Image Source: Flickr/BoscoNet

BY KERRY LEARY

ANCHOR NEVILLE MILLER

An Indiana man is demanding an apology from the TSA officials after he says a TSA agent sifted through his grandfather’s ashes and then spilled some in an airport security line. WRTV interviewed the Jerry Gross who was carrying the ashes through security.

“She opened it up, she used her finger and was sifting through it and she accidentally spilled it... She didn’t apologize, she started laughing.”

Gross claims he was frantically trying to pick up bone fragments from the ashes, but the line was too long to pick up everything that spilled. KTRK anchors discussed the incident:

“That’s a disturbing story.”
“It is, a very disturbing story. Especially, as you say, there are a number of people who carry human remains, who have ashes that they’re taking some place.”
“It can’t be the first time they’ve had to deal with this.”
“No, I don’t think so.”

The anchors were correct- the TSA has regulations posted on its website regarding the deceased passing through security checkpoints:

“Out of respect to the deceased and their family and friends, under no circumstances will an officer open the container even if the passenger requests this be done.”

According to the Orlando Sentinel, all Gross wants is an apology. But a blogger for Feral Genius doesn’t think an apology is enough.

“He said he wants an apology from the TSA and the agent herself; I want the woman to be fired and charged with desecrating human remains. I expect we'll both be disappointed. She'll continue to wield authority over her fellow Americans, none of whom will even know her name.”

No word yet about the the TSA employee’s status . The TSA told WRTV that they’re looking further into the incident.