"An Infuriating Search" at PHL Screening

[PhilDernerJr]

What do you think?

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20...tml?page=1&c=y

[mirrodie]

Its called a violation of privacy.

Its really appalling actually that the TSA can look at this gals finances and claim a right to do so, but yet Americans are willing to allow a Mosque at ground zero without looking at the finances behind it.

point made

mjc out

[emshighway]

There is more to the story but I can't explain right now.

[MarkLawrence]

Holy crap! That is actually counted as a legal search?? Looking at someones finances? I'm sure the ACLU will have a field day with that one...

[NIKV69]

There is more to the story but I can't explain right now.

I sure hope so because if not this was totally out of line.

[njgtr82]

The TSA is there to protect people while flying, not to be detectives about someone because they're check book doesn't look right. I hope she follows up on this even if she is up to no good, because they're glorified security guards who just happen to work for the government who think they are more then that. What a joke.

[NIKV69]

What did she do? By writing checks to herself and her husband? That is common practice between spouses if she indeed had stolen the checks she would not have made them out to her spouse or carried them into an airport. Check stealers move the check by using them at retail locations. This is such a complete fail it's not even funny.

[PhilDernerJr]

I simply don't see ANYTHING there that would validate probable cause to begin with. I didn't know the TSA screeners are trained in financial crimes to even make that determination even if there WAS something amiss.

[T-Bird76]

If during the screening process there is suspicion of a possible crime (drug, weapon, money smuggling, etc.), the TSA is obligated to notify Law Enforcement. Local, State and Feral Law Enforcement Agencies also have requested TSA's cooperation during their own investigations. This may be the discovery of items during an administrative search which lead to a further investigation by such agencies.

What training does a TSA screener have to id a suspected crime? Its a bit scary a front line low paid screener can look at me and suspect me of a crime for carrying some cash or checks... This really is something that has to be handled with kid gloves.

[moose135]

Local, State and Feral Law Enforcement Agencies also have requested TSA's cooperation during their own investigations. This may be the discovery of items during an administrative search which lead to a further investigation by such agencies.

I hope you didn't you mean it this way, but to me that sounds like some law enforcement agency suspects something, but doesn't have probable cause for a search, so they ask TSA do the dirty work under the guise of "aviation security" and then report the "suspicious activities" to said agency. If so, that sounds dangerously close to violating Constitutional protections to me.

[Gerard]

"Behavior Specialist"?

[PhilDernerJr]

I hope you didn't you mean it this way, but to me that sounds like some law enforcement agency suspects something, but doesn't have probable cause for a search, so they ask TSA do the dirty work under the guise of "aviation security" and then report the "suspicious activities" to said agency. If so, that sounds dangerously close to violating Constitutional protections to me.

I thought the same thing when I read that. If that's not what it meant, but that post should be edited before more people take it the wrong way.

"Behavior Specialist"?

This is a legit position. El Al has a bunch of these guys, and I understand that they are quite good at what they do...detecting abnormal personality behavior in people that may be up to something.

[emshighway]

I thought the same thing when I read that. If that's not what it meant, but that post should be edited before more people take it the wrong way.

Just a little insight...

[Gerard]

This is a legit position. El Al has a bunch of these guys, and I understand that they are quite good at what they do...detecting abnormal personality behavior in people that may be up to something.

That doesnt surprise me there. Years ago LONG before 9/11 my wife and I were sitting in their terminal at JFK with friends who were waiting for a flight. From out of nowhere appears
a guy in plainclothes inquiring if a bag two seats away from us was ours. It was. Satisfied he went on his way. No hassle. I would hope TSA would be as professional as they are.
Still I think there is more to this story than we are led to believe.

[emshighway]

That doesnt surprise me there. Years ago LONG before 9/11 my wife and I were sitting in their terminal at JFK with friends who were waiting for a flight. From out of nowhere appears
a guy in plainclothes inquiring if a bag two seats away from us was ours. It was. Satisfied he went on his way. No hassle. I would hope TSA would be as professional as they are.
Still I think there is more to this story than we are led to believe.

This is done all the time by Offices and Managers including myself. People often stray from their luggage. A friendly reminder to keep an eye on it is all that is needed. A runaway bag can cause a big problem.