By Todd Starnes
The Transportation Security Administration said they are investigating a report that one of their workers spilled the ashes of an Indiana man’s grandfather at a checkpoint inside the Orlando International Airport.
JOIN TODD ON FACEBOOK – FOR THE LATEST CULTURE WAR NEWS!
John Gross, of Indianapolis, said he was carrying home the remains of his grandfather, Mario Mark Marcaletti, a Sicilian immigrant. The remains were in a sealed jar marked “Human Remains.”
Gross said that a TSA agent allegedly opened the urn, sifted through the ashes with her finger and the spilled about a third of the contents.
TSA spokesman David Castelveter told Fox News Radio that to his knowledge Gross has not filed a formal complaint with the agency. The investigation could also be hampered because that particular checkpoint did not have a video camera.
“We have been conducting an internal review and have not been able to draw the same conclusions,” Castelveter said. “The claims that have been made are quite the opposite of some very rigidly enforced procedures that we have in place as it relates to the handling of human remains.”
Gross told TheIndyChannel.com that the remains were tightly sealed in a jar marked “Human Remains.”
During the inspection, he said the worker spilled some of the contents onto the floor.
“She started laughing,” he said. “I was on my hands and knees picking up bone fragments. I couldn’t pick up all, everything that was lost.”
Gross said he wants apologies from the TSA as well as the security worker.
“I want an apology,” Gross told TheIndyChannel.com. “I want them to help me understand where they get off treating people like this.”
Castelveter said TSA policy requires every item to be inspected at checkpoints.
“However, our policy is not to open an urn,” he told Fox News Radio. “I’m not going to speculate at all on what he said happened or what did or did not happen.”
“This is completely opposite of our policies and the way we train our employees to deal with these types of situations,” he said, noting that workers are expected to treat the remains and individuals with “utmost respect and tender love and care as they go through that check-in process.”
Todd is the author of “Dispatches From Bitter America.” The book is endorsed by Sarah Palin, Mark Levin and Sean Hannity. Click here to get your copy!
Print This Post
FOX News Talk
Shows the education level of tsa employees.
MOst got their GED in a cracker jack box,or prison. And if you are illegal you do not have a education, Same as congress, IRS, DOJ,HHS< DHS, None are educated. They are fourth reich indoctrinated. ,
MOst got their GED in a cracker jack box,or prison. And if you are illegal you do not have a education, Same as congress, IRS, DOJ,HHS< DHS, None are educated. They are fourth reich indoctrinated. ,
worked for the airlines for 30+ years and private security firms far superior to tsa.
I agree, private sector can do it better and cheaper than any government agency.
Two things here. First, why wasn't there a camera at that particular checkpoint? Has it always not had one? Was it broken, or was one never installed. That, alone, is enough to be wary of what is going on at that checkpoint. Second, why he has not filed a formal complaint? I would have done that in an instant. Does he have witnesses who will attest to what happened since there was no camera? Third, until he file a formal complaint, everything is assumption at this point.
Oops. 3 things!
It was probably unplugged….lol
10 years since 9/11 and there is still NO video camera here at that check point? This proves that the TSA is not needed! Nor is the moron TSA agent that spilled ashes of the dead and then has the stupidity of her below bottom feeder low life to laugh? I truly hope she is now on the unemployment line or flipping burgers somewhere!
You can't fire a Fed.. Govt. Worker. Just like union teachers mediocrity is tolerated if not rewarded.
do we know the race of the tsa laugh machine????
Of course we do? Hmmm!?
It would be a huge improvement for the TSA to move up to mediocrity!
Not so fast… she's in a union
No, no racists on fox….
I honestly can't beleive this hasn't happened more.
I'm sure it has. I'm sure people just haven't reported things like this.
as much as I have read about the TSA molesting people I just DO NOT believe this at all.
when my mom passed away last year I traveled with my cats ashes 2 cats in a wooden urn with the base screwed closed. I had the crematory records with the serial numbers of each matched the numbers on the tag of each cat's ashes.
I was able to pass through without even a blink from TSA, OH the TSA did stop me and go through my cary on the culprit an unopened jar of benefiber go figure.
Oh, and that jar of benefiber was real dangerous, you know.
Oh, and that jar of benefiber was real dangerous, you know.
Those TSA employees were NOT the dunderhead in this story. Don't give them a blank check because you got treated properly.
Those TSA employees were NOT the dunderhead in this story. Don't give them a blank check because you got treated properly.
I don't care how they train their people. It only takes one idiot not following directions. And to be so disrepectful of a deceased person. There's no excuse. And if they think she's going to own u p to what she did….that's the biggest laugh.
I don't care how they train their people. It only takes one idiot not following directions. And to be so disrepectful of a deceased person. There's no excuse. And if they think she's going to own u p to what she did….that's the biggest laugh.
Unfortunately – there are more too many incidences to count of the idiocy of this agency. It is past time to retire this agency along with many others…they have outlived their usefulness…and with the TSA, that was when it was stood up.
Next needs to be Home land security ,thats another joke.
What did you expect from a bunch of underpaid niggers who work for TSA. I'd punch the bitch right there on the spot. Niggers seem to understand better when being whipped.
What did you expect from a bunch of underpaid niggers who work for TSA. I'd punch the bitch right there on the spot. Niggers seem to understand better when being whipped.
Typical TSA response. They simply won't take responsibility for another brain-deprived employee at the check point. People should put mouse traps in the ashes or mix them with cement and water. The latter would at least guarantee safe transportation. The TSA simply puts another nail in the riser of anti-Citizen performance.
Typical TSA response. They simply won't take responsibility for another brain-deprived employee at the check point. People should put mouse traps in the ashes or mix them with cement and water. The latter would at least guarantee safe transportation. The TSA simply puts another nail in the riser of anti-Citizen performance.
If this story is accurate, this idiotic TSA jerk should be immediately fired and yes, even though I disdain suing at the drop of a hat, in this case the TSA and the agent need to be sued. If there is a possible charge that can be brought then it should be.
If this story is accurate, this idiotic TSA jerk should be immediately fired and yes, even though I disdain suing at the drop of a hat, in this case the TSA and the agent need to be sued. If there is a possible charge that can be brought then it should be.
This sounds fishy. I have my late-husband's urn. It's sealed. How is it that she's walking around with an open urn? Did she tell the people what it was?
did you not read the article? It said "sealed, marked jar".
Plus no where in the article did it say it was in a sealed urn. Only that it was in a sealed jar…
That the urn was checked I have no problem with; anything that could hide a bomb NEEDS to be checked. Not having a tool that would contact the remains is a policy issue. Laughing at the bereaved picking up remains is a personnel issue. TSA should learn from this mistake; the officer who did this however is not fit for duty.
Absolutely agree. Especially now that this is public knowledge the potential to use an urn as a device to transport an explosive is compounded. TSA now has to develop a plan to search all urns that come through. This is unfortunate, but a requirement that will have to be met. The job must be accomplished with dignity and respect.
What do you think the real x-ray machine is for? Ya know the one you put your wallet and carry-on luggage through? Ashes will not block x-rays and some stupid female TSA agent isn't going to tell if it's a nitro based chemical with her finger! Not sure about the reading? Then roll the urn a few times to remix the ashes and send it through again. OH. Thats rocket science and a TSA agent ain't a scientist!
DOGS! But they cost more than unemployed janitors and burger flippers!
Ok… So if someone puts gunpowder/explosive powder in an urn and "tightly seals it", and puts a computer printed sticker on it that says "human remains"…. I don't think you'd be very happy if the person carrying that item would be allowed on a plane carrying your family member. Terrorists are evolving in how they formulate attacks. Now thanks to the media, they know that apparently the TSA does not (by policy) check "sealed" urns. Time to use common sense people. Did the TSA worker screw up? Of course. Should urns be checked? Of course! Common sense!
These idiots at TSA don't know the difference between ashes and gunpowder anyways, so your point is moot.
I think this argument would have legs if the urn didn't go through the scanner and if the TSA didn't wipe the urn down for explosive residue, which would be the logical thing to do. However, we're talking about the TSA where logic isn't often considered.
Well if we wipe all the smelly muslims off the planet we wouldnt be having these problem now would we.
And all those democrats said how important it would be to make them federal employees instead of letting them remain as private security guards who could be fired at the drop of a hat.
Except that one of the two sponsors of the bill to create the TSA was House Republican Don Young and the law was signed by Republican president George W. Bush.
That may be but I am sure they did not forsee that a Democratic administration would ilute what the TSA does and doesn't do.
Tsa was a good thought to guard against the bad guys; problem is they just hired any tom dick and Mary to do a job that's need some common sense. Not saying to much for those high priced administrators either.
Terence Sullivan – You know as well as i do that the votes to unionize the TSA went down party lines. Don Young also sponsored, but ultimately voted against it.
Bush did sign a bill to allow it., but Obama extended their power many times over.
David Lethe You're trying to explain that to a Bush brasher and libtard? Good luck as we all know who has given them more power AND told them NOT to profile the ones we KNOW will be the hijackers! NOT a 90 year old great grand mother or a new born baby and the idiots at the checkpoints do NOT have the intelligence to look at the problem and say…yeah granny or a new born aren't the problem!
This isn't right or funny at all. Too bad the urn didn't contain the remains of that TSA agents relative otherwise the joke would be on her. Something has got to be done with TSA, they're racked up too many complaints since its inception which should say something at least.
This isn't right or funny at all. Too bad the urn didn't contain the remains of that TSA agents relative otherwise the joke would be on her. Something has got to be done with TSA, they're racked up too many complaints since its inception which should say something at least.
give them a gun and tin star and they are GOD.
Having had items stolen from me by TSA I don't trust them one bit. I now keep my eye on all items of mine that they handle. In my opinion they don't use common sense. They are just robots following a routine that has been programmed for them.
How many terrorist have been stopped, searched, or caught at an airport entry checkpoint? How much many has been spent to protect US and pocketed to enrich others? Flt 93 had it right – We the People will take terrorist down from now on!
You can't have liquids or gells but a urn marked human remains is no problem? he said workers are expected to treat the remains and individuals with “utmost respect and tender love and care as they go through that check-in process.” Does that interpret to – open urn, stir with fingers lovingly to make sure it's really human remains? I'm sure that the only reason for hand carrying was to make sure the remains were safe… Thanks alot Mrs TSA scumbag!
These days I pack no metal and travel very light to avoid any contact with these bafoons. If I'm needing to have more I'll buy it at my destination or ship it.
HLL , they were going too snort it, Remember the dregs of every third world country isTSA, Moral depravity, no moral fortitude, JUst cannibalism.
How about somebody get a brain and GO AFTER MUSLIMS! YEAH I SAID MUSLIMS! There the only ones and the only ones trying to blow planes out of the sky. PROFILE PROFILE PROFILE! A 3rd grader could figure this out. Man has America become STUPID!
Im surpise people dont punch these TSA workers. They are retarded
Incontinent personals , sanitary products, off or on, dirty diapers, colostomys, are visually, hands on, and odor examined. Tell me these TSA things are not sickos, and the ones who make the rules, are voyeurs, pedophiles, porno, molesters, sadist, and masochists. Which mesns they are democrats, and parasites.
Apparently terrorists can put bombs in an urn titled "Human Remains" if it cannot be opened by the TSA….
If they'd done that to my relative's remains, I'd have taken the urn from him/her and picked up what I could. Then I'd put the urn on the table and coldcock that TSA idiot. Sure, I'd get arrested, but my point would be made and they'd never disrespect anyone else's loved one again.
disgracfull that some tsa would put her hands in a urn of human remains spill it and laugh. no video camera hmmm not the greatest security and certainly the worst security agents in the world TSA needs to be reevaluated and should go back to the private security I feel we were safer and not disrespected, molested and nothing stolen from us during travel.
We should just Wipe the Muslims off the planet then the whole world can be FREE! Then we can end this madness.
Funny, you sound just like them….
How about common sense MUSLIMS ARE WHO WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR Not white grandmas and white 4 year olds in wheel chairs
You do realize that far-right Americans are responsible for MORE terrorist attempts over the last 8 years than any other group, right?
Just a few cases:
July 27, 2008—Jim Adkisson shoots and kills two people at a progressive church in Knoxville, Tennessee, wounding two. Adkisson calls it “a symbolic killing” because he really “wanted to kill…every Democrat in the Senate & House, the 100 people in Bernard Goldberg's book,” but was unable to gain access to them.
December 12, 2008—Bruce Turnidge and his son, Joshua Turnidge, detonate a bomb at a bank in Woodburn, Oregon, killing two police officers. The two were facing the failure of their biodiesel company and hoped to rob the bank before their plan went awry. The Turnidges were vocal about their extreme, anti-government views and believed that the Obama administration was going to take away their right to keep and bear arms. Bruce Turnidge cited Timothy McVeigh as an inspiration for his crime.
June 10, 2009—James W. von Brunn, a convicted felon and a “hardcore Neo-Nazi,” walks into the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and shoots and kills a security guard. Von Brunn believed that Western civilization was going to be replaced with a “ONE WORLD ILLUMINATI GOVERNMENT” that would “confiscate private weapons” in order to accomplish its goals.
June 9, 2010—Justine Haynes, 31, of Phoenix is charged with threatening to kill a federal official after making two calls to the office of U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). Haynes was incensed over Grijalva's opposition to Arizona's controversial new immigration law and threatened to come to the Congressman's office and “blow everyone's head off."
Aaron Gomeier Your wrong . YOu better look up and see how many muslim terrorist plots have been stopped in the last 10 years.
There has been 15 plots stopped in New York alone. Ask the DHS how many muslim terrorist plots have been stopped since 2000.
And yet you teaparty folks are STILL beating them. Impressive.
Damn! TSA has to grope EVERYBODY, dead or alive! Typical.
Since their inception, the TSA has never accepted responsibility for the idiocy they commence, they are rude to the travelling public( that pays their paycheck) and use their authority to trample on the rights of Americans. This needs to be made a privatized company that yearly bids on their positons at airports based on results, customer care and effectriveness. TSA needs to go.
The TSA is history , they are being turned over to private companies and guess what Orlando is one of the first and they already have the OK. New york will be one of the last to go for reasons we all know. All the agent are trying to get into other areas before they are shut down.
This screener is a disgrace. She spills crematory ashes then laughs at the passenger struggling to collect them, what kind of animal does that? This is what we get when TSA hires high school dropouts with rap sheet, gives them a mall cop badge and allows them to harass innocent people with impunity.
This is another case where a TSA screener disobeyed regulations, abused their position and caused harm to a passenger.
What are the victim’s options when there is no complaint venue or means of recourse for these abuses by screeners except through TSA?
TSA and the airlines refer to passengers as “fares” and have absolutely no regard for the feelings or welfare of the passenger. They often treat us with less respect than a freight shipment.
Every other occupation is accountable for their actions including police, medical personnel and teachers. If they exceed their authority or abuse their position, the victim can prosecute the individual and sue their employer.
There are laws to protect citizens from abuses by police for a reason and the same standards should be applied to TSA.
It is unacceptable to continue to allow these creeps to harass and humiliate people on a whim. The agent should be prosecuted for desecrating human remains and the agency sued for millions in damages.
TSA is a joke. From ashes in a urn to a grandmother's depends to 300 soldiers returning from a tour of duty who had all the cargo which was certified sealed and never leaving the plane ripped open and inspected after some tool detected explosive material on one of the soldiers. Duh, they are returning from a war zone. They are going to have traces of explosives on their uniforms. The TSA is a disgrace.
Worthless Government workers that are not accountable to anyone.
Apologies are cheap. Do it. Saying you are wrong when you are right carries consequences, but not nearly so much as being a giant wad.
TSA and Immigration are two of the most worthless agency's in the Federal Government. I have never been more insulted every time I come back to the United States than when I have to come through Immigration or through a TSA checkpoint at an airport. Argue or complain and all they do is label you a terrorist and send you to the padded room. Sorry but the Patriot Act and what it has done has removed more individual rights than any other Act in American History. Time for people in the United States to stand up and let the Federal Government know they have completely overstepped their boundary.
As for this worker they should fire her but as one reader writes that it impossible within the Government. At worst all they will do is rehabilitate her if she is at fault and send her back on the job. In light of what happened at the GSA and has happened so many times at the TSA maybe it's time for the Federal Govenment to step up and not worry about hurting some useless workers feelings and send her to find a job as the bathroom cleaner at some nasty truck stop in who cares where. What she did is 110% unacceptable.
TSA = The "totally stupid agency." Way too many dumbfounded dipshits, with way too much power…
TSA are not federal agents. They are security guards that work for a federal agency. They are not sworn to uphold or defend the Constitution of the United States or any State. They are working in illegal and unconstitutional manners that deprive us free Americans of our civil liberties and basic human rights. They will be held accountable for their actions. Just following orders and procedure is not an excuse for violating the laws of the land. The Nazi's used that excuse during the Nuremberg trials and they were imprisoned or put to death.
Lets get back to profiling and put a lot of the useless TSA agents on food stamps for all the good they do.
Maybe even the Drag Lady that's just my view.
Grieving family members have been vulnerable to increased security measures and insensitive security people at an alarming rate since 9/11 and unfortunately most of us have not thought to officially report these things as we are traumatized. Unfortunately I will never forget returning home from my mother's funeral 10 years ago. Sick with grief, my husband dropped me outside at the counter to check my bags while he returned our rental vehicle in Phoenix. The guy at the counter ordered me inside, saying my ticket had been flagged and my bags needed all to be examined. I complied without question. Inside, I only began to get nervous as the agent opened my carefully packed suitcase and began tossing precious items that were my mother's around (I would afraid he would break them). Then I watched, mortified, as he reached inside the outside pocket of the suitcase to pull out a pair of my very ample cotton panties I'd stuffed in at last minute after cleaning my mother's house before dressing to leave for the airport. He held them up for all the world to see, shook them out and then proceeded to fold them neatly before stuffing them back in. The tears were falling from my eyes as I sobbed. A couple of agents caught me crying and came to both sides of me and asked me if I had a problem. If I had a problem! They said I was expressing displeasure in the agent's actions and I should not–and they were going to detain me. At that moment, my husband walked up and I dissolved and blabbered to him what had happened. He took a look at me, looked at them, told them to back off, that my mother had just died, and that we were leaving the area. He "sort of" won that day. But at each checkpoint they wanded me and double-checked me and my carry-on until finally at our last call to board, he finally told them, "enough!" Evidently, it worked. They left me alone on that last flight from Minnesota to Florida. But it's an experience I'll never forget. It was never reported. BTW, he and I are both veterans. He's retired Army. I served in the U.S. Navy. We actually both had officially military I.D. on us that day. Didn't get us anything–except maybe the short reprieve at the end. Something needs to change.