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Has anyone ever had TSA try to play with there ipad

vrDrew said:
I'll assume this is standard issue Internet hyperbole.

Of all the places to act like a jackass, I'd rate airports pretty much the bottom of my list.

When you fly, any ideas you may have about "personal privacy" pretty much don't hold water. Security staff have an absolute right to look at anything in your possession. Up to and including the contents of disk drives and flash cards. They also have the right to impound items for further examination. And since they are backed by the full technical resources of the US intelligence community, passwords and most encryption schemes are unlikely to keep them out for very long.

Short answer: Don't be a dick at airport security. Ever. And if the nice TSA agent wants to look at your iPad, smile when you are cooperating with them.
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I fly 90-100 times per year, and I agree that they believe they have those rights. In reality they do not actually have those rights. Despite the claims made by the TSA and DHS, we do not give up all of our constitutional rights when we decide to board an aircraft. They are pushing the limits now and will eventually get smacked down by either the congress or the courts (probably both).

My statement is only true for US citizens traveling within the United States. Other countries may have little or no concept of personal liberty.

I do agree that making your way through the checkpoint is not the time to make a stand.
 
wovel said:
we do not give up all of our constitutional rights when we decide to board an aircraft.
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Americans certainly have a right (under the 4th Amendment) to be free from "unreasonable search." Both the Constitution, and a considerable body of case law, prevents the police from searching your house, car, or person without a warrant showing probable cause to believe you have committed a crime.

The problem is, there is no Constitutional Right to board a commercial aircraft. And by attempting to get on that airplane, you are in essence consenting to the "search" performed by the TSA.

In order to overturn the TSA screening procedures, one would have to convince a Court that the Government did not have a compelling security justification for performing them. And with a history of people hijacking airplanes with box cutters, or attempting to blow them up with explosives hidden in shoes or underpants - then I'm sorry to say that the Government has a pretty good argument that it needs to take a close look at the things you are bringing on board. And that is sometimes going to play out as a TSA agent making sure that a passenger's iPad really IS an iPad - and not merely a well-crafted glass, aluminum, and Semtex sandwich.
 
Just real quick.

TSA isn't suposed to be pressing buttons, or turning on electronics. It's what we're trained (what if that was a IED, and the buttons were the detonator).

Now, obviously none of us were there, so I don't want to speculate on what was happening. But I can say in the 9 years I've been with TSA, I've never seen any of us (meaning my airport) ever turn on someone else's electronics. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's probably rare.

I don't care to waste time addressing the rest. If you don't like the rules and stuff, tell your government. I don't like it when people direct their anger towards me, I'm a nobody compared to the big wigs that set everything else up.
 
Acclaim99 said:
Just real quick.

TSA isn't suposed to be pressing buttons, or turning on electronics. It's what we're trained (what if that was a IED, and the buttons were the detonator).

Now, obviously none of us were there, so I don't want to speculate on what was happening. But I can say in the 9 years I've been with TSA, I've never seen any of us (meaning my airport) ever turn on someone else's electronics. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's probably rare.

I don't care to waste time addressing the rest. If you don't like the rules and stuff, tell your government. I don't like it when people direct their anger towards me, I'm a nobody compared to the big wigs that set everything else up.
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it is more common that you think. I have been ask multiple times to turn on a device and all they care about is to make sure it would turn on and that was it. Flew with a laptop onces that had a dead battery and was asked told them the battery was dead and all it caused was them to do a stronger scan on the laptop but that was it.
 
Stronger scan? The ETD (explosive material check)..? Just because it doesn't turn on, doesn't mean you get that.. We have to do them for electronics a lot of the time.

I'm convinced that every airport but ours sucks. I guess since we aren't crazy busy (maybe 2500 a day) , we actually are able to cover and follow our guidelines.

I'm transfering to an extremely large airport in a month (Miami).. I hope they don't do anything idiotic like that.
 
How do i say this it was a stange moment for i been chosen before for the extra screening step's and never went through that before so why i posted about that happening ..I mean there got to be other's out there has exerience this before with some of the airport's around the country
 
vrDrew said:
The problem is, there is no Constitutional Right to board a commercial aircraft. And by attempting to get on that airplane, you are in essence consenting to the "search" performed by the TSA.
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Problem is that the TSA is a Federal government agency, as is DHS, and have little affiliation to the airlines other than regulating the hell out of them. The real question is whether DHS and TSA and have authority to search us in the first place, according to the Constitution.

I've heard stories of TSA agents dinging iPads and laptops when taking them out of the case... of course there's not recourse if that happens. You don't really have any rights when being treated like a criminal...
 
vrDrew said:
Americans certainly have a right (under the 4th Amendment) to be free from "unreasonable search." Both the Constitution, and a considerable body of case law, prevents the police from searching your house, car, or person without a warrant showing probable cause to believe you have committed a crime.

The problem is, there is no Constitutional Right to board a commercial aircraft. And by attempting to get on that airplane, you are in essence consenting to the "search" performed by the TSA.

In order to overturn the TSA screening procedures, one would have to convince a Court that the Government did not have a compelling security justification for performing them. And with a history of people hijacking airplanes with box cutters, or attempting to blow them up with explosives hidden in shoes or underpants - then I'm sorry to say that the Government has a pretty good argument that it needs to take a close look at the things you are bringing on board. And that is sometimes going to play out as a TSA agent making sure that a passenger's iPad really IS an iPad - and not merely a well-crafted glass, aluminum, and Semtex sandwich.
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the real problem is that billions are being spent on airport "Security" when little to no money is being spent on deporting people on expired Visas like just about all 19 9/11 hijackers. Airport security isn't the problem. Letting people in the country illegally go to flight school and not kicking them out when their visas expire is.
 
CSpackler said:
Problem is that the TSA is a Federal government agency, as is DHS, and have little affiliation to the airlines other than regulating the hell out of them. The real question is whether DHS and TSA and have authority to search us in the first place, according to the Constitution.
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You are correct in that the US Constitution does not empower TSA or DHS to search you without your permission.

The point, as vrDrew mentioned, is that you are giving them that permission when you choose to travel via commercial air carriers. From a constitutional point of view, you do not have to choose commercial air travel. You have every right to find an alternate means of transportation and avoid subjecting yourself to search by TSA.
 
As i said most them i have met have been ok and not p--- about doing there job but as i pointed out to in the post the guy was trying to play with it not see what was on it ..

There has been to many horror story's here lately over the TSA and there tactic's so it time to have them clean house to get rid of the trash that they have hired to make them a work better for the people or get rid of them all togerther and get something in place that work's better in this day and age
 
i just leave my ipad in my backpack along with my keys and everything else. nothing in my pocket besides my cellphone. then when i go though i take two bins: one for my backpack, one for my shoes/cellphone.

never had an issue.

then again I work for the FAA and go though the employee lane everywhere...maybe that has something to do with it
 
Well, it's kind of obvious that the company before TSA wasn't too efective.... just saying.

Also, iPads aren't required to come out. But, if you have a load of stuff in the bag with the iPad, and it's really hard to see through, the officer may request that it comes out.

The whole visa/imagration thing, that's it own subject. I agree with not letting aliens stay for long periods of time.

And, I agree, there has been A TON of horror stories about TSA lately. I am 100% with you on getting those embarrasments out. It's wierd, TSA is so short handed it seems, that they just need a body until they can get hiring done (at least in my area). I have seen some incredibly rude, ignorant, lazy people that still have a job with us. It's amazing.

Back the original topic though, someone playing with your iPad is crossing the line. Unfortunatly there isn't much you can do. You could call and tell a supervisor, maybe they'll brief it, but there are dumb people that works at every orginization everywhere, we're just always in the spot light.
 
Oh, and vrDrew, we (TSA) don't have much right to look into personal electronics. We can inspect the outside, run our tests, but we can't ask you to turn on an electronic to scope it out.

The only way something like that could even come up, was if say, there was someone taking pictures and videos of the procedures, xrays, etc. Even then, law enforcement would have to be on thes doing all that.
 
Acclaim99 said:
Oh, and vrDrew, we (TSA) don't have much right to look into personal electronics. We can inspect the outside, run our tests, but we can't ask you to turn on an electronic to scope it out.

The only way something like that could even come up, was if say, there was someone taking pictures and videos of the procedures, xrays, etc. Even then, law enforcement would have to be on thes doing all that.
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Yeah if someone asked my while flying to turn on my electronic device and log in for them I would have to say no. It is none of their business what is on my computer.

I have only been frustrated before when they ask I remove my laptop when it is in a "TSA approved" bag that doesn't need to be opened supposedly. I don't know who to be aggravated with on the last issue, the TSA or the company that sells the "approved" bags. I tend to lean towards the TSA though since they are inconsistant at asking me to remove it or not (or perhaps the ones that don't ask aren't looking good enough)
 
If your laptop carrier fits one of the 3 "TSA approved" designs (sleeve, butterfly, and the other), and makes it so there is absoultly nothing else in the bag (power cords, mouse, etc.) then it should be fine in the bag. If they ask, just say it's a TSA approved bag with no other items in with the laptop.

But, like I said earlier, this is the problem with having an orginization that covers 450 airports, and over 50,000 screeners... things are going to vary. They always tell us it's good it's different airport-to-airport... it keeps the terrorist guessing and on their toes.

:sigh::rolleyes:
 
I've never had TSA attempt to toggle my iPad on let alone enter a password. However I keep mine in my bag and rarely will the remove it. I have powered it one but never beyond the password entry point. I would question why after that too. It's not their business to check my content. I do work for a company that sets the default to wipe the device after 5 failed attempts too. I would be pissed if they caused that to happen.
 
I think this is a complicated issue. I don't think people should lose their rights just for boarding a plane. Some people have no choice: they might have to fly for work, they might have a family emergency and might have to get somewhere quick, etc. Specially with the absence of high-speed rail in the U.S. some people really have no choice so it's not fair to say that "flying is a choice", "you don't have to fly", etc.

That being said I do my best to go with all the security screening as best as I can and have never had any issues so far (other than having a lipstick confiscated). And even if I don't agree with some of the security proceedings I certainly don't take it out on the TSA workers since they don't make those decisions, they're just following rules.

But there are things that go over the line. Someone trying to log in to my iPad or phone for no reason would not be ok. Not everything should be allowed in the name of security.
 
Just thought I'd voice my opinion.

I'm cabin crew based in the UK so we don't have exactly the same security as the TSA but it's pretty close, and they are BAA Security. (British Airports Authority)

I wouldn't recommend doing anything to offend security personnel. I'm not sure what the laws are, but there's bound to be something, such as causing distress in a public place. Everyone who works has the right to work without fear of being harassed, verbally or physically abused.

And by putting something like that as your wallpaper your harassing security personnel. Not something I'd do, especially as UK airports are patrolled by armed police, and they have the power to remove anyone from the airport if they are causing trouble.

They shouldn't be trying to guess your password, agreed. But if they are doing this just say "would you like me to unlock it for you"
You'll get through security faster and they won't wipe your iPad if you have it set to wipe clean after so many failed attempts.

Just my thoughts and opinion.
Kris
 
anjinha: You are one of the few that don't take out your frustrations with the TSO working.... man some of these people that fly out are pretty bad. I've been cursed at, insulted, yelled at, but I guess that's what I signed up for.

And like I keep saying guys, WE (TSA) DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO POWER ON YOUR ELECTRONICS. I promise. Lol.

kris: Unless your acting way out of line (see above), youll be fine. We'd have to get the police if the person is starting to threaten, etc. Honestly, if I saw someone with a **** TSA wallpaper, I'd probably laugh. Now, if your attitude and actions were **** TSA, it'd be different.

Anyone has other questions while Im here :)
 
I went out this morning to the airport because of work and i stoped in and asked to speak to one of the Supervisor's there and i explained to him what happened and he said thank you for bringing it to our attention and we will deal with it about this person ..

If i had to guess on that matter someone at the search table that day has bought it up also to one of the Supervisor's attention about the guy and his action's dureing the diff search's that had been going on that day and dureing the talk do you remember the guy name and i give him the name and he said thank you again as he was writeing all the thing's that we had talked about and at the end he did say thank you for bringing it to our attention and we deal with the person about it ..

You could tell that the guy was not a happy camper about the gentlemen action that day and he was not going to have a good day in the end at work
 
Acclaim99 said:
anjinha: You are one of the few that don't take out your frustrations with the TSO working.... man some of these people that fly out are pretty bad. I've been cursed at, insulted, yelled at, but I guess that's what I signed up for.

And like I keep saying guys, WE (TSA) DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO POWER ON YOUR ELECTRONICS. I promise. Lol.

kris: Unless your acting way out of line (see above), youll be fine. We'd have to get the police if the person is starting to threaten, etc. Honestly, if I saw someone with a **** TSA wallpaper, I'd probably laugh. Now, if your attitude and actions were **** TSA, it'd be different.

Anyone has other questions while Im here :)
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The supervisor's was a nice about the whole thing and he was thank you for bringing it to our attention again

Also i have said that was the stangest encounter with the TSA that i had in the allmost 10 year's that they been around and second was with a lady in Maimi and that was a fun thing that happen for she did not think two white guy's spoke spanish and she made a comment about my friend who was nice looking guy and she wonder what he looked like in a bathing suit under her breath and i caught it and i told him in spanish that she would like his phone number and he relpyed was all she has to do is ask for it in spanish and i will give it to her and she was blushing when we left and my friend did leave his phone number with her to have her call him ..

We laughed about that one for a long time..
 
Never had any problems with TSA. iPad stays in the bag (yes they allow it) and never once did they take it out or play with it.
 
eh. they are human just like everyone else.
Im sure they were just curious and wanted to see what it could do.

Welcome to being an iPad owner..everyone wants to touch it.
Ive had mine taken out of my backpack at a checkpoint and the guy was playing with it for like 5 min...we ended up having a discussion about the Pros and cons, and how it doesnt really replace a laptop or regular computer.

Im sure in a rush its a hassle, but ive accepted as an ipad owner that you have to answer the same questions over and over again.
 
Haha, I'm transferring to Miami next month, starting April 11th. Do you remember her name? Lol, jk...
 
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