TSA Quietly Changes Rules

In March of this year an American citizen was detained by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and interrogated about $4700 he had in his possession. The man avoided answering questions regarding the money by asking whether he was "required by law to answer that question." It drove the TSA employees nuts as their intimidation and harassment did not get the traveler to meekly submit to their wills. After threatening him with arrest, hand cuffs and bringing in the FBI and DEA they finally released him.

Had it not been for one little detail, the incident would have become a "he said-she said" affair where the TSA would have spun it so the traveler was some sort of trouble making miscreant. That little detail? The detainee was recording the interrogation on his iPhone. While the recording is about 20 minutes in length, (links to recording of incident) this written extract gives you an idea of the flavor of the incident.

OFFICER: The question is why do you have this money? That's the major question.

BIERFELDT: Yes, sir. I'm asking whether I'm legally required to answer that question.

OFFICER: Answer that question first. Why do you have this money?

BIERFELDT: Am I legally required to answer the question?

OFFICER: So you refuse to answer that question?

BIERFELDT: No sir, I'm not refusing.

OFFICER: Well, you're not answering.

BIERFELDT: I'm simply asking my rights under the law.

Now eight months later the TSA has quietly advised its agents that it cannot go on fishing expeditions looking for the possibility of some offense that does not relate to airline security. The Washington Times reported that today in "Airport rules changed after Ron Paul aide detained." While the TSA defended the TSA agents involved in the harassment in this case, they have apparently now advised their screeners that a wad of cash does not qualify as an event for further investigation. That doesn't mean that if they find something as part of their security screening & search they won't call law enforcement.

The lack of public announcement suggests the TSA wants the traveling public to remain uncertain of the limits on the TSA. It helps them find terrorists they figure if they can continue to harass and intimidate the meek. But even still, I would be reluctant to travel with more than a couple of hundred on me. I would certainly want to make sure I had less that $10k. Carry that much and I promise you will meet the DEA, FBI and all the other 3-letter agencies fishing for evil.

This traveler, S. Bierfeldt, got off easy. I expect that was because one of the TSA supervisors realized he was connected to Representative Ron Paul. Had I ( a "little" and "unconnected" person) been caught up in this situation, we would still be in St. Louis awaiting arraignment for some trumped up charge and trying to figure out how to pay all our legal fees. As friends of mine have discovered, you can beat the deep pocketed Federal Government in court. But you, not them will go broke doing it.

One caution anytime you speak with law enforcement, to include TSA (whatever they are), remember Martha Stewart. She was convicted of "lying" to a federal officer. The best course of action is always to say nothing, no matter how innocent you are and outrageous the charges of those coming after you. If you speak, they will find an inconsistency and voila! You are guilty of "lying." It ain't right, it was never supposed to be like this in America ... but it is what is.