TSA, hello inconsistency?

Gotta love (in)consistency. I just cleared security with an iPad in my bag. Problem? Yep, they had to rescreen the iPad and the bag. Say what? When I left on my trip, the iPad could stay in the bag. When I asked why? Because supposedly…

We screen any computer or electronics device larger than a cell phone. Including iPads, Kindles, etc.

–TSA Secondary Screener, Chicago O’Hare, Terminal 1, Approximately 2:45pm CDT

Really? Last I heard from TSA, on their own blog…

I’ve read many a post from people wondering if these items should be treated like a laptop and removed from their carry-on bags for checkpoint screening. Great question! Electronic items smaller than the standard sized laptop should not need to be removed from your bag or their cases. It’s that simple.

Source: TSA. (2010, April 6). Traveling with E-readers, Netbooks, and Other Small Gadgets (Including the iPad) . Retrieved on May 13, 2010 from TSA Blog: http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/04/traveling-with-e-readers-netbooks-and.html

Let me back up a bit, having my bag rescreened started with exchange between the screener and secondary with:

Are we supposed to screen iPads separately?

–TSA Screener, Chicago O’Hare, Terminal 1, Approximately 2:45pm CDT

To which I asked:

When did you change the policy?

The reply:

These are brand new…

–TSA Secondary Screener, Chicago O’Hare, Terminal 1, Approximately 2:45pm CDT

Um, no they’re not. They’ve been out for a month now. And a month ago TSA posted to their blog that eReaders didn’t need to be screened separately.

Hey the TSA is welcome to randomly change policy, “for safety”.

But, is it unreasonable to ask for consistent application of stated policy and proper training/awareness of screeners? (Answer: As we all know, it mostly is…unreasonable.)