Lines taken out of context.

[rivka]

"TSOs [Transportation Security Officers] have been trained to not touch the monkey during the screening process."

(From here.)

On a more serious note, I'm impressed by how carefully thought out the TSA's policies for screening people with disabilities are - but given some of the stories I've heard, I question how well those policies are understood and implemented by individual TSOs.

I was at the TSA website trying to figure out what is likely to happen when we try to bring a large, opaque bottle of medicine and a cold pack in our carry-on luggage next Friday. The official liquids policy allows quantities of less than 3oz only, but apparently medication can be carried in unlimited amounts. The medication policy also explicitly permits ice packs and gel packs needed to keep medicine cold. I have printed out a copy of the policy to carry on the plane with us.

(Oh, and you want creepy? Follow any one of those links and look at the TSA logo in the upper left-hand corner. They've put a freaking Christmas wreath around it. Now I want someone to make me a Barrayaran ImpSec Eye-of-Horus with reindeer antlers.)

Comments

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

None of the TSA folk have ever believed me that I can't stand or walk on the mat underneath the magnetic portal. It has tall spikes that sway from side to side and since my balance is bad to start with, I sway with them. Then the TSA people yell at me for touching the portal, but otherwise I would fall down. So they make me stand longer in a tiny little corral before they have me stand again on one of those damn mats and yell at me for moving again while they wand me.

[therealjae.livejournal.com]

"TSOs [Transportation Security Officers] have been trained to not touch the monkey during the screening process."

EEW! Bleagh!

-J

[beaq.livejournal.com]

I get a 404 when I click the Christmas wreath.

[toadnae.livejournal.com]

Having been through their training process, I honestly feel sorry for most TSO's. The big problem is that how they do their jobs changes literally 2-3 times per week. They get a memo on the change and must implement it immediately and perfectly. It is a tough job.

Printing out the policy and taking it with you is an excellent plan. Also, know that you can always calmly and politely ask for a supervisor and they have to let you talk to one. It may be a bit of a wait, but they have to let you talk to one.

[cchopps.livejournal.com]

You may want to call your particular airport. My experience back in October is that sometimes the lines of communication between TSA and individual airports vary as do they way they handle specific policies. Either that, or get there extra early!

[naomikritzer]

I wish you could fly in and out of MSP (the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport). Our TSA officers are calm, polite, efficient, and friendly. What was most striking to me was how much easier it got to pass through security with small children after the TSA took over security there: they send you to a particular chute, where the machine is designed to accomodate carseats and strollers, and they seem to have extra staff assigned there to help you wrangle your kids and make sure the toddlers don't wander off if the parents have to be pulled aside and wanded. They even help me get my kids' shoes back on.

Most of our flights are from here to Boston, and the difference in the TSA staff is extreme. In Boston, they radiate overwork, suspicion, and genuine fear. It is really clear to me, passing through security in the Boston airport, that they feel personally responsible for 9-11, since the two doomed flights that hit the WTC originated at Logan. Never mind that the hijackers all passed through security somewhere else: the staff at Logan are clearly haunted by the idea that in a different world, one of them might have been able to prevent it. AND THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN. EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU. I hate flying out of Logan.

BOS

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Can't fly into Providence instead?

B

Re: BOS

[naomikritzer]

You know, we absolutely could fly into Providence (our ultimate destination is a suburb near Plymouth) and we've considered it a few times. We always end up flying into Boston instead. First, it's always cheaper, often significantly cheaper, and with four tickets to buy, that's a big factor. Second, there are a ton of daily flights between Minneapolis and Boston, so if something goes wrong, it will be easy to rebook.

The other reason: my husband has a whole lot of relatives in Winthrop, MA, which is five minutes from Logan. So we can fly in, get on the van to go to Enterprise car rental, pick up our car, and pull into his uncle and aunt's driveway five minutes later. Instead of hunting for dinner on the road, we can relax with relatives, eat there, and hit the road at 9 p.m. when the traffic has cleared out.

[journeywoman.livejournal.com]

the staff at Logan are clearly haunted by the idea that in a different world, one of them might have been able to prevent it.

I remember thinking at the time that the security people in Portland (ME), where some of the terrorists started, were probably having a hard time living with the guilt, and with the concept that security at small airports was more lax than at major ones. The closest airport to me is a very small one, and they seem to have taken that lesson to heart: the screeners are very polite but thorough, and they go through every single bag that's checked.

[journeywoman.livejournal.com]

Also, I fly into Manchester NH (MHT)--it's about an hour north of Boston, and is a fairly relaxed place to fly in and out of. Maybe that's an option for you?

[riarambles.livejournal.com]

I flew out of Boston with infant and a lot of carry on gear this past Thanksgiving and had absolutely no problems in security. We went very early, thinking we'd have problems or at least a delay, and ended up seated at our gate 2 hours before our flight time. It's a case of YMMV, I guess.

[therealjae.livejournal.com]

I have had exactly this experience flying out of Logan, and oh my GOD is it ever upsetting.

-J

Monkeys

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I will blog this.

But yes, you are right. It is not unusual for there to be a huge difference between the TSA rules as written and what goes on day to day at actual airports.

B

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Additonal items you may bring include:
Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage. BUT if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to one of our Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection.

Part of me is delighted by the thought of a person turning up with a crate full of organs for transplant and trying to get it through security. Or even a big bag o' blood.

[geekchick]

Will you settle for a Santa hat? ;)



(Did you know that if you add a note to a photo on Flickr reading "ho ho ho hat" or "ho ho ho beard", it will add a resizable Santa hat or white beard? Hee!)

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Simon Illyan would be so proud.

[thette.livejournal.com]

That's lovely!

[selki.livejournal.com]

LOL on the wreath! So user-friendly!

[papersky.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine who has to take a keep-cold medication on planes has figured out that it makes most sense to have it in a container full of ice, let them chuck the ice, and then when inside get more ice from someone selling drinks, and maybe again on the plane from the cart if necessary. Ice is easily replenishable if you already have a container that will take it, an ice-pack might be confiscated.

Good luck!