Special Needs Son Harassed by TSA at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Jun 9, 2011, 6:57 am
#1
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Special Needs Son Harassed by TSA at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...-20110608-wpms
The TSA agents saw drew holding a six-inch plastic hammer.
"My son carries his ball and his hammer for security. He goes everywhere with (them)," said Mandy.
However, TSA saw the toy as a weapon.
The TSA took away one toy hammer, but they were still able to take another toy hammer on board the airplane. How did that happen?
Drew's mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
The TSA agents saw drew holding a six-inch plastic hammer.
"My son carries his ball and his hammer for security. He goes everywhere with (them)," said Mandy.
However, TSA saw the toy as a weapon.
The TSA took away one toy hammer, but they were still able to take another toy hammer on board the airplane. How did that happen?
Drew's mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
Jun 9, 2011, 7:09 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 959
I love it! 
These types of stories are good in that they highlight the "theatre" aspect of the TSA. It will show people that TSA is not really focused on airline security, but rather enforcing their interpretation of the (Secret Squirel Innanity) rules prohibiting WEI from entering the aircraft.
These types of stories are good in that they highlight the "theatre" aspect of the TSA. It will show people that TSA is not really focused on airline security, but rather enforcing their interpretation of the (Secret Squirel Innanity) rules prohibiting WEI from entering the aircraft.
Last edited by essxjay; Jun 9, 2011 at 8:45 am Reason: gratuitous
Jun 9, 2011, 7:16 am
#3
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"Very polite. Very apologetic. He was embarrassed. He (said) we have to review how we deal with special needs individuals. Obviously, he (said), we're doing a terrible job," Mandy told us.
Jun 9, 2011, 7:32 am
#4
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Location: Denver CO
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I would be interested in hearing from our TSA FTers on why a plastic toy hammer could be considered a weapon. It seems to me that it could be x-rayed to see if it was truly hiding anything in it followed by an ETD swab. Does common sense exist at all in the ranks of the TSA? Same goes for compassion for that matter.
Jun 9, 2011, 7:34 am
#5
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The TSA took away one toy hammer, but they were still able to take another toy hammer on board the airplane. How did that happen?
Drew's mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
Drew's mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
Jun 9, 2011, 7:41 am
#6
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"Very polite. Very apologetic. He was embarrassed. He (said) we have to review how we deal with special needs individuals. Obviously, he (said), we're doing a terrible job," Mandy told us. "It made me feel that there is still hope, that there is still justice and that there's still somebody who listens to people's problems (in) the federal government.
That's because federal security told him there are 800 TSA agents at Metro Airport and they are all going to be retrained based on Drew's case.
We also spoke to a federal security director who said this incident is still under investigation, but, as far as they can tell right now, better judgment was needed.
That's because federal security told him there are 800 TSA agents at Metro Airport and they are all going to be retrained based on Drew's case.
We also spoke to a federal security director who said this incident is still under investigation, but, as far as they can tell right now, better judgment was needed.
I'm also disappointed how many people allow themselves to be so easily blown off by a "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed" TSA spokeshole whose job it is to win Academy Awards by pretending to be "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed."
Jun 9, 2011, 8:03 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: halfway between JFK and LGA
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http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...-20110608-wpms
The TSA agents saw drew holding a six-inch plastic hammer.
"My son carries his ball and his hammer for security. He goes everywhere with (them)," said Mandy.
However, TSA saw the toy as a weapon.
The TSA took away one toy hammer, but they were still able to take another toy hammer on board the airplane. How did that happen?
Drew's mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
The TSA agents saw drew holding a six-inch plastic hammer.
"My son carries his ball and his hammer for security. He goes everywhere with (them)," said Mandy.
However, TSA saw the toy as a weapon.
The TSA took away one toy hammer, but they were still able to take another toy hammer on board the airplane. How did that happen?
Drew's mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
Jun 9, 2011, 8:44 am
#9
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Yep -- retraining solves everything.
I'm also disappointed how many people allow themselves to be so easily blown off by a "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed" TSA spokeshole whose job it is to win Academy Awards by pretending to be "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed."
I'm also disappointed how many people allow themselves to be so easily blown off by a "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed" TSA spokeshole whose job it is to win Academy Awards by pretending to be "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed."
(I can't find a working link for Tom's statements, but blog sites still contain bits of the story and broken links to the WLNS.com web page that had the interview.)
Jun 9, 2011, 8:47 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
"My son carries his ball and his hammer for security. He goes everywhere with (them)," said Mandy.
They certainly make me feel less secure. I'd love to bring one of my chasing hammers with me....
Last edited by IslandBased; Jun 9, 2011 at 8:53 am
Jun 9, 2011, 9:22 am
#12
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Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.5.0.138 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
Training records as well as training materials are subject to FOIA. The records would be redacted to remove the clerks' names, but, based on the public statements, we know that there will be approximately 800 of them.
A non-profit such as the Association of Retarded Citizens or a similar org would have the clout and credibility to not get blown off easily. If someone has connections, please forward this to them. I'm happy to ghost-write the FOIA- just PM me.
Training records as well as training materials are subject to FOIA. The records would be redacted to remove the clerks' names, but, based on the public statements, we know that there will be approximately 800 of them.
A non-profit such as the Association of Retarded Citizens or a similar org would have the clout and credibility to not get blown off easily. If someone has connections, please forward this to them. I'm happy to ghost-write the FOIA- just PM me.
Jun 9, 2011, 9:43 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 46
This is the first story, I believe, involving an MRDD individual and the TSA. Wonder if this situation occurred because of the overall mentality of the TSA or the mentality of the "agents" at DTW? My experience with DTW has been horrible compared with any other airport in the nation. I find TSA "agents" at DTW are more hostile, abrasive, insulting, and inept compared with other airports I fly in and out of. Though, to their defense I really have not met a competent, logical, and rational "agent" yet.
Jun 9, 2011, 9:51 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 733
"Very polite. Very apologetic. He was embarrassed. He (said) we have to review how we deal with special needs individuals. Obviously, he (said), we're doing a terrible job," Mandy told us. "It made me feel that there is still hope, that there is still justice and that there's still somebody who listens to people's problems (in) the federal government.
That's because federal security told him there are 800 TSA agents at Metro Airport and they are all going to be retrained based on Drew's case.
We also spoke to a federal security director who said this incident is still under investigation, but, as far as they can tell right now, better judgment was needed.
That's because federal security told him there are 800 TSA agents at Metro Airport and they are all going to be retrained based on Drew's case.
We also spoke to a federal security director who said this incident is still under investigation, but, as far as they can tell right now, better judgment was needed.
I'm also disappointed how many people allow themselves to be so easily blown off by a "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed" TSA spokeshole whose job it is to win Academy Awards by pretending to be "polite," "apologetic," and "embarassed."
Terrorist Support Agency
<snippity snip>
Accordingly, our TSOs currently receive specialized training for persons with special needs... Through TSA's Disability Coalition, we maintain a dialogue with over 70 groups representing a cross-section of the disability community...
<snip>
<snippity snip>
Accordingly, our TSOs currently receive specialized training for persons with special needs... Through TSA's Disability Coalition, we maintain a dialogue with over 70 groups representing a cross-section of the disability community...
<snip>
