I recently had a small jar of Maine blueberry jam confiscated at the Portland International Jetport by the Transportation Security Administration. The label read “4 ounces,” supposedly exceeding the 3-ounce limit for carry-on fluids.

I pointed out that part of the contents had been removed and that less than 3 ounces of the offending product remained in the jar. The TSA officer responded that they could only react to what the label reads.

I pointed out that I was also carrying used yogurt containers that held leftovers for my lunch, and that despite the label, the contents did not contain yogurt. Hence, I politely asked the TSA officer if they could look beyond what any label stated and face the facts at hand. Bottom line: The jam was tossed.

As an aside, I also pointed out to the Portland police officer who had come over to join the discussion that if passenger safety was a real priority for the jetport, that a speed limit exiting the jetport should be enforced.

Week after week, as I walk from my off-site parking spot, I am nearly hit by hotel van drivers who are speeding at 50 to 60 mph heading out of the jetport.

I have left multiple messages regarding this concern at the Portland Police Department, but I’ve yet to have a call returned. After three years of observing this reckless driving behavior, I have not seen any change in traffic patterns, and it is just a matter of time before a pedestrian is seriously injured.

Perhaps passengers departing the Jetport are now safer with the jam in the garbage. I only wish I could say I felt safer walking to the jetport.

Kathleen Gensheimer

Bath

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