Question about TSA's search and seizure powers.

[The Backlash Cometh]

So I went on another trip and I have another air travel story to tell. I really thought this was going to be the one where I would get through without being picked out for anything, but, no such luck. Actually, it was my husband's luggage that got randomly checked by TSA, though you can't tell his luggage from mine since they're basically interchangeable. We found the card in the luggage that stated that TSA had gone through his things. He searched to see if anything was missing and discovered that his razor had been removed. He had used it in the morning but when he came home and unpacked, it wasn't where he had packed it.

So I'm here to ask, why would TSA want a used razor, if not because they were planning to collect DNA? That sounds so GATTICA, it's crazy.

How many people manage to get through these things without incident? Because I swear, when you combine coming and going either I will get tapped for a search, or someone in my family will at least nine out of ten trips.

[snappyturtle]

1. Happens to me too....last trip I got padded down! I'm a 63 year old

woman! I have no idea what the TSA can or cannot search or seize. Seems to me they make up the rules as they go along.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. When they're getting into DNA seizures it must be crossing the line.

I can't imagine they have the right to do it to someone unless they have probable cause. And the only thing my husband is guilty of is having a lapse in good judgment by marrying me. That said, it would not surprise me if someday they pull me in and say, "We want you to keep quiet or we'll find some crime scene to plant something that might affect someone you love."

Yep, I am losing confidence in our justice system. I can believe it might happen someday.

[MineralMan]

9. Support wires in bra?

That's the most common reason for women to get patted down. They will set off the metal detector every time. My wife travels in a sports bra with no such stuff in it. She just walks right through the metal detector, collects her carefully-packed carry-on, her shoes, and proceeds to the gate. Every time.

Is all this stuff inconvenient? A little, I suppose, but the hassle is almost 100% avoidable. Visiting my 86-year-old parents in California? Priceless.

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. There are bras now made with plastic "underwire."

Yes, metal underwire will surely get you felt up.

[MineralMan]

22. Well, at my age, the TSA folks are about the only ones who

might want to feel me up. :rofl:

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. A friend told me we could discourage them if we pretended to get

orgasmic by their touch.

[snappyturtle]

20. Nope, no wire bra. I just remember the days when going to

catch a flight was enjoyable. We didn't even think about metal detectors, taking off shoes (!), etc. We walked to the gate with no interference other than checking in. For me, the hassle shouldn't even exist. Terrorists will work around it all....unfortunately, someday I think we'll be reminded of that.

[rsmith6621]

2. I wish some CREDIBLE NEWS SOURCE

....would do an EXPOS-E on what the legal powers of TSA really are from inspecting your suitcase in the bag room to doing body scans...

It would be interesting to see if when we buy a plane ticket if within the purchase agreement we give consent...as a airline employee I have yet to find anything that says they are the TOP COP for traveling in this country..

Perhaps you could call the airport and ask them for it back.....

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. We had a small, unopened liquor bottle in the suitcase they didn't touch.

Just the used razor.

I bet that expose would never happen because the TSA will claim state's secret, or something to that effect.

[nilram]

5. I don't think they can take anything of that sort.

It was either stolen or misplaced. Here's their prohibited/allowed items page. All the sharp objects they list can be in your checked luggage. The items that can not be taken in checked bags generally make sense -- flares, gunpowder. I'm surprised to see spray paint on the list, but whatever.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Apparently the way to deal with missing items is to call them. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/editorial_1693.shtm Even if you don't get it back, presumably the fact it went missing might be recorded somewhere and eventually be a negative mark on their work. (Ok, a very very small negative mark.)

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Thank you for the information.

I'll talk it over with my hubby. I think having some record of the incident is a good idea.

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Maybe it fell out, and they forgot to put it back in?

Sorry, but the idea that these TSA guys are stealing DNA strikes me as a little bit ridiculous. Basically, my take on the whole airport security thing is that it's 50% show to make the public feel better, 3% actual chance at catching terrorists, and 47% looking for the hippie with the bag of WEED!!!!!!!!!!!! :o in his carry-on.

[MineralMan]

8. My wife and I have never been through any extra screening, our

bags have never had anything missing, despite a couple of bag checks, nor have we ever even beeped the metal detector. We just don't do or carry anything that causes any alarms to go off. We only travel a couple of times a year, though, so that may be the reason. I don't know.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. I don't travel that often either, but I use to get tapped all the time.

If it wasn't me, then it's my family members.

Twice a year is average for us. Do you belong to an ethnic group, if I may ask?

[MineralMan]

11. Ethnic group? Sure - Scottish/Irish

I'm also a full-bearded big guy and an atheist. Why do you ask?

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. Because I think I'm getting profiled.

[tammywammy]

13. I get tapped for extra screening on every trip

Maybe a couple where I wasn't, but I can almost guarantee it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. The big question:

Do you fit the "profile."?

[tammywammy]

16. 30 year old, white, red headed and freckley. n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. Shit. We're being profiled.

They must think you're the resurgent IRA!

[tammywammy]

18. Highly doubtful n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. What's your theory?

Why are they selecting you so often?

[tammywammy]

23. I think it's random, but I happen to get picked quite often

The small part of my family that came from Ireland came over multiple generations ago. I've never been to Ireland, and neither has anyone in my family (including cousins). The idea that I could be somehow connected to the IRA is laughable.

I think once I flew with an open ended ticket, that's why I got searched that time. I've bought a lot of last min tickets for vacations (meaning just a few days beforehand) and I've flown on stand-by a lot.

[The Backlash Cometh]

26. Sounds logical.

[MineralMan]

21. They probably think you're an Irish terrorist, then.

Either that or it's the "ginger conspiracy" that worries them. :rofl:

[tammywammy]

24. Well, we are soulless

[MineralMan]

25. See. I told you. The TSA is watching for you!

:rofl: