RaydancePhoto

TSA confiscates photographer’s blower because it could be filled with gunpowder and used as a missile

http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/tsa-confiscates-photographers-blower/

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

That's what happens when you don't even need a GED to get that job. And it only pays $29k to start.

FABrauer Loc: D/FW, Texas

... and they they should have confiscated his stretchy waistband undies as "sling shot" material for the said "projectile". I can could go on but I digress.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Can't blame the individuals. Its the geniuses that make the rules and the rest of us for putting up with them.

"He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security."-Benjamin Franklin

sisko67

Recently I had to go thru TSA security at Orlando International Air Port. TSA started a new program, where you may be Pre Approved to pass thru security, without taking off your shoes, your belt, or opening your bags. Well I was wearing a cloth [ military style ] belt, with a military belt buckle. I was NOT covered in anyway shape or form, the TSA agent motioned me thru the metal detector, with my belt on, and when the alarm went OFF, I started to take my belt buckle off, and I said I knew it would set off the alarm, to which she replied " I don't trust you!!!!" I don't understand why she would not trust me, but TSA would allow a known terrorist to pass thru and enter this country??????????????? On another pass thru at the same air port, I mistakenly had 3 individually wrapped life savers in my pocket and a folded up envelope that the boarding pass came in, in my back pocket, because I didn't want to put the thing in my mouth, as I had my hands full. After being scanned, the female [again] TSA agent got nasty with me and had me patted down. I understand the TSA agents have a job to do, and Please do it, but They need to change their demeanor, we the public do NOT deserve to be treated they way we are, maybe they need to look in the mirror and ask themselves, would I want to be treated with such disrespect????????????????

newbie147 Loc: Manchester UK

We read about the TSA's attitude on a daily basis on forums.All i can say it must play havoc with your tourist industry. Why pay a fortune to visit a country just to be treated like trash?

billjohdoittoday Loc: Arkansas

I live in Arkansas, about the middle of North America. It's a two day (sometimes three day) drive to the extremes of the continent. Two days to Los Angeles, two days to southern-Florida, three days to Oregon or Maine.

Still, I drive these days rather than fly. Better three days behind the wheel than dealing for a single moment with TSA idiots and TSA idiot regulations.

Bill

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I have been very satisfied with the TSA Pre-Check program which is done through my frequent flier program when you get your boarding pass online. You don't have to remove your shoes, belt, or light jacket. I go ahead and put any metalic objects in my carry-on. I waltz through every time.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

My medical background allows me to see what the component parts of a rocket blower are. Simply tell the TSA agent that it is your personal enema device and they will very quickly return it to it's place.... :)

MtnMan Loc: ID

When I get that kind of behavior from one of them I look around for the supervisor and, if I have the time, go and complain. Most of the time I see them take immediate action. Occasionally I can tell that it is the supervisor that is the problem.

But most of the time they are quite pleasant. Orlando is one of the most frequent problems so I suspect the high traffic of inexperienced travelers might make for more bad days.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Apparently there isn't an IQ requirement either.

The traveler should have asked to see the supervisor.

Duckfart Loc: Olympia, Washington

I usually try to find humor in stupidity. It keeps me from being pushed over the edge. But this one is too hard to put in any humor contest.

Duckfart Loc: Olympia, Washington

I usually try to find humor in stupidity. It keeps me from being pushed over the edge. But this one is too hard to put in any humor context.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Did you notice that this has been moved to Links and Resources?

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Joer,

Occasionally you can blame the individual rather than the supervisors. I have a background in law enforcement and have seen a few individuals I worked with who when a badge was put on their chest it gave them lots of perceived power. They enjoyed making people jump to their commands and relished in being as petty as they could be. After law enforcement I was in the corrections business and saw the same thing happen. Over 99% of the people I worked with were professional in every way and I was proud to either work with them or supervise them. The other 1% are who the public remembers though.

Coming through Heathrow last year I put a jar of Scottish marmalade at the bottom of my camera bag early in my trip to protect it. By the end of the trip I had forgotten about it. When the screener asked me to open my bag I realized I had forgotten about it and explained what happened. He literally called me a crook for trying to get away with something and confiscated it. Yup marmalade. I hope his family enjoyed it.

Dennis