# TSA agent plants bag of powder on passenger. "It was just a joke." **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 26, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534 "2010-01-26T17:31:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/81 "2010-01-28T07:30:35Z")
> [@Picard\_Kills\_Kirk](#): > > …we are obviously living in two different worlds. Hey, that would also explain how Chessic Sense has never seen an armed soldier in an airport! Now I understand… ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/82 "2010-01-28T07:52:32Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I definitely accuse you of being hyperbolic. When was the last time you saw an armed soldier in an airport? I have yet to ever see one. Come to France. We’ve had some since the terrorist spree of 1995. Also in train stations and subways. Public panics and hurried laws are a beautiful thing. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/83 "2010-01-28T17:12:03Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I’m not suggesting a conspiracy is necessary or even beneficial. Quite the opposite Yeah, I know. I _am_ suggesting that a conspiracy is necessary to elevate the situation. If this guy designated her for extra screening, then the investigator would review the video and the Xray whatchamacalllits before it went very far. They’d see what the bag checker did, and the jig would be up. So unless “tremendously fuck with you” means “cause you to miss your flight”, then no, they don’t have that power. Not any more than a cop does at a random traffic stop. Probably even less than that. > [@Koxinga](#): > > Hong Kong/China. > [@Kobal2](#): > > Come to France. We’re talking about the TSA and American airports. And I think the DFW one is an outlier. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/84 "2010-01-28T17:23:37Z")
And to see who’s living in a bizarro world, I’ve started a [poll](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=549810). ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/85 "2010-01-28T18:01:11Z")
I’ve come to the conclusion that most of the people in this thread are really just recreationally outraged. The thing is, all of the shit going on in the world, _this_ is the one that allows you to work up that “What a dick” feeling into a sweet, sweet lather of pure bring-down-the-government rage? Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/86 "2010-01-28T18:38:24Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Yeah, I know. I _am_ suggesting that a conspiracy is necessary to elevate the situation. If this guy designated her for extra screening, then the investigator would review the video and the Xray whatchamacalllits before it went very far. They’d see what the bag checker did, and the jig would be up. I really, really doubt this. She be off to the little room in the back. Do they record what goes through the X-ray machine? I suspect a small baggie of powder could be easily missed even if it was recorded. So they don’t see it on the x-ray. And it would be easy enough to palm the bag of powder so that it is not caught on video. It would be the TSA agents word against the girls. Very likely that she’d be fucked. At least for the day. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/87 "2010-01-28T19:22:02Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > I’ve come to the conclusion that most of the people in this thread are really just recreationally outraged. The thing is, all of the shit going on in the world, _this_ is the one that allows you to work up that “What a dick” feeling into a sweet, sweet lather of pure bring-down-the-government rage? > > Awesome. What, we’re supposed to list every sickening, annoying, horrifying, flabbergasting or RAGEWORTHY thing that makes our blood boil at the moment, in every thread we post something negative to ? 'Cause that would make for long ass sig lines. ---
**Author:** ![Kiber](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiber/32/317_2.png) [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/88 "2010-01-28T19:22:51Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > I’ve come to the conclusion that most of the people in this thread are really just recreationally outraged. You know, I think you’ve got a point there. Now - if only there was some place where people could vent their recreational outrage. You know - like maybe on a message board or something. Hmmmmm . . . . . > [@ivn1188](#): > > The thing is, all of the shit going on in the world, _this_ is the one that allows you to work up that “What a dick” feeling into a sweet, sweet lather of pure bring-down-the-government rage? > > Awesome. I can only speak for myself here - but it turns out I’m pretty good at multi-raging. I can have recreational outrage at a whole bunch of stupid shit - all at the same time (a skill I honed during previous administrations). Meanwhile - I can also go about my day-to-day life, comfortable in the knowledge that I’ve vented my outrage appropriately. However - if you have some other topics, or ideas, you know - other “shit going on in the world” that you’d like to discuss, I’m sure we could point you to an appropriate thread or forum. After all - I’d hate to find out I was missing some opportunities to lather up my rage. Hey - could someone pass the soap? ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/89 "2010-01-28T19:49:26Z")
Wow, good points from both of you. Oh wait. See, unlike you gimps, I don’t equate the statements “I think you’re a dipshit” with “I think you should leave”. I know, those two things are indistinguishable to those with some species of mental incapacitation, but you’ll have to just take my word for it. I don’t care if you get all outraged over a minor incident. I don’t care if you post about it here. But I do reserve the right to get recreationally outraged myself over your recreational outrage, and logically, you owe me the same consideration you are implying I should give you, thus by the irrefutable rules of reasoned thinking, you have to respect my right to post detailing how dumb I think your opinion is. So, in other words, carry on as you see fit, but don’t get all butthurt because I think you’re wanking. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/90 "2010-01-28T20:21:50Z")
I’ve come to the conclusion that mostly \*\*ivn \*\*posts in threads to just be recreationally outraged. The thing is, all of the shit going on in the world, this is the one that allows him to work up that “What a dick” feeling into a sweet, sweet lather of pure bring-down-the-message-board rage? ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/91 "2010-01-28T20:25:42Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I’ve come to the conclusion that mostly \*\*ivn \*\*posts in threads to just be recreationally outraged. The thing is, all of the shit going on in the world, this is the one that allows him to work up that “What a dick” feeling into a sweet, sweet lather of pure bring-down-the-message-board rage? You overestimate the depth of my emotional investment (as usual). I’m curious if that is because you’re naturally a drama queen. My money is on yes. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/92 "2010-01-28T20:41:41Z")
I’ve never said anything about your emotional involvement. I just like parodying posts. ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/93 "2010-01-28T20:53:45Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I’ve never said anything about your emotional involvement. I just like parodying posts. I can’t argue with that. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/94 "2010-01-28T21:26:37Z")
> [@ivn1188](#): > > I don’t care if you get all outraged over a minor incident. I don’t care if you post about it here. But I do reserve the right to get recreationally outraged myself over your recreational outrage, and logically, you owe me the same consideration you are implying I should give you, thus by the irrefutable rules of reasoned thinking, you have to respect my right to post detailing how dumb I think your opinion is. > > So, in other words, carry on as you see fit, but don’t get all butthurt because I think you’re wanking. In other words, actually the same words.. If you express RO at our RO, it’s all good and we should just owe you the consideration. But if we express RO at your RO, someone is feeling butthurt. Yep. Someone’s definately experiencing the butthurt here, and it ain’t me. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/95 "2010-01-28T22:27:58Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > More like “they would have ratted him out at the first chance they got”, for two reasons. One, people, even government workers, are decent people. Two, people like their jobs and aren’t going to risk it for this numbskull. Someone would have ratted him and when they did, good deal. Chessic has something right here - there are plenty of gubmint people who have no sympathy for a guy like this, and would be glad to “help him find other employement”. I’m one myself (even though I’m not in any of the law enforcement agencies). Assholes like this make it worse for the rest of us. Added on edit: After this guy leaves, we are the ones left to take the added required new training and clean up his shit pile and find some way to make sure nothing ever happens again, knowing full well some bastard will still find a way. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/96 "2010-01-28T23:55:45Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > I, too, have tremendous power to fuck with people via my badge. But I don’t, because I’m a normal person. Do you work at South Hills Village Mall or Ross Park Mall? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/97 "2010-01-28T23:58:19Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Someone would have ratted him and when they did, good deal. Chessic has something right here - there are plenty of gubmint people who have no sympathy for a guy like this, and would be glad to “help him find other employement”. I’m one myself (even though I’m not in any of the law enforcement agencies). Assholes like this make it worse for the rest of us. > > Added on edit: After this guy leaves, we are the ones left to take the added required new training and clean up his shit pile and find some way to make sure nothing ever happens again, knowing full well some bastard will still find a way. My Wife and I also workk for the government. 40 years between us. You are supposing that someone knows what he did so they could rat him out. Fact is, this poor girl could have been in serious trouble if the asshole really wanted make problems. The guy lost his job. Good. What increases the ire around here, I believe, is that these TSA folks have such horrible attitudes. They have a bad job, I am sure. And they seem to give people grief at will. Pin a badge on an asshole having a bad day, and you get a bully. Combine that with the fact that many passengers are harried and confused… It does not surprise me that TSA agents are as a rule surly. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/98 "2010-01-29T05:45:27Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > And to see who’s living in a bizarro world, I’ve started a [poll](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=549810). And aren’t those interesting results? Of the 42 people who have responded so far 76% have seen armed soldiers on duty in an airport. Hmmm. Betcha weren’t expecting that were you? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/99 "2010-01-29T05:48:37Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > And to see who’s living in a bizarro world, I’ve started a [poll](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=549810). And aren’t those interesting results? Of the 42 people who have responded so far 76% have seen armed soldiers on duty in an airport. Hmmm. Betcha weren’t expecting that were you? Of course, they are all probably just being hyperbolic, right? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534/100 "2010-01-30T23:07:30Z")
How many bad apples will it take before someone finally realizes the whole barrel is rotten? From: [Derogatory 'Jeopardy' board launches TSA probe - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/01/30/florida.tsa.investigation/index.html?hpt=Sbin) > [@](#): > > The Transportation Security Administration has launched an internal investigation into an air marshal field office in Florida where supervisors are alleged to have used a crew assignment board to ridicule and keep score on women, gays and minorities, sources told CNN. > > The board, resembling the TV game show “Jeopardy,” includes categories such as “pickle smokers,” “our gang” and “creatures,” which sources said were names used by managers for gay men, African-Americans and lesbians. “Creatures.” Wow. Seeing as I have to fly tomorrow, and I’m not on a tight schedule, I think perhaps I’ll ask loudly if the TSA agents at the airport think I’m a “creature,” and report back on what happens. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-agent-plants-bag-of-powder-on-passenger-it-was-just-a-joke/526534.md?page=6)