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A nice roundup of some of the dumbest things the TSA did in 2008

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Dec 16th 2008 at 1:00PM

The TSA has made quite a name for itself when it comes to making stupid decisions. Whether it is forcing a mom to drink her own breast milk, or claiming a thin laptop could be a dangerous weapon, when the TSA screws up, they tend to screw up quite badly.

I've compiled some of the best TSA screwups we reported on here on Gadling in 2008.

Do not try and bring a gun through the checkpoint (unless you work for the TSA)

Can you imagine what would happen if you tried to sneak a gun past the security checkpoint? All hell would break loose, probably involving a complete terminal shutdown and a taser.

Unless of course you work for the TSA.

Back in April, Justin wrote about the TSA agent who smuggled a gun through the checkpoint. Instead of being fired, the agent was merely suspended for 30 days. Brilliant.

* * *

Mock bomb passes through the checkpoint - CNN was there to document it

What is worse than an incompetent checkpoint that misses a mock bomb strapped to a TSA agent? Having the incident filmed on CNN!

When CNN got up close and personal with TSA undercover agent "Jason", they probably did not expect to document someone sneaking a fake bomb past the security staff.

* * *

1000's of TSA uniforms and badges unaccounted for

October brought us the brilliant story of the TSA coming to the conclusion that they have lost track of thousands of uniforms and badges. Not just any old badge; these badges actually provide access to secure areas of the airport.

Apparently the TSA did not have a suitable system in place to check that retiring (or fired) agents were actually returning their stuff. So, while they are busy making sure you don't bring dangerous bottled water on the plane, potential terrorists might be out there buying real TSA uniforms.

* * *

Is that an Apple branded bomb in your bag?

When Apple released their new ultra-thin laptop, I doubt anyone at the design department ever thought that the TSA might confuse the sleek lines of the Macbook Air with a bomb.

Apparently the TSA had not been keeping up with the latest technologies enough to understand that a thin computer does not always have to be an explosive device.

* * *

Breasts + nipple rings + pliers = TSA embarrassment

One of the more high profile stories involving the TSA this year, was an incident involving breasts and nipple rings.

While these 2 usually make for a steamy story that beings with "Dear Penthouse...", this incident was quite embarrassing for the TSA.

When Mandi Hamlin passed through the checkpoint, she set off the handheld metal detector wand. Instead of just asking for a manual search by a female agent, the male TSA agents decided it would much more fun to give Mandi a pair of pliers and demand that she remove her nipple rings.

Once Gloria Allred go involved, the TSA announced it would change the way it screens passengers with body piercings.

* * *

Greed knows no boundaries with this TSA agent

In September, I reported on a TSA agent who was helping himself to goodies from our luggage. Not content with low priced items like MP3 players and digital cameras, this idiot thought it would be cool to snag himself a $47,000 HD video camera from HBO.

As with most thieves, this guy got caught when he became too greedy. The FBI purchased one of his items off Ebay, and apprehended him.

* * *

TSA behavior detection, detects not much more than that

In 2006, the TSA started a highly promoted "behavior detection program" which involved training their agents to detect terrorists based on nothing more than suspicious behavior.

In total, 160,000 people were flagged by this method, resulting in just 1,266 arrests. Aaron covered this waste of time and tax money in November including a priceless quote from a Carnegie Mellon professor who calls the program "a sham".

* * *

Sprained ankle? Prove it!

It's bad enough when the antics at your checkpoint are merely annoying, it's another when the screeners actually cause bodily harm.

That is what happened to Lorna Dunlap at Pasco, WA airport and Jeffrey wrote about this insane incident back in October.

Poor Lorna has sprained her ankle, forcing her to travel with a leg brace. Apparently, the screener wanted more proof of this injury, so told her to remove her leg brace and stand on one leg.

The stupidity caused her to fracture her leg in 2 places, but I'm sure she's relieved to hear that the TSA is "looking into it".

* * *

Another breast related incident

The TSA really seems to have a problem with breasts. When you read what happened to Nancy Kates, you'd probably suspect that the TSA agents all received a memo warning about boobie bombs.

Nancy is a big-busted woman, but when her underwire set off the metal detector, it was the beginning of a 40 minute dispute that resulted in her having to explain to a TSA supervisor how the Constitution works.

In the end, the TSA was so kind as to let her simply remove her bra and go through the checkpoint again, but that didn't stop her from making sure the entire world got to read her story.

Despite the TSA's best intentions, what strange things have been found on planes?

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Reader Comments (Page 5 of 5)

Fursealclubber Dec 19th 2008 8:04PM

I've had an expensive watch and sunglasses stolen out of my checked baggage. Most of my travel experiences involving TSA agents have been negative, the power goes to their heads, and they become over-bearing. It's easy to see how people become frustrated and can flip out on them.
I'm convinced the TSA does little if any screening for their hires. I caught one of them eyeballing my prescription meds that were in my carry on, probably looking for a "party pack" for the weekend.

gerrold Dec 29th 2008 2:24PM

These people are not educated and they are black and brown young adults that get paid to much for nothing. They need to cut back on their duties and let the Airport Police do the searching because they are sworn officers for the city of Los Angeles. They also need to fade out this job because it seems as if it's a game to them. Because the people I know are always talking and laughing about the people they screen. Some of them always talking about trying to get notice by the cerlebities that come through the airport and going to their big parties.

clyde barrow Dec 19th 2008 8:10PM

I got some frends that work for thee tsa and they really try hard. i am gonna try to get in too cause it pays better than anything else in my town and i ain't no sucker.

lu Dec 19th 2008 9:25PM

The worst airport to fly out of is Miami. I had 1/2 bottle of sprayJean Nate that amounted to approximately less than 100ml. and an used small gel colgate tooth paste and my hair cream, which by the way was also used and in a tybe, This were all inside the suitcase and in a plastic see-thru bag. This new idiot made my life misserable. I almost missed my plane and the gentleman that was puching my wheel chair could not believe what was going on.
I agree that we should be restricted and we should all be searched, But please.....GIVE US A BREAK!! SEARCH DOES THAT SHOULD BE SEARCHED!!!

King Dec 19th 2008 8:25PM

During my tenure with TSA I traveled and worked at many airports from ocean to ocean including Alaska and Hawaii. I, too, was subject to the exact same screening process each and everyone of you go through. I also worked the Democratic and Republican conventions in 2004. My background had been checked by local authorites, state authorities, F.B.I and the Secret Service.
I have seen many of the atrocities that people mention in these blogs and reported them as I saw them. But, I can say that there are many hardworking and dedicated TSA people out there. Don't judge many by the actions of a few.
Next time you have a problem take it up the ladder. There are supervisors at every checkpoint, security managers and Federal Security Directors at every airport.
TSA has an SOP, but, many airports define it differently and have their own individual add ons.
Just go with the flow, don't argue when asked to remove your shoes or laptop, follow the rules and you will make it to your destination on time.
Check the TSA website for additional information on prohibited and non-prohibited items. www.tsa.gov
I fly out tomorrow to spend the holidays with friends.
I hope that you all have a great Holiday ...

Nonnii Dec 19th 2008 10:57PM

I have flown all over, both domestic and international, before and after 9/11. I have never had a problem with TSA. Once I had a pair of nail scissors in my manicure kit which I had forgotten that I had and all they did was take them from me, which was fine with me.

My last international flight was from Morocco to Seattle routed through Paris and Huston. Paris was a nightmare, late arrival, wouldn't give my husband a one night visa because he is Moroccan which made it necessary to go the Huston route instead of staying over in Paris for the night, seeing his cousin and taking a direct flight to Seattle the next day. AND they confiscated my cheese!

The flight from Huston was delayed something like 5 hours, but TSA was fine and no one hassled my Moroccan (Arabic) husband. ::shrug::

Neil Dec 22nd 2008 1:39PM

I have a concealed handgun license, which comes with a full FBI background check. It looks similar, but has obvious differences, than my Texas DL. I used it for identification in El Paso and I thought the TSA man was going appoplectic...I don't do that anymore, even though it is a better ID than my DL.

Sarah Dec 22nd 2008 10:34PM

I just wanted to comment on what Lori said regarding the less than intelligent people who are in no way obligated to fly.

Some of us less than intelligent people have no other choice when it comes to methods of travel.

You see I am currently stationed in Hawaii with my husband who is currently deployed in Iraq and I want nothing more than to see my family whom I have not seen in over two years. Currently there is no bridge linking the Hawaiian Islands to the continental USA. Although, it is ultimately my choice to travel at all, I do not have the choice of driving to my final destination. Perhaps you will remember that not all us can just drive or walk our final destination.

Lotte' Dec 23rd 2008 6:50PM

TSA accepts all government issued photo ID. Those of you that are saying otherwise must have had some issue with your ID that the officer questioned, or for some unknown reason made the officer feel uncomfortable with it, which resulted in further screening. Like it was pointed out earlie, since TSA was formed no commercial airliners have been hijacked nor have terroristic acts occurred over U.S. airways. So, to answer your questions, yes they are making a difference, only not in the public view. They keep it quiet so not to spread fear, like the terrorists want.

Ted Jan 4th 2009 6:54PM

Many of the TSA screwups sound ridiculous, unnecessary, and ineffective, but if they stop 1 hijacking or 1 bombing, and prevent the loss of 200 or 300 passenger and crew lives, they are worth the inconvenience to a few people. As the old saying goes: many of these people would bitch if you hung them with a new rope....

I have traveled commercial airlines for business and plaeasure for 30+ years. Being a middle-aged, male WASP, I don't meet the standard requirements for terrorist profiling and am often stopped and have my briefcase or other possessions searched. This was happening long before 9/11 and all the heightened security....

It's part of traveling. Let it go at that. I much prefer it over the inconvenience of having to pull off the Houston toll road every few miles to pay another $1.50 because I haven't purchased the electronic toll tag for my windshield....

If it bothers you so much, stay the hell at home!

Johnny Jan 4th 2009 7:23PM

I have rheumatoid arthritis, with bilateral titanium hip replacements, as well as 2 rods in my left leg and plate on my left knee from a car accident. I know my metal orthotics will set off the metal detectors, and, in the beginning, used to explain my situation to the TSA agents prior to going through the metal detector (and after removing all possible metal objects, i.e., watch, belt, keys, pen). Despite my thorough explanations prefacing my entering the metal detectors, the agents STILL insisted I walk through the detector --- not once, twice, but THREE times! Each time I'd fly, I'd visit the TSA website to make sure I was up-to-date with all their policies pertinent to my medical condition, so when I asked the TSA agent for a pat-down instead of the metal detector while I waited on line to approach the security screeners (you're NOT obligated to explain WHY you wish this alternate safety search procedure performed, but I volunteered the information nonethless), the TSA agent told me to just walk through. AGAIN, they made me walk through THREE times before they relented and used a hand wand and THEN the patdown I'd initially requested! I had even asked for a supervisor after the first 2 unsuccessful walk-throughs, and they told me he was busy. Either these TSA agents don't know their current (and long-standing) policies, or they just don't care if their ignorance and callousness inconveniences not only myself, other passengers and the TSA agents on duty. If I am paying for the plane ticket, I am also paying their salaries, as it is tacked onto the price through 9/11 security fees, so please do not retort that if I don't like it, find another mode of transportation! Thank you for letting me share MY encounters with the TSA.