News and notes from around the interweb:
- A class-action lawsuit seeks to stop TSA from unlawfully seizing flyers’ cash
“TSA has secret policies that tell its screeners that they must seize travelers’ cash,” Dan Alban, the lawyer leading a nationwide class-action suit against the agency, tells me. Alban is with the Institute for Justice, which is fighting to stop airport checkpoints from being Constitution-free zones.
..TSA agents were sometimes permitted to keep a percentage of travelers’ cash they helped seize, but that brazen abuse reportedly no longer occurs.
…TSA agents in Indiana are encouraged to “trust your instinct” when it comes to commandeering passengers’ money. North Dakota TSA agents are told, “Any large amount of currency will be reported, even if you believe it to be in the low thousands.”
Airport cash seizures are turbocharged because TSA considers almost everything to be “evidence of criminal activity.”
…TSA agents can seize money if it is “Rubber Banded,” bundled in “Store Bought Bands” or bundled with “Hand Made Bands.” If there is a “Hand Made Label” on the cash, then it is guilty as hell or at least “close enough for government work” guilty.
TSA agents can seize money if it is suspiciously all the same denomination of currency — or if it is suspiciously of different denominations. Carrying any money in your socks is treated like a full confession.
TSA condemns travelers for concealing money even though more than 500 TSA agents have been fired for robbing passengers.
- The countess whose home was used for Downton Abbey gets bumped from Virgin Atlantic business class.
- Counterpoint: It’s tough to keep planes well-maintained after 100 years.
@AmericanAir first class flight from Chicago to Cabo. 5 hrs 30 minilutes late already with no explanation. Plane is absolutely disgusting. Shame. 100 years and this is the best you can come up with. pic.twitter.com/cwE5UpxF5C
— Jonathan walker (@Jonatha97358716) February 16, 2026
- Richard Branson, Barry Sternlicht and Jeffrey Epstein Sternlicht had a dinner, Branson invited him back to Necker Island “as long as you bring your harem!” (Skift)
- American and United pilot unions are telling their members to refuse land and hold short instructions at Chicago O’Hare and this make mean longer taxi times.
- Coconuts full of liquid are allowed through TSA
ARE YOU SURPRISED? OUR GOVERNMENT IS LED BY A CONVICTED FELON WHO EXTORTS GOVERNMENTS TO PAY HIM BAKSHEESH TO GET “ACCESS.” AND SO IT’S TRICKLED DOWN TO THE LOW-LEVEL EMPLOYES THIS KLEPTOCRATIC PHILOSOPHY.
WHY DOESN’T HE JUST DIE?
@ Gary — Isn’t that seat condition a “no fly” for the plane? Couldn’t that hypothetically slow an evacuatuon?
@Derek – first of all I hope the secret service pays you a visit for that post. Secondly you do understand all the examples Gary posted started prior to Trump right?
Gary, @Derek literally just posted a comment that could get him a visit from the Secret Service. Isn’t there any way to edit out that type of unacceptable behavior ? As pointed out before, he (and others) are literally damaging the brand that you’ve worked so hard to establish.
Gary, actually the reason that I jumped on line was to thank you for posting the link on the story of the LAHSO at ORD. After reading it, I came away very impressed by the professionalism of the American and United Pilot Unions, as they are clearly in the right on this.
TSA seizing (stealing) citizens cash is appalling, but its been going on for years under both parties.