My brush with TSA

[TripleR]

Um.. it'l only turn ugly if you get ugly about it... There's nothing trivial about money. I never said there was.. ever.. none of my posts indicate I've ever trivialized money.... in one form or another ( money = resources ) is what the entire -WORLD- is about. wars have been fought over resource control ( IE MONEY ).. probably more people killed in the pursuit of money than just about any other venture.. not sure how the crusades stacked up.. but that was a power/control issue... and power is simply a fixture to control money/resources....

Around here.. where I live.. which is all i'm concerned about anyway, when it comes to traffic laws....

It's revenue enforcement baby.. that's what it's all about.

and none of that diminishes the dangers of said revenue chasing... it is what it is. being the most sought after thing int he world does tend to make the chase that much more dangerous.

think drug dealing is safe? why sell drugs.. why make drugs? .... m-o-n-e-y

if there was no money in it.. .. if the cartels couldn't make a dime on it... it wouldn't be so widespread...

( PS.. do you think 'revenuers' destroying mountaintop stills were about public health? or taxes? )

just about everything revolves around money.. and money is usually dangerous.. in large quantities like we are talking about. just a simple fact...

soundguy

You completely lost me on that one.

 

[Soundguy]

You've got it, Rick. I strongly disagree with some of the TSA rules and policies, but that doesn't mean I don't respect the individuals who are trying to do the job the best they know how.

good point.

I'd also go along with that on my speed trap argument. I'm sure the actual police out on the road are none to happy writing the huge volume of tickets they are .. perhaps.. 'encouraged' to write.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

You completely lost me on that one.

go back and re-read the message you posted to me, previous to that one, then re-read that one again.. it should become obvious

soundguy

 

[ustmd]

I am a pretty frequent flier because of work--anywhere from 40K-100K/year.

For the most part, I have had no significant issues with the TSA.

Most of the issues I do see are caused by the travelers who either act as if all of the security is a new thing (it has been almost 10 years now) or that the rules shouldn't apply to them.

While I think the 3 ounce rule for liquids is stupid, it is the rule and I am not going to change it by arguing with the TSA agent at the check point. However, the number of people I see arguing that they just have to bring the 1 qt gar of Grandma's peach preserves in their carry on is astounding.

 

[ultrarunner]

I am a pretty frequent flier because of work--anywhere from 40K-100K/year.

For the most part, I have had no significant issues with the TSA.

Most of the issues I do see are caused by the travelers who either act as if all of the security is a new thing (it has been almost 10 years now) or that the rules shouldn't apply to them.

While I think the 3 ounce rule for liquids is stupid, it is the rule and I am not going to change it by arguing with the TSA agent at the check point. However, the number of people I see arguing that they just have to bring the 1 qt gar of Grandma's peach preserves in their carry on is astounding.

Part of it is exactly what you describe... some are very infrequent fliers and the rules constantly evolve... what is standard at one airport will not be at another and it could change tomorrow.

There was a time when the airlines advised packing fragiles and liquids in the carry-on... because they assumed no responsibility when checked.

Shoes on, shoes off... it is not consistent even in the US...

Add to that the foreign interpretation of US rules in places like Germany in Switzerland and you add to complexity.

One trip leaving Munich, I was in the duty free zone and decided to spend all the Euro coins I had amassed... bought some alcohol and chocolates that were placed in a heat sealed bag along with the custom duty free papers...

Second Check no problems... (First Check was to get into the Duty Free area) Third Check the bag was confiscated because of the liquids and I was pulled aside and questioned.

I very calmly said someone needs to coordinate the policy... because you have vendors advertising duty free carry-on and now it is being confiscated... please call a supervisor... the super came over and admonished the armed officer after seeing what I had bought... the short of it, I was free to go and take my purchase on-board...

It's no wonder that people that do not fly often get confused and my elderly mom is having trouble keeping up... she always would bring a jar of honey from Grandfather's farm... never a problem till last year... she was passed through the check points and as she was boarding the plane she was pulled aside and the honey was taken... this was candied honey... not liquid... you follow the rules... the problem is the rules are subject to on the spot interpretation...

As for Law Enforcement being a dangerous job... my Uncle died in the line of duty in 1964...

 

[TripleR]

go back and re-read the message you posted to me, previous to that one, then re-read that one again.. it should become obvious

soundguy

Lost interest; don't really care any more.

 

[Soundguy]

I thought as much.


soundguy

 

[BoFuller]

You've got it, Rick. I strongly disagree with some of the TSA rules and policies, but that doesn't mean I don't respect the individuals who are trying to do the job the best they know how.

So this is basically the reason for the thread in the first place. Some of their policies are really stupid, but I have a higher level of respect for the guy just trying to do his job. And at times they go out of their way to accommodate people. :thumbsup:

 

[wedge40]

So this is basically the reason for the thread in the first place. Some of their policies are really stupid, but I have a higher level of respect for the guy just trying to do his job. And at times they go out of their way to accommodate people. :thumbsup:

I try and get my head straight before getting to the airport, then be as pleasant possible when dealing with security. These guys dont make the rules they are just trying to enforce them. I really think the rules ARE different between airports, on purpose. And my theory is they think it's a security measure. Also my experience is the smaller the airport the more scrutiny for each passenger.

Wedge

 

[dynasim]

What exactly are the stupid rules?

Chris

Chris, maybe they wouldn't have such a bad reputation if they didn't do so many really stupid things. The last time my wife's aunt came to visit from California I think she was 89 years old, probably weighed 85 pounds, retired 2nd grade school teacher. On the return trip from DFW Airport, the idiots searched carefully and confiscated her little nail file. I'm not sure whether the TSA folks in California just missed the nail file when she came from there, or if they happen to have some reasonably intelligent people on the job out there.