TSA Inconsistencies??????

okrebel92

Engineer
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 15, 2010
357
0
Stillwater, OK
So I’ve flown with my rifles and all of the gear that I drag along with it for my long range shoots and I've noticed some inconsistencies about what’s allowed/ not allowed, questionable/ non questionable. My first example is my rear bag. It’s a leather rear bag and filled with some sand. It seems that at Tulsa, every time I go through security, they pull my bag over to the side, make me open it, pull it out, then questioned about its purpose; why I have it, why I need it, where I’m going bla bla bla…. I simply tell them it’s a rear bag that is used for shooting targets. With the awkward look, the TSA head honcho usually gets called over to discuss it. I simply tell them it’s just full of sand and they begin wiping it down to do their chemical test. With their obvious reluctance that’s expressed by their facial expressions, they allow it. Now, this same rear bag doesn't even faze other TSA agents at other cities such as Albuquerque, DFW, Houston etc... What gives? Also, there's the issue of my tripod. It's a cheap flimsy one that came with a spotting scope and isn’t adjustable and is basically 3 aluminum spikes that pivot at the triangular mount. I was told that the tripod could be and I quote “disassembled and used as a weapon." Ok, in the farthest stretch of the imagination I could see that, but why hadn't it been an issue on the other flights? Are some agents just not doing their job? And if they're going to stretch their imaginations that far, what about other tripods? What about a spotting scope lenses that could be broken up and used as a weapon? I mean seriously, where does it stop? And has anyone else had issues like this or inconsistencies like I had mentioned? Needless to say, I don’t travel with that tripod however I’m not buying a rear bag every time I travel. My final point is that once again, TSA is going too far and I think it’s getting ridiculous.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

Dont worry it wont be long, before one of the TSA members comes along to say that you should know better than to take a DANGEROUS WEAPON (bipod)on an airplane,and that TSA is just doing it for the safety of all Americans.TSA sucks period and they always will,its just another government job creation gimmick to screw all us shooters.I have a close friend that works for them here in Las Vegas,and sorry to say he is as lazy as they come,thats why he went to work for TSA....
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

I was told that the two harmonicas I had in their cases in my bookback looked like "bad, very bad things" and told never to bring them on a plane again. TSA is the new new deal, it's giving incompetent, unemployed people who don't have the intelligence to get a real job something to do.

(This is not aimed at people in TSA who actually know WTF they're doing - generally managers/project leads, I've met a few and they're very nice people, but at the low-end screeners who have a week's training and low IQ score)
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

In college I was flying home and had a brand new mechanical fuel pump in my carry on. They flagged it and said it could be used as a weapon because it weighed a couple of pounds. I pointed out that, by that logic, my laptop could be a weapon as well as one of my shoes or a text book. They insisted that it would be a problem so I moved it into my checked bag.

Flying sucks.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

I fly a lot and the TSA is pretty much inconsistent from airport to airport. Some airports have the body scanners some do not. What might have gone through no problem on the way out is a no go on the way back. The thing that bothers me is that the TSA has only been reactionary.

Also, the TSA screeners have let weapons and bomb through security point when that security point was being tested. LA airport had a 90% failure rating in the past; I don't know what it is now. The TSA is there to make people feel the are safe and that's it. The money would be better spent having more air marshalls, IMO.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

I fly all over the world for work. Usually 150,00 or more miles per year. This is common in every airport in the US. Just like the other various parts of the government, its all subject to local interpretaion. I deal with the FAA all the time. The rules that govern aviation are written down in black and white but each FAA Inspector gets to enforce the rules according to how he understands the, If he doesnt understand them, he just makes a judgement call and says he's right, no matter what the correct answer is. This is the same with the TSA. All the rules are black and white, however they are enforced as people want to enforce them and decisions are made based on what the guy in charge on this shift says. I carry computer and printer and scanner in my carry on. I leave home (DFW) no need to take out the scanner or printer. Leave Phoenix, they want to scann everything seperate. One thing is consistant, its never the same......
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

Inconsistincy is part of the security.

Think of it as a feature rather than a hassle. I airline a dozen+ times a month. And it's annoying but they aren't going anywhere. I did get the third degree while refusing the rape machine though...
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

The funny thing is before TSA the airlines paid for the checkpoint security screeners at each airport, and one of the airlines was responsible for administering the check point according to FAA reg.s. Of course it was different at each airport. After 9-11-01 the U.S. Congress Democrats wanted to start a new Federal Agency to standardize security across the nation's airports. The Republicans were opposed because they feared another unionized Federal workforce, and felt the FAA could have more control over security, so the 2 parties compromised buy creating the TSA and not allowing them to unionize.
How's that working out for ya?
I got more TSA stories, like how they wouldn't hire retired police officers because they had unfair advantages.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SturmHead</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got more TSA stories, like how they wouldn't hire retired police officers because they had unfair advantages. </div></div>
Figures... God forbid we hire people with security and weapons experience.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

I've flown a lot with weapons. Every place is different. Greenville SC wanted to me to open my case, give them the weapon, and have them take into a room out of my sight. HA! Like that was gonna happen. Ended up being quite a huge deal as I was not letting those pukes walk away with my weapon in their hands.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: okrebel92</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So I’ve flown with my rifles and all of the gear that I drag along with it for my long range shoots and I've noticed some inconsistencies about what’s allowed/ not allowed, questionable/ non questionable. My first example is my rear bag. It’s a leather rear bag and filled with some sand. It seems that at Tulsa, every time I go through security, they pull my bag over to the side, make me open it, pull it out, then questioned about its purpose; why I have it, why I need it, where I’m going bla bla bla…. </div></div>

I have a rather large stack of "unloaded coupons" over the last decade so I know what you mean with inconsistant protocols. Open, don't open, go here go there, etc. Given the general moronality of people, I find it amazing that traveling so many times has been as smooth as is has.

Your story reminded me of this: one time I had MY rear bag in the back of a military backpack (carry-on). Rear bags are consistantly dense and they look like something of potential explosive trouble to a X-ray. Most people have no frikken clue on the practical matters of a bag filled with sand or media. I usually make a point to not try to place questionable stuff in a carry on.

Anyways.....to my story; this one is stitched <span style="font-weight: bold">"BOOM"</span> on the end (Boomholzer). Not allot of forethought when I ordered that bag. This was good for a discussion.

-Boom

Words should be able to address most if not all situations if one is in the clear. I give TSA some credit VS the ass-monkey I met at the CBS. Canada blows.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

From the security side of the house...not TSA though. There's people who do their job to the T no matter what. There's the ones who don't pay attention much. And there's the ones that know their job and apply some common sense to it. Who you get is a crap shoot.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

Not quite TSA but I think you guys would get a kick out of it anyways...I was returning from my last tour in Iraq, we take chartered civilian airliners from kuwait to the states (all uniformed on board, no regular passengers) Well going through customs in kuwait (which is ran and staffed with navy geniuses), they wouldn't allow me to bring my key chain onto the plane. If I could figure out how to post pictures I would, but I'll explain it best I can...I took a .44 magnum EMPTY case, drilled a hole through both walls close to the rim, and put a key ring through. Then I put a new bullet into the end.

Now picture it...primer is dented, HOLE through the side of the walls with a ring in it, and you can pull the bullet right out of the end with your fingers. They said it was ammunition and I couldn't have it. All the while as I'm standing in front of the guy holding an M4!! haha I even took the key chain all apart to show his supervisor that it was physically impossible for it to fired out of any gun (I wonder if he even knew what caliber an M4 was...? ha) No primer, no powder, no gun that could chamber it. Still, they refused to let me take it on the plane. So I started arguing with this dooshbag about it, and at one point he said "we are trained by and hold to the standards of TSA, the regulations state no ammunition allowed". Which I completely understand! I do! IF it was loaded ammunition. But what am I gonna do with this? THROW the bullet at the pilot!?!?
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

and then there was this stripper clip used to load sks's found in my carry-on......told the brain surgeon it was a barrette ......he bought it and tossed it back in the bag.....



i could go on
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">told the brain surgeon it was a barrette ......he bought it and tossed it back in the bag.....
</div></div>

nice quick thinking! I probably would have done the deer in headlights look haha
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

The BATF considers any part of a round, even the bullet and bullet only to be ammo, they are the "highest experts" regarding firearms/ammo in the US, can't blame the TSA-they're just enforcing the rules as the BATF has instructed. Maybe the entire things should be looked at by a group of people with a different point of view.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

I say they need to be done away with right now today.
They are nuthin but a big fat part of a problem with no solution.

Just read and posted of them recently on another board.
Them along with them JBTs.
Yeah,pretty soon you will have some form of them stopping you on the hiways and county roads.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

Those dumb mutherfuckers 'Demanded' me once to ( remove ) the integrated &tempered coiled flat-spring from Packed Spring-loaded Pilot Chute . Sealed & Packed in Reserve Container system . That was packed & sealed by 'FAA licensed' Rigger .
I tried to explain over & over that this is Only Carry-on Baggage & also this a FAA 'approved' & sealed life saving device & that ... "Why are you making me do this " ??? . This is not a 'Weapon' . IT Is just a COILED FLAT SPRING enclosed by Fabric . Argument went back & Forth for several minutes . So I finally just Pulled the Reserve handle right there on the table right in the AssHoles Face & I let that fucker fly . Fuck Him .
<span style="font-weight: bold">
'Some' of them are the densest in mind of all parasites that suck the public Tit . They CAN NOT make independent decision . it is a genetic gene-pool flaw of there DNA . & They apparently are the 'Hand-Picked' hired to protect & serve with Vigilance these united states .
Apparently they ARE TRAINED, But even Using there Brain & Eyes the TSA inspection can not even distinguish between Bomb & carry-on shaving & toiletry items. Making you remove & X-ray your shoes & forbidding you to carry on a bottle of drinking water while inspecting the contents of your child's Dipper for 'forbidden contraband' . US Airport TSA are a fucking Joke for securing public safety .
TSA Inconsistencies is putting it mildly & again I say ...." Fuck Them".</span>
.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

They ban the most ridiculous things but what about a ball point pen or sharpened pencil. I could do way more damage with a pen than a pair of nail clippers. I guess they should not allow fingers on flights either. Way too dangerous.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

well my job is flying aircraft for a name you all know. I deal with those idiots on a daily basis. You would think that since I am the one sitting up front with the controls in my hands that they would trust us. Nope, I've had them take water and shampoo away from me. Took a pair of tweezers from me the other day. Never mind the fact that I have THE CONTROLS TO AIRCRAFT IN MY HANDS!!! Those guys are douchbags. I was sitting in a food line the other day in Phoenix waiting to go back home to Houston and could overhear one of the TSA agents talking on the phone about he's gonna ditch this job to go to night school as soon as he could get accepted into one. So here I am, 16+ years still serving pilot in the Navy, pilot for a major airline, and this tool bag nightschool dropout has authority over me! The only thing I hate about my job is dealing with those ass clowns. Rant over
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

Tulsa,Oklahoma has the worst TSA's I have run across. The only others that I have run across that are as stupid as them are the ones in NY or Newark. I get me check bag with notes of we checked it from TSA every time I fly. I get pulled out for special treatment every time. A good friend of mine works at LAX. He deals with these clowns every day working on the plans literally as in mechanic. IF he so chose he could drop an airliner just playing with the inside, and make it look like pilot error!!! The biggest issue with the TSA folks is they don't seem to have any idea of what they are doing. I have flown many times on EL AL, swiss air, Lufthansa,Turkish,Austrian,Balkan and a few more. I know what airline security should be, and TSA has no clue. Good luck with future trips.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mission_fail</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> but what about a ball point pen or sharpened pencil. I could do way more damage with a pen than a pair of nail clippers..</div></div>

A few years back there was an attempted school shooting where the kid walked into a classroom and started shooting. The teacher went after the kid with the only thing in reach...a number two pencil. Stabbed the guy under the ribs and upwards, guy fell to the floor and after writhing about for a bit shot himself.
You have an awesome point that I had never thought about. All ranting aside...what the hell are nail clippers going to do? But your right, a pen could act like a stiletto knife.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paw print</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The BATF considers any part of a round, even the bullet and bullet only to be ammo, they are the "highest experts" regarding firearms/ammo in the US.</div></div>

I feel like an idiot know, you are exactly right! Now I can't tell this story anymore when someone complains about flying haha
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

TSA is an experiment to see exactly how much random, intrusive, and unconstitutional search and seizure the American people are willing to tolerate. It is the only logical explanation for implementing so many policies and procedures that have been proven infective at improving security.
 
Re: TSA Inconsistencies??????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: okrebel92</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SturmHead</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got more TSA stories, like how they wouldn't hire retired police officers because they had unfair advantages. </div></div>
Figures... God forbid we hire people with security and weapons experience.
</div></div>

Why in the hell would anybody need security and weapons training to stand around and fondle peoples asses, genitals and breasts all day, or sit on their ass and watch naked security pics on a screen while they fondle themselves?