Flier says TSA worker spilled his grandfather's ashes

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - John Gross is frustrated with TSA.

Earlier this month the Indianapolis native said, he was boarding a flight at Orlando International Airport. Just before he passed through a security checkpoint, a TSA worker asked him to step aside.

Gross said he followed orders. But before the search started, Gross said, he informed the TSA worker that the cremated remains of his grandfather Mark Marcaletti were inside the jar he was carrying. Gross said the worker put on a plastic glove and then used her finger and poked around inside the jar.

That's when Gross said ashes started to spill out and onto the floor. Gross scrambled to scoop up the ashes as the TSA worker started to laugh behind him.

"I didn't want to make a scene," Gross said. "I wanted to board the plane. I didn't want them to think I was crazy and say, no, I can't get on the plane." 

Gross reported what happened to airport officials when he landed at an airport in New Jersey. More than 48 hours after the debacle, Gross said, he is still waiting to hear "I'm sorry."

" I want them to apologize," he said. "How do they treat people the way they treated me at the airport?"

24-Hour News 8 reached out to TSA, which released this statement about the case:

"It is a TSA policy that under no circumstance should a container holding remains be opened," said TSA spokesman Jim Fotenos. "We have been unable to reach the family to learn more about their perspective on the incident. However, our initial review concluded that the circumstances as described in some reports are inconsistent with what we believe transpired."