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Picture from ABC News. |
I view a cupcake more of a threat to my waistline, than a security threat to a domestic flight.
According to the news story, a woman brought 2 cupcakes with her on her flight from Logan Airport to Las Vegas with no problem. After eating one of the cupcakes, she decided to save the other one for the return flight. Unfortunately, this plan did not pan out so well. TSA at Logan Airport let it through, but those tough TSA agents at Las Vegas Airport are more up to date on the latest terrorist tactics and confiscated the darn thing.
The reasoning for the confiscation was the frosting was too gel-like, so it violated their security procedures.
According to the TSA website at "All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3.4 ounce (100ml) or smaller containers...All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag...Please keep in mind that these rules were developed after extensive research and understanding of current threats."
So, due to the icing not being in a tube inside of a plastic zip-lock bag (which makes all the difference in making us secure), it violated their security procedures?
According to the TSA spokesperson, James Fotenos, "In general, cakes and pies are allowed in carry-on luggage."
Oh! So why did it get confiscated?
The bottom line: the TSA agent that confiscated the cupcake was getting too caught up in the legality of his procedures. instead of looking at the intent of the procedure.
You cannot have security just to have security. Security needs an overall driving purpose, otherwise you're just wasting time and money. Each security rule and piece of equipment needs to have a purpose besides, it will make us more secure! It needs to answer the five Ws and H: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
Examples: What assets are we protecting? Why are we protecting these assets? Who are we protecting it from?
When confronted with an incident that does not neatly conform to the rules, the agent should have asked, "does this meet the intent of what we're trying to do?" Does not letting this frosted cupcake through make us any more safe?
TSA needs to train their agents to look past the legalistic aspect of their procedures, and look more at the intent. This would help in bringing about some much needed common sense.
Story link: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/security-theater-tsa-confiscates-womans-frosted-cupcake-161059325.html