To all the folks who say “Just use the scanner if you don’t want to be touched”:
What if they see something on the scanner they don’t like? Then you will be touched. And I have to imagine that if, at that point, you decide you’d rather not fly that day, the TSA will decide that looks mighty suspicious.
Exactly.
As I mentioned in one of the other TSA threads, I had flown out of O’Hare on Monday and was scanned. After the scan the TSA agent started to pat me down because the scan had shown something suspicious, which turned out to be a metal pill carrier in my pants pocket that I had forgotten to take out. The pat-down was brief and in my opinion non-intrusive, since it was only in the suspicious area. When I sheepishly pulled out the contained and explained what it was (and at the TSA agent’s request opened it to show the contents) I was passed through.
I suppose if I had had the pill holder tucked into my underwear I might have had my “junk”* touched, but it would have been my own damn fault.
- By the way, I don’t think of it as my “junk”. It may not get used much any more, but I’m not yet ready to consider it useless.
And if you’re wearing some sort of surgical appliance then it’s not your own damn fault is it? But you will be patted down and it will be pawed at by an individual with no medical training who doesn’t know what the hell they’re doing.
My emphasis.
The new Acme Anal Probe 2012. It will be available in S, M and L. It is described as user friendly, requiring only 3 TSA agents to use. Two to hold the passenger down and one to insert the probe. It’s said to be painless if properly inserted. Side effects are limited, including slight bleeding and some anal leakage and minimal psychological damage. “But,” Ima Perv, TSA spokesperson stated, “we can’t have anyone’s ass blowing up at 30,000 feet.”
And so it’s come full circle. The plan revealed.
We’re being trained to do the aliens’ dirty work for them.
I am avoiding flying if at all possible. My travel on the Northeast Corridor will be Amtrak (or car). Unfortunately, when I have to leave this area it means flying.
As much as we, the passengers, should hate these intrusive measures which are of questionable use, I’ve seen a few articles where TSA agents are asked their opinions (off the record, of course, if they want to keep their jobs) and the agents hate it as much if not even more. [Before the ignorant start spouting off “they can get another job”, look at unemployment rates, especially for marginally skilled people and keep your stupidity to yourself.] While a two minute pat-down is annoying for the passengers, think about how 8 hours of it is for the agent. They are not patting down models all day long. They’re dealing with surly (and rightfully so), sometimes smelly and gross, passengers for an entire shift. Even if they are homosexual, it isn’t likely that more than a small minority of their ‘customers’ would be appealing. It’s disheartening for them; morale is lower than ever. They don’t make the policy, don’t enjoy the policy, but have to follow it. And, like employees in just about any job, the agents and their supervisors are prone to misinterpreting policy (or just plain not understanding it). They are human, they make mistakes, and it isn’t like TSA is hiring Rhodes Scholars who are intellectually curious about the minutiae of TSA policy.
Short version: 9/11 happened because “security” was looking for inanimate objects rather than looking for terrorists (the Israeli approach).
Airlines could offer flights with simple metal detectors. Then also offer flights with all measures including TSA hand jobs. Then find out which flight would have more people trying to get on. Are these measures taken for the people? Let them decide.
BBBZZZZTTTTTT!!!
When you reveal yourself to be an abject ignoramus on a subject, you lose your license to criticize others on that matter. Them’s the rules.
When come back, bring correct description of proper security procedures as practiced by the Israelis.
Oh yeah? What would you call it, sir? “Special focus on people traveling from certain countries?”
One can only imagine what would have happened had she been using a menstrual cup!!!
At least it was a grown woman – had they had a young girl who had just gotten her period, that might have been damned near traumatic. (No, I’m not exaggerating – I would have been in tears for a week. Consider how dramatic young teenagers can be)
If that were me, I’d have removed the pad, and thrown it in the TSA agent’s face. Well, not really. But I sure as hell would WANT to.
(I wonder if I could write the words “Fuck you” in some kind of substance that would show up on the scanner)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-airport-scans-pat-downs-refual-20101121,0,5604032.story
The TSA is on record as already saying that once a person submits to the screening process, he/she can not just decide to leave halfway through. It’s on the news. It’s all over the internet. Anyone traveling should be well aware by now that the time to decide you aren’t willing to undergo a potential pat down is before you get in line.
Even then,
I’d call it practicing actual security instead of security dinner theater.
And here I was expecting you to quibble over the distinction between increased scrutiny on certain nationalities, and racial profiling. You just threw buzz words at me. Booo! Booo to you!
Exactly. There is no real choice here other than the choice between being willing to accept a pat down, possibly a very intimate pat down, and not flying.
Perfectly innocent people who have embarrassing medical issues, people who have emotional issues (perhaps due to a past molestation), etc., are being forced to make that choice.
I don’t disagree with any of what you just said. Did I miss something?
No, I was emphasizing your point.