Hand grenades and a boy named Virginia: Gems from the TSA’s exceptionally droll blog

If you’re not reading the Transportation Security Administration’s blog, you’re missing out on some real gems. First of all, the TSA’s blog motto is “Terrorists Evolve. Threats Evolve. Security Must Stay Ahead. You Play A Part.” How great is that? Then, there are the posts themselves. Most recently, blogger Lynn investigated multiple reports of grenades being discovered at security checkpoints:

There’s been quite a few reports of grenades found at checkpoints lately, so I did some research to find out just how many had been caught by officers since [July 29]. The answer: 21.

[H]ere are some highlights:

One was found hidden in a stuffed animal. The passenger said the stuffed animal was a gift and had no idea anything was hidden in it…

One was the popular gag-gift plaque that says: “Complaint Department: Take a Number.” Problem is, in the X-ray, the most notable part of the image is – you guessed it – the grenade.

A Pittsburgh passenger who packed an inert hand grenade in his bag as a present for his son said he has never flown before and had no idea he couldn’t take the inert grenade on the plane.

A law enforcement officer from Canada visiting the US for a convention had a pepper spray grenade, flash bang grenade and a smoke grenade in his bag.

Lynn’s advice? “As we like to say when giving packing advice, when in doubt, leave it out. And it can’t hurt to do a last minute double check of your bag to make sure there are no grenades, guns or other prohibited items in it.”

Earlier this week, Blogger Bob (the TSA’s lead man at the keyboard) explained how a 14-year-old runaway boy was able to board a flight to Chicago using a ticket purchased on his mother’s credit card — and using his mother’s name. Take it away, Bob:

When asked at the checkpoint, the boy told the TSA officer that his name was indeed Virginia. With names like Moon Unit, Apple, etc., I’m not shocked by anyone’s name anymore. There are many names out there that can be gender neutral. For example, his real name is Dakota, a name given to both males and females.

Minors under the age of 18 are not required to show ID. Regardless of age, everyone who goes through a security checkpoint is screened. The boy was screened and had nothing dangerous on him.

TSA’s mission is to protect the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. At the end of the day, we did just that. No dangerous items made it onto the plane.

If all TSA personnel were this droll, I daresay flying would be a much more enjoyable experience.

Terrorists Evolve. Threats Evolve. Security Must Stay Ahead. You Play A Part.