|
Friday, December 7, 2007 Talking turkey with the TSA
Security is predictably unpredictable — by design
By Harriet Baskas Travel writer MSNBC contributor
The folks at the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) aren't really after your peanut butter cups, pierced nipples or
artificial hips, but that doesn't mean those items won't get you pulled over in
airport security. TSA spokesperson Christopher White wishes I’d
called him before I wrote my
recent column offering tips for getting foods, gifts and other items
through security. And before I pointed out how the predictably unpredictable
security screening process might pass muster on a peanut butter sandwich in
Massachusetts but nix it in Nebraska. “We’re really not out to take
anyone’s peanut butter away,” White said. “We’re just
focused on finding liquid explosives. And with 2 million people and 3.5 million
bags to screen each day, our officers must use their discretion.”
That’s why, he adds, the TSA Web site lists some “no-fly
foods” but reserves the right to turn back many others with this
wide-reaching warning: “If you can pour it, pump it, squeeze it, spread
it, smear it, spray it or spill it, it could be considered a liquid or
gel.” White
says he knows a policy like that will understandably frustrate some travelers
who can’t be sure if their cheesecake or prized flan will fly. But he
says the inconsistency is intentional and a necessary sign of the times.
“The 9/11 terrorists knew exactly what to expect at security so we like
to introduce a bit of unpredictability.” That unpredictability is definitely extended to people
and their pierced or replaced body parts. While a hair barrette may set
off the metal detector at some airports, Lynne from Centennial, Colo., wrote to
say she’s never been pulled aside despite always wearing four hidden body
piercings, “15 earrings in both of my ears,” and an underwire bra. But Rachel from Charleston, W. Va., reports that her
aunt — who has had two knee replacements — always seems to
“ding the machine” and require secondary screening, even if she
flashes a letter from her doctor identifying the metal in her body.
Rachel’s advice: Forget the doctor’s note. Instead, people with
knee replacements should “wear pants they can pull up to show their
knees. The security personnel not only feel my aunt's knees but often want to
see them! Once
they see the big scars there and also see that she doesn't have a bomb strapped
to her leg, we are good to go.” It may make you want to scream when a TSA officer
makes an old lady roll up her pant leg, but it really is a necessary step in
the screening process, says the TSA’s White. “We know there’s
no single face or body type of a terrorist. So those that have hidden piercings
or replacement parts can expect some additional security.” To help move things along, he says those with
artificial hips or knees should alert a TSA officer. “Once they know
where that area is, they should be able to screen it in a respectful
manner.” For those with hidden piercings that set off the metal
detectors, White adds: “Every passenger should remember that they have
the right to ask for a private screening by someone of the same sex. That
screening can be in a private area, with another person present.” “And don’t worry,” he says.
“We don’t pass judgment.”
But what if you feel that a TSA officer is passing
judgment, being disrespectful or behaving downright mean to you or someone
else? White says the 42,000 TSA officers are all professionally trained
officers — and human beings. “But there’s no excuse for rude
behavior. So if you see someone acting inappropriately, you can report it
to the supervisor at the checkpoint, call the TSA’s Contact Center
(1-866–289–9673), or send an e-mail to TSA-ContactCenter@xxxxxxx .”
If you do, be sure to note the airport, the checkpoint location and the time of
day that you experienced or witnessed the incident. And try to get the name and
badge number of the officer involved. Or, as the holiday season shifts into overdrive, try
being a bit more like Katie from Spring, Texas, who sent along her security
checkpoint strategy. “One thing I try to remember when dealing with the
screeners at the airport: they're just doing their job. They didn't make up the
silly rules; they just have to enforce them. So, I try to be pleasant and
friendly to them. I figure they deal with enough unpleasantness without me
doing anything to add to it.” Good idea, Katie. But whatever you do at the security
checkpoint, think before you do or say anything. Back in August, security
screeners in Chicago asked a man to identify an object they’d fished out
of his carry-on luggage. The man was traveling with his mom and later told
officials that he was just too embarrassed to say in front of her that he had a
sex toy in his bag. So embarrassed, it seems, that it was easier to announce
that the object in his bag was a bomb. |
