I flew out of Chicago O'Hare International about a week ago and TSA required everyone to take all their food products out of their bags, along with electronics and liquids. What's with that?
I also flew out of various US domestic terminals in July-August and that was never required.
They also tested my labeled ziploc bag of scent-free powdered detergent that I've been taking to Italy for the last 8 years without a problem. Some new threat, I guess. This was at the Minneapolis/Saint Paul airport and at JFK in March. Wanted to see all of our food, then too.
I dunno -- maybe it was snack time at the TSA and they wanted to see what the range of confiscation possibilities was before making their selection. It's tough to decide sometimes -- sweet-and-chewy or crunchy-and-salty?
We were at a tiny airport in Florida this past May and were required to take food out of our bags. This was a new one on me.
The new policy has been in the news for a few months:
I encountered the food check at SFO in May.
I flew out on 28 April to London from OAK, nothing different, nothing unusual. Maybe the food check started in May?
The War on Food has been intermittent for at least a year now- I ran into it a couple of times in Fall 2017 because their multimillion dollar scanners cannot tell the difference between a box of Clif Bars and blocks of explosive materials.
Selkie, that would be funny if it weren't true! :) I believe the new food and powder requirements started in spring.
We ran into this at Kona airport in April 2017, then again at Orlando in October.
Note to self to consolidate the carry on food!
It kind of makes sense. Everytime that I have been pulled aside for a secondary search, it has always been due to some random food item where they could not figure out what was on the scanner. If pulling out food prevents a secondary search, I will be fine.
I went to a federal building last week where they asked me to remove laptop and all cords and place them in a tray before putting everything through the scanner. After my purse went through the scanner, they scolded me because I had a ”cord” in it. The cord was a small set of earbuds. I just try not to figure out the rationale for these things ...
After my purse went through the scanner, they scolded me because I had a ”cord” in it. The cord was a small set of earbuds. I just try not to figure out the rationale for these things ...
When I lived in the U.S. and traveled frequently for work in the post-9/11/2001 days, I switched from toothpaste to tooth powder to reduce the bullish*t associated with TSA.
Didn't work.
I remember one particular incident at the Spokane Airport when I complained about how long screening was taking, and I was scolded for having "liquids" in my bag when -- what they were referring to -- was a commonly-available tooth powder in its original packaging.
I'm old enough to remember the steel cans of Colgate tooth powder. Obviously, some TSA agents are not and do not.
I understand the need for security on planes. What I don't understand is ignorance and hostility toward those just trying to hit the complex and ever-moving target TSA uses.
I've never been checked for food. My downfall, always, are the fossils I am taking along for show-and-tell. These specimen are soooo dense that they look like plastic explosives on the scanners. I do have them separated and still get pulled aside. It's ok with me. The poor agents always love it when I tell them the stories behind those dino and maritime fossils.
I'm curious: what kind of fossils?
Too many years of Far Side comics makes me think of a mastodon tusk sticking out of a suitcase.
I read reports of this happening last October for guests who were flying out of Orlando who were taking home Halloween candy from a themed event at Walt Disney World. One person said that TSA was examining each, individual piece of candy which was greatly slowing up the security check lines.
I haven't had it happen to me - yet - but I am now packing snacks in a separate Ziploc bag...just in case.
For comparison, my other half was flying solo when his bag triggered some panic. The scary substance? The apple he'd stuffed into his carryon for a snack later. And, no, he was not required to remove food for that security check.
I know that they check powders now on international flights coming into the US, at least that's what Delta told us the last time we returned to the States. They made a huge deal of it at the foreign airport as well during check-in, but I haven't experienced (again - yet) anything about powders in carryon bags on domestic flights or flights leaving the US.
Obviously practices vary wildly depending on the airport, time of day, mood of people doing the inspecting, etc., etc., etc.
My two sons are both graduate science students and work in labs. There seems to always be something that triggers some kind of secondary check with special wands of their hands, shoes, wallets, backpacks, etc. The process can be aggravating, insane and any number of adjectives, but it is what it is, and what TSA say goes, so I always advise to smile and be polite and be glad we have different jobs.
"...what TSA says goes...." True, I have never been asked to step aside for a secondary search triggered by the wand or anything else. Nothing on my person or in the carry on sack, in the bin(s) sets off "alarm/suspicion for the secondary search or questioning to be done.
You never know.....
At Gatwick, my travel size roll of duct tape had the 12 year old girl at security all upset. She had no idea what it was. She called over a 15 year old boy who looked it over and said they would allow it but nothing bigger or a different color. (The weren't really those ages but looked it.)
In Guernsey, my 0.5 oz tiny bottle of hand sanitizer was scrutinized and then taken to the back so a supervisor could approve it. I told this woman (screener) it was hand sanitizer but she wouldn't believe me as the label was in Norwegian. The supervisor came out himself to hand it back and apologize for delaying me. While waiting I told this woman the duct tape story and she thought it was crazy to make a fuss over duct tape.
At London City, my travel size foot powder got dinged not because of the contents but because the bottle was a cylinder.
Since getting Precheck, I haven't had any problems with TSA.
I believe the new food and powder requirements started in spring.
I believe that's correct, and that it's not a hard and fast rule, just a recommendation to TSA screeners. In other words, one never knows what will happen.
The TSA has said it likes to keep things a bit random to make it harder for the bad guys to figure out patterns. Which makes me think...
"'Nobody expects the TSA! Our chief weapon is surprise... surprise and fear... fear and surprise... our two weapons are fear and surprise... and ruthless efficiency... Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency... and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope... Our four... no... amongst our weapons.... amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again.'
The only TSA source of information that I could find regarding the new "powder" rule is:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/protein-or-energy-powders
Protein or Energy Powders
Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes
Powder-like substances greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL must be placed in
a separate bin for X-ray screening. They may require additional
screening and containers may need to be opened. For your convenience,
we encourage you to place non-essential powders greater than 12 oz. in
checked bags.
It's not clear as to the 12 oz limit being per container or cummulative. I.e. 5 x 2.4 oz single serving size packets = 12 oz or multiple serving containers exceeding 12 oz. (Interesting that the TSA uses a metric volumetric mL measurement for powder-like substances. The safe thing would be to carry-on single serve packets of your energy/hydration drinks for your first day or two of use and pack the excess in your checked bag.
At Gatwick, my travel size roll of duct tape had the 12 year old girl at security all upset. She had no idea what it was. She called over a 15 year old boy who looked it over and said they would allow it but nothing bigger or a different color. (The weren't really those ages but looked it.)
In Guernsey, my 0.5 oz tiny bottle of hand sanitizer was scrutinized and then taken to the back so a supervisor could approve it. I told this woman (screener) it was hand sanitizer but she wouldn't believe me as the label was in Norwegian. The supervisor came out himself to hand it back and apologize for delaying me. While waiting I told this woman the duct tape story and she thought it was crazy to make a fuss over duct tape.
At London City, my travel size foot powder got dinged not because of the contents but because the bottle was a cylinder.
I know for a fact (friend works as a supv at SFO security) that there's a hearty laugh between various generations when the security screeners are getting briefed or, on break. The younger, unworldly screeners are constantly getting ribbed about their inexperience and naiveté requests for secondary checks regarding things like: duct tape, toothpaste powder, deodorants, feminine hygiene products, hair products, hemorrhoid medicines, certain toys, etc..
I just flew domestically yesterday and was asked by the TSA screener in Columbus, Ohio whether I had any food in my carryon. When I replied, "yes, cookies", he made me open it and take them out. Fortunately he did not confiscate the unopened package. However my shoes (sneakers) were then diverted for extra testing. I think they want to keep us mystified.
Cynthia
When I came back in June 2018 through OAK from Gatwick, I had already cleared Immigration, got my return stamp with one more person to clear, ie Customs. He asked me if I had any food in my luggage.
I did in the carry on sack. It was an unopened biscuit served at breakfast, which I stuffed into the carry on sack. Answering his question I said, "only food given out on the plane."
He didn't want to be bothered, I was passed on by a hand gesture, ....no problems.
Fred: Woman fined $500 for bringing Delta in-flight snack (apple) through Customs
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/04/22/woman-fined-delta-apple/540655002/
As to the questions regarding my fossils: I usually have a trilobite (about 500 million years old), a small dinosaur bone (pretty young at about 70 million years), and a piece of an ammonite. Small and heavy! I married into a family of hobby paleontologists ...
Regardless, what I had on the return to OAK was not a fruit. If he had wanted me to show him that unopened biscuit, I would have, and if he had wanted it thrown it out, I would have.
On the return I usually keep with me ie, stuffed into the carry-on, an unopened bread roll, the piece of "cake" or biscuit...all unopened. Never had any problems or questions on that.
One time in the early years of the 21st century, returning SFO, the customs guy seeing my form had France written on it, asked if I was bringing back fromage, pate...he used the French words instead of English. Of course, I did not have any, told him so, but still thought he was a wise-guy.
Regarding the apple, the person commented:
"It’s really unfortunate someone has to go through that and be treated
like a criminal over a piece of fruit," she told KDVR.
Technically, she was.
Its easy to complain, but has anyone got a better idea?
As far as something being run by the government, any government, they are no better and no worse, than anything else the government controls.
FWIW, I have TSA Pre-Check. My home airport seems to stop roughly 50% of the people with pre-check for additional screening. They seem to stop a lot of women with only a few men. This can happen anywhere. Try not to stare too much at those people who are 'randomly' selected for additional screening. It's embarrassing enough as it is. But it won't stop me from traveling.
Let's not confuse U.S. Customs inspections on items being brought into the U.S. with TSA checks on what is being taken on an airplane. As for Oakland, there is a lot of traffic incoming from the Far East and some foodstuffs from there are not permitted by Customs regs. My experience is that Customs on the West Coast are often focused on that.
Florida is tough on imported food too. One medfly-infested orange or tangerine accidentally brought back from Spain or Portugal can and has caused more than a million dollars in citrus crop damage or pest containment efforts.
Is being randomly inspected embarrassing? Why?
They should be checking for peanuts because they seem to be deadly now. While the're at it, anything with a lot of onions should be confiscated (for the sake of the other passengers). Bean burritos should be banned on long flights.
I think Richard should be nominated for Director of Homeland Security-provided he also establishes appropriate limits for "service/support" animals traveling-I do realize there is an important difference between the two categories and that's what I'm referring to.
selkie: LOL!!
Is being randomly inspected embarrassing? Why?
The TSA's idea of a pat down search is typically done entirely in public and would be considered to be sexual assault under other circumstances.
I was "lucky" enough to get picked for the "enhanced security" check last night. The TSA guy asked If I would prefer we got a room for the process. I asked if he was going to buy me dinner first. He was not amused. The process was not fun. It consisted of lots of groping around my buttocks and a hand down the front of my trousers.
Why was I selected? I had 10 kilo of parmesan in my carry on bag with no retail labels on it.
Sometimes it's altering procedures randomly, which can increase security. Sometimes they have actual intelligence so they start looking at something more specific than the regular list.
At Atlanta, I had a bottle of limoncello, purchased at Rome airport, sealed , in a gift box, then in an airport approved sealed bag specifically to get through TSA screening , with a receipt, and they still took it away and opened everything to scan it! Makes no sense.
As to the questions regarding my fossils: I usually have a trilobite (about 500 million years old), a small dinosaur bone (pretty young at about 70 million years), and a piece of an ammonite.
That's pretty old, as trilobites go.
...as I recall from my two semesters of invertebrate paleontology in undergraduate school, which was of course in the last millennium.
But... you "usually have?" These are objects you routinely travel with? Not meaning to pry, but -- if so -- why?
I have several Ordovician fossils that I've collected over the years (crinoids, trilobites, the ubiquitous brachiopods, pelecypods, and coral, along with others) but they stay safe at home when I travel.
As far as a plane-issued apple coming into the USA - what if the woman had eaten it onboard? The apple would still be coming into the country, just inside her, and not intact. And is an apple worse than, say, a mango, or a pear? And a $500 fine? Wow.
She got in trouble for lying about not having food, not the fact that she had a Delta apple. Normally, they would have just taken the apple from her and passed her on, had she declared it. The entry question on the form or kiosk is pretty clear.
Boy, that's an expensive lie. And I bet she didn't even get to keep the apple. Declare your food -- or else!
I received an email from Delta regarding an upcoming flight. The email specifically says that food should be placed in a separate bin. So should any electronics larger than a cell phone and liquids/powders.
Re: the question about the random screening - it applies to anyone, even those with PreCheck. My other half and I have started keeping stats. We average 50% of our flights through this airport (with PreCheck) somehow earn us what's called additional, random screening. On one of those times, I swear I counted myself lucky for not being pregnant afterwards.
Aquamarinesteph, that made me laugh out loud.
I get pulled over at least 1/2 the time; a screener this year told me it's because my hair - long braid in back - shows up on the see-me-naked machine as unusual warmth. My poor DH gets pulled over every time we come back in through DFW at passport control. Every. Single. Time. The machine that's supposed to speed us through spits out his photo with a big X on it. Every time.
If it's every time, it can be a case he shares a name with a person of interest. I'd have him apply for a redress control number, which can set up a note in the system that he is not the droid they are looking for.
Selkie, we have a very common last name; the screener last time said people with common names are more likely to be pulled over. And my sweetie is very fair skinned, with thinning white hair. His passport picture looks washed out, and the quickie black-and-white snap they take at the airport always looks almost blank.
DH jokes that the next time we renew our passports, he's going to stay up for 24 hours before we get the photos made, so he'll look like he does coming home from Europe!
