DC Trawler

The TSA Is Now Tweeting Pics Of Airline Passengers’ Private Property, And Then Seizing It

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Ladies and gentlemen: TSA Public Affairs spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.

Ha ha ha! Great catch, TSA Public Affairs spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. To answer your question: No, I wouldn’t bring such a huge amount of cash onto a plane, or anywhere else.

You know what else I wouldn’t do? I wouldn’t get a government job and then abuse my authority in order to violate Americans’ privacy under color of law. Why is the TSA publishing pictures of people’s private property?

Christopher Ingraham, WaPo:

…There is nothing illegal about simply checking a bag containing $75,000, or carrying it with you on the plane. Passengers aren’t under any obligation to report large sums of cash unless they’re traveling internationally, though the TSA recommends that passengers consider asking for a private screening.

Asked about the incident via e-mail, Farbstein said that “the carry-on bag of the passenger alarmed because of the large unknown bulk in his carry-on bag. When TSA officers opened the bag to determine what had caused the alarm, the money was sitting inside. Quite unusual. TSA alerted the airport police, who were investigating.” Farbstein didn’t respond to a question about whether posting photos of the man’s luggage and property violated his privacy, nor did she offer any more details on the situation.

I’m sure we can look forward to an “internal investigation” that will find no problems whatsoever with Ms. Farbstein or anyone else at the TSA.

And incidentally, the TSA seized the money. There was no indication the passenger had done anything wrong, and he was allowed to board his flight. Yet they took his money, and now he’ll have to jump through their hoops to get it back. He may not ever get it back.

Because that’s how government works. What are you gonna do about it?

Let this be a lesson to us all: Don’t bring cash onto a plane, and don’t make the mistake of believing this is still America.