While we all have our thoughts on the TSA, here’s something I haven’t seen before. There’s a video going around the internet of a 22 year old that flew from Minneapolis to Denver on Spirit Airlines, and upon landing was met by the TSA… because they wanted to do more screening on him. Check out the video:
Apparently he used to be on the “no fly” list, but was then downgraded to a list where he would just receive additional screening (with “SSSS” on his boarding pass). However, apparently the TSA failed to complete that screening in Minneapolis, and only realized that halfway through his flight.
So when he landed in Denver, the TSA boarded the plane to have him deplane before everyone else, and then they requested to do additional screening on him… even though he already flew and was done with his travels for the day!
As you can see he walks away at the end of the video, and it seems like the police didn’t pursue it. Here’s what he wrote in the description of his YouTube video:
They tried to get me to do additional screening of my Body after I was already off the plane and headed out of the airport. I ended up leaving the airport without incident from the Denver police.
There’s something beyond ridiculous about trying to screen a passenger after their flight, when they’ve already landed at their destination. Maybe hold the people at fault for the mishap accountable instead?
He appears to be in an area of the airport that only screened passengers are allowed in - therefore, the screening makes some sense, although it would of course have been better, and was intended to have been done, at origination. Perhaps an offer to escort him directly out of the secured are or to undergo further screening would have been better. Also, if he has some former no fly list special risk status, he sure doesn't mention any of that in his video.
While its awful they didn't catch their mistake by not screening him prior (even if he was the wrong guy), it makes since to screen him after. What happens if he has a weapon of some sort? He could easily leave that hidden in the terminal for another creep, or for later use.
@omatravel
The idiocy is that the TSA agents had no idea what was going on but they claimed to be acting "under orders" to intercept this man and screen him.
If the situation is as you describe, there are two options:
1. TSA agents greet him, apologize for making a mistake in screening, and tell him that he must be rescreened if he will remain in the secure area, but he is free to leave...
@omatravel
The idiocy is that the TSA agents had no idea what was going on but they claimed to be acting "under orders" to intercept this man and screen him.
If the situation is as you describe, there are two options:
1. TSA agents greet him, apologize for making a mistake in screening, and tell him that he must be rescreened if he will remain in the secure area, but he is free to leave and they will escort him to the exit.
2. TSA agents drag him off the plane, make weirdly contradictory and illegal statements. They ask for his boarding pass, which is commonly discarded after reaching the seat. They make him wait while they confusedly call their supervisors. They tell him that he is not free to go. At one point, they threatened him with being detained by the police. They never say he can leave, but he starts to do so anyways.
OK I have two immediate reactions- that are diametrically opposed :
first, I probably wouldn't have argued with the officer- I would have acquiesced, gone through the screening, and then complained to the appropriate channels after. Also, the TSA general was generally polite and not unduly harsh. May be he could have called a supervisor who could have explained to the passenger there was a mistake and they were obligated to fix it.
...OK I have two immediate reactions- that are diametrically opposed :
first, I probably wouldn't have argued with the officer- I would have acquiesced, gone through the screening, and then complained to the appropriate channels after. Also, the TSA general was generally polite and not unduly harsh. May be he could have called a supervisor who could have explained to the passenger there was a mistake and they were obligated to fix it.
On the other hand, I admire the guy for standing up (albeit he could have been a tad less aggressive).
What I find absolutely stunning is that he filmed the entire encounter. That is key as it gives us facts, rather than the he-said she-said back and forth that usually follows accusations and leaves us in the dark. That is really key.
I'm surprised the TSA allowed them to film it. Granted they may not have been able to legally stop him but they didn't even complain or request he put it away.
I'd be curious as to others' thoughts here.
@TravelLight But but...it's for our own good!!!
The only amusing thing here are the comments by the people who live in a zombie police state and are surprised by the irrational behavior of the system that feeds on them.
So, TSA screws up at the origination airport, meets the plane and takes the individual off the plane for additional screening that they missed. At that point he's still in a secure area and could continue on a connecting flight as such he should be screened.
He isn't doing this however and is allowed to leave the airport without further screening (regardless of any cajoling that occurred in the end he left without the second...
So, TSA screws up at the origination airport, meets the plane and takes the individual off the plane for additional screening that they missed. At that point he's still in a secure area and could continue on a connecting flight as such he should be screened.
He isn't doing this however and is allowed to leave the airport without further screening (regardless of any cajoling that occurred in the end he left without the second screening).
So exactly how is this idiocy or newsworthy?
Tex277, he has already flown back to MSP without incident.
Notice his mentioned TSA experience earlier when he was considered on the no-fly list. The TSA blacklist processes make even the FBI play keystone cop. Maybe the FBI around DEN learned a lesson between that time and the time of this MSP-DEN haraSSSSment trip.
And these are the people who are supposed to ensure our safety when flying in the US? Oh dear!
I'm looking forward to reading about what treatment he gets next time he flies!
They're civilian employees, not law enforcement. If you're done traveling for today, simply decline. The worst that's going to happen is you're going to be followed to ensure you leave the airport. If not, you'll have to choose between submitting (like you do to enter the secure area in the first place) or end your travels at that point. Whether you submit willingly or under duress is up to you, as is any follow-up, but...
They're civilian employees, not law enforcement. If you're done traveling for today, simply decline. The worst that's going to happen is you're going to be followed to ensure you leave the airport. If not, you'll have to choose between submitting (like you do to enter the secure area in the first place) or end your travels at that point. Whether you submit willingly or under duress is up to you, as is any follow-up, but I doubt you'd get far because the ability of the TSA to screen more than once has been upheld (e.g. the "at the gate" random screenings).
The real headline here should be about how TSA failed to properly identify and perform an SSSS search on a flagged passenger.
Anthony Bourdain didn't like being challenged.
I have a friend who is a TSA agent in PHX, and what he tells me would make people not want to fly. My friend has been told he is too nice to the flying public and that he needs to be more militant. That is not my friends nature, it just shocks me when I see how the TSA treat people..
I am SHOCKED by the TSA. Unbelievable!
"The FBI quickly found out that they were holding the wrong Kahler Nygard; Spirit Airlines had mixed up his identity with a man who has ties with the Islamic militant group al-Shabaab."
you know, i actually used to think TSA idiocy had it's limits... clearly, it does not...
I did not watch the video. Not considering all the other issues, if someone was possibly considered not sufficiently screened, when they land they presumably are on the secured side of the airport, possibly able to board another flight without additional screening. If they hands after him outside the secure area, then it makes no sense.
Is this the same fellow that used to do TSA videos? He looks and sounds familiar.... athough I may be completely wrong.
Still, how crazy is this!
From what I've heard, he wasn't even the right guy either, Spirit had him mixed up with another man with the same name who was allegedly affiliated with al-Shabaab and was thus on the watch list.