Travel security - beware of terrorists

Pete · 08-09-2005, 05:59 PM

The TSA ... oh boy! When it was announced that the Portland staff of the TSA would be cut by 35%, I thought that sounded bad for the TSA employees and bad for public safety. That has changed. My daughter and I arrived at PDX at 4 AM Monday to head east to visit my mom. The ticket agent tagged my bag and said, "Take it to the machine." I set my bag down and Moose put it on the conveyor belt. Somewhere in the core of the machine, someone shouted "security". Someone sitting in front of a color display of a cross section of my suitcase yelled, "Security!". Someone in front of a black and white display of a cross section of my suitcase shouted "Security!". Someone in a white shirt came to look at the computer display of my suitcase. Someone in a blue shirt came over and picked up my bag. Two other people joined him in scrambling my packing job. At this point, 7 people are involved in mangling my belongings. Then out comes a hand, gripped on a 1 gallon zip lock bag. Instantly two people back away from my bag, while 3 people open the bag and dump it on the counter. They must have stood there for 5 minutes conversing in hushed tones before one of them realized I was shouting at them ... "They are POTATOES!" What did they think I was going to do? Sneak into the checked baggage and put together an impromptu potato gun? I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.

Pete · 08-09-2005, 06:04 PM

I shared this tale of woe with a friend, by e-mail and received back this response, minutes later.

I saw something on the morning news, something about potato guns being the latest in WMD. Maybe they thought you made those spuds out of C4. I�ve got some relatives I�d like to serve that tater salad to. Maybe those guys were old enough to remember the cold war (you know�remember Spudnik! Hehehe).
......
Hehehehe�Pete, the terrible tater terrorist and Maddy the tater tot!
Hehehehe�I�ll bet you really fit the profile too, traveling with your daughter and all. Probably thought you were a suicide french fryer.
......
Hehehe�.. You better not visit the Garden State while your back there. No telling what they would do if you had Tomatoes and Lettuce on the way home.

Maybe they thought you would be able to disguise yourself after committing some atrocity. As Mr. Potato Head of course! Hehehe.

pearl · 08-10-2005, 05:07 AM

I have to admit Pete your friend makes a couple of good points.

What kind of guy takes potatoes on vacation with him

:grin:

crabbait · 08-10-2005, 06:39 AM

Hey, they are doing everything in their power to make terrorists easier to spot....just look for the big TSA on the back of their stained white shirts!

Jennie@ifish · 08-10-2005, 06:47 AM

I am proud that our Nation protects me from Pete's potatoes.

You guys have no respect!
:smile:

Jen

brshooter · 08-10-2005, 06:55 AM

Pete,
I think you were "profiled".

Miss B Haven · 08-10-2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

I shared this tale of woe with a friend, by e-mail and received back this response, minutes later.

I saw something on the morning news, something about potato guns being the latest in WMD. Maybe they thought you made those spuds out of C4. I�ve got some relatives I�d like to serve that tater salad to. Maybe those guys were old enough to remember the cold war (you know�remember Spudnik! Hehehe).
......
Hehehehe�Pete, the terrible tater terrorist and Maddy the tater tot!
Hehehehe�I�ll bet you really fit the profile too, traveling with your daughter and all. Probably thought you were a suicide french fryer.
......
Hehehe�.. You better not visit the Garden State while your back there. No telling what they would do if you had Tomatoes and Lettuce on the way home.

Maybe they thought you would be able to disguise yourself after committing some atrocity. As Mr. Potato Head of course! Hehehe.

Now Pete- what kind of fiend, I mean friend would say something like that? :grin:

PS - Not sure you saw the last one:

Maybe they thought you were a tubercidal maniac!

I was still chuckling this morning about this.

Code 4,769.....tater situation at gate 9. Send backup!

Mr. Morris, put the potatoes down and back away slowly!

Just exactly what are you planning on doing with them taters there Mr. Morris? Oh sure...eat them? We've heard THAT story before.

StinkyH · 08-10-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

The TSA ... oh boy! When it was announced that the Portland staff of the TSA would be cut by 35%, I thought that sounded bad for the TSA employees and bad for public safety. That has changed. My daughter and I arrived at PDX at 4 AM Monday to head east to visit my mom. The ticket agent tagged my bag and said, "Take it to the machine." I set my bag down and Moose put it on the conveyor belt. Somewhere in the core of the machine, someone shouted "security". Someone sitting in front of a color display of a cross section of my suitcase yelled, "Security!". Someone in front of a black and white display of a cross section of my suitcase shouted "Security!". Someone in a white shirt came to look at the computer display of my suitcase. Someone in a blue shirt came over and picked up my bag. Two other people joined him in scrambling my packing job. At this point, 7 people are involved in mangling my belongings. Then out comes a hand, gripped on a 1 gallon zip lock bag. Instantly two people back away from my bag, while 3 people open the bag and dump it on the counter. They must have stood there for 5 minutes conversing in hushed tones before one of them realized I was shouting at them ... "They are POTATOES!" What did they think I was going to do? Sneak into the checked baggage and put together an impromptu potato gun? I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.

What are you in disbelief about? Sounds more like you're venting cause they were searching your bag.

StinkyH

08-10-2005, 10:27 AM

Would they have been so tough on you if you just had French Fries?

Silver Hilton · 08-10-2005, 10:42 AM

But, Pete, you have to realize that no planes have been hijacked since they started confiscating potatoes, so this MUST be a good policy. I think you need to just suck it up for the good of the country, freedom, motherhood, and the american way.

SeaSparrow · 08-10-2005, 10:53 AM

I heard they picked up Dan Rather too since he was a "common-tater"...
Sorry... couldn't resist!

08-10-2005, 11:13 AM

They might harass the Common Taters but will they harass Dick Taters?

FallRiverGuy · 08-10-2005, 12:21 PM

I don't know Pete, you were carring a deadly night shade.

08-10-2005, 12:43 PM

Maybe they thought you were going to make French fries out of them

You could have said you were going to make Freedom fries and they may have let you pass

BCF · 08-10-2005, 04:09 PM

I can understand takin the taters Pete. What I don't understand is why you didn't take your deep fryer. Or did you you? And they missed it when they scanned your carry ons.

What next sacks of Walla Wallas? Maybe you could open an in-flight fish& chips cart for those long flights. Cute ,silly hats etc.......

Haven't you ever heard of just taking a box of chocolates?

BCF out , please pass the catsup.

Pete · 08-10-2005, 04:52 PM

I expect and understand bag searches .. what I don't understand is how it could possibly take 7 people to recognize a potato, yet at the same time not even inquire into the brown paper bag, wrapped in duct tape. It was full of halibut and smoked salmon packed along with some dry ice. That seems like a much more significant threat than a potato.

pearl · 08-10-2005, 08:24 PM

Petes mom - " son, Im so glad your coming out to visit this summer. I really appreciate you bringing us some fresh salmon, halibut, razor clams, dungeness crab, steamers, a couple of your local micro brews and an Oregon Pinot Noir. You guys are so lucky to live in the N.W".

"Oh by the way. Would you mind throwing a couple of potatoes in your suit case".

Still LMAO

BCF · 08-10-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

I expect and understand bag searches .. what I don't understand is how it could possibly take 7 people to recognize a potato, yet at the same time not even inquire into the brown paper bag, wrapped in duct tape. It was full of halibut and smoked salmon packed along with some dry ice. That seems like a much more significant threat than a potato.

The answer lies within my son.............The same people that hire the TVA employees, believe potato is spelled with an e. You get the idea.

I'm just surprised that you weren't stopped by the agricultural guys. Smuggling potatoEs across state lines. Isn't that a violation of the RICO Act or something like that.

Abdul The PotatoE Head Pete. The root of all terror. Spud Spy.

BCF out

08-10-2005, 09:12 PM

Where they those tasty purple taters?

PapaHog · 08-11-2005, 05:07 AM

This is funny. I made the following post on another thread and then opened this one.

"If someone was trying to smuggle a potato on board an airline without a "premiss ID number" what would the penalty be?

Maybe loss of potato transport permit for a year??? "

Jennie@ifish · 08-11-2005, 05:47 AM

Pete's purple potatoes make wonderful french fries. They should have taken a couple to fry up, themselves!

Jen

8-guage · 08-11-2005, 09:44 AM

This post has backfired on you Pete.
Everyone is laughing at you bringing potatoes on the plane!
The visual of them opening your bag of potatoes is FUNNY!

Joe Schwab · 08-11-2005, 10:58 AM

Pete, Aren't you aware that potatoes are grown in Klamath Falls and there was a direct connection to an AlQueda training camp there?

Can't you see the connection?

I'm surprised you didn't have a baggie full of gravy in there also.

Just_learning · 08-11-2005, 11:20 AM

You think thats funny....

I bought a new suitcase when i was flying up from california about a month ago. I bought it when i was down there since mine was falling apart and it was a good deal. I check into Bob Hope Airport, as im making my way through security 3 officers approach me and tell me i need to come with them. I am escorted to a room, am asked for my identification and inquire what the problem is. THe problem? There was Explosive residue on the bag...funny...i bought the bags no more than 24 hours before...I got a laugh out of it. I guess thats whats important. They didnt see the humor in the situation.