The Mysteries of the TSA
Jun 1, 2009 | 12:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA:SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night:Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,524
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?
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?
Jun 1, 2009 | 12:29 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,998
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."
Jun 1, 2009 | 12:36 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
"Enjoy it," I said, concealing my irritation. She replied, quietly, looking away from me: "I will."
Jun 1, 2009 | 1:56 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,240
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?
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?
Jun 1, 2009 | 2:28 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA EXP/Marriott Plat/Hertz PC
Posts: 12,724
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?
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?
Jun 1, 2009 | 2:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
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?
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?
Jun 1, 2009 | 2:44 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus. Eurobonus Millionaire
Posts: 38,732
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.
Jun 1, 2009 | 2:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Omaha, NE, USA
Posts: 1,496
^^
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.
Jun 1, 2009 | 3:01 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,998
Besides, why does a TSO need a backpack, purse or what have you at the checkpoint?
Jun 1, 2009 | 4:43 pm
#13
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
"Enjoy it," I said, concealing my irritation. She replied, quietly, looking away from me: "I will."
). 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)
Jun 1, 2009 | 5:42 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,436
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?
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?
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 ). 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)
). 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)