law enforcement community, and well founded in law, for a LEO to take their reasonable suspicion from a reputable source.

OK, I guess its time to get around to finishing this thought for you. I’m quite sad that you were unable to finish it yourself, but then again you are not by your own admission, a security expert.

Butter knives are examined, being long bit of metal, and if they have a sharp edge on them then they should not be allowed. Most butter knives do not have a sharp edge, and therefore provide no cause for concern. Some do.

Now, I know that you are biting at the bit to split that hair just one more time, can you refrain from making that reaction without bursting a blood vessel?

You still have not answered what reasonable suspicion was present? Will you provide that, or is this just another round of hot air from you?

Again, please tell us what the reasonablel suspicion was, considering that no law was broken and there was no contraband?

You repeatedly dodge this question. Maybe you have me on ignore.

Considering situations like this, I have a hard time finding TSA to be a reputable source.