Sippy cup crisis at Reagan airport

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Jun 16th 2007 6:02PM

The last time I was on an airplane was a trip to Disneyland with my father in December, 2000. Shortly before the trip, my sister managed to lose his California ID card, so we had to get by with his Usher ID card from the San Francisco Opera House -- circa 1955. The airline folk weren't crazy about it, but it sufficed and we went to Disneyland. They didn't even search him, really; they just pushed his wheelchair around the metal detector. I suspect that would not be the case today.

We're planning to visit New York City in the near future to visit some friends that moved there recently and after reading about Monica Emmerson's ordeal, I'm getting worried. She had a sippy cup with a few ounces of water for her son to drink and spent nearly 45 minutes being detained for it, while her 19-month-old son sat shoeless in the security area.

It seems the security people went a bit overboard in exercising their authority -- Mrs. Emmerson was being cooperative, she was apparently not suspected of being involved in terrorism, but she did have that formidable sippy cup. Surprisingly, the TSA agents overlooked that incredibly dangerous weapon she had in plain sight -- an unhappy toddler. I'd be more worried about a kid getting on a flight without their favorite cup than I would about a few drops of water.

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Comments (23)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Sandy 6-16-2007 @ 6:31PM

Just took a trip from NYC area to Florida. The airport has plenty of concession/food stands located in the area BEYOND the security checkpoint. I would suggest bringing an empty sippy cup and then picking up whatever beverage you need after you clear security. We took drinks, hot dogs and chips on the airplane that we purchased minutes before boarding. Good Luck!

Sadie 6-16-2007 @ 8:30PM

If you watch the security camera footage that is linked to in the comments section there, you can see that she did deliberately pour out the water. What a liar.

Bobbi 6-16-2007 @ 8:59PM

Sounds stupid of the TSA people, but the RULES prohibit loose liquid. I don't know what else the screeners were supposed to do. I personally believe the liquid restriction is needless, but if and until it is revoked, I expect screeners to follow it. Roger, are you suggesting that the TSA workers overlook the rule just cause it's a cute baby with a sippy cup and it appears innocuous?

Trisha 6-16-2007 @ 9:30PM

The last 3 times I flew with my toddler they let whatever liquids I had for her through screening no questions asked. I had milk (allowed) and water once in a sippy cup and it was probably more than 4 ounces. I was glad they let me take it, but it does seem haphazard on their side and bending the rules for someone should be a no-no.
Even so, why would she have been delayed so long??

Amy 6-16-2007 @ 9:39PM

You may be unaware but some of the current methods of terrorism (ie: ied vehicles) are using children as a decoy. For example a women or man (in Iraq) with a child in the vehicle is passed through a checkpoint...because who would sacrifice the life of a small child in an explosion? Yes, an isane terrorist. Sad, but true...this is the latest methodoly. So it makes perfect sense to me that this would raise suspicion at airport security at a time when liquids are a known 'explosive ingredient'.

daisy 6-16-2007 @ 9:55PM

Roger, did you read the TSA response? It sounds like she started hassling them as soon as they asked her to follow the rules. They have a video showing this (though I didn't watch it).

"Do you know who I am" she apparently asked. (She's a former secret service officer.) It seems, rather, that she thought she should be above the rules. No one is above the rules everyone has to follow.

Honestly, being nice to the TSA folks never hurts.

nicolebarber 6-17-2007 @ 12:57AM

Maybe I'm watching a different video. i saw here being escorted by someone who works there then security came up asking her to see whats in her things it seems she had already passed one check point to be that far near shops... but as I'm watching her being man handled I see some carrying a bottled water.....so if TSA has rules shouldn't everyone follow them including employees who seem to have better access for terrorism ...

All I see is her getting frustrated traveling with a toddler and dealing with some idiots( meaning the bored security guard who made a big deal out of water.)

Bobbi 6-17-2007 @ 2:05AM

Nicole Barber - What on earth at you talking about?

And I think it's pretty foolish to flame "the bored secuirty guard who made a big deal out of water. No water allowed that wasn't purchased at the airport. That's it. No outisde water allowed. That guard didn't make that rule. If he doesn't enforce it, though, and Heaven forbid something happens, HE will be fired and prosecuted. Let me say it one more time: No water. Even for a toddler. Even in a sippy cup.

Bobbi 6-17-2007 @ 2:09AM

Also, Nicole: Whoever you saw carrying a bottle of water BOUGHT IT INSIDE THE AIRPORT. Which is ALLOWED.

Gry 6-17-2007 @ 4:57AM

Ah, just another reason to be happy that I live where I live. It's no hassle flying around here :)

pbhj 6-17-2007 @ 10:34AM

We had this on a flight from Cardiff (UK) to Edinburgh (UK, for now!). We had a half litre bottle of water half full - our son, then c.18 months, never had "sippy cups" (he's nearly 2 now).

Anyway it got my goat a little that we couldn't take the water in but could then buy (at hugely inflated prices mind you) gallons of water just a few metres further on.

Surely a terroist group would place someone at the warehouse and ship a crate of "water" instead of faffing with a quarter litre that his son was drinking at the time of confiscation.

Incidentally, the folks in front of us had a larger beaker with a straw ... but theirs looked like it was for a kid, they didn't declare it, the zealous staff didn't bother with it.

nicolebarber 6-17-2007 @ 1:07PM

Bobbi who to say she didn't fill the sippy cup with airport water at one of the fountains? Don't all rules apply to the same people or are there exceptions

Bobbi 6-17-2007 @ 1:28PM

Nicole, of course she COULD have filled the sippy cup with airport water. But there is no way to know that! So...why not pour out the water and fill the cup 500 feet ahead, after passing security?

Bryan 6-17-2007 @ 7:59PM

These security measures are difficult for everyone. This woman deliberately provoked the system and then called foul. She shouldn't be defended. I'm a parent, I've been through the airport with kids. We all have to deal with it.

Laura 6-18-2007 @ 7:23AM

I am sick of these things being changed to be honest! Terrorists weren't responsible for 9/11 (unless you want to call Bush a terrorist). So now we have to suffer because the gov't uses scare tactics to 'keep us in line.'

We just went on a vacation to American to see my family had had to deal with the liquid crap. Yes it sucks but again, CONSPIRACY! The price of a bottle of water sure has gone up since this new rule.. anyone notice?

But even with all my opinions on this, that lady was in the WRONG. You can dump the water out in a special area all over the airports! You don't need to dump it on the floor! We weren't allowed to bring drinks and we knew it and planned for it so we had no problems. I don't like the rules, but I'm not about to ruin my trip by not following them.

Thanks America for your hospitality, especially for your own citizens who happen to live overseas.

Apart from this garbage I get harassed everytime I enter the country about why I was away, why am I back and how long am I staying! Yeah, I'm AMERICAN? I just want to say EFF YOU sometimes but we all know I can't without getting like.. arrested.

Jessica 6-18-2007 @ 8:18AM

Laura, I am glad you are wherever you are. I would like to say: STAY THERE! Yes, there are problems with this country, as there are problems within every nation. However, trite bitching will do nothing to improve the situation. So, just stay.

Sandyone 6-18-2007 @ 8:53AM

"Terrorists weren't responsible for 9/11"

Wow, Laura. Will you defend me when I shoot the guy who cut me off on the highway. I wasn't responsible for *what I did*...that jerk was!

Terrorists weren't responsible for 9/11. Wow.

Maybe this was typo? Please?

Michelle 6-18-2007 @ 8:55AM

Laura, As far as I can remember, George Bush didn't commandeer any of those planes. I don't believe he flew the 2 into the Towers, the 1 into the Pentagon, or headed one for the White House. Yes, mistakes may have been made. But you have to ask yourself: how would you react if you were the leader of a nation that was attacked so? You would defend yourself and kick some ass.

Anyway, I am not that political, and neither was the original post. Yes, the rules are a royal pain in the ass. (and I fly out from Atlanta, which is a pain in the ass, in and of itself) However, I choose to arrive early enough to allow for the security measures, even with small children with even smaller amounts of patience. I would rather some aggravation prior to boarding than have the plane blow-up with all my loved ones inside!

Heather 6-18-2007 @ 9:26AM

I read both the orginal article and the update including the link to the TSA statement. Sounds like fault falls on both sides.

We travelled by plane four times since our 20 month old son was born. Security is the worst part because of the lines and the confusion.

What works best for us (as we learned the first trip) is for parent #1 to be responsible for child and only the child. My husband walks thru the checkpoint ahead of me with our son.

I take the carry-on, diaper bag and carseat. Yes, it is a handful but because I know my husband has control of our son, I don't need to feel terribly rushed.

I have taken a small amount of milk with no problem (I have been questioned) As for water and juice, yes it is expensive after the checkpoint but the cost is minor in comparison to the cost of the tickets, trip, etc. I feel it is just one of those things one has to deal with.

With very few expections (family medical emergency and the like) no one is forced to get on a plane.

Pat 6-19-2007 @ 6:26AM

Nicole belongs on a new airline and she can take Laura with her. This airline will have no security to pass, anyone can fly free of the hassels of security with knives, lighters liquids...whatever they want to bring. All we have to do is find a pilot stupid enough to fly the plane. Enjoy the trip ladies.

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