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The Mysteries of the TSA
The Mysteries of the TSA TheAtlantic.com Jeffrey Goldberg 01 Jun 2009 A Goldblog reader writes about a recent encounter with a Transportation Security Administration officer at JFK: As I passed thorough the metal detector, my carry-on bag was flagged by the TSA and, after a cursory inspection of my turkey sandwich (which was judged to be benign), the TSA officer pulled the culprit item in my toiletry kit: L'Oreal's Studio Line Invisi-Gel. "This gel container's too large. You'll either have to check your bag or I'll keep this." I shot the officer a plea for sympathy: "My Invisi-Gel?" "Don't worry," she added encouragingly,"You can get another one at Rite-Aid." I thought it over. I'd rather lose the $5 gel tube than pay a $40 bag-check fee. "Enjoy it," I said, concealing my irritation. She replied, quietly, looking away from me: "I will." Do TSA employees get to keep this stuff? Items confiscated due to their potential for hazard wind up in employees' bathrooms? |
But obviously it's too dangerous to go on a plane.
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But TSAers in this forum tell me the TSA doesn't confiscate items.
So much for that. |
the TSA officer pulled the culprit item in my toiletry kit: L'Oreal's Studio Line Invisi-Gel. "This gel container's too large. You'll either have to check your bag or I'll keep this." |
Originally Posted by Boggie Dog
(Post 11838566)
This is what TSA calls voluntary surrender!:td:
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"Enjoy it," I said, concealing my irritation. She replied, quietly, looking away from me: "I will." |
Is there a point to this thread? Besides satisfying the outraged anti-TSA mob who jump on even the slowest-moving of bandwagons? :)
This is just a story that recounts what happens thousands of times a day at thousands of airports around the world. Obviously I don't agree with the rules, but they are there, and have been for a very extensive period of time, so why is this news? :confused: |
Originally Posted by star_world
(Post 11839065)
Is there a point to this thread? Besides satisfying the outraged anti-TSA mob who jump on even the slowest-moving of bandwagons? :)
This is just a story that recounts what happens thousands of times a day at thousands of airports around the world. Obviously I don't agree with the rules, but they are there, and have been for a very extensive period of time, so why is this news? :confused: |
Originally Posted by star_world
(Post 11839065)
Is there a point to this thread? Besides satisfying the outraged anti-TSA mob who jump on even the slowest-moving of bandwagons? :)
This is just a story that recounts what happens thousands of times a day at thousands of airports around the world. Obviously I don't agree with the rules, but they are there, and have been for a very extensive period of time, so why is this news? :confused: |
Next time, tell them you'll check the item, leave, put the item in your pocket, and try spinning the TSA "Detect this!" wonder wheel again.
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Originally Posted by whirledtraveler
(Post 11839252)
It's better maintain awareness of this insanity than to become inured to it. If we become inured to it, we lose part of our humanity.
^^ If it can be retreived/returned to the other side of security, squirt it into the trash or otherwise destroy it. Above all, don't forget how this bit of theatre does little to create a safe traveling environment. |
Originally Posted by jkhuggins
(Post 11839333)
Well, it also provides a curious rebuttal to those TSOs who claim "we never confiscate anything, passengers always surrender those items".
Besides, why does a TSO need a backpack, purse or what have you at the checkpoint? |
"Enjoy it," I said, concealing my irritation. She replied, quietly, looking away from me: "I will." |
Originally Posted by star_world
(Post 11839065)
Is there a point to this thread? Besides satisfying the outraged anti-TSA mob who jump on even the slowest-moving of bandwagons? :)
This is just a story that recounts what happens thousands of times a day at thousands of airports around the world. Obviously I don't agree with the rules, but they are there, and have been for a very extensive period of time, so why is this news? :confused:
Originally Posted by goalie
(Post 11839972)
that would be my cue to actually squeeze out the aforementioned lotion into the big ole barrel that they use to keep all those ebil 'n dangerus likkids in (and of course we all know that none of those dangerous items are seperated or segregated form eachother :rolleyes:). sorry, but if i can't have it, ain't nobody else gonna hvae it either (and that includes soda, coffee, shaving cream or anything else that deems me an ebil ter'wrist)
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Originally Posted by Boggie Dog
(Post 11839433)
Makes a case for TSO's to have no personal items inside the checkpoint.
Besides, why does a TSO need a backpack, purse or what have you at the checkpoint? |
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