TSA cupcake controversy escalates

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

The TSA says the image on the right is of the cupcake in a jar that a woman tried to take onto a plane in Las Vegas, Nev., on Dec. 24, 2011

(Credit: Credit: blog.tsa.gov)

(CBS/AP) PEABODY, Mass. - A Massachusetts woman says federal officials are mischaracterizing the cupcake in a jar that was confiscated from her last month at the Las Vegas airport.

The Transportation Security Administration says it considered the icing on the cupcake a gel that exceeded the 3-ounce limit for carry-on luggage. Not so fast, says Rebecca Hains, who had the treat taken away from her as she prepared to board a plane on Dec. 24, 2012.

The TSA says in a blog post that the cupcake taken last month had a thick layer of icing inside a jar.

But the Peabody, Mass. resident said Wednesday her jar consisted of three layers of cupcake, each topped with a medium layer of icing, not a thick layer.

Meanwhile the bakery that makes the cupcake has renamed it "National (Security) Velvet."

More on Crimesider
Jan. 10, 2012 - TSA confiscates cupcake, blogs about it

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by Elizabeth-Conley January 12, 2012 12:36 PM EST: Dear TSA,

Remember me? I'm one of the first citizens to tell you that you should keep your mits out of Grannie's Depends, and that the Bill of Rights was mandatory, not optional. Here's another bit of advice you'll be too stupid to take:

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It got so cold it froze up and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As it lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the little bird singing, and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out-and then ate him.

The morals of the story are:

1. Not everyone who drops **** on you is your enemy.

2. Not everyone who gets you out of **** is your friend.

3. When you're in deep ****, keep your mouth shut!; Reply to this comment


by Elizabeth-Conley January 12, 2012 12:33 PM EST: Dear TSA,

Remember me? I'm one of the first citizens to tell you that you should keep your mits out of Grannie's Depends, and that the Bill of Rights was mandatory, not optional. Here's another bit of advice you'll be too stupid to take:

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It got so cold it froze up and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As it lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the little bird singing, and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out-and then ate him.

The morals of the story are:

1. Not everyone who drops **** on you is your enemy.

2. Not everyone who gets you out of **** is your friend.

3. When you're in deep ****, keep your mouth shut!; Reply to this comment


by allisonburness January 12, 2012 10:13 AM EST: Oh, geez. Get over it. They took my jar of peanut butter, as well, and I'm not whining. People complain about how the TSA isn't doing their job when someone walks onto a plane with a shoe bomb, but yet they also complain when the TSA confiscates things that could be potentially dangerous! Can't have it all in life-- I'd rather my safety than my cupcake.; Reply to this comment


by Willgopher January 12, 2012 9:36 AM EST: END the TSA! The taxpayers continue to be milked of billions of dollars for this nonsense, the "privilege" of being irradiated, fondled, and stolen from under the cover of "security."; Reply to this comment