Weapons in luggage will now bring hefty fines

USA TODAY ^ | 2/19/04 | Laura Parker

[Mr. Mojo]

WASHINGTON — When Mojdeh Rohani flew home to Boston after her wedding last fall, security screeners at Baltimore-Washington International Airport found a silver-plated cake serving set in her carry-on bag. She had forgotten that she had the utensils, which were a wedding gift.

[dead]

You can't fart without owing the government money.

[The Sons of Liberty]

...environmental impact fee.

[coloradan]

And thus we see that TSA isn't about protecting America from terrorists, but rather as yet another source of revenue for the government.

[Jack Wilson]

Terrorism problem solved.

[Beelzebubba]

Bang

[coloradan]

TSA ususally makes no effort to return confiscated property ... but they do sell it for revenue, and sometimes keep nice trinkets for themselves.

[Beelzebubba]

"Attitude" is listed among the "aggravating factors" that can result in a fine.

---

Goodbye first amendment.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

How do they plan on collecting?

[jjm2111]

What a bunch of crap. 'attitude'. I'll give them attitude.

[Dubh_Ghlase]

This ought to be qualified to say "Carry-on" luggage. I have flow with weapons stored (uloaded) in my checked baggage with no problems. I did have to declare it to the baggage people at the time to avoid "distressing" discoveries. Not sure if that has changed. I will be flying shortly, so will ask at the airline if these rules had been changed...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Anything the TSA confiscates from me will be handed over in pieces if at all possible.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

"Attitude" is listed among the "aggravating factors" that can result in a fine.

I used to poo-poo people that said our rights were being eroded. While I agree that nobody is FORCED to use commercial aviation for transportation, it is hard to work without it, and if I can be fined by the government for a bad attitude, then this has gone too far.

Somebody better wise up. There has never been a government program that did not increase its size, budget, bureauacracy or desire for more control -- and the TSA was a big one to start with.

Triple Ought.

[savedbygrace]

Fines based on "attitude" - oughta be a field day for an enterprising lawyer. Equal justice under the law and all that.

[stylin19a]

One you take away silver-plated cake serving sets from honest citizens, only the bad guys will have have silver-plated cake serving sets. </sarcasm off>

[Xenalyte]

Weapons in luggage will now bring hefty fines

I can't take it on the plane with me. I can't put it in my luggage. It certainly won't fit in my carry-on. How the hell do I get my weapons across country - Pony Express?

[WFTR]

When the airline industry goes completely bankrupt, they'll realize how stupid these actions are. We should fight terrorism by killing terrorists until there are no more terrorists or until the remaining terrorists renounce their jihads and surrender. Anything else is breaking the promise not to let them destroy our freedoms.

Saving a few more jobs
Bill

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

This time next week, TSA will be confiscating diamond rings and Rolex watches. Now that they can arrest you for your attitude, this is becoming a real fine model for a future America.

[dead]

No. You can't mail weapons.

You have to walk it across the country, carefully planning your trip to avoid those states without right to carry legislation.

Good luck!

[jjm2111]

I was flying on gov't orders for a conference that my reserve unit was involved in. Now of course both the CPO I was traveling with and I got pulled out of line for the extra special search (shoes, belt, the works).

My Chief and I were giving the TSA drones the sarcastic treatment.

Then I saw a young kid in very crappy looking desert tans being pulled out of line too. (My guess is he was either in Iraq or Afghanistan). I didn't at the time, but I should have pitched a fit and called the manager over. It really pisses me off (esp. about the private) that military people were getting the special search.

Oh, the appearance of security.

[Mr. Mojo]

if I can be fined by the government for a bad attitude, then this has gone too far.

Yep.....it's as subjective as can be. The mood of the airline employees can influence what constitutes "bad attitude" or not. And would my usual early-morning, non-smiling, grumpy demeanor be interpretted as atttitude problem worthy of a fine?

[edwords]

We wouldn't have a TSA if we had a Republican President and Congress.
Uhhhh. Oh, right. I forgot.
(Stay home in November. No vote is a vote, too.)

[mikenola]

"Attitude" is listed among the "aggravating factors" that can result in a fine.

In other words, shut the f**k up and OBEY!

[Jim Cane]

Just bow and scrape and keep your eyes down and say "Yessah Massah." "Nossah Massah."

Remember: that gum smacking illiterate rifling through your belongings is now "federalized" and therefore MORE equal than you.

[SW6906]

"I can't take it on the plane with me. I can't put it in my luggage. It certainly won't fit in my carry-on. How the hell do I get my weapons across country - Pony Express?"

Yeah, those broadswords are a bitch to pack around, aren't they? ;o)

[RicocheT]

The misguided TSA is the child of both political parties. Bush let DOT Sec. Mineta set up the silly rules and the Democrats made sure it was a federal union jobs program. Safety and dignified treatment for flying customers were way down the list.

To fine without reasonable appeal is unconstitutional taking. There should be a hearing near where you live so you don't have to again fly across country to contest a $300 fine. The idea of a fine when it was an obvious mistake (silver plated cake server and knife) is obnoxious.

[Xenalyte]

That's more a gladius, actually, but the katana is the real problem. (The Frisbee of Death will fit quite nicely in all but a small purse.)

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

("security screeners at Baltimore-Washington International Airport found a silver-plated cake serving set in her carry-on bag.")

Well I guess I see this differently. Yes I feel bad for the poor lady, and yes they should have the fine thing posted and the fine is a bit steep blah blah blah...
BUT didn't she pack her own bag? If she was in doubt she should have checked it out before she got to the airport. What would have happened if she got on the plane with it ( yes it can still happen) then wanted a candy bar out of her carry-on bag and the *knife* fell out? I can tell you what would have happened the whole plane would have gone ape Sh%t! Before she could say anything she would have been thrown to the floor and sat upon. If I were on the plane I would have been one of the people sitting on her. Then the plane would have been escorted by fighter planes to the nearest airport all because she FORGOT.

We live in a different world after 9-11 WE CAN NOT BE TOO CAREFUL no matter how much of a pain in the butt it is for us. We need to think certain things through a little better and then think it through again just to be sure.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Canada customs has been doing this for years...Came back from the UK in 82. The agents were going to seize my great gandmothers crystalwear, my mother threatened to smash it right there on the floor so that the agents wouldn't get their paws on it...It sure looks nice in the china cabinet at my parents house...

Nothing changes...they just give a new fancy PC name to it...

[jjm2111]

Are you being sarcastic?

[Henrietta]

"We wouldn't have a TSA if we had a Republican President and Congress.
Uhhhh. Oh, right. I forgot.
(Stay home in November. No vote is a vote, too.)"

Shhh, don't say that, or you will have the dogs set on you. Don't stay home; write in Tom Tancredo or Ron Paul.

[Oztrich Boy]

This ought to be qualified to say "Carry-on" luggage.

It should aslo be qualified to "Anything sharper or harder than a nerf ball in carry on luggage will now bring heavy fines"

[JerseyHighlander]

The Hare Krishnas have won the war for our airports, they might have lost the opening battles regarding unsolicited preaching and solicitation without permits, but soon we shall all wear robes and sandals, and nothing else through our airspace portals.

(Maybe if we're lucky we'll be able to wear flowers in our hair, if said flowers species passes an environmental impact study that certifies the pollen is non-allergenic to 99.% of the population, lest said species be considered a biological WMD.)

[Taipei Personality]

We live in a different world after 9-11 WE CAN NOT BE TOO CAREFUL no matter how much of a pain in the butt it is for us.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

-Benjamin Franklin

[Double Tap]

We live in a different world after 9-11 WE CAN NOT BE TOO CAREFUL...

Same world, same threats.

Or course we can be TOO CAREFUL. This is an example of it. I say F#*@ TSA and the airlines. Let 'em rot.

[freeeee]

"Attitude" is listed among the "aggravating factors" that can result in a fine.

Don't be sassy with your masters, or you'll feel the sting of the whip.

[hocndoc]

This one goes too far.

If the bags are checked, they are not available for use.

Isn't it possible for the TSA to make a distinction between threats and non-threats? A bomb in a checked bag is a threat. There's some very small chance that matches could be a threat in suitcases that are checked (the checker asked me whether there were matches in my suitcase on my last flight. I told her I didn't know, there might be some from past trips, since I colllect them as souvenirs.) But, there's no way that a checked silver plated cake knife is a threat.

[hocndoc]

Whoops, I think I misunderstood. Was the woman fined for carrying her cake knife in her carry-on, or for putting it in her checked luggage?


Nevertheless, if she did not get on board with the knife, how is this deserving of a fine?

Will fines be assessed on every man who forgets to leave his penknife at home and every gramma who carries a crochet hook in her purse (or, how about me, who used to carry my cardiac caliper - a compass-like tool with 2 sharp retractable medal needles - in my purse),

[joesnuffy]

The title says WEAPONS found in luggage...on Drudge the title reads "Banned Items Found In Luggage Bring TSA Fines"

Interesting how wedding silverware brings a fine as a "weapon"

TSA is not about transportation security.....They Refuse to Arm Cargo Pilots ...after the FBI told them that Muslims terrorists are still planning to hijack commercial and cargo planes....

Now they fine citizens for totally innocuous items?

This is just one more government shakedown.....employing arrogant affirmative action ch#mps

I wont fly anymore....this is ridiculous....

Meanwhile the border is still wide open and even more illegal aliens..terrorists..drug smugglers et al infiltrate at will......

They need to fill America with every kind of terrorist and criminal....its what the police state requires...masses of criminals...so the sheep will beg to trade freedom for security.....

Machiavelli would be proud.... thanks ne'ooze cons

[B4Ranch]

""Attitude" is listed among the "aggravating factors" that can result in a fine. Other criteria include the type of item, evidence of a passenger's intent and history of previous violations. Civil penalties now range from $250 to $10,000. "

From the way this is written, $250 is the minimum fine for looking crossword at one of these poorly educated non English speaking idiots who can say I'm a federal employee and you're not.

If you don't kiss my ass and bow down I will fine you because your government did not give me a free ticket to US citizenship.

[Paul C. Jesup]

And thus we see that TSA isn't about protecting America from terrorists, but rather as yet another source of revenue for the government.

And here I thought it another way for the government to be sadistic towards the citizens of this country. And no I am NOT being sarcastic.

[Beelzebubba]

Ping

[Gritty]

The TSA is doing a great job of keeping dangerous weapons off airplanes.

Almost three years after 911, only a handful of pilots have been armed and trained, and myriads more simply don't want to subject themselves to the hassle.

It takes a lot of cunning skill and bureaucratic slow-rolling to accomplish that mighty feat - despite the express will of Congress, the Pilot Unions and the entire public. This TSA is really effective in keeping all weapons off airplanes!!

[glock rocks]

You can check weapons, you can't have them in carry-on. the title is misleading.

You can't have ammo in the same bag as your handgun. check with the air carrier by phone. That's how I understand things, though I don't fly anymore. Screw em.

[Mulder]

What exactly is their authority for stealing people's money like this?

[supercat]

When Mojdeh Rohani flew home to Boston after her wedding last fall, security screeners at Baltimore-Washington International Airport found a silver-plated cake serving set in her carry-on bag

The government's attitude toward anything that even remotely resembles a knife is insane, especially considering that knives that can evade metal detectors--including ones much nastier than cake knives--are stone-age technology.

[El Gato]

Not sure if that has changed. I will be flying shortly

It hasn't. I put my nephew on a plane right before Christmas, with two rifles in one of his two pieces of checked luggage. All but the bolts, which were in his carry on luggage. The TSA people had no problem with either.

[El Gato]

Fines based on "attitude" - oughta be a field day for an enterprising lawyer. Equal justice under the law and all that.

Why? Judges fine or throw people in jail for contempt all the time, they even fine he lawyers at times. they'll not have any problem with fining people for disrepsecting "The LAw".

[El Gato]

I can't put it in my luggage

Why not, as long as it's checked luggage and you declare the firearms, neither TSA nor the airline people should have any problem with that.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Since when did the entire airport become a court?