Man detained and harassed by TSA at St. Louis airport for carrying CASH! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JollyRoger · #16 04-08-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

Its an example of poorly trained TSA agents, the final outcome was an FBI agent that instructed them to let him go. I think the story sort of ends there what does bother me is the email the man mentioned labeling Ron Paul supporter as potential militia members I think that is a bigger breach of liberty than questioning a person about the cash whether it was a legal amount or not.

And I don't think there is a limit on the amount of cash you can carry inside the US, its more than $10,000 that you have to declare if you are going overseas.

There is no limit, but the catch is the courts allow it as "probable cause", and once a cop has probable cause, he can do all kinds of searching and probing into your business, in fact he can really screw up your day by calling the IRS and asking them to send a revenue agent over, because technically that is the crime he has probable cause to investigate - income tax evasion, and if you think being hassled by the cops and TSA guys is bad, wait until you find out what being hassled by a revenue agent who sees $100,000 in cash about to cross state lines is like. 9 times out of 10 someone carrying $100,000 isn't a ball player going to buy a Porsche, so they get lots of leeway from the courts on this.

cmbdiesel · #17 04-08-2009, 10:05 AM

Try flying on a one way ticket with a briefcase full of microphones. Turn your head and cough.

I particularly hate Detroit. The gang member TSA guys with prison tattoos up and down their arms, face, neck, etc checking to make sure I'm not a threat. Freakin' joke.

JollyRoger · #18 04-08-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveuz

Last Aug I was flying from Buffalo to Indy. I was dressed in Jeans tee shirt and work boots. I had 1 small carry on bag and a book about Alexander Hamilton and that was it. After going thru the Metal detector I was then asked to step into a clear plastic like area. I was than searched and my wallet was taken. I was than questioned by TSA. Questions such as Where I was going , why ect. Also If it was a good book , What kind of fish do I fish for (because of the fishing license in my wallet) and while poking thru the Alexander Hamilton book if I expected a long flight. Than similar questions just reworded such as where do I fish and what I catch , was it a good book what type of work did I do ect ect. Meanwhile they took everything out of my carry on bag and wallet. Poked around inside my work boots and pocket change and disappeared with my drivers license for about 15 minutes. In the end after having 2 supervisors come over in addition to the 4 TSA people already questioning me , they said I was free to board the plane. I had to repack all my things including every scrape of paper in my wallet they had emptied. I must have fit some type of profile.

You must have also had a one-way ticket. One way ticket and no luggage, you are guaranteed to be searched, as mentioned above, the girl at the counter puts a special code on your boarding pass for the TSA guys to alert them. I forget the exact reason why one-way with no luggage is such a big flag for them, but I have been told it is an automatic tag.

JollyRoger · #19 04-08-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

Try flying on a one way ticket with a briefcase full of microphones. Turn your head and cough.

I particularly hate Detroit. The gang member TSA guys with prison tattoos up and down their arms, face, neck, etc checking to make sure I'm not a threat. Freakin' joke.

Philly is the same way, chicks with some gang's name tatooed on their necks, make sure they ain't "mule-ing you" by stuffing an ounce of crack in your luggage.

JollyRoger · #20 04-08-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Yeah but a cop is supposed to be friendly, professional and helpful, not someone who harasses you.

Apparently, you do not live in Houston.

cmbdiesel · #21 04-08-2009, 10:13 AM

Honestly, I don't take my eyes off my carry on in those places, mostly to make sure nothing gets taken out, but I will watch for stuff going in now too!

LUVMBDiesels · #22 04-08-2009, 10:18 AM

Jolly... That was rough! I am sure you were thinking kind thoughts all through the process.

These checks are totally random and controlled by the computer. I fly with FEDERAL CREDENTIALS and a DHS ID and I still get pulled out by TSA! While showing them the ID I said "Look we are on the same team here let me go" They said they had no control over who is pulled out at random although if somebody looks suspicious, or has a cow in their bag, they will be pulled at the security checkpoint. So if you are made to take your shoes off and have them sniffed, get your license checked, passport run, etc it is not the TSA guy's fault. I travel with slip on shoes, no belt,watch, cell phone etc. I had a guy rifle through my bag and shake my notebook to see what fell out. I have had them pull the battery out of my laptop and then tell me to turn it on (battery back in) etc. Allpart of post 9/11 life. I also always carry my passport when flying as it is better ID than a driver's license.

cmbdiesel · #23 04-08-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

These checks are totally random and controlled by the computer.

Not always. I was flying with my family (wife and at that point two girls 2 & 4) and our flight was condensed with a later flight. EVERY person scheduled on the earlier flight was subjected to extra security measures. I was a little irate, as they insisted that my girls go into the plastic box alone (poor things were bawling by then) sent one of them through twice because they thought she went through with her sandals on the first time (she didn't, I had just put them back on), so I made some inquiries and discovered that it was not uncommon for the check in agent to assign the extra security to people with time to kill before their flight. Not random at all.

Secret Squirrel · #24 04-08-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

Philly is the same way, chicks with some gang's name tatooed on their necks, make sure they ain't "mule-ing you" by stuffing an ounce of crack in your luggage.

It was a great spectacle when they imported these federal workers to the cold, white tundra of South Dakota shortly after the TSA was established. Talk about having a tough time fitting in...

Gurkha · #25 04-08-2009, 10:55 AM

Thats scary as I don't have any credit cards, returned all after paying off my debts from college years. I do everything cash only.

daveuz · #26 04-08-2009, 11:00 AM

Jolly is correct. I was flying on a one way ticket with no checked luggage. I was going to Indy to pick up a U haul and my wife which I explained. The whole deal was not all that bad really. Here is the part I found weird. the book I had about Alexander Hamilton. Everyone questioned or commented about it many times. Long Flight ? Pretty thick book... Do I think I will finish it by the time my plane lands ? They really focused on the book and fishing license. What they DID NOT examine and question ( once they asked and I said it was for my furnace) is a dial wall thermostat for my furnace new in the package I had with me. Maybe because I asked as I picked up my ticket if I could bring it with me in carry on. Now if you really think about it that thing has tiny little wires and a Mercury switch inside and of all things should have been the focus .

Matt L · #27 04-08-2009, 11:07 AM

You should never bring anything containing mercury aboard a plane.

daveuz · #28 04-08-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

You should never bring anything containing mercury aboard a plane.

I had thought it was "Large Amounts" were restricted. Things like Light Bulbs and Thermostats and Thermometers were allowed.

Matt L · #29 04-08-2009, 11:24 AM

They may be allowed, but it's still a bad idea.

Google for mercury and aluminum.

Eskimo · #30 04-08-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveuz

What they DID NOT examine and question ( once they asked and I said it was for my furnace) is a dial wall thermostat for my furnace new in the package I had with me. Maybe because I asked as I picked up my ticket if I could bring it with me in carry on. Now if you really think about it that thing has tiny little wires and a Mercury switch inside and of all things should have been the focus .

How recently was the thermostat manufactured? I'd be surprised to find a modern thermostat using a mercury switch.

I think that even the current incarnation of the classic Honeywell round thermostat is now mercury-free.