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TSA Announcement: Passengers fined for carrying prohibited items PDF Print E-mail
February 25, 2004

Source: ijet.com

A Feb. 18 announcement from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that passengers will be fined for carrying prohibited items through security checkpoints is not new policy and will not affect passengers caught with cosmetic scissors, Swiss Army Knives and similar items, a TSA spokesperson told iJET. The announcement only served notice that TSA had increased its fines for violations; security personnel will not change their approach to screening passengers, the spokesperson said.

Since its November 2001 inception, TSA has had the authority to fine passengers who violate TSA rules (the government has initiated 4,568 civil penalty cases under TSA rules since the agency's formation). Only people who try to pass security carrying dangerous weapons - such as guns, knives, mace, explosives or similar items - face fines. Violators who cooperate with screeners and immediately hand over the banned items may escape fines altogether.

Fines range from USD 250 for minor infractions to USD 10,000 for carrying high explosives like hand grenades and dynamite (a list of fines for prohibited items, by category, is available online at http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/FINALSanctionGuidance.doc).

Accused violators who pay their fines within 30 days get a 50-percent break on the amount of the fine. Accused violators also may request, in writing, a meeting with a TSA representative or a written explanation of the charge, or they may appeal the fine; travelers will not have to pay fines on the spot, but may be detained or arrested for severe violations.

Fines will depend on the severity of the attempt: persons purposely concealing highly dangerous items face the highest fines and possible criminal charges. An individual's demeanor and attitude toward screeners will also affect the severity of any penalty. Screeners will give leniency to children and passengers who are perceived by screeners as making an honest mistake.

TSA also may fine passengers for interfering with screening. Those fines range from a low of $500 for non-physical interference to $5,000 for physical contact.

Fine levels include:

  • Firearms - $1,500 to $3,000 for unloaded; $3,000 to $7,500 for loaded;
  • Other weapons (sharp objects, "club-like items" and others that "may be used as a weapon") - $250 to $1,500;
  • Disabling chemicals - $250 to $1,500;
  • Incendiaries - $250 to $1,500;
  • Explosives - $250 to $10,000, with the higher fines applying for possession of blasting caps, dynamite, hand grenades and other high explosives. Fireworks, flares and gunpowder will draw the lower fines.

Factors that may draw higher fines include:

  • Artful concealment;
  • Number of weapons, or volume of explosives and incendiaries;
  • Past violation history;
  • Attitude of violator.

Companies should inform their travelers of TSA's policy and should establish written policies regarding reimbursement of fines for travelers on company business.
 
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