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The TSA are legal criminals.
11 years ago
i just got home from MFF. As every year the Con was awesome. ( I will post a report Journal on that soon.)
But this Journal is about what i found when i opened my luggage after returning from the airport.
- The first thing i noticed was a "TSA Baggage Inspection" note on top of my fursuits and other stuff, after working the zippers open with the fur jammed in the zippers and sticking out through them in both suit cases..
The second thing i noticed was that all the suit parts and items were not in the luggage how i packed them, but just all jammed in there in a mess, then after removing the Max Lion head, i discovered this bright green stained liquid "Sprayed" across the muzzle and in another separate spot on a paw nearby.
at first i had no clue where it came from or what it was, but after smelling it i knew it was Lime-Green MIO water enhancer, which i found the open & empty stuffed in the opposite corner of the suitcase. I had three of these MIO water Enhancer bottles packed in a side pocket of the suit case, closed tightly, the pocket zipped up, and the head was facing away and on the other side of the suit case.
It appears to be a deliberate act of damage by some asshole TSA inspector, who likely opened the bottle of MIO to see or test what "liquid" was in it by spraying it out on the head and everywhere then cramming it all back in, zipped it up, and send it off to the plane.
There is NO WAY the bottle of MIO unzipped the pocket, walked across the inside of the luggage to spray its self empty on the fursuit head, then pokes itself in the opposite corner of the suit case. Also it takes some force to push open the MIO top, then a continued & consistent force to spray it out the rubber plug in the top of these bottles. This was no accident or leak. Not a chance in hell.
This was a criminal act of vandalism by some TSA asshole who probably didn't like furries, fursuits, or whatever the case may be here..
The problem here is this government-supported corrupt organization known as the TSA can do these criminal acts or vandalism, damage, invasion-of-privacy acts & more, and get away with it all completely and be protected from prosecution by the very federal government that pays them to destroy, abuse, and vandalize innocent travelers property.
The below photo is the green stain i found as soon as i took it out of the suitcase and ran some water over it to begin loosening the stain. this photo is better resolution and detail than the compressed Twitter one, that shows the stain appearing to be "sprayed" on the fur and not "leaked". its more visible on the white than on the Tan fur, ( which the spray line goes up across Max's face side:
>>> http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15182333/
I should have taken photos of how i found all the items just jammed in the suitcase, and a photo of the location where i found the bottle, but the photo below is of the suitcase, the TSA Inspection notes left in the luggage, the MIO container, and a red arrow showing the pouch where i had the MIO bottles in and zipped up. The green arrow is where the Lion Fursuit head was located and facing, and the blue arrow is the corner where the almost empty bottle of MIO was left:
->>> http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/.....ps75534e5c.jpg
I will not say here what i really think of these TSA rejects, but as many other people have found out with their Actions packers busted open, "TSA-Approved" locks cut off, items missing, damaged, broken, etc. i'm just another victim of a corrupt organization supported & protected by a federal government.
As i am a foreign citizen i have little chance as many others in getting answers as i read before the TSA will deny it, and claim they are just "doing their job" to cover up the BS that they are known to do to travelers property.
UPDATE: - the Oxyclean (MaxForce Laundry stain remover) is working to remove the heavy green dye stain, but taking multiple applications and scrubbings.
- its sad when we all try our hardest to protect, and keep our fursuits safe... then some asshole who is immune to prosecution that we have no control over can just do what they want with it behind the scenes, and get away with it under protection of who they are.
These idiots could of even take the heads & suits out, throw them around, stomp on them, laugh at them, blow their nose in them, or piss in them for all we know and never know about it.... I just want to cry because it makes us feel so vulnerable and abused by an organization that was "supposed" to protect us, not destroy our personal things out of fun for them.
After some research its a very reality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzZuQsMIjkA
But this Journal is about what i found when i opened my luggage after returning from the airport.
- The first thing i noticed was a "TSA Baggage Inspection" note on top of my fursuits and other stuff, after working the zippers open with the fur jammed in the zippers and sticking out through them in both suit cases..
The second thing i noticed was that all the suit parts and items were not in the luggage how i packed them, but just all jammed in there in a mess, then after removing the Max Lion head, i discovered this bright green stained liquid "Sprayed" across the muzzle and in another separate spot on a paw nearby.
at first i had no clue where it came from or what it was, but after smelling it i knew it was Lime-Green MIO water enhancer, which i found the open & empty stuffed in the opposite corner of the suitcase. I had three of these MIO water Enhancer bottles packed in a side pocket of the suit case, closed tightly, the pocket zipped up, and the head was facing away and on the other side of the suit case.
It appears to be a deliberate act of damage by some asshole TSA inspector, who likely opened the bottle of MIO to see or test what "liquid" was in it by spraying it out on the head and everywhere then cramming it all back in, zipped it up, and send it off to the plane.
There is NO WAY the bottle of MIO unzipped the pocket, walked across the inside of the luggage to spray its self empty on the fursuit head, then pokes itself in the opposite corner of the suit case. Also it takes some force to push open the MIO top, then a continued & consistent force to spray it out the rubber plug in the top of these bottles. This was no accident or leak. Not a chance in hell.
This was a criminal act of vandalism by some TSA asshole who probably didn't like furries, fursuits, or whatever the case may be here..
The problem here is this government-supported corrupt organization known as the TSA can do these criminal acts or vandalism, damage, invasion-of-privacy acts & more, and get away with it all completely and be protected from prosecution by the very federal government that pays them to destroy, abuse, and vandalize innocent travelers property.
The below photo is the green stain i found as soon as i took it out of the suitcase and ran some water over it to begin loosening the stain. this photo is better resolution and detail than the compressed Twitter one, that shows the stain appearing to be "sprayed" on the fur and not "leaked". its more visible on the white than on the Tan fur, ( which the spray line goes up across Max's face side:
>>> http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15182333/
I should have taken photos of how i found all the items just jammed in the suitcase, and a photo of the location where i found the bottle, but the photo below is of the suitcase, the TSA Inspection notes left in the luggage, the MIO container, and a red arrow showing the pouch where i had the MIO bottles in and zipped up. The green arrow is where the Lion Fursuit head was located and facing, and the blue arrow is the corner where the almost empty bottle of MIO was left:
->>> http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/.....ps75534e5c.jpg
I will not say here what i really think of these TSA rejects, but as many other people have found out with their Actions packers busted open, "TSA-Approved" locks cut off, items missing, damaged, broken, etc. i'm just another victim of a corrupt organization supported & protected by a federal government.
As i am a foreign citizen i have little chance as many others in getting answers as i read before the TSA will deny it, and claim they are just "doing their job" to cover up the BS that they are known to do to travelers property.
UPDATE: - the Oxyclean (MaxForce Laundry stain remover) is working to remove the heavy green dye stain, but taking multiple applications and scrubbings.
- its sad when we all try our hardest to protect, and keep our fursuits safe... then some asshole who is immune to prosecution that we have no control over can just do what they want with it behind the scenes, and get away with it under protection of who they are.
These idiots could of even take the heads & suits out, throw them around, stomp on them, laugh at them, blow their nose in them, or piss in them for all we know and never know about it.... I just want to cry because it makes us feel so vulnerable and abused by an organization that was "supposed" to protect us, not destroy our personal things out of fun for them.
After some research its a very reality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzZuQsMIjkA
I always fly with my head on my lap just in case so i can make sue it stays safe.
Any possibility of getting the mio off your face?
While what happened is dumb and I feel for ya, just wish people would stop blaming the "president". He's only a small part of our overly large government.
I had so much fun wearing that suit around MFF, and it hurts for me to see it get abused like that by those idiots...
TSA had stolen my sunglasses from my checked bag once. I called to make a claim and they said "Sorry, you're not supposed to pack your valuables in checked luggage"
Such a crock.
*hugs*
Its sad when you have to inventory your luggage items as "What can be used to vandalize something else?" to leave behind.
I hope you managed to get the stain out. This shit should be treated as a criminal act...
But then, this is an agency in a country where the police can steal money from you if you're accused (not convicted) of a crime, can shoot you if they feel the least bit threatened, can obtain secret warrants to read your text messages and e-mails, and can destroy anything you own in the name of searching for drugs, explosives, or contraband.
I've gotten where I avoid air travel whenever possible and travel with as little in the way of valuables as I can. Go by Amtrak if you can, they hardly screen anything (though I'm not sure how thoroughly they screen at the US border).
So sorry that our government treats everyone like criminals... it's just wrong and I don't support it.
My suggestion is call the TSA. Give them the info on the inspection ticket (should Have the inspectors name on it or badge number etc.) And if they give you the "doing their job" bs just tell them that while doing their job they damaged your property and you think it was a deliberate act of vandalism. File a formal complaint and if you so choose hound them until.things happen. Plenty of people have done this successfully.
Wish you luck dude! Your suits are awesome and its a crime this happened, literally
why the hell would they do that?
I don't understand
a fursuit is not dangerous or anything
furry hater?
im glad you had an okay con and ur safe from what happened ( the gas thing)
im sorry about what happened to youre stuff
I cant believe
so what will you do??
this is clearly not okay and right
they don't understand how much money and time went into the fursuits
what fucking assholes
holy cow
does it wash off can it be fixed?
like OMFG ><
Just do it!
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-informa.....on/claim-forms
There are oodles of pics of the suit before it was packed from the con.
When I contacted them through their legal department I had a picture of all my pockets and bags taken before leaving my gear with baggage check and also submitted the list of contents found within each pocket. Once I submitted those there was no defense that could be mounted because all of my bag parts had been rearranged and haphazardly replaced. "They Just Doing our Job" doesn't trump "Responsible Care of Personal Items once surrendered."
Once I filled out my claim and submitted it with the evidence they had to compensate me for my loss. I hope this helps.
Rithy
Not your fault, obviously, just sayin'.
i never taken a flight and i hope dont have that bad luck :c,
do u had the baggage with padlock ?
i thought only for inspecttios they uses Xrays or something like that :c
i hope you could fix it.
*im sorry if i wrote alittle bad, that doesnt my native language x3 *
i wish you better luck for the next trip
Especially after I went to the border for the Algonquin trip to have clothes & bag stained & filled with
thats just not right
our airplanes dont even allow liquids unless they are packed in separate plastic bags
Check into this alternate form of shipping .. anyone who is traveling a great distance by plane... I think you will be happier knowing the fursuit will be safer.
http://www.purolatorinternational.c.....de-regulations
The fees are quite small usually only a few dollars more also as a Canadian citizen shipping something to your home address you might be able to apply for a waver on the tariffs
normally they steal tablets and other tech gear along with just ruining clothing for the hell of it
Read a story of one guy found used tissues in there luggage as if they just dumped a whole trash can in there for no reason
other people had there rings or what not taken
some guy had medical stuff like pills and shots...you know so he dosnt DIE and they were stolen for no reason. Maybe for resale.
And if thats not bad enough they get to frisk you too get there hands all up on your business
its not uncommon really its just completely stupid that the TSA protects us from terrorists when the real terrorists is the TSA.
They havent found one criminal with the TSA but they sure have found all your goodies~
so are you able to get the stains out of the suit head?
and really they should have been freaking careful. It upsets me when these kinds of things happen to many people. All
their valuable always have to get ruined, unlike when I heard stories about other people's fursuits being stolen. Luckily that
did not happen to you, at least I hope. Sorry got off topic a bit there *sighs and hugs you*I hope you can find a way to get
this solved or finding a way to having the thing fixed
I haven't flown with my Fursuit packed before, now I never want to. Paying customers shouldn't have their belongings treated like that. Me thinks if I ever visit Europe, Silvermoon will either stay home, or be FedExed over. :/
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-informa.....on/claim-forms
Its the very least you can do.
"IF it were possible for the mio container (which was properly packaged and zipped) to somehow get out of the zipper, make its way to one corner where the head was located, have enough force to open up, it wouldn't leave the trails seen in the provided picture.
In a stuffed suitcase a leaking mio bottle would leave blotches both on the inside of the suitcase and on parallel articles of clothing in the shapes of circles and blobs. As can be seen clearly in the photo there were clean streaks, not blotches. This requires someone to spray the liquid out of the bottle with enough force to no bleed into the surrounding areas - see attached video.
And after all is said and done the bottle of empty mio was in a third, completely different, corner from both the head and the zipper."
Then go and do some recorded scientific study with some spare scrap white fur and a mio bottle and show:
1) how hard it is to open a mio bottle
2) how the liquid "bleeds" onto the fabric and creates round blotches
3) how if two peices of fabric were pressed together both fabrics would be affected by a round blotch
4) how if you "squirt" the mio bottle across the fur it leaves the same streaks
Really sorry to hear it had to happen to you. *hugs tight*
I'm very sorry you had to deal with that shit..
https://plus.google.com/photos/1183.....11158817067169
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/.....nr-eng.htm#c10
And the ATF classifies them explicitly as "Not a Firearm" as well:
http://www.atf.gov/files/firearms/g.....lare-launchers
It'd require research, but flare guns often times straddle a lot of legal boundaries in unique ways, as they're considered a safety device in most ways, but as they use gunpowder and shotgun shell casings they count as a firearm in the eyes of the FAA. But outside of the FAA's jurisdiction they're "not a firearm" again, so in a vehicle? Safety device.
I will note I've had plenty of TSA agents claim I didn't need to check the flare gun like I do, or that it doesn't qualify as a firearm citing the ATF rules, so I had to point out the FAA rules requiring it. Verifying the laws end to end is complex and takes time, but can work in your favor. :)
It's a mixed bag, if you've done some further research than I have would you mind sharing what you learned and from where? I'm always curious to learn more. =^.^=
I'm getting my first suit pretty soon, Something I've waited a long time for and dropped a ton of cash on as well. I'm also new to flying (first time when I went to this MFF) This makes me extremely nervous to fly with my suit for any future conventions... x.X
Ever since I took my pants off at LAX airport and walked through security in a blue speedo for anthrocon 2006 I have not flown since then. The shit they do is ridiculous and has absolutely NOTHING to do with actual safety, it is all just an illusion and theater to make scared white and middle class people "feel" safer.
You can try filing a claim but from what I have seen ,that just gets you labeled as a terrorist and put on some sort of list where you will be "randomly selected" for "enhanced screening" every time you fly in the future... And even if you take them to small claims court or arbitration or such you have no way of proving THEY actually did the deed, and even if you did, they would only reimburse you for the cost of materials involved, likely a buck or two for the drink flavors and maybe $25 for the materials they think went into making the head.
In all honesty you would be better served trying to get the stains out and then signing any number of "End the TSA" or "TSA accountability" petitions out there. Unfortunately that is the times we live in now.
In 1999 I went to Disneyland with a friend of mine I've known since 7th grade. He and I (before it cost $96/day to enter the park) would occasionally make plans and go for a guys weekend at the park ( we left our girl friends at home ).
I have a few things I love to collect. Mugs are one, and Disney wrist watches are another. I had a character watch, with an image of Simba & Nala made up. The watch came with an original piece of artwork... which is kept very safe to this day.
Well.. one nosy inspector at John Wayne Airport on the way back home just HAD to see what I had. As if all the Disneyland bags and packages weren't enough of a clue. It was invasive, and frankly insulting.
So, I'm not surprise some nosy SOB, with not a shred of thought to the Forth Amendment, did this. I mean, if they'll willing to frisk grandmothers or kids who are cancer patients with medical IV's...
Hope your suit can be cleaned.. that just bites!
I am quite disgusted in their actions, they should respect other people's property, they wouldn't be so happy if someone went to their house and destroyed something they valued now would they
And I really liked that suit :/
I hope you can get the stains out
I hope you will manage to get your suit back in order. *many hugs from across the pond*
Stories like this is why I never flew with my suit. If I had to fly to a con, I've left the suit at home (which is why I drove to MFF last year, I wanted to suit some).
I know many people live in isolated or far-off areas from conventions and don't have the luxury of finding an alternative way of getting to conventions. And it sucks, but until the TSA and many other government organizations start having a lot more oversight and public accountability, I wouldn't expect anything to improve.
Hope your able to fix your suit
Why would you store something liquid that can stain a fursuit, in the same bag as a fursuit, when its going to be handled by complete strangers who have no idea what is inside, most of which don't care?
I dont even pack toothpaste or deodorant in my suitcase with my fursuit.
Can you use a scotch guard in advance incase this crap happens again.?
Though, I think its removable with some special cleaners. I had some accidents with my suit. Once someone spilled a cocktail all over my feetpaws. Got them cleaned with some chemical based stuff (Pretty known in Germany, called "Dr. Beckmann"). And also a wound which made a huge spot of blood onto my body (hit some veins with my catheter for insulin). With some hydrogen peroxide (5%) I got everything out and noting was visible. Also ox-gall soap helps with a lot of enzyme based stains. So don't worry, you can clean it. Though, the whole act of vandalism is just...I can't fine words for that...
I'm so sorry this happened to you and even more sorry they'll be getting off scott free. I've got a strong sense of justice, so much so it gets me in trouble sometimes if I feel I've been wronged and the other party didn't get an adequate punishment for doing so, so when something like this happens and nothing can be done I'm always the one sitting around with their blood boiling wishing there was some way I could legally beat the snot out of someone.
"Where are you travelling sir!"
"Pittsburgh Pennsylvania"
"What's happening there?"
"I'm attending a costume party called Anthrocon it's similar to a comic con"
"Oh nice, enjoy your stay in the United States" hands over passport
Never once in the ten years travelling across the border have I been asked to pop the trunk of my '85 Chevy Caprice (which looks like a drug dealers car)
Sorry to hear about your fursuit but try driving to a con and bring friends to help out with the driving. It's more of an adventure and maybe less of a headache for you. I find border agents have a little more heart.
Good luck
Hard price to pay for us foreigners who want to attend US conventions X-X
Will you claim compensation from these bastards?
I've never traveled by plane with the luggage, especially abroad, and i'm really afraid that something bad can be with luggage on inspection.. Especially knowing what is going on in different idiocy of authorities here
I have never been on an airplane, I have never gone through TSA, but I can definitely understand your anger.
I have only ever gone through Customs between Canada and the United States, and the process is always done in front of you. While they do unpack your stuff, sometimes, they usually have you pack everything again. It never does fit quite right, though.
I do wish this didn't happen to you. Traveling shouldn't result in property damage.
All I can suggest, don't fly. It takes longer, but I'd much prefer to stay with my bags, rather than entrusting them, and many valuable things, to someone else. Even when I take a Greyhound bus, I pack as much as I can, in the lines of computers and technology, in my carry-on. Of course, bringing a fursuit onto a Greyhound bus, it would have to go under, with the larger luggage.
(Amusingly, everything I have, apparently fits as carry-on. Seems I can travel light. But, clothes, computers, not a whole lot there. ^.^ )
Anywho, like I said, it's terrible that this has happened. All I can suggest to avoid damage in the future, drive. And since you're coming from Toronto, if you take 401 to 402, then exit 25 south to London Road, west to Modeland, then south on 40 (Modeland), follow that road for a while, do note it curves around a bit, and you'll have to make a turn somewhere, GPS should tell you, then follow to Bentpath, west again to Lakeshore, then south a little while more, you'll should find a small town called Sombra. There's a ferry that you can take to Marine City, cost is $7 cash. Customs is pretty relaxed there. They'll check a bit here and there, but, they are the best crossing I've found.
Other than this unfortunate mishap with TSA, I hope you had a good deal of fun at the convention. I look forward to any pictures you may upload.
=^.^=
US Customs searched my bags once, and just ran everything through an xray another time, without opening anything. Of course, they also had, probably two busloads of people to process that time.
This form is a formal complain form that specifies the options for disarrayed/damaged items in a checked bag. If it's not brought to light, even if nothing directly happens in your case, it is something on notice for either airport (and could add on to complaints for specific airports).
Years ago I was offered a job to work for TSA.... with all the crap they seem to get themselves into, I am glad I did not take the job. Not to mention LAX is too far from where I live <^.^'> .
I'm glad my current (state) job has only a 6-minute commute.
I'd let con staff know about this. First, to warn other guests to this country. Second, if anyone is able to start a grass-roots effort to force legislation to change shit, I'd be happy to vote for it.
I learned my lesson when I put my LED collar with my fursuit and TSA treated my fursuit badly to check it. Luckily it ended up being a temporary fursuit and sold off quickly after the experience.
What would have been helpful is a list of things never to pack with a fursuit which might trigger a TSA search possibly resulting in damage or mistreatment of the fursuit.
Reinforces my belief that I will NEVER fly to a furcon. ><
This was Osama Bin Ladin's real gift to America.
I'm so sorry your suit was damaged! What a jerk (whoever did this) and I would be pressing charges!
You do beautiful work and are a great example of our community!
The recent chlorine attack was also criminal and I feel like the media doesn't give a crap
about 19 people being hospitalized but rather they used it as an excuse to make fun of Furries...
It's just wrong... I feel like this fandom is so misunderstood because of shows like CSI and Dr. Phil.
We need to stand together and stop the hate by spreading positive about the fandom and
leaving good examples (charity work, fun, silliness, professionalism, highly skilled crafters, etc...)
rather than drawing more negative attention. The stuff that you do is amazing! Keep it up!
Everyone, keep it up!
I do hope your suit is savable and if it's not, use that! Make it into something positive! You've got
a creative head on your shoulders :)
Everyone, never put anything inside your fursuit luggage like liquids, aerosol cans, markers, ink pens or anything else that could cause damage. If you cant trust a 2yr old child with those items around your fursuit, don't trust that the TSA employees are any smarter. Ive heard of fursuiters putting an instruction notice on top of their fursuit to tell them everything that is included in the bin and how to place the fursuit back inside the bin the proper way. Pretend they are 2yrs old and take every precaution. Never trust any stranger to do the right thing and take as much care with your suit as you would.
If you can find it, try Dr. Bonner's soap. I had to use it to remove some stains from a fursuit and it works as long as you don't use a lot of it.