TSA Wichita

[RoyalShock]

Does anyone recall this being reported in local or national media?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134280/Weeping-year-old-girl-accused-carrying-GUN-TSA-officers-hugged-grandmother-passing-security.html

[SubGod22]

That's news to me

[1979Shocker]

Here's the mother's account of what happened.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/michelle-brademeyer/my-daughter-was-mistaken-for-a-terrorist/3717883791131

[Kung Wu]

Can we shut it down now? I mean the entire TSA? It's completely worthless. I promise you, a kid with a box cutter will never ever hijack another plane in the U.S. with or without any security at all.

[martymoose]

Really, this is just one side of the story and I'm sure she's throwing a lot of words/terms in there that were probably never used and in her anger exaggerating the story. I know someone who works at TSA here in Wichita...he's been there a few years and moved up the ranks fairly quickly, probably due to his ability to use common sense. Most of the stories he tells me involve idiot passengers who try to bring knives, mace, tasers, guns (yes guns) on planes here at ICT. Then the passengers make a huge scene when they’re told those items can’t be brought on planes. Or the folks who think because they’re late to the airport they’re not subject to being screened, which I’ve seen a couple times in person. He’s told me some real doozies…many end up with morons being hauled off by the WPD. Unfortunately, I think when some of these TSA workers deal with that many idiots on a daily basis, many lose their ability to use common sense. I'll have to ask him what details he knows about this story.

[ShockBand]

From the account I've read in the Eagle, it sounded very much like the tone and manner in which the TSA workers operated was very poor. As a middle school teacher, it IS possible to be very stern and clear with a child without absolutely terrorizing said child. I agree there are many adults who act like idiots, and airport security lines tend to bring that out. However, that is no excuse for the TSA to act the same way.

[martymoose]

The story finally hit the local news last night and today....the video of a news interview with the mom makes me wonder if she's an attention whore. She's already tried to sue TSA and the airport, but has no lawyer because she doesn't have a case. Talked to my buddy last night. He said even though it may have been a very slim chance it was a "real" threat, it still could have been a test. Basically the girl had gone through security, the grandma was a ways behind her and triggered an alarm. The little girl ran back through security and hugged the grandma (who was traveling with them) then ran back to where she was. They moved her to the side and patted her down and sent her on her way....with the mom freaking out the whole time. I'm sorry, but I'm fine with these slight inconveniences to avoid another 9-11.

[martymoose]

From the account I've read in the Eagle, it sounded very much like the tone and manner in which the TSA workers operated was very poor. As a middle school teacher, it IS possible to be very stern and clear with a child without absolutely terrorizing said child. I agree there are many adults who act like idiots, and airport security lines tend to bring that out. However, that is no excuse for the TSA to act the same way.

TSA may have over reacted, but in reading the mom's version you have to think it's not true. Are we seriously supposed to believe the female TSA agent immediately started screaming at the child for hugging the grandma?

[ShockBand]

We would need eyewitness accounts, or better yet, security video to be sure. I'm not claiming the mom was completely in the right, but I'm not giving the TSA a pass on this either. More info is needed.