Category Archives: Airport searches

HI: TSA check of powdery substance in luggage seen on x-ray was reasonable

TSA’s x-raying baggage at the Honolulu airport produced an unknown substance in a Ziploc bag that TSA could check to be sure it wasn’t explosives for an IED or other harmful thing. Here, it produced drugs, and the search was … Continue reading

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WaPo: TSA PreCheck vs. Clear: What’s better for price and privacy?

WaPo: TSA PreCheck vs. Clear: What’s better for price and privacy? by Tatum Hunter (“Clear saves you time at the airport. Just make sure to read the fine print.” “Airport security is, by nature, at odds with individual privacy. The … Continue reading

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Reason: Justice Department Orders DEA to Halt Airport Searches Because of ‘Significant Issues’ With Cash Seizures

Reason: Justice Department Orders DEA to Halt Airport Searches Because of ‘Significant Issues’ With Cash Seizures by C.J. Ciaramella (“The DEA paid one airline employee tens of thousands of dollars to snoop on travel itineraries and flag passengers for searches.” … Continue reading

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D.Alaska: Arriving passenger stopped in airport consented to search

“Here, in contrast, Ms. Spadaro was an arriving passenger; her airplane ticket was a nonissue. There is no indication that law enforcement took her identification from her. And, despite her several requests to use the restroom, the audio recording supports … Continue reading

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CA9: Apparent drugs found in TSA screening were reasonably seized

The contents of defendant’s suitcase alerted TSA screeners that something was awry. When his suitcase was opened, there were two vacuum sealed bags inside that were obviously drugs – “a layperson would readily ascertain that the packages in Green’s suitcase … Continue reading

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Bitcoin.com: Report Exposes Warrantless Cash Searches at Atlanta Airport

Bitcoin.com: Report Exposes Warrantless Cash Searches at Atlanta Airport by Jamie Redman (“In a startling investigation report, Atlanta News First uncovered the concerning practices of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task force officers. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DEA … Continue reading

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TX2: Merely stating there is a REP in a cell phone doesn’t make it a 4A argument

“In one sentence in this section of his brief, Nash also argues that courts have found that a cell phone user has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the user’s phone’s contents. Nash does not challenge the evidence that the … Continue reading

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CA11: Change in strategy doesn’t excuse untimely motion to suppress

With second counsel, defendant filed a second motion to suppress apparently based on new strategy about how to approach one. The different strategy is not “good cause” based on newly discovered facts. United States v. Vazquez, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS … Continue reading

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WaPo: We asked: What happens if TSA finds weed in my bag?

WaPo: We asked: What happens if TSA finds weed in my bag? by Natalie B. Compton (“By The Way Concierge tackles flying with marijuana as it becomes legal in more states”)

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WaPo: 6 questions about flying with marijuana, answered

WaPo: 6 questions about flying with marijuana, answered | What to know about federal laws, TSA and flying with CBD by Natalie B. Compton:

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CA8: Even if airport search was unreasonable, affidavit for SW had independent PC

Defendant passed through the Little Rock airport TSA checkpoint, and an “organic mass” was seen in the x-ray and that resulted in opening his luggage finding $112,000. That led to the police being called over, too. Further investigation resulted in … Continue reading

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CA3: FTCA doesn’t apply to TSA screeners

TSA screeners are not “investigative or law enforcement officers” for purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act. Therefore, they are covered by the discretionary function exemption. Pellegrino v. United States Transp. Sec. Admin., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 18821 (3d Cir. … Continue reading

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Daily Mail (UK): TSA to start going through books and magazines under new security measures – but critics claim procedure could be used to target people with foreign or religious reading material

Daily Mail (UK): TSA to start going through books and magazines under new security measures – but critics claim procedure could be used to target people with foreign or religious reading material by Hannah Parry:

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The Hill: TSA sued over full-body X-ray scanners

The Hill: TSA sued over full-body X-ray scanners by Keith Laing: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is being sued over the controversial full-body X-ray scanners it uses at airport security checkpoints across the country. The lawsuit, from the Competitive Enterprise … Continue reading

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WaPo: Judge: No-fly list procedures were — and still might be — unconstitutional

WaPo: Judge: No-fly list procedures were — and still might be — unconstitutional by Matt Zapotosky: A federal judge on Thursday ruled that the way the United States implemented its no-fly list was unconstitutional years ago when it was used … Continue reading

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Vox: Filmmaker Laura Poitras has been detained [at airports] 50 times. Now she’s suing to find out why

Vox: Filmmaker Laura Poitras has been detained 50 times. Now she’s suing to find out why by Timothy B. Lee:

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NY Times: Airport Security Advances Clash With Privacy Issues

NY Times: Airport Security Advances Clash With Privacy Issues by Ron Nixon: BOSTON — At a mock airport in an underground laboratory here at Northeastern University, students pretending to be passengers head through a security exit in the right direction, … Continue reading

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The Hill: How the TSA spots terrorists

The Hill: How the TSA spots terrorists A confidential checklist reveals a point system employed by the agency.

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AP: Traveler sues TSA after 20-hour detention

AP: Traveler sues TSA after 20-hour detention: PHILADELPHIA – A traveler detained for more than 20 hours after a search of energy bars and a sports watch in his carry-on bag at an airport has sued the Transportation Security Administration … Continue reading

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CA1: TSA patdown searches because of metal body implants still reasonable on totality

Plaintiff has a metal hip implant, and she sets off TSA’s screening machines. This results in her getting a patdown. The court concludes that, on the whole, a patdown is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment and the ADA even if … Continue reading

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