January 10th, 2008
TSA: Protecting Us From Grave Threats (like 5 year olds)
Seems that a lucky 5 year old shares a name with a fellow on the No-Fly List, and our ever-alert TSA intercepted and inspected him in Seattle’s airport. Even better, in a move that inspires a Dave Berry-like “I am not making this up” disclaimer, the TSA told the mother that she was not allowed to touch her son in the process, as he was a “security risk.” The mother gets points from me for not turning that into a serious security situation right there.
Update: Looks like we’ve got another 5 year old national security threat on our hands.
Related: Behind the Security Theater Curtains: Schneier Interviews [TSA head Kip] Hawley.
sasha says:
I think I’ve told you about watching TSA agents in Chicago separate a mother from her ~9 month child, because the child had been selected for special screening? Absolute madness. The mother was directed to a security line about 50 feet away from the special screening line.
It was eventually determined that the mother could stay with the child, but not touch him/her, but only after about 10 minutes of intense discussion.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Scott's Morning Brew says:
Blacknell’s Post on TSA Lunacy…
I spent a great deal of time and effort on my recent trip to California, making sure that the TSA guys with their “boots on the ground” were aware, that I was aware they didn’t make the rules but caught the blunt of the flying public&…
January 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
MB says:
I do recall that. And I think that would be a perfect example of where I’d certainly not vote to convict, if I were on a jury considering assault and battery charges against the mother.
People need to call out the TSA on crap like this, early and often.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:18 pm