If you’ve ever experienced the joy of flying, then you’ll know what a privilege it is to be made safe and secure by the utterly professional, and ever-competent TSA. Who doesn’t love having their carry-on rummaged through to ensure that the personal liquid limit hasn’t been exceeded?
Isn’t it also awesome when the TSA pats down disabled children? Or when they “randomly select you” with this special stamp code? I mean it’s bad enough that airlines themselves are tying people to wheelchairs with dirty blankets, and now we’ve got to worry about an agency that’s pretty much a waste of money treating us like a bunch of savages.
There have been more than a few studies proving TSA’s effectiveness is minimal at best, and even the TSA admits that some of their practices and procedures are ineffective.
And even though the TSA has a sordid history of beating up cancer patients, they always seem to outdo themselves when it comes to inconsiderate and awful behavior.
Take this traveler who had his mother’s ashes rummaged through by an agent who doesn’t know how to properly close urns.
AJ Francis, a pro football player for the NY Giants, was baffled by the fact that the TSA would need to search an urn containing someone’s ashes in the first place.
What made it even worse was that they ended up spilling all over his suitcase, giving a clear indication on what the TSA’s policies are towards respecting the deceased and their grieving family members.
Something that the TSA tried clarifying in a response to the defensive tackle.
1: We're very sorry to hear about this. We understand the emotional stress travelers are under when transporting the remains of a loved one. Our policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers are treated with dignity, respect and courtesy.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) July 9, 2018
2: Our officers are trained to handle your carry-on and checked property with care. Out of respect for the deceased, under no circumstances should the container be opened. Please accept our apologies and our condolences. https://t.co/dlf0Ci6Fh3 https://t.co/wLxp0Wphg9
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) July 9, 2018
They tweeted at Francis with a formal apology along with a link to file a complaint.
However, Francis didn’t seem too interested in hearing them say they’re “sorry.”
Francis’ original tweet reached a lot of people, many of whom were calling on the TSA for some action.
They wanted some heads to roll for messing with a dead person’s ashes.
So @AskTSA @TSA Who's going to be FIRED for messing with the cremains? If they violated your explicit rules, and desecrated the cremains, they should be terminated ASAP!
— John R Wersan Jr (@JwersanJr) July 10, 2018
For Francis, it wasn’t about getting someone fired—it was about the TSA realizing just how incompetent they are.
I don’t even want anyone fired… that person made a stupid mistake but they have a family too. I just want TSA to be cognizant if it’s own internal idiocy
— FRAN¢ (@AJFrancis410) July 10, 2018
Some suggested that Francis should have put his mother’s ashes in a more “secure” container.
That’s gross, maybe you should have put her in a more secured container instead of a suitcase.
— Haydn Daudt (@HaydnDaudt) July 9, 2018
Why you don't carried it oin your carry on bag, or in your hands, and put them in the checked bag.. That was your mistake.. Or lazyness..
— Angel Asencio (@angelasencio) July 9, 2018
An idea that didn’t really sit well with many.
Hot take champ but the issue wasn't the container, it was that it was opened and never properly closed by the people who inspected it.
— Terry Young (@terry_ygk) July 10, 2018
Others pointed out the TSA’s less-than-stellar track record when it comes to keeping travelers safe, and they kind of have a point.
Disband the @TSA. They are so unprofessional & do nothing to keep air travelers safe.
— TracyVegas (@tracyvegas) July 10, 2018
Mostly though, people were just horrified.
This is HORRIBLE have some respect @TSA #WTF
— Cassandra Compton (@ciaobella26) July 9, 2018
And some even pointed out that the TSA’s treatment of his mother’s ashes could be treated as a crime.
Last I recall, out of respect for the deceased, desecration of someone’s remains is a crime, yes, in most places? Many condolences for your loss. Sometimes, sorry, just doesn’t cut it. Wishing you the best, much continued success, while keeping your mom close, always, too.
— Zachary Scott (@ZSRFocusFitness) July 10, 2018
The TSA attempted to reach out to Francis again to get more context on the issue, probably in an attempt to find out who was responsible for getting his mother’s ashes spilled all over his luggage.
We want to look further into this. Please let us know which airport you traveled through, as well as the airline and flight information.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) July 9, 2018
It doesn’t seem like Francis is interested, however. How could you blame him? It’s not going to undo what happened to his mother’s remains.
H/T: Distractify
