Ask him if his name is Patrick. Patrick Mannion, an 18-year-old from Lynn, has just started blogging about what it's like to become a transportation security officer at everybody's favorite East Boston airport:
... The other checkpoints had large bottles of hairspray along with shaving cream and the like and some bottles found were actually under the limit. But there was still booze mixed in... plus a broken mercury thermometer.
We also collected the various confiscated weapons.. most of which are pocket knives which are given to collection agencies and state agencies who sell them on eBay. So don't worry folks, the TSA and the feds aren't making a dime off your confiscated materials (the spray cans and such are recycled)...
Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!
Ad:
Comments
Collection agencies?
By Ron Newman
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 9:43am
Wonder what they do with all of those knives. Walk up to debtors yelling "Pay up or we'll stab you?"
ebay knife sales
By bostnkid
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 9:57am
who sells the knives? that is weird. they should give them to people getting off planes in rough cities.
or...
By Brett
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 10:27am
...since we're supposedly protected from illegal seizure, hold them in storage until we get back to the same airport. So simple, too. Put item in box, mark box with their ID type, number, and name. Store. Retrieve. Not even a computer necessary.
It's one thing if you show up with a bowie knife; quite another if it's clearly accidental (ie,pocketknife.)
It might make the TSA think twice about what bullshit rules they implement, if they had to assure we got back the non-illegal crap they ban.
Remember how in all the westerns, the Sheriff says to the Bad Dude, "Gonna need those shooters while you're in town"?
There should be a contest to see who can successfully convince the TSA what random object is a threat- prizes based on absurdity.
"I'm sorry ma'am, that heel is over 2 inches high and has a tip smaller than half an inch in diameter."
Buying Confiscated Knives
By SwirlyGrrl
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:08am
There is a store in southern NH (Salem, I think) that sells some Logan salvage items, including TSA confiscated items.
I have heard of people walking out of there with leatherman tools for $5 to $10!
UPDATE: Boston Globe Article
TSA absurdity
By anon II
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:32am
The last time I flew, I had a set of stainless steel weapons in my carry-on. Metal gadgets, about 8 inches long, 2mm thick, nickel-plated stainless steel with sharp points. They didn't get a second look, because they had yarn wrapped around them -- knitting needles.
On the other hand, the drafting pencils I use since I imprinted on them in graduate school -- that caused a 20-minute discussion over whether or not I could use them as weapons. Hint: I wouldn't have to! I have the knitting needles you didn't look twice at!
Security theater. Do you feel safer? I don't.
How long till Homeland
By hooks
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 10:35am
How long till Homeland Security shutdown his blog? I give it 2 weeks.
Maybe, maybe not
By adamg
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 10:40am
TSA is all about the blogginess these days.
Kinda...
By Eighthman
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 2:22pm
Yeah, but that's an official blog. I think the this guy's blog will either end, or his employment will.
Latest Airport Security Incident
By SwirlyGrrl
Thu, 05/15/2008 - 5:18pm
Humorous, but...
By Eighthman
Fri, 05/16/2008 - 3:34pm
You should have added "original author unknown."