In light of the recent terror underwear bomb attack attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the TSA divisions at every airport are expected to crack down in an effort to ensure that nothing like that happens again. And they’ve already proven to be hard at work. For proof, look no further than New Orleans International Airport where they’re fighting terror..by confiscating a small child’s Play Doh.
On a post-Christmas flight out of New Orleans last week, the TSA confiscated young Josh Pitney’s Play-Doh.
“You know all you have to worry about is it getting in the carpet – a small problem to have as opposed to a child who is entertained for half an hour,” said the child’s mother Christy Pitney.
“I had the kids and my husband was there with all our bags, she continued. “Josh and I were sitting, getting our shoes on and, my husband kind of motioned to us and said – they took our Play -Doh.”
Pitney continued, “And the man from TSA was taking every can out at a time and putting it on a table, and Josh saw and he started fussing. I tried to explain that those were the rules, but it turns out it’s not prohibited on the TSA’s website – so apparently those are not the rules.”
Christy was right. Play-Doh is not a prohibited item and it is allowed on board.
In the TSA’s defense, when reached for comment, a spokeswoman said that TSA employees are encouraged to use their discretion. I mean, other than when a guy with an explosive crotch is waddling through terminals like he’s wearing a diaper after being on several different government watch lists. Then, hey, let’s not get too crazy. A man’s got to fly.
It’s probably a case of “better safe than sorry” though. Have you ever been around a small child? They could find a way to injure themselves in a box full of pillows. This kid might have been trying to make delicious Play Doh McDonald’s hamburgers and ended up accidentally MacGyvering his way to a plastic can of C-4. A child with any object is at least as dangerous as a 2nd tier James Bond villain.
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January 5, 2010
#1
That is RETARDED. The TSA is a waste of time, effort and taxpayer money. It should be abolished. Don't like the risk of flying, don't fly
January 5, 2010
#2
What if I don't like the risk of getting hit by burning debris falling from the sky?
January 5, 2010
#3
@Greg I agree heartily, and if you don't like the risk of your building getting hit by a plane, then just don't go in any buildings…
January 5, 2010
#4
ok this is completely stupid. if the thought was that there where explosives in the play doh then all that had to be done was to scan it.. the tsa staff must be filled with idiots. my guess the tsa screener saw the play doh and said “look play doh, i gots something to do on break”.
January 5, 2010
#5
Staff at a UK regional airport confiscated my 6 yr old son's toy handcuffs saying he might “lock up the pilot” (that's the guy behind the steel security shutters, isn't it?).
January 5, 2010
#6
By “encouraged to use their discretion” the TSA spokesperson intended to convey: “encouraged to behave like the braindead zombies they are”.
January 5, 2010
#7
They are not going to sit there and test the play doh to see if explosives are mixed into it. Don't bring things that look like plastic explosives on a plane and you shouldn't have a problem. Common sense if you ask me.
January 5, 2010
#8
However the smell and consistancy are totaly diffrent between playdoh and plastic explosives. This officer is a dolt. Don't try to sugar coat it for him.
January 5, 2010
#9
so rather than this cunt having to buy another $4 play doh we should train thousands of airline workers the different consistencies of playdoh and platic explosives??
January 5, 2010
#10
Lets also ignore the fact that the play doh set appeared to be in 16+ small containers. The next time you are running late for a flight do you really feel like waiting for someone to go through as they check each one??
I dont think it SPECIFICALLY says in the TSA rule book that I cant dress up like a 6 foot cock/balls and get on the plane. I also wouldnt call local news outlets when I inevitably get kicked off.
January 5, 2010
#11
Take that child's play doh or the terrorists win! Everyone should get a full body cavity search to make america safe!
January 5, 2010
#12
What part of Muslim men between the ages of 18 and 35 is the TSA not getting?
January 5, 2010
#13
Damn, Mr. Bill can't fly anywhere anymore…
January 5, 2010
#14
Wow this is just getting ridiculous!
January 5, 2010
#15
I would blame the parents – knowing the heightened security why take the unnecessary risk of bringing something that looks like plastic explosives. As a person who travels a lot, this is purely common sense not to bring stuff that look suspicious to anyone. Folks like these are the root cause of the delays and problems at airports. Dont blame the TSA.
January 5, 2010
#16
And if plastic explosives was hidden in even the bottom of one container? Do you think adults are the only weapons of war? Ever heard of a child soldier? Africa has lots of them. Its only a matter of time before some extremists convince a child to go jihading innocently with a stuffed teddy, play doh, or some other way of concealing explosives. Good job TSA. I agree, the parents are the idiots in this case, leave the toys at home and give him penny to play with.
January 6, 2010
#17
it makes sense really….. if it looks like plastic explosives then ban it!
its a whole lot more sense than banning nail clippers and the likes!
January 7, 2010
#18
They took my 4-year-old daughter's (brand new) play-doh. They only thing that prevented her from joining al Qaida on the spot was that I managed to keep the empty containers.
January 7, 2010
#19
They took my 4-year-old daughter's (brand new) play-doh. They only thing that prevented her from joining al Qaida on the spot was that I managed to keep the empty containers.
January 14, 2010
#20
Do any of the idiots here claiming security are the bad guys have ANY idea what the hell plastic explosive is or what it looks like? It could easily be dyed and scented to mimic Play-doh, and no one would be any the wiser. A few small containers of the stuff could easily bring down an airliner if placed in the right places. I bet the only reason Play-doh wasn't on the prohibited list was because they didn't think anyone would actually be stupid enough to try to bring something that could easily be plastic explosive onto a plane.