Posts Tagged ‘tsa’

TSA “Response” to my complaint

Friday, July 27th, 2007

This is a copy of the response I received from the TSA about my complaint.

Thank you for your e-mail.

The Transportation Security Administration’s current security screening procedures require all carry-on luggage and accessible property be screened before passengers take them onboard an aircraft.  Regardless of whether an item is on the prohibited or permitted items list, the Transportation Security Officers (TSO’s) have discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if the item poses a security threat.

Therefore, TSA security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items like a Tide pen into the sterile area of the airport.  Should you need additional assistance, feel free to contact us at toll free 866-289-9673.

Please visit our website at www.tsa.gov (http://www.tsa.gov/) for additional information about TSA.  We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.

We hope this information is helpful.

TSA Contact Center

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Government | No Comments »

My TSA complaint

Friday, July 27th, 2007

This is the copy I received of the complaint I filed using the free wireless access from teh secure area of the Gainesville, FL (GNV) airport.

To: tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov
Category: Complaints
Sub Category: All Other Complaints

Message:

While passing through security at the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), my Tide(R) pen was confiscated from my quart zipper-top bag by a TSA agent.

When Asked why, I was told that bleach was not allowed on the airplane. When I pointed out that the product does not contain bleach, I was told that all hazardous substances were not allowed. I asked what about the soap and water inside the Tide pen was hazardous, and was told to “get going”.

I can understand an agent at a busy airport having a bad day – -but GNV is by no means busy, the TSA checkpoint was (over)-fully staffed, and there was no reason to confiscate my item.

It is very clear to me that the agent made a mistake and then didn’t want to admit to that mistake in front of his co-workers or a customer, there was very little that was professional about out interaction.

I have the right to understand why items are confiscated form me – particularly common items that I have flown with — form the same airport, with the same agent checking my bag — dozens of times.

Please educate your agents, and maybe start looking out for security rather than buys-work.

Regards,
Stephen Ulmer

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Government | 1 Comment »

Remember, Federal is Professional…

Friday, July 27th, 2007

Yet another example of idiocy provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): While travelling from Gainesville, FL (GNV) to Atlanta, GA (ATL) on Delta airlines, my Tide Pen was confiscated.

Why am I angry about this? Well, I can tell you it’s not because of the $4 that my government has illegally confiscated — if that bothered me I’d make a FairTax reference. No, I’m angry because the reason that my Tide Pen was confiscated is because the dolt of a TSA agent arbitrarily decided that he was going to take mine. That’s it. More you say?

So the agent looks at the items in my 1 qt. zipper-top bag, removes my Tide Pen, and then tells me that I can’t have that in the airport. When asked why, I was told that you can’t take bleach on an airplane. Well duh. So I pointed out that the confiscated product did not contain any bleach what-so-ever. I was then told that all hazardous substances were banned form airplanes. Okay. So i asked what about the product was hazardous, and if the rules had been change recently. That was when I was told to move along. So the guy who has probably just figured out that he is a federal employee has refused to answer my question.

While cro mangon man was pointedly ignoring me, I asked to speak to a supervisor. It was at this point he told me that I should move along or face arrest. For asking a question in a not-busy third-tier airport after having been deprived of my property? Arrest?

Had I been traveling under different circumstances, I might have called his bluff — I could do with owning where-ever this guy lives…

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Government | No Comments »