A bit overzealous? TSA Screener Opens Teen's Sterile Equipment

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A sick teenager said an over-zealous security screener at Orlando International Airport put his life in danger. After Channel 9 started making calls, the TSA opened an investigation into the matter.

James Hoyne, 14, has a feeding tube in his stomach and carries a back-up in a sealed clear plastic bag. Hoyne said two weeks ago a TSA officer insisted on opening the sterile equipment, contaminating his back-up feeding up tube which he later needed.

"I said 'Please don't open it' and she said 'I have to open it whether you like it or not. If I can't open it, I can't let you on the plane,'" Hoyne said of his conversation with the TSA screener.

TSA officials apologized to James and said they're looking into the incident to see what corrective steps need to be taken.

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Posted by: akeorlando
Posted on: March 6, 2008 05:55 PM

This is kinda a tough situation, I think. I mean, I can certainly understand the child would be upset, but I can also understand the security officer's need to be thorough in searching "liquids."

Of course, we probably only know part of the story here.

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Posted by: James (Author)
Posted on: March 6, 2008 06:17 PM

Actually, it was just a sealed feeding tube. There was no liquid inside.

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