Here are a collection of stories coming out as the horrors of the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA are exposed across the United States:
I have two embedded metallic prosthetic devices, one in my elbow and one in my hip. This means that I am subject to a pat down each time I pass through a security screening point. I have asked that the TSA issue an identification device that would spare me, and others, to a simple wand scan, subject to a full pat down on a random basis. I do carry cards identifying the type and location of my prostheses, but they are ignored.
I go through these invasive, intrusive security checks at least 100 times a year. One of these days I am going to tell the kid with a GED NOT to touch my testicles (for medical reasons) and if he does, he'll get a haymaker that will have him seeing stars.
I am not looking for trouble, but in this case, big brother is. There is a simple remedy for those in my situation but the TSA won't even entertain addressing the issue.
POSTED BY: AUGUST88 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 3:06 AM
As others post, I too am always subjected to "pat downs" because of knee replacements. While I understand the necessitiy and reality of today's world and have no real objection, I do resent dealing with TSA employees who would never be part of my work force., You hire stupidity and what do you get? More stupidity. The other day, while being patted odown, I observed a "supervisor" demand that a diabetic patient wearing an insulin pump go through the x-ray machine. The passenger tried to reason with them and told them that the machine would render his pump inoperable. The only answer from the supervisor was " Either you go through the machine or you won't get on the flight." The passenger, protesting loudly, went through the machine and yes, his pump went dead. I don't know the final result of this incident since I had to catch a flight but, there was a local police officer standing nearby and, in our conversation, we both knew that there was a better and easier way to handle the situation. It was clearly a case of an "ignorant "supervisor" arrogantly taking advantage of his position to control the lives of others.
Apparently TSA employees are given no sensitivity training or understand that they're responsible to and paid by the people they're abusing. Disgusting.... Thanks for letting me get this off mny chest.
I did have to clean up my words to make this palatable to all. Yes, I was furious and couldn't do a thing about it!
POSTED BY: DJPJ57 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 8:36 AM
Properly done, pat downs can be non offensive as done in Franfurt by courteous experts. TSA workers however are unlikely to do it properly given their current attitudes and training.
Of course I am biased against TSA workers since they actively discriminate against people with medical disabilities. The prior posts about TSA screeners treating anyone with implants or disabilities like terrorists is all too true.
Ever since my cancer, whenever I fly, I end up being harassed. My feeding tube, without which I will die, is lightly held in my stomach by a little balloon and is easily pulled out during a "pat down". I am threatened with arrest for pulling up my shirt (Sir, you must keep your hands down, sir, we will arrest you if you don't keep your hands at your side, sir,)so they can see the tube dangling from my stomach. This is after I have shown a written letter from my surgeon on her medical letterhead explaining it all and after I have orally told them.
I'm just resigned to it now, but it's irritating to see the false TSA web site about special lines for medical patients or special accomodations when in real life at the airports, if you have a feeding tube, you must fight to keep TSA from pulling it right out of your stomach.
Lots of blogs also recount similar stories and incidents by TSA. Of course, much easier to pick on the disabled than actually screen for terrorists.
POSTED BY: CHARM2017 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 9:17 AM
The last time I flew was for a parent's funeral so it was mandatory that I submit. I seriously thought about protesting but decided against it. All I can say is never again. I was selected for the full scan. A middle aged Caucasian female traveling alone doesn't fit the profile of the Arabic/Muslim extremists. The pat downs are simply past what I will accept to fly. We have tickets to the Caribbean over Christmas/New Year and unless TSA pulls searches I am not going. I'll contact AA next week to voice my protest but until this nonsense is stopped I am not flying. Hopefully the airline and travel industry can get this stupidity stopped once their revenue drops.
POSTED BY: DESERTDIVA1 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 12:04 PM
Great Quotes in American History
“I regret that I have but one life to give for my country” Patrick Henry before execution by British
“I regret that I have but one crotch to be groped by Czar Napolitano,” anonymous traveler November 13, 2010 just before the routine tsa sexual assault
POSTED BY: PROCOUNSEL | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 12:16 PM
I observed a very elderly man being forced to get out of a wheel chair and stand up, with his arms and legs spread out, so that he could be wanded down. His wife was taken to a different line so he was alone. He looked frantic and I asked the supervisor why it was necessary. His answer was "he looked OK" to which I asked him "what medical school did you attend?"
Add this to my daughter being forced to walk through security, out of her wheel chair, when she had 2 broken bones in her leg and a soft cast. To this day, we do not know if her walking without crutches - early in her recovery period - contributed to her never fully getting her range of motion back. Thanks Denver Airport!
POSTED BY: CAROLINEC1 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 12:24 PM
I have done lots of national and international travel in my life and been patted down many times by efficient German females in Frankfurt, as well as occasionally in the U.S. and elsewhere when something I had with me set off the metal detector. While I'd rather not go through that, I haven't objected to date because the female officials who conducted the pat downs seemed all business and very respectful. I haven't traveled since August, however, and am concerned about more intrusive pat downs in the future. From what I can tell, the TSA hasn't described its new procedures or how future pat downs will differ from those in the past, which more than hints at an unwillingness to describe to the public what body areas will be touched and in what way. This matters even more to me because - if allowed - I will always opt out of the breathtakingly intrusive body image scanners and, as a result, be sidelined for a pat down. I'm amazed there hasn't been more of an outcry about those body scanners. Where's the limit? A full undressing in front of TSA representatives?
One of the last times I flew, I was randomly selected for the full body scanner and declined to go through it. I experienced what many, many others have reported, which is a TSA agent yelling across the room that there was an opt out and the all-but-name and shame of being delayed for my flight while waiting for another agent to come and do a pat down as other travelers pass quickly through the screening process. They couldn't just use their walkie talkies to call a colleague? This also bothered me because they would not let me pass through the metal detector, as if that were totally insufficient as a deterrent to terrorist acts. If it's that unreliable, why go the charade of having people pass through it at all?
Finally, while I don't have children, I have traveled with my nieces and know that they, out of modesty, would be completely opposed to walking through the full body scanners or being subjected to an "enhanced" pat down, so I expect that, if those were ever to become the only two options, they would opt not to travel by air at all.
POSTED BY: ALICE1731 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 12:29 PM
I always get patted down because my titanium knee always, always sets of the metal detector. And I won't do the porno scan anyway. It's been since last Thanksgiving that I've had the great TSA patdown, I guess I'll find out next week how it's changed.
I will say that the TSA personnel have always been wonderful--they always explain the procedure and apologize all over themselves before they do it. If the poor woman has to grope my crotch and breasts this time, so be it, I guess. I can't imagine that they'll enjoy the experience any more than I will.
POSTED BY: NICEKID | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 2:45 PM
I too have received a pat down from a German female at Frankfurt Airport (back in January 2005). She was polite, business like and quick, and I really didn't give it any more thought.
Can't say I have any such faith in the TSA, though. I live abroad and will be flying home for the holidays. I will absolutely not go through one of these full body scanners, so I am curious to see what the reaction at JFK will be....
POSTED BY: MISSMINEOLA | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 3:11 PM
At Dulles, I was taken out of line, stuck in a glass cage, so that others could stare at the "dangerous" 67-year old woman. I kept asking for my purse and personal items to be brought, but the is response was "don't you have somebody traveling with you to watch your stuff?". Result of that was that in the 5-7 minutes it took them to find a woman screener, get me patted down, my iPad was stolen. I complained loudly, they smirked and said "our people don't steal". I said, "regardless, I asked for you to watch this, as I could not, and you didn't care". They did nothing.
The week before, I was also wanded, as I was wearing a knee brace, which I pointed out to them. They used me to train a second trainer, made me pull open my jeans, as the zipper made the metal detector go off. Very invasive search of my breasts, told me not to travel wearing an underwire bra! Took way too long, as they had to explain everything to the new girl. I said I had a short time to make my connecting flight, but was ignored.
In Europe, they are professional and quick. In the U.S., they make you feel like a criminal. The TSA personnel seem to get off on their power, are curt, often just plain obnoxious, and seem to really enjoy ignoring questions and making things more difficult than they need to be.
POSTED BY: JECQUEST | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 3:35 PM
> Where's the limit? A full undressing in front of TSA representatives?
No, as Ralph Nader just noted, the limit comes with body cavity searches. Or full-torso MRI or CT scans.
Just ask prison guards and emergency room personnel what can be hidden in the cavity of your choice. Ceramic knives, a pound of plastic explosive, etc.
Recently in Saudi Arabia an attempt was made on the life of an official with a rectally-secreted bomb, and it's probably only a matter of time before Al Q tries something like that on an airplane. After which, it will be TSA's turn to respond.
Me, I wish the US had kept its passenger train system in better shape.
POSTED BY: TEXLEX | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 3:41 PM
Internal body bombs:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247338/Terrorists-plan-attack-Britain-bombs-INSIDE-bodies-foil-new-airport-scanners.html
POSTED BY: TEXLEX | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 4:06 PM
When I fly home, I fly into a very small airport that can accommodate planes no larger than 12 seaters.
These airports do not have funding for fancy screening devices and pat downs are all that is available.
The choice is a pat down or renting a car and driving 2 hours -- vs 15 minutes to my family's home.
In the name of passenger safety, I would much rather a pat down and messy jumbled bag search in the name of security, then figure out how I'll get back to earth when a device disables the plane at 8,000 feet.
Personal "inconvenience" is relative.
POSTED BY: ASMITH1 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 4:08 PM
> In the name of passenger safety
Passenger safety is only a minor point of the TSA activity. Keeping the US safe from 911-style terror attacks is, otherwise fighters would not be scrambled to shoot down misbehaving passenger aircraft if needed.
Whether the monetary and moral cost of the War on Terror, of which TSA is a part, is worth it is another question.
POSTED BY: TEXLEX | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 4:28 PM
I will continue to refuse the full body scanners. What a waste of money. Isn't there a better way? What would the cost be of other technology that insures the reliability of the passengers? I wouldn't mind an iris scan, fingerprint ID - whatever. You already know when I'm flying. Please - I'm even embarrassed for my husband to see my aging body. I would feel better about it if I could see the viewer through a one way glass in my favor. Then I could see that there weren't 5 guys pointing and laughing.
I believe this is all CYA mentality and it does nothing to make us safer. If I can think of ways to get liquids I need in my carryon, can't the bad guys? Where is common sense? It will be ordinary passengers that protect us in the future - not the incompetent feds at the checkpoints.
POSTED BY: LATEBOOMER1 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 4:52 PM
On the way back from Germany last week we experienced the enhanced body pat-downs. Definitely an odd experience, but I don't think it invaded my privacy. The people doing the pat down and the people assigned to observe them looked just as uncomfortable as we were. We're all just "groping in the dark" about how to keep our country safe.
POSTED BY: RACIMPERMAN | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 5:11 PM
I just got patted down due to stupidly leaving items in my shirt pocket. It was easy and quick.
Get over it , you overly sensitive candy a$$es. You are not that precious.
The bad guys need to know that we will go to extraordinarly lengths to protect ourselves.
POSTED BY: TR_CINCY1 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 6:43 PM
People need to get a grip. At first I thought that this was about strip searches but pat downs? First of all, we need to do whatever is needed to make us safe. Pat downs seem rather tame and lame. whereas full body scans make the most sense. In place of a full body scan, a strip search is warranted. Pat downs don't do it. As for pilots and the like, they should not be exempted. What? We are supposed to trust them? Let's be real. The story here is that they don't like having to show up earlier than usual to go through security, and, according to them, all the dead people are supposed to sympathize with them. Get a grip or get another job. Your life has changed. Move on.
POSTED BY: RRYDER1 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 6:47 PM
I fly only when I absolutely have no choice.
I don't want exposure to x-rays and I don't want some troll feeling my crotch.
There are alternatives using metal detectors and sniffers to find explosives.
The body scanners are simply some Washington A-hole giving his croonies a lucrative equipment contract.
I've worked in high security areas, where we were thoroughly searched for weapons and contraband and have never been exposed to the kind of crap that the idiots in the TSA pull off.
We need a nation wide boycott of flying.
POSTED BY: WDALTON1US | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 8:11 PM
Maybe it was just me but when I was recently padded down at the Cincinnatti-Northern Kentucky International Airport when I was travelling back home to Salt Lake City, Utah, I felt important and somebody that would be worth and suspected as a threat. Something like being in the movies or television. If I had been in a real rush, perhaps I would have felt differently. But but had plenty of time and it was an interesting change of pace, something different for me, a person who doesn't travel very often.
POSTED BY: TABLUNOLCSWFROMUTAH | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 8:24 PM
I try to avoid the full-body scanners, but I slipped up one time and didn't have time to switch lines by the time I noticed.
I emptied my pockets and went through, but their machine said that I had something on me anyway. After being yelled at three times to empty my pockets of "EVERYTHING" and three insistences that I had already done so, they sent me for a genital rubbing by a friendly old man in rubber gloves.
I tried to explain to him that I didn't have anything in there but what my momma gave me. He acted like he didn't think I was funny, but I knew he was faking.
Incidentally, I didn't have anything in my pockets, prohibited items or otherwise. So please be advised that whether your'e carrying a box cutter or not, TSA will be happy to use their giant pervo machines to take pictures of your junk and then demand to cop a feel.
On the bright side, they are keeping us safe from the insidious and ever-present threat of Aquafresh toothpaste tubes in excess of 3 ounces.
Happy flying!
POSTED BY: BDB484 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 8:25 PM
The next step is a colonoscopy.
This guy, Abdullah Asieri, an Al-Qaeda operative, held the C-4 in his rectal cavity for over 30 hours and passed through multiple detection devices.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/28/eveningnews/main5347847.shtml
TSA needs to get its act together and treating the general public, like condemned prisoners in transport isn't going to work. I had a "Clear Card" and the TSA still tossed my bags and nearly strip searched me, before someone figured out who I was and stopped the screw-up. lots of apologies later, I'm just laughing at the waste of resources.
POSTED BY: COMPUTER_FORENSICS_EXPERT_COMPUTER_EXPERT_WITNESS | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 9:07 PM
I travel weekly. I have a metal knee. The first time I encountered this public groping, for it is nothing else, I was completely thrown that MY government, who works for ME, not the reverse, would subject me to this humiliation.
I have flown three times since. Each time, I was scanned, not touched.
Won't happen again. PRIVACY.
Thank you for running this.
POSTED BY: JOESOLO | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 9:36 PM
I have bladder cancer, live in Colorado Springs, and get treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. I have to make the trip every three weeks. My bladder no longer functions so I have a double nephrostemy, which means that I have tubes coming out of my back that are attached to my kidneys and attach to bags which I keep inside my clothing. I do need a wheel chair, but I can walk through the metal detector. Leaving Colorado Springs recently, I did not set off the alarm, but the girl decided to pat me down anyway. She felt my bags and called out "Female Assist". I went into the separate area, where there was no female assist and went to sit down and was told I couldn't do that. Finally a woman showed up and felt my bags and wanted to know what they were. I had a skirt on and pulled it up to my waist to show her what was going on and embarrassed her immensely. She asked me please to go on my way. If I go through the full body scan these bags will show up and then I can go through the frisking process every three weeks - twice! Needless to say there might be more than 3 oz. of liquid in my bags, so I don't know what they will do with me.
POSTED BY: PATLEAGUE | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 10:41 PM
Back when it was optional to take off your shoes, I thought everyone should refuse because there was no way they could wand us all. These measures are ridiculous, insulting, and invasive. I have been frisked countless times. I do not take it lightly. We have founded an entire system on distrust. The government distrusts anyone who has paid money to fly on an airplane. There is no way to prevent any disaster completely. But we pretend to think there is and that the best way to prevent disaster is to treat every human being with suspicion. Tell me, what good will that do us?
POSTED BY: LXP19 | NOVEMBER 13, 2010 10:45 PM
There will always be a way to bypass checks, whether by hand or machine. The TSA has to start, officially, with the ethnic profiling. It's a bad solution, but it's the most affective one.
POSTED BY: NG400 | NOVEMBER 14, 2010 4:10 AM
There will always be a way to bypass checks, whether by hand or machine. The TSA has to start, officially, with the ethnic profiling. It's a bad solution, but it's the most effective one.
POSTED BY: NG400 | NOVEMBER 14, 2010 4:11 AM
If the TSA makes a mistake and a plane is destroyed as a consequence, can the TSA be sued? No, it can't. It has no legal duty to protect - just like all other government police agencies. Is an abusive TSA employee protected from lawsuits? Yes, he is.
Here is an idea. How about the airlines hire their own security? Then the tax victims will not have to foot the bill. Also, they will be liable for their own mistakes.
Additionally, each airline can determine what security procedures are appropriate and customers can pick which airline to fly based on how paranoid they are. If they believe the risk of a plane being commandeered by someone by force is high, then they can pick an airline that believes its customers have no privacy nor dignity. Customers who believe they have a higher chance of dying driving to the airport might pick a company that doesn't treat everyone like an inmate at the local federal penitentiary.
Get government out of it. They can't protect anyone and fail at it every time they try.
POSTED BY: PAPPYYOKUM | NOVEMBER 14, 2010 9:58 AM
At Chicago O'Hare I was singled out for body scan even before going through metal detectors this past August. Then I was patted down like a criminal. Not sure what they're looking for on a middle-age Asian female. I've been all over Europe and never been singled out and intruded upon like this.
POSTED BY: COOLCANADAGOOSE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:34 AM
For each and every one of you who have commented that this is required to keep us safe, or that this is the reality of the new world in which we live in, congratulations, the government thanks you. You have become complacent in accepting new restrictions that pretty much treat you like cattle and the government now knows that if it wants or needs to restrict further freedoms, that it needs to create an illusionary boogie man to scare the population.
Future 9/11 attacks are already minimized to the point of non-existence. We needed reinforced cockpit doors and vigilant passengers who will beat the daylights out of anyone who tries anything stupid on an aircraft. We now have both. Anything else done beyond this is pretty much security theater the TSA dreamed up to keep themselves employed.
The sad thing is that none of these invasive measures have actually prevented or caught anyone with a bomb. Anyone caught with a weapon was caught through the same x-ray scanners that have been in use since the 70s.
I will do my part in writing my congressmen about the ridiculousness of these new measures, and hope that other Americans will join me in rejecting and refusing the government treating us like a bunch of wild animals.
POSTED BY: CLANDESTINEBLAZE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:02 AM
will continue to refuse the full body scanners. What a waste of money. Isn't there a better way? What would the cost be of other technology that insures the reliability of the passengers? I wouldn't mind an iris scan, fingerprint ID - whatever. You already know when I'm flying. Please - I'm even embarrassed for my husband to see my aging body. I would feel better about it if I could see the viewer through a one way glass in my favor. Then I could see that there weren't 5 guys pointing and laughing.
I believe this is all CYA mentality and it does nothing to make us safer. If I can think of ways to get liquids I need in my carry on, can't the bad guys? Where is common sense? It will be ordinary passengers that protect us in the future - not the incompetent feds at the checkpoints.
Posted by: late boomer 1 | November 13, 2010 4:52 PM
_____________________________________
YOU have serious issues and need long-term professional help. Too bad you are so old, it could take years before you are free of these imagined demons.
POSTED BY: JOEMCNAMARA1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:19 AM
I am a 69 year old female with prosthetic knees and a hip. The new pat down procedure is very embarrassing. I was standing in the O'Hare concourse and was patted up to my crotch - TWICE - on my left leg and then my right leg. Then the TSA agent lifted my shirt and reached under the waist band of my pants. No female should be treated this way in public - or in private. What was wrong with the wanding and pat down procedure used on me for the past three years? Meantime I walked by 2 scanning machines because I was told TSA did not have the personnel to operate them.
POSTED BY: IRISH41 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:18 AM
Tsa employees--rude and incompetent. Some of the biggest morons I've dealt with in government.
POSTED BY: SOCIALISTIC | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:35 AM
The most intrusive security people I have come across operate in London Heathrow. It is worse even than the German security services at Frankfurt and MUCH worse than any in the USA including Los Angeles and New York.
POSTED BY: JUCAMERON43 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 4:17 AM
I've gotten patted down a bunch of times because I've had to fly on tickets I bought the same day & things like that. While I've grown used to it, and I'm accepting of it I don't really like it.
As far as my experiences with the TSA go, I've been really quite pleased with how well I've been treated by them. I've found people working for the TSA to be helpful and decent people.
I'd really welcome some sort of cost-neutral trusted traveler program that cut down on some of the hassle for people that was trust oriented & not tied to how much money people paid for tickets.
POSTED BY: NYMOUS | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 4:28 AM
Here's a link to the story that has gone viral - a San Diego ticketed passenger who refused to be "sexually assaulted" by a groping TSA officer and who kept his cell phone on, capturing the entire process.
http://tinyurl.com/2e47738
Personally, I simply refuse to fly - anywhere, for any reason - after being groped in a most unprofessional manner by a TSA "officer" (term used loosely) at Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Those TSA people are so out of control. Why can't they be professional about it like their European counterparts?
Meanwhile, yes, it is just a matter of time before a "body cavity" bomb actually is detonated. I mean, if I'm a terrorist (and I'm not) then do I really care WHERE the bomb is located?
Think about it.
POSTED BY: DRUNK_BUNNY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 6:11 AM
It's bad enough to get treated like a criminal by the TSA's unprofessional goons, but the real insult here is that none of these procedures are worth a damn in the real world. It's all pathetic theater that most competent terrorists would breeze through without breaking a sweat. The TSA is way more focused on harassing little old ladies than stopping the next 9-11. One's easy and provides a boost to the ego, while the other requires some effort and imagination.
POSTED BY: JOESCHWIND1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 6:25 AM
My wife is patted down 100% of the time. Her major concern so far has been the security of her belongings as they go through the xray screening, while she is taken away to the pat down area. Lately, TSA seems to be showing a bit more sensitivity to that.
While she has no specific complaints about invasions of privacy (what's privacy anymore, anyway?) the seeming chaos at the large airports we use, the ever changing ticket prices vs. fees, and the patdowns have curtailed our leisure air travel by 50% or more.
In all of this, the absolute most ridiculous requirement is that levied on the pilots. Not only do some of them carry firearms while flying, but --- hello --- they are in control of a pretty good sized terror weapon while in control of the aircraft itself.
My sense is that attitudes at TSA have changed when someone opts out of the full body scan (For MOST travelers, I don't quite get what all the hubbub is about. I'm sure half of them have sexted pictures of themselves or posted sex tapes on the internet, but don't want to be seen on one of these scanners). "Opting out" seems to inject adrenaline in everyone involved; TSA now thinks of itself as the last bastion against another 9-11, the passenger now has flipped from being innocent until proven guilty to guily until found innocent; the passenger just KNOWS someone is going to grab something inappropriate, and everyone hunkers down, teeth gritted.
What is all of this agita achieving?
POSTED BY: CURMUDGEON10 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 6:38 AM
I hate airport security. I like to imagine all the ways the bad guys could pass through with explosives, and there are many. The only way they're going to detect explosives efficiently is with a smelling machine, and even those aren't perfect if the canister is air tight.
We also need to realize that a metal detector is all that's needed to screen out guns and knives. In any case, if someone does manage to bring a bunch of guns on board, we're not going to have 9/11 again since they can't get in the cockpit. Maybe a couple passengers die, but they could easily kill those same passengers right at the security line with those same guns. I'd also like to see them install gas canisters in the cabin so the pilots can monitor the situation and knock everyone in the cabin out if something bad seems imminent.
POSTED BY: ANTISPY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 6:48 AM
For some reason, the geniuses targeted my four year old son years ago. He seemed to be on some list and frequently, but not always, called for a special search. Shoes off, patted down like a common criminal at four years old. This went on for several years.
What kind of nation tolerates a four year old being patted down and having to remove their shoes? It's barbaric.
We live in a right wing police state where the police tell us what to do rather than we telling the police what to do. It's going to get much worse as the country is turning further and further to the right every decade.
POSTED BY: FLAMINGLIBERAL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 6:57 AM
I haven't had the new patdown, but I am a male who once flew dressed as a female. The alarm went off because of metal stays and I had a female TSA agent do a serious patdown. Afterwards, a male passenger came over and said "what do I have to do to get one of those?"
POSTED BY: POLLYTICKS | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 7:00 AM
I have a pacemaker so guess what? Last January I got the high tech scan at National, 15 seconds and all was done. In October at Dulles for an international departure, back to the pat down and a 10 minute delay. My wife had an even worse time with a hip replacement, and oddly only one woman "agent" available for 8 or 9 stations. Total 20 minutes to get through.
Incidentally, the pat down you get here in the states and the one I got in Spain were worlds apart in courtesy and professionalism. BTW, Spain was the winner.
All I can say is thanks to US Customs and the TSA for making me feel like an unwelcomed intruder in my own country.
POSTED BY: NICKYNUNYA | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 7:03 AM
Where are all the alleged protectors of the Constitution? The Fourth Amendment is being ignored and no exception appears in the name of airline security. And, haow many alleged terrorists have been found? This is an outrage. Fear seems to have trumped the Constitution, maybe we should now ignore the Second Amendment to close the transfer of arms to real terrorists in Mexico drug cartels>
POSTED BY: AREALIST1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 7:04 AM
When large numbers of people with mediocre qualifications are mass-trained to do a specific job, there is no allowance for mature judgment, only robot-like performance of a procedure.
POSTED BY: NANONANO1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 7:08 AM
Pat downs and the body scanners are pointless because the Jihadis, because they want to kill people, not scare them, will surgically implant the bombs. So the only thing to prevent that would be xray machines. And say hello to incredibly high cancer rates if we're going to do that.
So that the jihadis and their liberal defenders for the end of air travel. In a way, we will be going back to the 8th century for these jihadi scum. And the left will be happy because less green house gasses emitted by airplanes.
POSTED BY: SCORAN | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 7:09 AM
Join the masses send a message...
On November 24th if your flying help send a clear message to the airports, airlines and TSA say "I OPT OUT" refuses to go through the new machines force massive back ups at check points nationwide on the busiest travel day of the year. These power hungry scum suckers have crossed the line help create mass chaos at checkpoints nationwide.
POSTED BY: DCADGUY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 7:37 AM
Profiling and interviews work better.
Much of the work could be done by machines that look for specific facial features that indicate a high probability of persons of that type doing bad stuff.
Frankly, I think the current process is simply Napolitano's way of getting even with all the men who found her an easy one to avoid patting down for any reason ~ ever!
Just where does Obama find these screwy women.
POSTED BY: MUAWIYAH | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 7:56 AM
I am flying from DC to Seattle this weekend and back the next weekend. Both airports have the body scanners. If I get picked I know I am not getting on the plane I refuse to use the scanner or let the TSA agents touch my genitals which is required if you opt out.
The sooner the public refuses these measures the better. It is easy to see this is not going to fly with the general public the louder we object the faster this BS will be gone.
POSTED BY: FLONZY1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:00 AM
I am a rape victim and find this process
extremely painful.
POSTED BY: DRISCOLLFM | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:06 AM
Look at it this way: these are the rules when attempting to fly to a destination - full body scan or a pat-down. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are uncomfortable with either, your choices then become the following: bus, train, automobile or walking.
In light of 9/11 and the various attempts by our enemies to destroy aircraft and kill Americans, the security procedures are a small price to insure our safety.
POSTED BY: NICO5228 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:11 AM
I am a 100% disabled veteran and, among other issues, I have an ileostomy and must carry ostomy supplies. I have to carry glue in a 7 oz can, which I use to attach my device. I carry a letter from TSA that exempts ostomy supplies. I won't go into the gruesome details but the TSA goons at Dulles confiscated my glue because it exceeded 3 oz (even though the letter specifically exempted liquids over 3 oz if they were ostomy supplies). This was after 1/2 hour of arguing and being treated like a criminal. I am very very angry because of the way that I was treated and the fact that these high school dropouts can't even follow their own guidance.
POSTED BY: HUSKERHORSE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:11 AM
By all means you Tea-Bagger whiners, please refuse to fly anymore.
Less crowded planes and not sitting next to congenital idiots will be a welcome change.
And I can GUARANTEE that every person whining about this issue would be first in line to blame, gripe at, and try to sue the Government if their relative was involved in a terrorist-caused aircraft loss.
POSTED BY: ANONPOSTER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:13 AM
Here's a novel concept:
Did it ever occur to any of you idiots that perhaps the Taliban started this "Let's shut down the TSA" campaign...?
No, probably not. Because you are stupid, selfish, and short-sighted.
POSTED BY: ANONPOSTER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:18 AM
TSA has been ordered not to pat down, body screen, etc Muslim women who are dressed in their full body garb.
If this is true we will get a suicide bomber on a plane. But Holder does not care.
POSTED BY: TXENGR | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:22 AM
I usually get searched for retaliatory reasons because I like to challenge TSA agents on their authorities.
I once asked an agent his authority for taking away my bottle of water. He told me it was "top secret", which I knew was a bulls*** answer, so I asked to see his supervisor. While I waited, I was patted down, had all of my bags scanned for residues, and later found out that my checked bags were all inspected as well.
When the supervisor came, he said that the authority was in their directives which he couldn't share with me because only authorized TSA personnel had access to it. (I knew this was a bullsh** answer, too).
I went through all of that scrutiny not because I was a threat, not because I refused to cooperate with their instructions, but because I asked a question about where their authorities lie.
They weren't knowledgeable or skilled enough to tell me the CFR it was in. Which is sad, since that is what they are enforcing.
POSTED BY: TRAMBUSTO | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:27 AM
You're either molested or nuked. What a country.
POSTED BY: PMR4419 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:28 AM
Those who are upset with the screening procedures should direct their angst toward the terrorists who cause this mess, not the TSA who are trying to protect us. No screening is perfect, but it has been quite effective.
People have such short memories of what it feels like to be attacked, and of how vulnerable we are without experiencing some degree of inconvenience.
I accept the inconvenience. A back-of-the-hand invasion is much preferable to a terrorist invasion.
POSTED BY: KRAMWEN | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:32 AM
The terrorist have won; we have given up our basic privacy to fearful morons in the government.
POSTED BY: FLONZY1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:41 AM
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin
"The basis of a democratic state is liberty." Aristotle
"If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." Carl Shurz
POSTED BY: FLAMINGLIBERAL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:45 AM
I was returning to Dayton, Ohio, at BWI. I went through the total body scanner and, of course, it didn't work right. So, I endured a pat-down. The guy doing it was OK and professional about it all but it still was uncomfortable. If they're going to use the total body scanners then they need to make sure they work!
POSTED BY: WAYNEWITHERELL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:46 AM
I think the failed attacks failed with reason, not accidentally. They were too clumsy to have been deliberate failures. What they accomplished was to make every air traveler take off her shoes and go through a full body scan/pat down. I used to get to the airport 30 minutes before a flight. Now it's 90. One hour lost life x millions of flyers a day x 365 days a year x forever is a lot of wasted lives.
Terrorists don't always kill quickly. Sometimes you're just pecked to death by ducks.
POSTED BY: FILFEIT | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:46 AM
I have an artificial hip and have been subject to several pat downs. It was explained to me that TSA changed its policy on pat downs in late Oct. Employees are now required to run their hand up the individual's entire leg until it meets the torso -- previous pat downs ended halfway up the inner thigh. Fortunately, BWI has new scanners and there's no need for a pat down if you successfully complete the scan -- even with an artificial hip. I wasn't so lucky at Midway airport earlier this month, however, where the old scanners are still in use. And yes, I think TSA has taken it too far. What was wrong with the old wand procedure and pat down?
POSTED BY: BBURKHARDT1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:49 AM
I have a prosthetic knee and despite 2 ID cards showing an x-ray and implant information I am subjected to wanding, metal detectors and pat downs. Each time I have had to wait for a female TSA agent to emerge from behind the curtain to do the pat down despite my request to get it over with due to flight time. My request was ingnored. These pat dons are invasive.
Funny thing? I have twice been to the White House which has Secret Service level security and never felt manhandled/assaulted like at the airports.
POSTED BY: SOOSKA | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:56 AM
Profiling may continue to work for a while, but with more and more crazy Americans joining one extremist cause or another, finding weapons and bombs hidden on and in their bodies will become imperative.
Someday, very soon apparently, the traveling public will have two options: submit to a search and keep the system as safe possible or arrange private transportation.
Personally, if I'm in line behind you at the airport and I hear you protesting a scan or search, the first thing I'm going to think is: What are you trying to hide? The second will be: I don't want you on the same plane with me.
If you think I'm going to trade my safety to appease your modesty, you've got another think coming.
Protest the scans and searches all you want, but that means finding a way to drive your car to Hawaii.
POSTED BY: DASTUBBS | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 8:58 AM
The best for me was a pad down and removal of my boots as I was processing for a one year military tour in Afghanistan, and yes, I was in uniform on official government orders.
POSTED BY: GR8GOZO | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:00 AM
Al Qaeda didn’t need to take away our freedoms, the US Gov’t is doing the job for them.
We know basically who the enemy is, what mosques they go to, and what countries they are from - yet it is normal Americans who are treated like criminals
POSTED BY: PGR88 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:00 AM
God protect us from the Italian Fascists: Nancy Pelosi and Janet Napolitano. They keep serving up Dante's Inferno and Machiavellian tricks to control the masses.
The Dept. of Homeland Secuirty has turned into a monster.
POSTED BY: ALANCE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:02 AM
Just got back from Carib. with my wife who has double knee replacements. She had the full pat down in Philly. Sorry to disappoint you but the TSA official was polite, efficient, and professional. Just not a big deal. Come on guys.....much better than letting some crack pot on the plane. What's not figured out is the loss of control of ones personel belongings that are going through the x ray machine.
POSTED BY: RHARVEY12031 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:07 AM
I have a metal joint as a souvenir of my service in Afghanistan. Recently, while flying in uniform, I was pulled for the full treatment along with a US Senator. While we were separated from our personal items, several people who were clearly muslims passed without inspection. That TSA does not pat down muslim females is outrageous. Let’s contract TSA out to El Al and do it right.
On a more personal note, I can deal with the pat down, what I really hated was the time the TSA guard spent reading me my rights. I kept telling him “just do it and get it over with.” He insisted on reading his script even after I had told to do it and started over with his speech – three times until I let him not only win, but beat me and waste my time.
POSTED BY: CDRDAVY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:09 AM
AUGUST88: I understand why this makes flying a hassle for you. But the problem with issuing a TSA "exemption" card is that even though an individual got the card through innocent means (like yours), there is no way of knowing that he or she will not use the card for cruel purposes.
DESERTDIVA1: No, you may not fit the "profile" of a terrorist, being, as you state, white, female and alone. However, the official stance is that the USA does not profile (though doing so may be an effective temporary solution) so your comment is ignorant and slightly offensive.
Frankly, given the fact that airline security throws you into a frenzy, I'm glad to hear that you won't be traveling this holiday season. Unseasoned travelers like yourself make airports miserable for those of us simply trying to get from point A to point B.
To All: You can't have your cake and eat it too. We can travel quickly and easily and be at increased risk for attack - or we can deal with the hassles of an encumbered security system.
To those of you who say that the TSA does not make you feel safe (I agree with you), it's important to note that their presence does make many travelers feel safe. Without the TSA, I fear that we would see a drop in airline revenues as a result of less flyers.
POSTED BY: GEORGETOWNRED | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:17 AM
"Personally, if I'm in line behind you at the airport and I hear you protesting a scan or search, the first thing I'm going to think is: What are you trying to hide? The second will be: I don't want you on the same plane with me."
I am a perfectly sane, not a criminal, definitely not a fanatic in any field, but I will op out of scanning for the reason the radiation is dangerous. To x-ray massive parts of the population for security only (and the effect is debatable to boot) is a health scandal. Children are extra sensitive and so are pregnant women, some of whom may not even know yet they are pregnant.
The personnel surrounding the machines get x-rayed too, as well as passengers in line.
POSTED BY: ASODERS22 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:26 AM
I received an overly thorough pat down after going through the detectors without a beep. No titanium joints here, either. It seemed a bit excessive and was uncomfortable. Meanwhile, at our gate, my colleague realized she'd left a bottle of soda in her purse that had gone through undetected. I'm all for keeping everyone safe with thorough screenings, if they keep it professional. But we all know the standards aren't even uniform in the same airport, and security is still at the mercy of whether or not the TSA agent felt like paying attention at the correct moment.
POSTED BY: COLHEIGHTS | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:30 AM
"
Here's a novel concept:
Did it ever occur to any of you idiots that perhaps the Taliban started this "Let's shut down the TSA" campaign...?
No, probably not. Because you are stupid, selfish, and short-sighted.
Posted by: AnonPoster | November 15, 2010 8:18 AM "
--
No, because they don't have to. All they have to do is convince a Muslim woman (by treathening her kid, if need be) to carry explosives onboard a plane. In a full garb she is the ONLY kind of passenger who will not be scanned or patted down.
Aren't TSA geniuses?
POSTED BY: ASODERS22 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:34 AM
I've never been patted down because I don't fly anymore. Between the imbeciles at the check points that are so dependent on technology to the airlines who nickle and dime you to death I can drive and make better time and actually save money. There is absolutely nothing that anyone can do at airport check point to stop a determined terrorist from doing his/her dirty work. If we want to stop this we must use the Israeli methods of screening passengers which involve full criminal background checks at the time of ticket purchase and again at check in and then profiling. We may even want to do what Germany is suggesting. That is blacklisting certain airports. Oh yes they also don't use someone who can't think out of the box to work in those security capacities, either. There are ways to verify that people have prostheses without using x-rays or destroying peoples medical equipment. I hope that the person who forced the person with the insulin pump through the x-ray system gets sued. Actually, I would charge the supervisor with criminal assault.
POSTED BY: W2BSA | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:52 AM
I have no problem with being
"patted" down, "rubbed" down,
or being "gone down" own as
long as the person who administers
it is a young, sexy,good looking
female broad of the Chrystal
Palin variety !!!!!
POSTED BY: FLYERSOUT | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 9:55 AM
If flying is so dangerous that we have to be treated to such intrusive actions ad rude behavior by TSA (Thugs Standing Around), then the simple answer is not to fly! My family is reworking our near-term travel itineraries, either canceling planned trips or driving instead of flying. Alas, airlines may go bankrupt, airport businesses may close, tourist venues may suffer, but the TSA stooges will still keep their jobs, as they are government employees. The irony of all of this is that, through our tax dollars, we are paying for this abuse!
POSTED BY: BRAUNT | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:06 AM
I cannot believe how many of you are willing to sell out your privacy for the false sense of security.
This is not a bullet proof vest it is a security blanket for mental toddlers.
I think the amount of resistance it is getting will keep mounting until the government relents on this policy. You can already see the majority is against it.
POSTED BY: FLONZY1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:09 AM
I used to work at a company that proctored the TSA pre-employment screening exams, which are done online. Some applicants can't read directions. Some applicants though the rules didn't apply to them. The gal who didn't know she had to bring her Social Security card, even though it stated very clearly on the application that the Social Security card was required* to be admitted to the exam, was memorable in her ignorance. People who can't follow rules themselves shouldn't be put in charge of enforcing rules.
I'm tired of these $5-an-hour-power beeyotches violating my Fourth Amendment rights every week. It's none of the government's business what's in the bag of a law-abiding, peace-loving citizen. Assuming we are all potential criminals is one of the tenets of fascism. And guess what? I'm not McGyver. I can't blow up a Boeing 737 with a tube of hand cream. It's gotten to the point where the rules have become more important than the people they are supposed to protect. I have actually heard TSA goons tell a traveler, "Because it's against the rules." And to what end? These unconstitutional, invasive procedures have caught NOT ONE terrorist. Not one! The underpants bomber made it all the way on to the plane despite all the invasion of our privacy. Finding out he's on the plane doesn't count as catching him!
During the elections, reporters would sometimes ask politicians who claimed to be in favor of smaller government, "What programs would you cut?" If they had asked me, TSA would be the first thing out of my mouth.
Sorry to rant. I actually abbreviated my comment to fit in this space.
*For most jobs in the U.S., a SS card is not required for employment; a green card would suffice. But for this job it was very specific: You were REQUIRED to produce a valid, current SS card.
POSTED BY: BUCINKA8 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:09 AM
I have bracelets that do no come off, so I am patted down each time I fly. The TSA folks are invariably polite, and I also explain that I wear a breast prostethic so they won't think I have plastique in my chest.
I did have a terrible experience with the TSA in Austin whilst undergoing radiation therapy. I was weak and unable to move without difficulty. The male TSA agent seemed to take some sort of sick joy in watching me struggle after I asked for assistance and was denied.
POSTED BY: PROUDTEXAN2 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:13 AM
Glad to see that the post has finally made space for this issue. Is having our daughters strip searched or their breasts groped worth it? Our sons testicles handled just so they can fly? Do you really trust TSA with the nude images? They promise to keep the images from getting into circulation, and you trust them -- but why? What government promises have been kept that cause you to be so trusting?
POSTED BY: SAYWHAT4 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:18 AM
No, because they don't have to. All they have to do is convince a Muslim woman (by treathening her kid, if need be) to carry explosives onboard a plane. In a full garb she is the ONLY kind of passenger who will not be scanned or patted down.
Aren't TSA geniuses?
POSTED BY: ASODERS22 |
_______________________________
You're full of hot air, Asoders22. While the Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the TSA to only pat down a Muslim woman's head and neck, the TSA screens everyone. CAIR does not set policy for TSA all they can do is inform Muslim women of ways to get out of a pat down or full body scan.
Nice try at bending the truth though!
POSTED BY: ARANCIA12 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:20 AM
I have no problem with being
"patted" down, "rubbed" down,
or being "gone down" own as
long as the person who administers
it is a young, sexy,good looking
female broad of the Chrystal
Palin variety !!!!!
POSTED BY: FLYERSOUT
__________________________
This is a really disgusting post. It should be taken down.
Besides, who exactly is Chrystal Palin?
POSTED BY: ARANCIA12 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:22 AM
I would like two lines to form at airport checkpoints. One line is for those who feel violated by TSA screening guidelines. These receive a les rigorous screening and get on one plane. The other line receives the full screening devised by TSA and get on a different plane. I'm getting on that plane!
POSTED BY: MAXIMUS6 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:34 AM
Come on, it's not like anything about flying is enjoyable or convenient. This is just another inconvenience added onto the mountain of inconveniences that go along with flying commercial.
POSTED BY: MARKDANIEL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:40 AM
About 40 years ago there was a series of "middle-eastern terriorist" airplane hijackings, including the Greek airlines Olympic. Thus, in January 1970, boarding an Olympic flight in Greece meant a "pat down" before boarding the plane. It was a surprise to us young Americans, but we didn't question it under the circumstances. And I still wouldn't today.
POSTED BY: EAGLE3TX | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:56 AM
The whole thing is a farce anyway. People who service the airplanes can drive their trucks and other vehicles onto the airport without any screening other than showing a card.
The whole process is just to satisfy the public that the airports are "doing something" to prevent terror. Taking away fingernail clippers is just too weird for logic.
They spend way to much time protecting against improbables, and not enough time checking real sources of danger.
POSTED BY: LEEH1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:56 AM
I would like two lines to form at airport checkpoints. One line is for those who feel violated by TSA screening guidelines. These receive a les rigorous screening and get on one plane. The other line receives the full screening devised by TSA and get on a different plane. I'm getting on that plane!
Posted by: Maximus6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I could live with that, I would opt out every time because the chances of this kind of thing happening are so slim that only a total fool thinks we need to live in a police state to be safe.
POSTED BY: FLONZY1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 10:59 AM
I have flown many times to Germany. The security people do pat downs and are very professional. I've always felt safe and never violated. Contrast that to our TSA. Stupid, ill trained, and barely a high school education. It feels like being assaulted by a felon, not a security screening. And the supervisors are no better. Why do we hire such stupid people? It's all security theater anyway as none of them are very bright and almost all are unprofessional. Yet to fly we have to submit to being felt up by morons.
If other countries can do pat downs professionally, we should follow their lead.
POSTED BY: BIKETRAVELLER22 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:00 AM
I really don't understand why you would opt out of the full body scan. I had to do it once and it was fine. It failed the 1st time though because I have long hair, but a helpful pilot told me to hold my hair and then it worked.
I would much rather do that than submit to a full pat down. Some of these stories are horrible. I'm suprised more TSA workers aren't slapped!
I did have a TSA worker go through my bags for an extraordinary long time because I had a full bottle of lotion. Shame on me. He wasn't "rude" necessarily, but very slow and annoying. Even more annoying was my husband chatting with the dude while I'm freaking out and the agent is examining my underwear collection.
POSTED BY: HEBE1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:01 AM
“I regret that I have but one crotch to be groped by Czar Napolitano,”
------
@procounsel: These procedures were instituted well before Napolitano took office.
POSTED BY: BUCINKA8 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:03 AM
I have been patted down under the new and old systems. The new system is vastly different: http://getonthe.blogspot.com/2010/11/bus-fumes.html
POSTED BY: OMNIBUSDRIVER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:07 AM
The US Gov. doing all they can to take away the rights of its citizens so much for the 4th amendment. They are desperately trying to reduce the 4th amendment right to apply ONY to you in your home. This is totally illegal and needs to end immediately. This is also part of the WE CAN CONFISCATE your laptop, iPod or cell phone when returning to the US from abroad. Simple solution ship all electronics back to the US prior to flying out. The more non sense lie this that manifests itself makes it appear more and more likely that the US was involved in a false flag operation (World Trade Centers, Pentagon) in order to try and attack the people’s civil rights. The US Gov. can no longer be trusted and we are with in sight of the next revolution. Its quote sad but it may be the only way to save the US. As they said From time to time the tree of freedom must be refreshed with the blood of tyrants and patriots. Prepare yourselves. I believe the Mayans calendar and 2012 is a calculation of how much time it would take for civilization to once again implode on its self. I believe this is right around the corner. ARM YOURSELF……….
POSTED BY: ASKGEES | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:11 AM
Hey, Why so serious about the pat downs.
I get into a line with an all female station, having rolled up a pair of socks which I have earlier put in my shorts.They squeeze it like crazy with wide eyes, and I reach inside , take it out and say "banana warmer, sorry!"
Its always good for a laugh.
POSTED BY: CANDOR7 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:11 AM
“I regret that I have but one crotch to be groped by Czar Napolitano,”
------
@procounsel: These procedures were instituted well before Napolitano took office.
POSTED BY: BUCINKA8 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:03 AM
Really???? Sorry but these NEW procedures we’re implemented after they found a so called toner cart. built to be a bomb ON A SUPPLY PLANE NOT A PASSANGER PLANE. More BS all designed to take away civil rights.
POSTED BY: ASKGEES | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:14 AM
Full body scanners=Radiologists not TSA.
POSTED BY: CITIZEN625 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:17 AM
My cousin Barbara refuses to walk barefooted through security (because the floors are filthy) so she puts her feet into two of the grey containers and slides through security checkpoints. This makes TSA crazy, though there is nothing they can do. Actually, everyone should try this.
POSTED BY: CAROLINEC1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:19 AM
You want security? How about Sky Marshals on the aircraft? Professional police, like our Metro has. We have locked cockpits now and I think even passengers would overwhelm a would be highjacker, rather than fly to their death like sheep. This whole nonsense of treating all passengers like criminal suspects is abhorrent. For Police on the street to give you such a "pat down" they have to have probable cause, a legal precedent. If we had random checks on the street people would be screaming bloody murder ! How dare you? We don’t live in a police state, so why do we tolerate this crap at airports? Enough is enough. All we need is a simple walk through a metal detector, with our shoes and belts on, etc., that's sensitive enough to catch cell phones and pagers, which would surely detect a knife or gun, but this would still be a feel good lolly pop for the ninnies. A real pro could kill you with a pencil, or even his bare hands. Let's get real. The shoe bomber was an imbecile. His home made device couldn't be detonated. The wanna - bomber with the home made underpants "bomb" was similarly mentally challenged. He couldn't blow up either - and guess what? Even a thorough pat down, or body scanner would have not detected powder in his pants. Now we are subject to groping because a plot (thwarted !) to put a bomb on a DHL cargo plane was discovered. What has that got to do with commercial passengers? This is giving in to the terrorists and knee jerk security measures. We can't screen the whole world to find one idiot criminal. This is so backwards.
POSTED BY: B_AL_ZEBUB | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:22 AM
The question should have asked if you have been patted down in the last two weeks as the new procedure is so much more "up close and personal".
I have two hip replacements, so I always know I will set off the metal detectors, and I never complained in the past. I was "wanded" and they primarily checked the area where the metal was present. A full check of my hips seemed reasonable, so I never had a problem.
HOWEVER.....Two weeks ago I flew from a small airport in California and of course I needed a "pat down".
I was made to wait in a glassed in box for twenty minutes while they tried to locate a female to do the search. The area was open to the elements and the weather was about 42 degrees. I had to stand there with No shoes, No socks, only a sleeveless T shirt. My purse and personal items were on their own and out of my direct sight, and since I was traveling alone, anyone could have taken them at any time.
They finally found a woman to do the check and while she was very professional, she clearly was a lesbian, so it wasn't much different than having a man do the search.
The search involved:
Touching my crotch FOUR TIMES from four different angles.
Running the front of her hands up and down my legs from my feet to my groin in the front and the back and each side.
Running her fingers through my hair.
Running her hands over my buttocks.
Slipping her hand INSIDE the waistband of my pants.
This was very embarrassing as passengers walk by staring.
It was a relief when I came home through Denver Airport where they have Xray scanners that ONLY take pictures of you naked allowing some man in a room somewhere to look at your nude pictures.
The ridiculous thing is I just traveled all over Italy where a ringing alarm barely raised an eyebrow. I just pointed to my hips and walked on through with my cane UNCHECKED.
What good is it subjecting American citizens to this if we have people coming into the country virtually unchecked....NOT TO MENTION the millions coming across the borders completely unchecked and unhassled.
If Napolitano thinks this is NOT intrusive, I invite her to have a pat down on television done by some big macho guy.
Maybe the entire Obama family can get patted down on TV just to show us how non-invasive it is. Yes, the are patting down children! Let's see how Obama feels watching his daughters and wife get groped while he must stand there and smile.
POSTED BY: MAR51 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:24 AM
I will not be flying until sanity returns in regards to security screening at airport check-in.
POSTED BY: STEVEN16 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:25 AM
As citizen625 says above, we can have some radiologists on hand as well as TSA. That way we can combine health care and security. "Enjoy your flight, sir. Oh, and you should probably get to a hospital as soon as your flight lands."
POSTED BY: MARKDANIEL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:28 AM
Let's see, thousands of armed political insurgents flood across our southern border and occupy hundreds of square miles of our country, and we get this treatment from our government.
POSTED BY: JAUREGUI_JOHN | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:30 AM
Remember when the TSA was established? The Republicans wanted private companies to do the screening but Tom Daschle and the Senate Democrats insisted that it be handled by professional GOVERNMENT UNION members. I guess you get what you vote for.
POSTED BY: RONS7 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:31 AM
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin
POSTED BY: ERIKB616 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:31 AM
"Posted by: flamingliberal | November 15, 2010 6:57 AM
We live in a right wing police state where the police tell us what to do rather than we telling the police what to do. It's going to get much worse as the country is turning further and further to the right every decade."
Since you appear to have been living in a cave on Mars, just FYI the Congress has been in the hands of Democrats (Left Wing) since 2006 and the Presidency (Far, Far, Far Left Wing) since 2008. Right Wing? Marxist maybe but hardly Right Wing.
POSTED BY: CLIPPERMIAMI | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:37 AM
I no longer fly to Florida (where I go for the majority of my vacations from North Georgia), I drive. I won't subject myself or my children to the rude and invasive treatment doled out by the TSA. These people use little or no common sense and treat three year olds as if they're as big a threat as jihadists.
I also won't subject my children to the new "back scatter" radiation scanners the airports are installing as children are much more vulnerable than healthy adults to cell-level damage from those machines.
Our airlines deserve to lose flyer dollars over this as they have said nothing as the TSA situation has gotten worse and worse over the years since the TSA was formed. I read recent quotes from the head of British Airways wherein he ridicules our security procedures. He is right to do so.
POSTED BY: KATIEATL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:38 AM
Posted by: RonS7 | November 15, 2010 11:31 AM
Congrats. Glad someone reminded people who created this abomination. Bush was opposed to it and to all of our regrets he caved to the Dems --- as he too often did.
POSTED BY: CLIPPERMIAMI | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:39 AM
Yes, recently I opted out of the body scanner because 1. radiation & 2. they've already shown TSA employees keep and distribute the films. I was front and center in front of all the people in the security line - facing them. The woman completely "felt" me up - squeezing my breasts, fondling them, lifting them and rubbed her hand between my spread legs over my groin. There was a male TSA employee standing right next to her watching, cracking a smile and enjoying the show. Everyone in the security lines watched. It's disgusting. Why not just tell us to come naked next time. There is a no win option to this screening. You're violated either way and the TSA employees can NOT be trusted.
POSTED BY: TURTLETRACKZ | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:41 AM
I've been hassled by TSA for over 6 years now ever since I got my first artificial hip. The only fix I could see, other than not flying which isn't an option because of where I live, is 20 mins. before getting to the airport I take 2 diazepam. Then after check-in I go to the the TSA screening area, check it outand find the closest restroom. I then strip out of my flying clothes entirely, put on a pair of gym shorts and a loose muscle tee from my carry on, no socks, glasses etc. put my flying clothes, etc. in my carry on and then return to the TSA area. By now the diazepam has done its job and I go through the metal detector knowing what is coming but feeling ok. Of course it goes off and the agent takes me aside, behind the glass shield and belittles me. Since I don't have a lot of clothes on it goes relatively fast and the agent looks stupid playing with my bare legs, hair, etc. as the other passengers walk by. Once when I was behind the glass shield, a young boy said "Mommy, is that a terrorist?" Of course she was embarrassed and hurried away. Then after I get out of Gestapo land I find a rest room, which can be a challenge without my glasses, change clothes, and proceed to the gate.
POSTED BY: BADWORD_123 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:42 AM
And the attitude from our noble government "you peasants are simply going to have to put up with it."
I want to see Obama and his wife and daughters thoroughly groped in public at an airport. I want to see every congressman, Senator and their wives and children groped in public.
POSTED BY: CLIPPERMIAMI | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:46 AM
I completely August88. Your situation brings another dimension to the debate. People with prosthetics and other medical devices can't avoid being patted down everytime they fly. I also agree with your solution. If TSA can assemble a no-fly list, I see no reason why law-abiding American citizens couldn't apply for a secure ID for flyers the same way we apply for a passport. A background check is a whole lot less intrusive than a pat down.
POSTED BY: OHYEAHBABE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:50 AM
I completely agree August88. Your situation brings another dimension to the debate. People with prosthetics and other medical devices can't avoid being patted down everytime they fly. I also agree with your solution. If TSA can assemble a no-fly list, I see no reason why law-abiding American citizens couldn't apply for a secure ID for flyers the same way we apply for a passport. A background check is a whole lot less intrusive than a pat down.
POSTED BY: OHYEAHBABE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:50 AM
The problem is that US officials insist on looking for bombs, when what they should be doing is looking for potential terrorists.
A rational security approach would screen out citizens of those countries that tend to produce terrorists (or people who have recently traveled to those countries), people named Muhammed, etc., and subject them to enhanced screening (interviews, etc.), while the rest of us go through the old-fashioned metal detectors.
That's what the Israelis do, and nobody messes with their planes. We don't do that because it's not exactly the American thing to do. But doesn't there come a point where we have to tell Muslim travelers and those from Yemen that, so sorry, we either treat you a bit different and delay your travel, or we all get naked body scans and cavity searches? There has to be a point at which we stop looking for bombs on old ladies and start looking for likely terrorists.
POSTED BY: DCPOST1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:51 AM
I was selected for a nudie scan at DIA this summer. (Blond female) Everyone else went through the metal detectors. Interesting...I opted out. Much shouting ensued. I was warned it would take a long time and that my baggage would be searched. I said that's fine, I'll wait. A female agent was called from another gate. She was nice and we joked back and forth. It was the back of the hand routine. I was NOT in sight of my bags at all times and they sat banging on the end of the x ray belt unattended the whole time. I felt my bags were an easy target to steal or for anyone to put something in them . This violates the "were your bags in your control the whole time? " rule. I think this experience has made me reluctant to fly. I would much rather drive now. I think this is all theater and a total waste of money for our bankrupt country. I am not a security risk. I have had background checks and security clearances. If the system were so intelligent the name matching should show that and eliminate me. Instead it appears that some oversexed idiot gets to select me based on the way I look. What a waste of money. Lets do some intelligent profiling here! With the 72 hour advance notice to fly rules this can be easily accomplished. Instead we insist as a country on doing everything in the most stupid politically correct clumsy manner. DUH! Abolish the TSA and book a BIG BUDGET SAVE.
POSTED BY: FIATL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:57 AM
Went through security at Las Vegas in June. I was in line to go through the full body scanner and was told to take everything out of my pockets and hold in my hands. Because of the long lines, I was sent over to the metal detector instead. The TSA worker asked me to open my hands and with an accusing voice asked me "What's that?". I had to explain to him that it was a tampon. Because of having to stop to get my breath from laughing, they felt our carry on was abandoned so when we went to pick it up, they insisted on searching it. They confiscated my toothpaste for being too large but never once noticed the GPS in the outside pocket. TSA is a joke!
POSTED BY: PATS3 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 11:58 AM
Get all the Hooters girls to do the pat downs. That will be the most used line!
And it's ok if they take their time.
POSTED BY: REXREDDY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:06 PM
How dare they have the audacity to conduct the patdowns in this manner.We are assuming this level of security is needed based upon abunch of arab fundies planning in the middle of timbuktoo in cases brought down these buildings. But yet, foreigners are not even checked when they enter flight school. The scrutiny is not for them, but meant to teach us submission and compliance in the name of ever growing globalism and a loss of american rights.
POSTED BY: QUESTOR3000 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:07 PM
You receive 200-400 times more radiation during a 6-hour flight than you do from a single scan.
Read the summary here, and read through every provided link if you still don't believe it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscatter_X-ray
Bottom line, there is not a shred of evidence the scanners are unsafe. If you have medical issues or prosthetics, or object to the intrusive pat-down, you can avoid the hassle by simply going through the darned scanner.
POSTED BY: BILLSO | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:13 PM
"In Europe, they are professional and quick. In the U.S., they make you feel like a criminal. The TSA personnel seem to get off on their power, are curt, often just plain obnoxious, and seem to really enjoy ignoring questions and making things more difficult than they need to be."
Amen! It's obvious that the TSA agents I've had to deal with are ignoramuses who can't work anywhere else besides a government union shop. They can't be fired and they can indulge all their power fantasies, poor dears. "I love my job," said one, as he felt up a 70-year-old college professor.
Of course, if you asked him if he was retaliating because he flunked out of high school, you'd get arrested.
If we don't stop these thugs they will start home visits for perverts to feel us up "for our own good."
POSTED BY: CHRISINWIEN | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:15 PM
I am handicap with multiple implants and it's difficult for me to walk without a cane and because of that, I must be pat-downs everytime I fly. As far as being "discreet" -- not sure what they mean by that. My pat downs are in public for all to see and it is embarrassing because everyone watches as I stand in one of those glass rooms next to check-in. This whole thing is a joke!! Napalitano is a BIG JOKE!!!
POSTED BY: DIANEREMARX | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:15 PM
This is the truth, I swear it.
I have more metal in my ankle and lower leg than some new cars and not once, REPEAT, not once has their detectors picked it up at ANY airport. Hell, you can even feel the screw heads by touching my skin.
But get this, on a trip to Israel security found it during a random wand check. Not in the USA but in Israel.
The current system isn't working and the TSA is just throwing stuff out there to see what sticks.
POSTED BY: WEB4SEARCH | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:15 PM
Starting back in 2004 I found myself getting flagged by TSA because of my "very common" American name. I was unable to check in online, or even using the automated kiosks at the airport. Every time I went through security, I would be subjected to additional screening which involved an inspection of my bags and a pat down by TSA workers. It was highly annoying, time consuming, and embarrassing to boot.
I eventually had to formally request that my name be cleared by DHS, which fixed the problem for a while. Unfortunately it has since returned after TSA modified (certainly not improved) their screening procedures last year.
These new procedures, including the body scanners, are an insult to what America stands (or used to stand) for. Does anyone seriously believe that the jokers working at your average TSA checkpoint would be able to preempt a terrorist threat? Not while they're too busy groping people with "very common" American names...
Although maybe I'm being too harsh. Perhaps the strategy is that since terrorists lack any common sense, the best way to catch them is by employing personnel who also lack common sense. Kind of a "think like your enemy" approach? I guess you never know.
POSTED BY: CJJOHNSO | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:18 PM
I love the TSA!
They are singlehandedly going to destroy political correctness!
Soon we may be able to exercise free speech!
Soon we may be able to speak the truth!
Keep it up TSA!
POSTED BY: MCHOOFTY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:28 PM
The TSA is an abomination. More destruction of personal liberty in the land of the "free"
The terrorists have already won by getting government to force these abusive measures and expenses on the public. And what they are always looking for is YESTERDAYS methods. Every new attack is something different which the TSA is not looking for, yet. TSA Morons getting sucker punched into more expense and effort with every increasing round of threats. The point of the terrorists efforts is to force us to spend more, do more and waste our money and time more. Better yet if it reduces our freedoms and rights which is all that the American government seems capable of doing anymore. Our government vis a vis the TSA is a bigger threat to Americans than jihadists will ever be!
POSTED BY: MOTODUDE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:33 PM
I kid you not! I was passing through the Boise airport and was pulled into secondary search. Homer from the farm politely passed his hands down all the usual areas however why he would pat down my arms all the way to to the hands when I was wearing a short sleeve shirt is beyond me...
POSTED BY: SDBORN56 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:38 PM
It's just a matter of time until random cavity searches as well as specific searches---of BOTH types of intimate cavities---are routinely performed. All it'll take is for one or two terrorists to secret explosives in a body cavity and be caught, then we'll all be treated like the worst criminals during screening. Liberty always comes with some risk; me, I'd rather put up with a bit of risk than be subjected to groin-groping, Nazi checkpoints just because I want to fly. Note: major luggage theft rings operate at airports, the main culprits being baggage handlers. If thieves can take things out of baggage, they can put things in---say, BOMBS---too! Never mind that baggage handlers and maintenance crews have direct access to planes and probably aren't security-screened with anything like the vigor with which the public is screened.
POSTED BY: SCARYDOG | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:38 PM
TSA doesn't protect us from anything! They and Homeland Security are a far greater threat to us than any "terrorists". TSA agents loot people's luggage and steal money and possessions, they spend hours unpacking fishing rods and using expensive equipment to check that, I guess, they aren't made from an explosive compound, but razor blades and box cutters end up on flights, overlooked by these clodhoppers. And Homeland Security is a run amuck secret police agency that classifies antiwar protesters, animal rights nuts, Tea Party advocates as "domestic terrorists" and spends more than $100 billion dollars a year on contracted agencies to spy on law abiding US citizens! This is crazy. We shouldn't have to feel like a prison inmate when we fly, or wait in some worthless line line getting into an airport; where a TSA agent will confiscate your cigarette lighter or shampoo and you turn around and buy those same items at the first kiosk after that stupid checkpoint! It has become abundantly apparent that TSA and Homeland Security are expensive boondoggles that we would do well without. The next Congress should defund them both, saving at least $100 billion, and get rid of them entirely as soon as possible. As a plus, just think, Janet Napolitano and all of those hacks surrounding her will disappear.
POSTED BY: MIBROOKS27 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:38 PM
to all of you who think GateRape is neither an invasion of your privacy nor an unwarrented usurpation of your 4th amendment rights, my I remind you of Ben Franklin's quote "They who would trade liberty for security soon have none and deserve neither."
I don't know what the solution is but sexual assault (virtual or physical) on children while their parents are forced to watch is not the answer.
I'll be driving and enjoying the scenery out the car window.
POSTED BY: FEDUP389 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:41 PM
Time to go back to racial profiling. If CAIR doesn't like it, tell them we are going to sue the entire Muslim community for raising my taxes to pay for all this added "security," for inconveniencing me everytime I go to the airport, and for subjecting me to body scans all because of the threat of Islam.
POSTED BY: SHEWHOLIVES | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:42 PM
When I recently saw a TSA agent force a mother to remove her daughter's diaper, I knew we were in trouble. I have had surgery on the back of my head/neck and have tiny titanium screws and plates. On a trip to London, as I went thru the metal detector on the way to my flight, I set off the alarms. I explained it may be the plates and screws. The security agent was very professional, he asked exactly where they were located and wanded the back of my head and neck, the wand alerted, I was asked a few questions, then showed him the scar under my hair, he thanked me for my patience and allowed me to pass. He NEVER touched me, was a total professional and was very polite and kind.
The problem here is these people have no education, no training in medical implants, and possibly no training at all. I'm beginning to wonder if these people even go through background checks for any criminal record or psychological testing for any blips in their personalities that may preclude them from being hired for these positions. The public is being held hostage by an organization that may well be run by people of dubious backgrounds and proclivities.
Write, complain, make your voices heard. Protest is the only way this disgusting situation will be changed.
POSTED BY: PATRIOTA912 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:43 PM
"Get over it , you overly sensitive candy a$$es... The bad guys need to know that we will go to extraordinarly lengths to protect ourselves."
Which is more of an extraordinary measure: groping nuns, small children, and wheelchair-bound veterans, or risking offending (by profiling) the tender sensibilities of young Muslim men middle-eastern origin, who are the ONLY ones who have attempted airline-related terrorism in the past 40 years?
Is it better to violate the rights of everyone than to violate the rights of a demonstrably hostile minority? I say NO, especially since doing the latter might actually enhance security.
POSTED BY: P3ORION | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:51 PM
Can't we just have NON-MUSLIM flights?
We have NON-SMOKING flights due to danger, right?
I am so sick of having to bend over backwards (or FORWARDS) every day, just because some sick twisted death cult can't be called what it is, and eradicated.
ALL Muslims, whatever faction, worship Muhammed. Muhammed is described in their own holy books, The Islamic Hadiths, as being FIFTY-THREE YEARS OLD when he consummated his marriage to a NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL. This is a FACT from their own holy books. Google "Muhammed, Ayesha" and find the truth. No need to lie or exaggerate this fact. It is disgusting enough all on its own.
So since many millions of idiots follow a child molester, and will kill for his glory and the conquest of the child molester's religion, we have to get our crotches grabbed at the airport.
Let's all admit why this is being done. We ALL have to be groped, because we all want MUSLIMS to be groped, so they don't blow us out of the sky. That's the real truth of this, right? Let's all admit it.
So since it's MUSLIMS that are doing the vast majority of bombings, let's just put them all on the SAME flights. Muslims don't care who they kill, and they'll all go to paradise if they die for Mohammed, so it's a win-win-win all around, correct?
My destination? Kansas City
THEIR destination? Paradise!
Let's see them argue THAT at Friday prayers.
POSTED BY: JUDAS96 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:51 PM
How come the liberal crats always put some Dyke named Janet over anything to do with law enforcement? Having been in LE and security for 35 years I just can't believe the sheeple would stand in line like good docile Jews on the way to the ovens. How can any stand in lines and let these lowe's rejects fondle our women and kids? Last time I looked I did not see any bubbas flying planes into buildings other than the guy who had it in for the IRS in Austin. Folks you are being had and big time at that. Not any method used in airports will prevent a determined terrorist from boarding with an explosive device. So all the inconvenience is not about your safety. It is about insane power mad freaks wanting to control you. Let me tell you what comes next imbeciles. Body cavity searches. Kinda like the ole prostate exam boys. If you stand for this BS now then the HS dyke will push to the next level. Might be a good time to invest in those little inner tubes that people use after roid surgery.
POSTED BY: TERMLIMITS | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:52 PM
I'm going through security in a Speedo and flip flops next time. I'm not kidding.
POSTED BY: GETRICH36 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:53 PM
Napolitano is a pervert. She reminds me of Joycelyn Elders who wanted children to be taught how to masturbate. Napolitano needs to have her head examined.
POSTED BY: DMAZANEC | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 12:58 PM
What do they do with the electronic files of their electronic strip searches?. Do we really trust the mentality of the TSA to safeguard them?
Next a corrupt TSA agent will be auctioning off images of Jason Bieber's willy to members of NAMBLA.
POSTED BY: AREYOUSAYING | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:08 PM
To the man who saw a diabetic with the pump forced to undergo the xray scanner. The TSA web site addresses this issue. When my wife, who wears a diabetic pump, and I flew to California last summer (first time we had flown in 10 years) I printed out the TSAs instructions on how to deal with pump. We had no problems at all once we told the agents that my wife couldn't go through the xray machine. She was patted down by a female agent who was very courteous.
I think that the majority of TSA agents are professional and that, like any occupation, you have a few idiots giving them all a bad name. The agent that forced the lady with the diabetic pump to go through the xray machine needs to be fired for incompetence.
Of course, with the new rules about "patting" down (kind of sounds like "petting" doesn't it?) neither I nor my wife will ever fly again.
POSTED BY: BIGJOHN767 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:08 PM
Actually, the ONLY reason I fly is to get those happy-endings pat-downs. (I can't afford those expense "masseuses" like Crazed S8X Poodle Gore can.) I hope the TSA starts doing them after you get off the plane in addition to before you board. Now that would make for a very relaxing trip.
On a less serious note: Let hope that this BIG GOVERNMENT harassment of THE PEOPLE becomes part of the anger against BIG GOVERNMENT in November 2012, when America has a chance to Take Back both the Senate and the White House, in addition to the House.
POSTED BY: TEAPARTYPATRIOT | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:12 PM
Honestly, if this had been enacted during the Bush administration the MSM AND every proud left wing liberal in the nation would have their panties in a major twist and would be demonstrating at every airport. But since it's the dems raging tierany and taking aways rights, you all sit there like a bunch of idol drunk ninnies.
POSTED BY: ANNIEP1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:14 PM
I have flown 22 times in the past 18 months. 4 by myself, 10 with my wife and 8 with one or both of my daughters.My wife is a very attractive 45 yr old. One daughter does some modeling and the other is an asst. producer/actress in Hollywood. Needless to say, our family(of Northern European Extraction) has but one unattractive member-overweight,balding 50 yr old me. So who always gets pulled out of line for a pat down. I have never been patted down. Of the 22 flights,on 16 my wife or daughters have been patted down, wanded, bags gone through, etc. It is very obvious who is being targeted.....
POSTED BY: DODGER5 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:25 PM
As a K-9 handler for explosive detection dogs, I can't figure out why they don't use them in the passenger boarding area. No need to remove shoes or clothing. Simply walk the dog down the line of passengers waiting to board. The dog does not profile or care...simply looks for the odors he/she has been imprinted with.
Seems like the machines are very costly and invasive.
Sad....as I travel too and am doing more driving than flying.
POSTED BY: KSK9 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:26 PM
Solution: PROFILE! PROFILE! PROFILE!
Stop looking for weapons, and start looking for terrorists.
POSTED BY: CYNICALOPTIMIST | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:28 PM
My 6 year old blonde daughter and 90 year old grandmother were patted down on the way to a wedding. My 60 year old blonde mother and I were spared, but watched in horror as streams of people passed through without a glance while they concentrated on these 2 obviously high risk passengers. And that was the last time I'll ever fly. The TSA agents are borderline retarded. I'm sorry - "mentally disabled". Security is a joke.
POSTED BY: SICKOFSTUPIDITY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:28 PM
ANNIEP1, it was enacted during the Bush administration, after 9/11. Pat downs have always been part of the screening process. The half-dozen airports I've flown out of regularly for the last 6+ years randomly select people for pat downs; it's a common occurrence. It's the people who don't fly often that seem to get upset, arrogant and angry that -they- should be picked, like they're someone special. Our safety is more important than a few people's convenience, but I agree that the current batch of TSA screeners and supervisors don't seem to be well-trained, especially when dealing with people with medical issues. More training and proper supervision (not by just another TSA screener).
POSTED BY: CCS53 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:31 PM
When I was patted down this weekend, it was because I declined the full body scan. Before they patted me down, I was told to go through the regular metal detector like most people. I passed that screen because it did not beep or detect anything. Nonetheless I got patted down. So I got screened twice. Does it make me angry that I got selected for that extra treatment while others didn't? Yes. Did I question if it was truly random that they selected me? Yes. Will I consent to the full body scan? No. I wonder how often members of Congress have to endure this treatment?
POSTED BY: MICHELE79 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:35 PM
Maybe everyone should all opt out of the scanners, then when the enhanced pat down begins start moaning and screaming like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally. Eventually you would think that most of the TSA screeners would be shamed or embarassed into stopping your pat down.
POSTED BY: GOBIRACING | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:37 PM
arancia12: Read the tsa webpage.
POSTED BY: ASODERS22 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 1:50 PM
I work in the Capitol everyday, and I see Representatives and Senators bypassing the metal detectors. I'm sure the same happens in airports too after they present their credentials. If pilots are subject to the searches, why aren't legislators subject to searchers at their place of business. Can we really expect them to know the level of humility and embarrassment if they don't play by the same rules? How would Pelosi feel about the rules after having her breasts groped by a GED-level thug?
POSTED BY: DNARA | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:02 PM
Terrorists will NEVER be caught in the security line. They will always find a way around it. The only thing these kinds of practices accomplish is damaging the travel industry for law-abiding citizens. Every single attack attempt so far since these procedures began have been thwarted by some other means than security clearance.
Take your pocket constitution with you the next time you fly and read the 4th Amendment to your friendly TSA agent. Then demand a warrant based upon probable cause. It's your RIGHT as an American citizen.
POSTED BY: SPEAKNUP | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:03 PM
On a recent trip out of Tampa, FL I approached the tables to lay my bag and tray for shoes, laptop, etc. At the end of the table sat a bag I had noticed while standing in line. It had been sitting there for about 4 minutes when I approached the table. I asked anyone in range if it was belonged to them, then approached TSA when no one claimed it. What happened next blew me away. I made sure to inform TSA the bag had been sitting unattended for at least 5 minutes, the agent grabbed the bag and put it through the scanner, then began paging anyone who left a bag at security. The bag was treated as less of a threat than the people going through the scanners. I heard the agent give the man a tongue lashing but was still astonished at how little they seemed to care about this potential threat. The first thing that should have been done was clear the area, then isolate and screen the bag. I have no problem with reasonable security measures, if the agency running them is even the least bit effective. Unfortunately TSA is not, the rules they create only create problems not thwart them.
POSTED BY: MIKEFLYER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:07 PM
So, I have to tell a stranger that I have breast implants--although it is nobody's business. Are they going to then going to grope my breast implants to confirm this? What is the point of all of this?
POSTED BY: MONKEYSEE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:10 PM
I understand the need for security, but there has to be a line somewhere, and this is it. All you pedophiles, rapists, molesters, nambla members, and sex offenders....new positions are opening up at TSA....apply now!!! A wand should be used by people who do not pass the metal detector, and those who are random pulls, if that is failed, then maybe a further examination. The wand can be passed in front of the genital area for detection, and still not touch the person being examined.
POSTED BY: TRIXLETTE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:15 PM
After seeing several positive comments about security in Frankfurt, I need to relay a personal story from several years ago.
As I was getting "wanded" by a German security officer, the man put his hand directly on my crotch and asked, "What's this?" I was a tad peeved, to say the least, but answered honestly through grinding teeth: "That's my penis." (None of this process, before or after the, ehem, wand incident, was in any way arousing, in case you were wondering.)
Evidently, to be sure I wasn't smuggling on board a rocket launcher, or perhaps a light saber, the officer and one other man took me to a closet-sized, curtained-off area, with another male officer joining him. I had to lower my jeans (not my underwear) to prove that the dangerous device that caught his attention was in fact permanently attached to me. (And not made out of metal, by the way.)
Seeing the barely restrained smile on the officer's face, I wondered if I was guest-starring in a gay version of Sprockets.
POSTED BY: JESUS_H_CHRIST | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:34 PM
Why is the old white nun getting patted down?! Use your brains! Check out this HILARIOUS article about racial profiling: http://www.narf.tv/?p=1291
POSTED BY: BUCKROL | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:38 PM
Boston TSA Screener Charged with Child Rape
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2010/03/18/boston-tsa-screener-charged-with-child-rape/
Bring you kids, then see how you feel
POSTED BY: MILTONCROSS | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 2:43 PM
How about hardened steel cocoons for seats on the plane. If ya blow up, well, just you in your cocoon does and no one else. Skip most of the scans. No drinks, no bathrooms. Just padded little hardened cocoons.
POSTED BY: UCORKY | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:07 PM
Sad fact...
...but TSA is mostly homosexuals and lesbians in uniform
TSA is all Union
TSA needs to be stopped....
TSA is antiAmerican
POSTED BY: GEORGEDIXON | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:10 PM
All wars are for profit but the ruling class needs an excuse to start one. WWI started because of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Right? RIGHT!! WW2 with the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese were so desperate to acquire a really powerful enemy and fill the history books with the day in infamy quote, right? RIGHT!!! War in Iraq started with Sadam weapons of mass destruction, right? RIGHT!!!! War on the noun call TERROR started with the controlled demolition of THREE buildings NY and goat herder in a cave right? RIGHT!!!! The perception that we are NOT safe MUST be maintained at all costs so when some feeble minded doped by the CIA loony sets his pants on fire, so the ruling class (central banks) can start WW3. Such ingenious evil. Beat the populous into psychological submission while selling them protection, Mafia style.
POSTED BY: TITUS2 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:18 PM
OOOHHHHHH AHHHHHHH, YES, YES, YES OFFICER!
A LITTLE HIGHER AND TO THE RIGHT A BIT
OH, GOD, YEAH RIGHT THERE! MORE!
POSTED BY: AREYOUSAYING | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:22 PM
Until TSA is controlled ....do not fly
If you fly, take the name of the TSA thug and file a complaint
Groped?...file...name names....burn them each and every one
POSTED BY: GEORGEDIXON | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:28 PM
Love the attempt to politicize this issue. TSA was good under Republicans, bad under Democrats.
How about the fact we're surrendering our civil rights no matter what party is in power?
The question is whether there is any line at which the American public will draw the line and accept the cost of security is too high? Or will we totally do away with the Fourth Amendment in our cars and our homes as well?
I don't care which party is in charge at the moment and both are at fault for this sorry state of affairs.
POSTED BY: CSCHERF1 | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:36 PM
My wife has a beautiful, voluptuous figure. I do not. I have never been asked to go through the X-Ray 'scanner' machine. She has been 'selected' to go through it every time we've travelled together. Particularly disturbing is that the last time this happened, I looked around to see who was watching the X-ray screen images because I've been told it would only be same-sex observers; but it was definitely a uniformed man. The next time this happens, I'm filing a complaint.
POSTED BY: ENUFFS_ZENUFF | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:39 PM
We typically incorporate extra time for the pat downs, because they usually make us wait for 10-20 minutes.
Although the TSA Agents have always been very courteous, it still feels very uncomfortable and intrusive. I am especially concerned about my teenage daughter. She is extremely uncomfortable with being touched that way.
I would not subject myself or my family to the radiation and no amount of groping, waiting and discomfort is worth my life, so I will always "opt out".
Still, we've curtailed our travel by at least 50%. It's very sad to see such a blatant disregard for basic American rights...
POSTED BY: MIRELAMONTE | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:42 PM
I was frisked at Tulsa Jones airport last year. The woman had her hands all over my boobs in a VERY sexual way and she was obviously enjoying it way too much, she was very butch. I felt very much assaulted and offended. I am a white woman with reddish blonde hair, 60 years old. I never even get traffic tickets! I had on a blouse that was so thin you could SEE THROUGH IT! If I had been trying to hide anything, it would have been visible through the blouse. I used to love to travel, loved to fly. Now I HATE TO FLY! I drove over 500 miles each way on one trip, to avoid airports and TSA.
TSA - AT YOUR CERVIX
& IN YOUR PANTIES
I JUST HATE AIRPORTS NOW!
POSTED BY: TIEMEIER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:49 PM
And Janet Napolitano claims you will get a 'same sex' person to pat you down. I had a young male pat me down one time flying out of Houston Hobby airport, and I am a woman. He was as uncomfortable as I was. And what if you get a same sex GAY person to pat you down. And it is a very sexual intimate search of your private parts. It is very intrusive. If you wanted to kill people you could blow up the stupid airport when it is crowded with thousands of people. You don't have to use a jet. It is all so stupid, senseless, smoke and mirrors....
POSTED BY: TIEMEIER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:52 PM
I have never broken any laws, I have avoided any kind of crime or wrong doing, I have avoided arrest and being frisked by policemen for 60 years. But when I go to an airport it is like being processed into prison. TSA- thugs standing around - they have taken all the fun out of travel. I prefer to just stay home. And we have traveled a lot in the past, California, colorado, Oklahoma, Florida, Virginia, S Carolina, Tennessee, Iowa, Kansas, La., Missouri, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Holland, Brazil, Canada, Spain, England, Austria, etc etc etc
Now I HATE to travel if it involves airports and TSA.
POSTED BY: TIEMEIER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010 3:55 PM
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