TSA, Job Well Done

[dats82]

Through hard work and unrelenting attention to detail, TSA possibly prevented a potential hijacking.  This past week, I took a trip to Colorado using Nashville and Denver airports.  Everything went great flying out; checked a bag with a gun as always and had a backpack as a carry on.  On my return trip from Denver, I was stopped at the TSA check point.  I thought, "no big deal, probably just a random bag check." There were several other people "pulled over" as well.  The TSA woman asked if that was my backpack, which it was.  Then she informed me that there was a knife in the bag.  My first thought was that I had mistakenly left my usual carry knife in my back pack, but this was not the case.  She proceeds to riffle through my bag and produces a key ring with the smallest, Victorinox key chain offered.  I thought they had changed the regulations to allow such items, but she was adamant they had not.  I informed her that I had flown with the same item multiple times before, but she said, "oh, they most have just missed it before." She took it and said she was throwing it away. 

 

 

At the end of the day, I was able to fly feeling comforted by the fact that we have such diligent people providing for our safety.  If that "knife" would have fallen in the hands of a terrorist or a belligerent drunk on the ten other trips it had previously flown, I could have been scratched or poked.  I just hate that I never even got the chance to lose the tooth pick. 

[Guest theconstitutionrocks]

She didn't have the authority to confiscate...she had to offer you the choice to ship it or surrender it.

[daddyo]

They had publicly stated that they were going to relax the regulations concerning carry on knives, but they reversed the decision because pilots and flight attendants protested.

 

And the TSA's score on apprehending terrorists remains at ZERO.

Edited March 1, 2014 by daddyo

[jtmaze]

I had the same problem with a pair of mini channel locks that were in the side pocket of my carry on bag at Nashville. I am still mad about having to reliquish those due to time and catching my flight. I have not been able to find another pair that small. The perfect pocket size.

[daddyo]

I had the same problem with a pair of mini channel locks that were in the side pocket of my carry on bag at Nashville. I am still mad about having to reliquish those due to time and catching my flight. I have not been able to find another pair that small. The perfect pocket size.

 

I didn't know that pliers and wrenches were prohibited items.

Edited March 1, 2014 by daddyo

[peejman]

I know I flew back and forth to Detroit several times before TSA in Detroit finally found a big, cheap Swiss Army knife copy I'd left in my bag. It had to have been there for at least 5 or 6 trips before they found it. It had been there for years and I'd completely forgotten about it. I put a cheapo in there on purpose so I wouldn't care if it got lost or stolen.

[ncldwell]

Through hard work and unrelenting attention to detail, TSA possibly prevented a potential hijacking.  This past week, I took a trip to Colorado using Nashville and Denver airports.  Everything went great flying out; checked a bag with a gun as always and had a backpack as a carry on.  On my return trip from Denver, I was stopped at the TSA check point.  I thought, "no big deal, probably just a random bag check." There were several other people "pulled over" as well.  The TSA woman asked if that was my backpack, which it was.  Then she informed me that there was a knife in the bag.  My first thought was that I had mistakenly left my usual carry knife in my back pack, but this was not the case.  She proceeds to riffle through my bag and produces a key ring with the smallest, Victorinox key chain offered.  I thought they had changed the regulations to allow such items, but she was adamant they had not.  I informed her that I had flown with the same item multiple times before, but she said, "oh, they most have just missed it before." She took it and said she was throwing it away. 

 

 

At the end of the day, I was able to fly feeling comforted by the fact that we have such diligent people providing for our safety.  If that "knife" would have fallen in the hands of a terrorist or a belligerent drunk on the ten other trips it had previously flown, I could have been scratched or poked.  I just hate that I never even got the chance to lose the tooth pick. 

 

Don't worry, TSA will have it up on eBay in a few weeks and you can bid on it and just maybe get it back...

[R1100R]

They got the exact same knife from me years ago at the Nashville Airport.

 

I walked over and gave it to a Guardsman that was on duty back then. Should of seen the look on their face.

[dats82]

I had the same problem with a pair of mini channel locks that were in the side pocket of my carry on bag at Nashville. I am still mad about having to reliquish those due to time and catching my flight. I have not been able to find another pair that small. The perfect pocket size.

I looked at the regulations after the encounter.  You can carry scissors with pointed tips up to four inches long, but a knife, even one inch long, is forbidden.  I think, next time around, I'll have me a pair of four inch scissors just for ####s and giggles. 

 

I happen to be in the medical profession, and one trip to Philly, I had several medical items including suture, scissors, needle drivers, stethoscope, etc. They never batted an eye at that stuff.  With my working knowledge of anatomy, I am certain I can cause more morbidity and mortality with the ball point pen I had in my pocket than I could have done with that little key chain knife. 

 

Interestingly enough, per the TSA website, plastic or round bladed butter knives are permissible.  I wonder how they would feel about this "plastic" knife?

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Polymer-Knife-Japanese-Boot-Dagger/dp/B009UQB234

Edited March 1, 2014 by dats82

[daddyo]

They got the exact same knife from me years ago at the Nashville Airport.

 

I walked over and gave it to a Guardsman that was on duty back then. Should of seen the look on their face.

 

You win the thread.  :usa:

[sigmtnman]

Well, I for one will sleep better at night knowing that you are unable to groom anyone to death, dats82.

[vontar]

She didn't have the authority to confiscate...she had to offer you the choice to ship it or surrender it.

 

 

Don't worry, TSA will have it up on eBay in a few weeks and you can bid on it and just maybe get it back...

 You beat me to it.  I was going to say but then how could she sell it on Ebay.