SEFrischling
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off
|
Beer
I have challenged supervisors in the past. I have missed flights challenging supervisors in the past who would not allow me to bring my Pocket Wizards through security. I have no checked bags and I was told to check them or dispose of them.
There is no way to just check Pocket Wizards, two receivers and a sender, and I was not disposing of them at Orange County's John Wayne International Airport(SNA). The agent got me the check point supervisor who informed me that these devices are never allowed on board. I challenged him that I flew with these devices and average of 15,000 miles per week, crossing security generally three times per day, three days a week. He informed me that evert check point I went through was wrong.....I challenged him my Pocket Wizards came through SNA generally twice a month, no problems.......they called the Station Supervisor who told me he didn't know and he had to defer to the FCC who has NO say in this. At this point I called the TSA's Public Affairs Office and demanded someone clarify the rules. After two hours a new Supervisor came on,who had higher authority. They checked my equipment, made two calls, apologized for the delay and I was on my way through security.
I spent 3.5 years covering homeland security , domestically and abroad for a variety of international news services. In this process I documented the transition from private security to the Federally created TSA, and then photographed the creation of the TSA. I have had these conversations with some people in significant positions of important in the organizations. We have discussed official policy and what happens in the field. I can tell you with some significant certainty that the supervisor you dealt with was wrong. You were given wrong information, you may choose not to argue the point. You may end up detained, wrongfully by a TSA supervisor, that have that power, but they do not have the power to change the rules on-site.
Some tripods may not be allowed, for example those with 'snow spike feet', certain tripods over a certain length or weight due to overhead bin rules, but a "normal" tripod is not subject to any restrictions. My monopod, with snow spike foot has flown as carry on, on the outside of my bag, on a few hundred flights, through an estimated 25 airports. My light stands have flown in carry on bags an estimated 200,000 miles in the past 3 years through at least 50-60 airports in the US and Canada (as well as overseas) and I have never had a problem, not once.
So you do have a choice. You can comply and further elevate their incorrect information and make your flight or you can keep barking up the chain of command until the correct info is handed down then file a report with the TSA with the agent and supervisors full name and badge number.
-Fish
|
