cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

[KeLviN]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

People seem to forget that the x-ray is good for detecting liquids, and the metal detector is good for finding... umm.... metal.

between 1 in 100 and 1 in 250 people are pat down. so things that are non-metal will be fine in your pockets (non bulky)





(edit: section removed because i dont want any body pointing their fingers at me when they get caught)

[jeremycec]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

Today, the TSA turkeys at Norfolk, VA took away my Crest Whitening Expressions toothpaste. I had everything in a zip lock bag just like they asked. I had a 4.6 oz. bottle of this liquid-ish toothpaste that was less than half full. It had a transparent container such that you could easily see this. Here is roughly what transpired:

TSA twit: "This toothpaste is 4.6 oz."
Me: "No, it's not. Look at it; it's less than half full. It's only about 2 oz."
TSA twit: "We have to go by the size listed on the bottle. Heheh. We're not going to measure out the contents."
Me: "Yeah, but can't you use some common sense? What if there were no quantity listed on the bottle? Wouldn't you have to eyeball it then?"
TSA twit: "Sir, I'm not going to argue with you. Do you want to check your bag?"
Me: *Sigh* "You know, I have taken about 10 flights in the past two weeks with that same bottle of toothpaste, and you are the only one to give me hassle about it."
TSA twit: "Just doin' my job."

And they really think that--that not thinking is somehow accomplishing the job of security.

If they're so imprecise about measuring the contents of bottles, how did they arrive at that precise value of 3.4 oz. allowable for liquids anyway?

Also, why is baby formula allowed, but tooth paste is not? That seems rather random...

Oh well, I'm still fuming about my 2 oz. of toothpaste. GRRRR!

jcec

[punkrokk]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

I think it's hilarious that they can't just lift the ban immediately. Instead we have to wait a month for them to communicate it.

What if tmrw item X was deemed a risk? I'm sure they'd have no problem banning that in days (hours)...

[lil_freak]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

I have had a pat down a few times. The longest it has taken, including waiting for them to come over to the pat down area, is about 5 minutes.

Good to hear, I'll plan an extra 30mins for myself then.

I had one at the airport in SLC, and let them do it in public. Had to drop my pants a bit and take off my belt. It took a few minutes. It took them more time to look over the items I put up for scanning than it did for them to search me.

I was told I could be searched in public or behind a screen. I'm going public, I figure it might be faster, besides I could care less if people want to stare at me.

The scanning part will be a problem for me, as most of my carry-on items can't be sent through an x-ray machine, so that should an interesting experience for me as well. I am adding an extra 30mins to my arrival time for this as well.

[TheCotMan]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

Maybe they will ban Chapstick next...
... because it is a lip *balm*

/me ducks.

[astcell]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

So are airplanes.

[bascule]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

But... but... LIGHTERS ARE BOMBS!!!!! </facetious>

[TheCotMan]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

So I can now bring a cigarette lighter with me, but have still have to go through hell during the screening process for other dumb rules.

Just a side question, but has anyone had to have a pat-down inspection or a private screening and if so how long did it take? and what do they do? (I've read TSA's info on this but I would rather here it from someone else other than them)

I had one at the airport in SLC, and let them do it in public. Had to drop my pants a bit and take off my belt. It took a few minutes. It took them more time to look over the items I put up for scanning than it did for them to search me.

[Chris]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

So I can now bring a cigarette lighter with me, but have still have to go through hell during the screening process for other dumb rules.

Just a side question, but has anyone had to have a pat-down inspection or a private screening and if so how long did it take? and what do they do? (I've read TSA's info on this but I would rather here it from someone else other than them)

I have had a pat down a few times. The longest it has taken, including waiting for them to come over to the pat down area, is about 5 minutes.

[lil_freak]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

So I can now bring a cigarette lighter with me, but have still have to go through hell during the screening process for other dumb rules.

Just a side question, but has anyone had to have a pat-down inspection or a private screening and if so how long did it take? and what do they do? (I've read TSA's info on this but I would rather here it from someone else other than them)

[noid]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

I saw a story about this on the local news last night. What was the most amusing was the 'man on the street' comments from SEATAC. Almost all of them were lambasting the TSA for doing this. Most of the comments were along the lines of 'now I feel less safe'. One guy even said 'great, now the guy next to me can light his seat on fire'.

Do these mouth breathers realize that up until Sept. 11th, not only could you have a bottle of 151 in your bag along with a cigarette lighter, but also a pocket knife under 3"? I flew with my knife all the time. Know how many people I stabbed? Same number of people I've shot with all my evil gun show assault rifles.

Fuck Big Brother. I'm more worried about Big Mommy, because these folks are asking for it.

[astcell]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

Having just flown in, I can attest to how idiotic security is. Going through Moscow gets you searched and patted down while they go through your luggage. Liquids are fine, so are lighters. Once you hit JFK it is a different story.

One guy had alcohol in him, sealed, He had to toss it. Pat the TSA line there was an alcohol sales point. So he replaced the bottle an carried it on the plane. Maybe those bottles were x-rayed but hey check out the little shops in the airport and tell me someone with a wicked mind could not come up with something out of all the stuff.

This is just another attempt to stop crime by getting rid of weapons, as if the desire to commit crime will go away too.

[Synapse]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

regarding the liquids ban... if anyone hasn't seen the very well-written and well-researched Register piece which debunked that whole plot, it's a rather good read.

yeah..

and according to the tsa site, as long as you don't have greater then 3 ounces of KY jelly with your carry-on you're all good

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...-items.shtm#10

I still need to smuggle my homebrew tho'

[theprez98]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

yes, and i'm getting out there on the 1st... but i was referring to the fact that people will be able to bring these items home... thus making them better prizes than anything that would have to be stuck in an envelope or stolen by The Man at the airport.

Gotcha...just making sure.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: cigarette lighters... TSA gets their head out of their ass

Doesn't DEF CON start on the 3rd?

yes, and i'm getting out there on the 1st... but i was referring to the fact that people will be able to bring these items home... thus making them better prizes than anything that would have to be stuck in an envelope or stolen by The Man at the airport.