TSA Searches Valet Parked Cars

[anygunanywhere]

Rochester, N.Y. -- She says she had no warning that someone was going to search her car after she left to catch her flight. So the woman contacted News10NBC.

We found out it happened to her because she valet parked her car. Those are the only cars that get inspected.

So if security feels it is necessary to search some cars in the name of safety, why not search all of them?

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S3101080.shtml?cat=566

Of course there is no more 4th Amendment.

Anygunanywhere

[SewTexas]

it's searched by the attendants? you mean by college kids? really?

[RogueUSMC]

TSA just figures they can look for 'dangerous' stuff while they are in there lookin' for iPods and such...I mean, while they are in there...

[Jaguar]

From the article,

Iacuzza's car was inspected by valet attendants on orders from the TSA. But why only valet parked cars? That's what News10NBC wanted to ask the TSA director about. We reached him by phone.

Berkeley Brean asked, “Are the cars in the short term lots and long term lots getting searched as well?”

John McCaffery, TSA, said, “No, those vehicles that are in the garage, short term long term parking, even if they carry pretty large amounts of explosives, they would not cause damage to the front of the airport. But for those who use the valet, the car could be there for a half hour or an hour so there is a vulnerability.”

I guess untrained valet attendants searching for large amounts of explosives is okay, don't want to risk the TSA guys with this. Of course if a valet sets off an IED in the trunk of a car it wouldn't be a big loss, they aren't unionized.

I find the whole premise ridiculous. Security theater and conditioning – nothing more.

[Keith B]

From the article,

But for those who use the valet, the car could be there for a half hour or an hour so there is a vulnerability.”

I parked at the airport last night in the parking garage just as close as any valet parking was. I was there for 45 minutes. I guess they should have searched my car.

[gthaustex]

Absolutely pitiful. I'm not really surprised though. The valet company was probably threatened to do it or lose their franchise. The TSA is trying to save money by co-opting someone else's employees. I'm really surprised the TSA didn't ask for more agents so they could specifically assign someone to search cars.

So if I have something in the trunk, which a valet would not normally need to access to park a car, and it is not in plain view, is the search allowable? They are not law enforcement so that puts the search in a gray area I would think....

[Cedar Park Dad]

From the article,

Iacuzza's car was inspected by valet attendants on orders from the TSA. But why only valet parked cars? That's what News10NBC wanted to ask the TSA director about. We reached him by phone.

Berkeley Brean asked, “Are the cars in the short term lots and long term lots getting searched as well?”

John McCaffery, TSA, said, “No, those vehicles that are in the garage, short term long term parking, even if they carry pretty large amounts of explosives, they would not cause damage to the front of the airport. But for those who use the valet, the car could be there for a half hour or an hour so there is a vulnerability.”

I guess untrained valet attendants searching for large amounts of explosives is okay, don't want to risk the TSA guys with this. Of course if a valet sets off an IED in the trunk of a car it wouldn't be a big loss, they aren't unionized.

I find the whole premise ridiculous. Security theater and conditioning – nothing more.

Someone please explain to me how thats not six days to sunday illegal? Thats the car version of B&E.

[jerry_r60]

From the article,

Iacuzza's car was inspected by valet attendants on orders from the TSA. But why only valet parked cars? That's what News10NBC wanted to ask the TSA director about. We reached him by phone.

Berkeley Brean asked, “Are the cars in the short term lots and long term lots getting searched as well?”

John McCaffery, TSA, said, “No, those vehicles that are in the garage, short term long term parking, even if they carry pretty large amounts of explosives, they would not cause damage to the front of the airport. But for those who use the valet, the car could be there for a half hour or an hour so there is a vulnerability.”

I guess untrained valet attendants searching for large amounts of explosives is okay, don't want to risk the TSA guys with this. Of course if a valet sets off an IED in the trunk of a car it wouldn't be a big loss, they aren't unionized.

I find the whole premise ridiculous. Security theater and conditioning – nothing more.

Someone please explain to me how thats not six days to sunday illegal? Thats the car version of B&E.

I'll take a guess, just a guess, as to why only Valet parked cars and why it's not illegal. Because the Valet has control of the vehicle and consents to the search. Not saying I agree that it should be ok, just speculating as to how/why. Just like a friend borrowing your car and being stopped and asked if a search can be conducted and your friend saying yes.

[RPBrown]

Oh, I feel safer now (sarcasm off now)

[MeMelYup]

TSA does not stop you and search you upon entering the airport, only upon entering the secure portion of the airport. Is a vallet parked car in a secure area of the airport? Everyone needs a dash cam.

[EEllis]

From what I gather the reason the TSA is requiring the company to search the vehicle is because they are temp left in the front of the airport. Since the company can't park the cars as quick as they come in they must make sure the cars won't go boom. There seems to be a sign now but there may or may not have been one before. Personally as long as there is notice it seems reasonable and in line with other security measures as long as the attendants are just looking for explosive devices. I do wonder what if any training such a thing would require.

[sjfcontrol]

So, if you only leave them a valet key, they won't be able to get into the trunk or locked glove box -- unless they break in...

[android]

I never use valet parking because I don't want the valets to steal my IEDs. (Important Electronic Devices)

[cb1000rider]

To me, it's just another level of someone crawling through your car. When something goes missing, who is responsible? No one.