TSA Enhanced Pat Downs : The Screeners Point Of View
In the past few weeks since the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented its new “enhanced” pat down procedures there has been considerable backlash from the traveling public. This backlash has been loud and angry … but what is not heard or seen in the media is the quiet resentment of this new policy within the TSA.
A few days ago I contacted 20 TSA Transportation Security Officers (TSO) to ask their opinions of the new “enhanced” pat downs. Of the 20 I reached out to, 17 responded. All 17 who responded are at airports where the new “enhanced” pat down is in place … and the responses were all the same, that front line TSOs do not like the new pat downs and that they do not want to perform them. I expected most to not like the pat downs … but what I didn’t expect was that all 17 mentioned their morale being broken down.
Each of the 17 TSA TSOs that responded to me detailed their personal discomfort in conducting the new pat downs, with more than one stating that it is likely they are more uncomfortable performing the pat down than passengers are receiving them.
Some comments from these TSOs include:
“It is not comfortable to come to work knowing full well that my hands will be feeling another man’s private parts, their butt, their inner thigh. Even worse is having to try and feel inside the flab rolls of obese passengers and we seem to get a lot of obese passengers!”
“Do you think I want to go to work and place my hands between women’s legs and touch their breasts for a few hours? For starters, I am attracted to men, not women and if I was attracted to women, it would not be the large number of passengers I handle daily that have a problem understanding what personal hygiene is.”
“Yesterday a passenger told me to keep my hands off his penis or he’d scream. Is this how a 40 year old man in business attire acts? He’ll scream? My 3 year old can get away with saying he’ll scream, but a 40 something business man? I am a professional doing my job, whether I agree with this current policy or not, I am doing my job. I do not want to be here all day touching penises.”
“Being a TSO means often being verbally abused, you let the comments roll off and check the next person, however when a woman refuses the scanner then comes to me and tells me that she feels like I am molesting her, that is beyond verbal abuse. I asked the woman if she thought I like touching other women all day and she told me that I probably did or I wouldn’t be with the TSA. I just want to tell these people that I feel disgusted feeling other peoples private parts, but I cannot because I am a professional.”
“I was asked by some guy if I got excited touching scrotums at the airport and if it gave me a power thrill. I felt like vomiting when he asked that. This is not a turn on for me to touch me it is in fact a huge turn off. There is a big difference between how I pat passengers down and a molester molesting people.”
Aside from the issue of TSA TSOs being required to physically touch passengers in places they do not want to be touching them during the ‘enhanced’ pat down, morale is decreasing for front line TSOs, due in part to an increase in verbal abuse. Each of the 17 TSOs who responded to me detailed a new level of verbal abuse they are experiencing at work.
The TSA has experienced a high level of turn over since its inception, however its turnover rate has decreased recently. With this decrease in morale, caused directly by a change in TSA policy, it is likely to begin experiencing a higher than average turn over again … which will further decrease the effectiveness of airport security.
Some comments from these 17 TSOs include:
“Molester, pervert, disgusting, an embarrassment, creep. These are all words I have heard today at work describing me, said in my presence as I patted passengers down. These comments are painful and demoralizing, one day is bad enough, but I have to come back tomorrow, the next day and the day after that to keep hearing these comments. If something doesn’t change in the next two weeks I don’t know how much longer I can withstand this taunting. I go home and I cry. I am serving my country, I should not have to go home and cry after a day of honorably serving my country.”
“I come to work to do my job. It is not up to me to decide policy, it is up to me to carry out my duties as dictated by the Transportation Security Administration. When a person stands in front of me and calls me a pervert or accuses me of molesting them it is disheartening. People fail to understand that neither of us are happy about the intrusive pat down I am carrying out. I am polite, I am professional and while someone may not like what I have to carry out, they came to me because they choose not to utilize the alternative and less invasive method of security at my airport.”
“I served a tour in Afghanistan followed by a tour in Iraq. I have been hardened by war and in the past week I am slowly being broken by the constant diatribe of hateful comments being lobbed at me. While many just see a uniform with gloves feeling them for concealed items I am a person, I am a person who has feelings. I am a person who has served this country. I am a person who wants to continue serving his country. The constant run of hateful comments while I perform my job will break me down faster and harder than anything I encountered while in combat in the Army.”
“Do people know what a Nazi is? One can’t describe me as a Nazi because I am following a security procedure of designed to find prohibited items on a passenger’s body. A Nazi is someone with hatred and ignorance in their hearts, a person who carried out actions of execution and extermination of those based on their religion, origins or sexual preferences. I work to make travel safer, even if I do not agree with the current security procedures. Further more, I am Jewish and a TSA Transportation Security Officer, an American Patriot and to call me a Nazi is an offense beyond all other offenses.”
There are multiple sides to every story, and I think the point of view of those on the front lines of the TSA, those required to carry on the policy and procedures created by the TSA, are an import part of this story. I think those organizing efforts to change the TSA’s policy should also consider the impact to the TSA TSOs.
Rather than dehumanize the TSA TSOs, work with them, understand their views and opinions and work together to change the current TSA policies.
Happy Flying!
I agree with most of the comments here that “just doing my job” and “just following orders” are no excuse for molesting scores of innocent travelers – nor of taking nude scans of them.
I would expect procedures like this to be done in a country like China, not America. All they are doing is showing their lack of knowledge, training and experience, to pick out that 0.1% (hands free), who might have nefarious intentions. Instead, they are being ordered to treat the rest of the 99.9% of innocent travelers like hardened criminals getting ready to enter prison, not an airport. A scan and a pat-down are NOT the only options! An experienced TSO should be able to conduct an intelligent interview, hands free, while preserving a passenger’s dignity and civil liberties.
“Do people know what a Nazi is?”
Not everyone who employed the Nuremberg defense was a member of the Nazi Party. Someone had to drive the trains across Poland.
I cannot believe this has shown what America has turned into. I am speaking of both sides. The ones against the TSA has turned into a herd or mob mentality.The more they hear people agreeing with them the worse they say.I would not doubt if I hear someone say we should beat up any agent who searches us.Based on things I have read on this blog and others I could see it happen. Everyone is suggesting the Opt out day.All that will accomplish is making everyone wait longer, getting more angry especially when EVERYONE starts missing flights.Which they will. No matter how much they back up or yell the TSA is not going to open the line holding a sign only that says “Enjoy your flight!” with a smile.They are not going to suddenly let everyone through because the line is long.The more people wait and miss their flights the more dangerous it will get for those who lose their temper and those in line who have no problem with the screening but everyone will pay for it.
I am one who says ‘dont fly then’ but just like there will be a couple who say the same thing there will be those who say F-off with the others agreeing. When I bought the ticket I knew I would have to be walking through security, reguardless if the ticket was bought a year ago or yesterday. If I objected I would not have bought the ticket.
I object to them being called Nazi’s..it simply is not the same thing but this will get me swore at like everyone else. I will say this and risk the name calling.
I find very offensive that they are calling pat downs ‘sexual assault’. It is not the same thing. I am someone who has been the victim of sexual assault. Do you want to know what sexual assault is? it is violent assault of your personal area being done against your will. It is painful and scarring. It goes way beyond a touch or a pat. It is having things done to and put in your body violently while you are crying, struggling and begging not to. Is this really the same thing? Or are you simply uncomfortable, embarrassed and inconvenienced? Did you know beforehand you would get a pat down or touched, or have the possibility of it? I didnt. Am I saying it is not humiliating? NO I am not. But please at least take a moment to realize it is quite upsetting to hear that phrase being used to benefit your point of view and used as a throwaway term. It may be embarrassing but it is not assault. You went in of your own free will, knowing you may be subject to a search (metal detector, scanner, pat down or otherwise), you have options. You can OPT for a pat down. I could NOT. It is NOT the same thing. And before anyone asks yes I have had a pat down. The last time I flew I went through a metal detector and a pat down that took less than a minute. Trust me when I say that I am sensitive to touch and if at any time it seemed to linger or they were ‘enjoying it’ or went slowly over some areas I would be the first to know. It was not like that. Was it embarrassing. Of course it was but not terribly so. I have been more embarrassed by doctors to be honest.
I am not saying people dont have the right to be upset or even protest but the proper way is to write the government. Not to hold up thousands in the misguided belief that they will stop and let everyone through and beg forgiveness. I would rather have security than none. All I ask is for people to stop throwing the term ‘sexual assault’. It is not the same and is highly disrespectful to those who have been.
TSA and TSO’s hold your ground and keep up the good and faithful work at our air ports around the country. I work in a prison and understand the feelings that you have during pat downs. We pat offenders on a daily basis as they exit there work places and at times do random pats also. Don’t think about what has just been done. That is totally in the past. YOu have done your job and now its on to the next person. It is the next person that is now your focus. This is the person that may have a box cutter or even a gun lodged between there legs or in there underware. How great would it be to stop that person at the gate and save the lives of all entering the security area or on the plane. Thanks again for you daily work for our protection.
Jeff
I feel sorry for the TSA officers. I know what it is like to be the blunt of the anger of the public due to policy I have no control over. To dare think that these officers are “part of the problem” is a misnomer. If anything, you want agents who are disgusted with the situation. If they keep quitting because they are in disagreement of the policy only means the organization will keep rehiring until they get people who love to grope you for a living. Do you really want that?
To assume these agents should just quit because it is better to move back in with their parents is short-sighted. So they are also to take their wife, and children with them? What if the job they are doing is to support their elderly parents. Then what happens when it is “better” for them to quit in an economy that makes one hard pressed to find a job? Is it really better?
No, these agents are not the problem, nor are they part of the problem. If they leave their post due to disagreement with the policy, the agency will only hire more until they get people that do agree. The policy does not change because of these officers who are just trying to do their job.
Give me a frickin break. The TSO’s are not the victims here. If giving up one’s constitutional right (4th Amendment) is the price to pay for the privilege of flying, what other rights under other circumstances are sheople willing to give up? Why not full body scanning or groping at large malls, or professional sporting events, or concerts, or high school football games? Any right continuously curbed, incrementally or otherwise, will soon cease to exist.
I agree with the first poster. If you served in Afghanistan you should be able to grab any man’s balls you want.
Well, only once you’ve been discharged, of course. Otherwise it would be gay, and DADT is still in force.
reading all these posts..and I agree with opting out and standing up for your right not to be touched….I wonder about the psycological(Sic..sorry) affect on the TSA goons…after hour after hour and day after day of touching people’s genitals…would they not eventualyl start ‘acting out’?spilling over into their personal lives…twisting thier minds so that if they weren’t sexual diviants before..they turn into ones?
Please, give us the flying public a break. We are at war with terrorism. We need to squarely face that reality. Stop pussyfooting around about whose feelings we hurt. We must begin to incorporate all of our global allies intel with positive verifiable ID. We must do profiling to catch the most likely terrorists. Yes we generally don’t like to do that as it is basically against our open policies in the USA. Too bad… we are at war with these fanatics and we need to identify them by profile and refuse airline service to all that fit the well documented profile. The Israeli airline will not allow anybody to board a flight that has not positively passed a through computer check of who they are, where they are going and why, should they let you fly? If you fail their profile they simply say” Fly some other airline. You are not going to board our plane. Drastic measures are called for when the fanatics continue to try to win by terrorizing the flying public. Make them pay not us. Force them into full body cavity searches. Forget our 3 year old babies and our 67 year old grandmothers. Yes some legitimate potential fliers are going to be verry upset at the se require new security measures. Too bad. It is absolutely necessary until these enemis stop threating the flying public. You already know what the profile should be. Require total documentation of all passengers. Use our mega-cray computers to verify who these potential passengers are and if not verified in advance, they do not fly on our plane. Check all lugage with the full search proceedure. Profilling is absolutely necessary during times of war!!!
The TSA is rediculously stupid, I am a member of the Armed Forces of the United States. I was in uniform with my ID and they told me I was selected for enhanced security checks. So I must have looked like Al-Queda. We have to stop the erosion our basic constitutional rights!
They act like they are forced to come to work every day. Know what I did when I hated my job? I quit. And everyone says “Its not responsible to quit knowing the economy is so bad.” That is a poor excuse, I had another job lined up within the week.
I personally think that the new pat downs are not that bad. Sure, they might be touching some sensitive areas, and if you’re obese, it might be kind of embarrasing, but think about it, is it really that bad? They just tough you a little and the you’re done. They won’t remember about how you felt like because they touch a lot of people each day. It is sort of strange, but what do you have to be embarrased about? That they are touching you? So please, give them a freaking second chance!
You picked the job, you weren’t drafted, you’d better grab my balls and smile while you do it. None of this back of the hand garbage, either. Cup them or leave me alone.
I’m happy that some of you think that the TSA only takes away nail clippers and water bottles. That’s adorable. Fact is, the TSA confiscates firearms. ammunition, and a variety of other weapons (can you belive I found throwing stars twice?) on a daily basis. I, myself, found gun clips and have been present when a loaded gun was brought to the check point. My airport was TINY and we found these things.
Added bonus for those of you who would like profiling, you would not have picked out the 75 year old Vietnamese lady with the loaded gun. I’m just sayin…
OK, I’ve read a good part of the comments here, and here’s my summary on the majority of positions:
1. “These TSO folks are just doing their jobs, leave them alone”. This is simply invalid – the Milgram experiment has been cited quite a few times, and quite appropriately. If you don’t know it, google it, it provides some interesting, yet scary, insights into human psychology. The more drastic variant is the Nazi comparison, which some state, and some violently refuse. I wouldn’t go as far as calling these people nazis, yet: it is true, the excuse is always the same, and not a viable one: “I know I’m doing wrong, but I’m just following orders” is just not valid. If someone tries to force you to do something that is against your belief, ethics, or morale, you must have the balls to say NO.
2. “If you don’t like the procedures, don’t fly”. Yeah, grab your canoe and paddle to Hawaii. Take the bridge over the atlantic to London. There are a lot of people who have no choice but to fly. In extreme cases, if they don’t fly, they lose their job – as simple as that.
2a). For all the self-proclaimed patriots: what is the difference between the TSO in case 1. and the person in case 2. losing their job? Nothing in terms of the job being lost. But a lot in the reasons: Either you refuse to be oppressed – the only act of protest you would have left – , or you refuse to be the oppressor because you don’t want to take the dignity of others.
3. “But you have the choice of not submitting to the pat-down”. Sure you do. At the expense of some potential health risk (which I’m not trying to overemphasize here, but it is being discussed), plus a possibly humiliating experience. In addition, if there is anything “suspicious” detected in that machine, such as prosthetics, you’ll get the secondary screening as well. So your choices are a) potential health risk + humiliation 1, or b) humiliation 2, or c) if you’re lucky enough, potential health risk + humiliations 1 and 2. That’s what I call choice. And all of that because you have to attend a meeting overseas.
I do understand the outcry these procedures have produced, and I do condemn them because they now criminalize everyone and leave them virtually without any rights. Sadly, the outcry is only happening now, now that the majority of the american population is getting to feel the effects. Where was the outcry when arabic-looking people were discriminated? Where was it when foreigners were standing in line for hours just to get into the States for a business trip waiting at 4 open counters, having to answer senseless questionnaires, while Americans passed within 15 minutes through 10 open counters? Yeah, sure, it only hurts when it affects you personally. Think about it. Yes, I confess, I’m an average, completely innocent, non-terrorist european guy who has been treated like a ‘guilty-until-proven-innocent’ alien before. Something that I’ve seen happen to many foreigners in the States, yet never to any US citizen in Europe. Where does that hubris come from? Anyway, I am digressing. All I would like to see is just a tad more openmindedness — this is not just about your 4th amendment rights, but about human rights and dignity in general. This is not about humiliating americans, but about humiliating people.
And finally, some numbers. The possibility of getting struck by lightning is 1 in 500,000, every year. The possibility of dying in a terrorist attack on a US-operated aircraft was 1 in 25,000,000 in the last decade(!). You do the math and decide whether this hysteria and security theater is worth anything, except for a gross violation of human rights.
If you don’t like the rules don’t fly simple The government is not changing policy because the american people have a short term memory and forget very quickly why TSA are in airports . As long as their are terrorist still trying to board planes and take them down TSA will still be around . Flying is a privilege not a right you want to protest go ahead you just wont fly . To the people that think that all terrorist are muslims and wear turbines your sadly mistaken you need to do your research .Timothy James McVeigh (terrorist) DC Sniper (terrorist)
Jeff wrote at 6:58 pm: “TSA and TSO’s hold your ground and keep up the good and faithful work at our air ports around the country. I work in a prison and understand the feelings that you have during pat downs. We pat offenders on a daily basis…”
Jeff, you’re a freaking idiot. I am NOT a convict. I haven’t been convicted of anything. How can you confuse prisoners with free American citizens lawfully going about their business?
@ Jason, #4: Thx Jason, your post is simply perfect. Not more, not less.
Here we are in the shadow of 9/11 and the US government is taking your rights away just like Germany did so many years ago. Yes, flying is a privilege, but so is driving your car. Do you realize how people would be going out of their minds if we could drag drivers and passengers out of their cars for no reason, but only that SOMEONE SOMEWHERE might be a terrorist? McVeigh and the DC Sniper both terrorized using cars, but we sure as heck didn’t molest other motorists. TSO’s, with no doubt in my mind, get some kind of kinky, perverted pleasure of doing the enhanced pat downs. I would describe them as power tripping, perverted molesters of children and adults alike. Creepy, YES, sickos, YES, should be ashamed of themselved, YES.
Boo hoo. Next time a TSA agent “just does their job” and touches your penis, ask them how many terrorist penises they have stroked in service of the country. If that doesn’t get them crying, ask them to estimate how much safer the country is (as a percent) now that they’ve touched your sexual organs. Keep going until they crumble or you end up on the news asking the same questions.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin.
“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, — go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!” – Samuel Adams
Listen, asshole, I didn’t move half way across the country from my family under the impression that I wouldn’t be able to visit my family ever again without getting sexually assaulted at the airport. Maybe you don’t need to fly, and that’s great. Then shut the fuck up and stop spouting ignorant drivel.
You know what is a RIGHT and not a PRIVILEGE in this country? The Goddamned right to privacy. The government doesn’t get to pick and choose when it gets violated. Ignorant moron.
A few replies:
1) The scanners produce a naked image of you, a strip search, that is viewed by a TSA agent so to my mind it is an equal violation, just one that appears more acceptable.
2) Despite claims that images cannot be stored or transmitted two facts remain. Firstly the U.S. Marshall’s service has in fact secretly retained and stored images from backscatter scanners, in this case scanners operated by the service at a courthouse in Florida. The story recently became public as did the fact that they had been doing so without telling anyone. While you say they cannot be saved the fact remains that it has occurred. And Secondly, the promise that “it won’t happen” comes from an agency that has steadfastly refused to answer public questions about its proposals and has a record of changing rules in bad ways with no warning. As a consequence the TSA’s credibility is low.
In the film “Cool Hand Luke” the hero (Paul Newman) is in prison and is informed that his mother has passed away. Following prison policy, he is to be locked up mostly naked in an outbuilding because, as the warden notes, “A man who hears about his mother dying thinks about running away.” As he is being stripped to be sent out there one of the guards says “Sorry Luke it’s my job.” To which Luke replies: “That don’t make it right.
The second is the restaurant scene in “Brazil” where the restaurant is blown up and the host, unable to actually find the terrorists or prevent a future attack, has a screen put in place to hide the problem.
Ultimately I find the policy to be wrong and, while I have some sympathy for the feelings of the agents and would not call them Nazi’s, they are still executing the policy and getting paid to do it. Job or not, that don’t make it right.
Everyone flying should not shower and not wear clean clothes until after security check points. Then go change and clean up (with your little bottles of stuff) in the restroom… Make the job really worth having for the body snatchers. The most poignant comment I have read was the mother talking about her daughter and how she has taught her to scream and draw attention if someone touches her inappropriately. This is a very stressful decision – do you now go back and tell your child that it is ok sometimes that strangers can touch you… now you have doctors, TSA agaents where will the list stop. Isn’t it confusing and why is it ok for us adults? IT IS NOT OK! But on the other hand being a single woman can I opt for a guy to grope me, If I so choose?
So if you are TSA employee and you don’t like the regs you’re supposed to quit.
They if you have a job that requires you to fly, you’re supposed to…. quit?
The TSA aren’t Nazis, they aren’t the SS, they aren’t wearing jack boots. Your Congressional Representatives are the people who need to answer for this, and every time you blame a TSA agent instead of contacting the people at fault or hiring a lawyer or contacting your civic leaders, you become more and more of a Nazi sympathizer. At least, that’s what this facile analogy seems to imply.
Then if they don’t like it they should refuse, if enough TSOs stand up and refuse to assault passengers, then the TSA must take notice.
As a flyer who has been on countless planes a month for almost 10 years. I have watched the birth and evolution of the TSA.
TSA is a mess. It serves no security mission, and its latest deputy director calls TSA and Intelligence Agency! So now, according to TSA, you as a passenger, an American, are actually viewed as a potential Intelligence Target. This is a crime against Americans and what we are.
I watched season Secret Service senior agents be recruited to help build DHS and TSA, that was 9 years ago-a whole different level of professionalism. Real patriots, real professionals. These men are all now retired, and the “b” team are classic “workers” attempting to build “careers” and get paychecks-nothing else-it is a job-and they will do what ever someone dictates because they want a big screen TV etc. Constitutional rights, God Given rights,American way of life-freedom play no part-its a paycheck-and that tells me who and what they are. These TSA officers are also ignorant, bottom of the barrel. Maybe a public high school diploma between a few of them, no understanding of constitutional rights, just what their supervisor told them to do. They have no powers of arrest,they have no long term formal training in counter terrorism, they are a warm body doing what they cannot get a machine to do-hold your private parts-and feel for what-a lump?
Calling some Nazis is not unfair. The Nazis that America and the rest of the world hunted down would always say when caught ” I was just doing my job…” Its the same. Look at http://www.drudgereport.com there is a TSA good stripping a 6 year old boy of his clothing -that is a CRIME. If he worked at a school, he would be sitting in jail looking at a 10 year sentence and be registered as a sex offender for life. If a police officer did this to your son in any town USA, he would be sued in civil court-you would own his home, and he would loose his job and most likely go to jail.
Thinking back 9 years ago-I flew on one of the first American Airlines flight from San Diego to NY when the flight ban was lifted after 9/11. I and another passenger were asked by the Captain and the stewardess to sit in first class. We were given two bottles of champaign (Magnum sizes) and a towel. We were told to beat and kill anyone who attempted to go into the cockpit. We were asked if we had a problem with the request-“hell no-bring on the attacker-we have a drink for him…” Everyone on the flight was aware and tuned on to any threat. Nothing happened and all were fine. That was Americans with American know how solving a problem. It costs two bottles of champaign. I took mine to ground zero and gave it to a aid worker.
The new xray machines do not detect explosives or threats-the Muslims who did 9?11 had razor blades-hidden in mouth, taped to the bottom of feet, under a wig-who knows… The Xray demeans the passengers. They violate our 4th amendment rights, they also violate federal and state child sexual content laws and regulations. It is ILLEGAL to view ANY image of a naked child on any electronic device, screen. The child is “naked” technically and viewed on a screen-does not matter why or how-the prisons are filled with people who viewed images like what TSA is generating. If the images of children were taken from TSA and “outsiders: had them, they would go to jail for viewing “classic legal defined Child Porn”…thats the facts.
Mr. Chertoff who was the first director of DHS/TSA is a PAID consultant who LOBBIED to have the Xray machines adopted by DHS. He has been paid MILLIONS for securing the contract $160 million plus for the use of the machines by his past department-that is a conflict of interest-it would be interesting to see who else on his original DHS team works for the xray company or his firm, or the lobby group. It is unethical, immoral and criminal.
The new congress will be bringing an investigation to this situation, and the leaders have already set this in motion. Once the new congress is sworn in, the curtain will be pulled back and America will see who, what and where-congress will de-fund TSA and DHS…its already done. Secret Service, Coast Guard and others will become their own entities again.
Hillary Clinton stated she would not endure the “groping” or abuse at the hands of TSA. NApalitanno will not allow anyone to “scan” her, or touch her.
The de classified TSA Xray manual that was leaked on http://www.cryptome.org states the xray machines need to be calibrated, but no one has said what a calibration schedule should look like. No one at TSA wears a RAD dose meter-so if a machine is leaking excess Xray, even the belt scans for luggage-no one would ever know until someone got sick. Dont for one minute believe that the machines dont malfunction, have a leak, or are just running at a highter level…there is no system in place to protect anyone-even the TSA worker bee’s. At your doctors office-the xray tech, who stands behind a LEAD wall wears a dose meter-and she sends it in every 2 weeks for testing! She is behind a LEAD wall. The government said years ago Agent Orange was safe- they also had soldiers stand and watch nukes go off in the pacific and Las Vegas desert…
Every time you stand waiting for your bag, how much xray is leaking out and exposing you and all the other flyers waiting-you will never know-there is no process, and if there was a leak, will they ever alert you that machine number 2326 at BWI was leaking excessive xray for 2 months-answer is no you will never know.
Simple put-TSA serves no real purpose but to project some show of force-force that has no real capability other than to intimidate. We do not need TSA to operate a metal detector or to hold a explosive sniffing dog. Local LE can do that-they also have a keen sense on picking out criminals-and terrorists are criminals…children, Americans, elderly, business flyers-pretty much 99.99999999999% are people going from one place to another. We got it under control.
The passengers who fly now all know what happened on 9/11. No person will be able to breach the cabin door to the cockpit-and if they do, many of the pilots are armed with pistols. And we have roving Air Marshalls, but best of all, we have a vigilant flyers who are Americans, and we are a strong people who will give the benefit of the doubt, the shirts off our backs, but will not be victimized. We know a terrorist who attempts to do anything on a plane will be stopped by the passengers-with brute force, coke cans, purses, DVD players, computers, and good old fists of fury.
Just look a few years back when a man was pounding on the Southwest airlines cockpit door during a flight. The passengers all ran to him, pinned him to the ground, kicked his ass so bad he died of his injury. Was that plane ever in danger-hell no. The passengers know what to do-they become pro active and stop the threat to their lives and the lives of their fellow Americans.
The shoe bomber from last Christmas was a joke. He was an INTERNATIONAL traveler who was stopped and beaten by the passengers. How did he get on board the international plane without a passport or id or ticket. Well a video was leaked and showed a clean shaven man, in a suit, escorting him through and around security -I wonder who that escort was-no one seems to talk about that- I would think that person on the video would be the on the FBI most wanted list-but he is nowhere to be seen. HMMMMMM.
Dont let TSA Xray you, dont let them touch your private parts. Ask your congressman to be added to the witness list for the upcoming hearings. Its time to bring common sense back to our American way of life. Get close to your congressional leaders and tell them what you want-stop the sexual abuse by TSA. Protect your 4th amendment rights and the rights of our fellow Americans and children.
God bless America, and no one has the right to touch you or search you.
American (#15) –
There are people who CAN’T go through the body scanners, even if they wanted to. People, for example, with certain medical devices, such as insulin pumps. These very expensive medical devices cannot be exposed to xrays. These people have no choice but to go through the horribly invasive ‘pat downs’ (molestations) by TSO’s. I don’t care if the TSO ‘feels bad’ – fact is, as long as they keep doing it, they’re doing NOTHING to solve the problem, they ARE the problem.
I don’t like being told that I have a choice when I clearly DON’T. I live in Hawaii (born and raised). The ONLY way to travel is by plane since those idiots got rid of the SuperFerry. I have to choose between government sanctioned “house arrest” or being molested. Great.
You’ve got to feel bad for these government mandated molesters. Imagine if you were to arrive at work to discover that a new clause in your job description requires you to molest a portion of your customers and that the requirement has more than just the blessing of Uncle Sam. Would you quit; forfeit your pension?
‘I was only following orders’ stopped being any kind of valid or legitimate mitigation for awful actions, a very long time ago.
I’m saddened that people who served their country in war and who want to serve their country in a domestic security setting are being given orders like this. I’m sad people are being given orders to be inappropriate with the genitals of people to whom they aren’t sexually attracted. And I’m saddened that they don’t have the integrity to refuse to follow those orders.
The fact that the person giving you work orders is a jerk doesn’t diminish the fact that you’re a jerk for following them. Fine, it’s not rape, it’s not murder and it’s not you issuing the policy. But it is an act that would be sexual assault in any other context, and it is you who’s touching me inappropriately when I decide that it’s the lesser evil available. You’re still a jerk – get a better job.
The real question that needs answered is why our government refuses to either address or discuss the simple question “why do they hate us”? The need is about common sense. Political solution is the only answer.
We don’t have much longer as a nation to address the root problem instead of pouring money and liberty at the symptoms.
It is fine and dandy to take your anger and frustration out on TSO’s for the newly implementmented pat down techniques, as well as, the body scanners. These are necessary. You need to remember, It is the duty of the TSO’s to protect the public from these terrorists. But has anyone thought what will be happening when and if the airport goes with private security companies. The same procedures will be in effect for the body scanners and pat downs. Will everyone be willing to call them purverts, sexual abusers and so forth. To privatise airports would be extremely expensive and time consuming, i.e., training on all levels these TSO’s perform. For most of you out there who are negative about the present procedures look up the the word “IGNORANT” in Webster’s dictionary.
One fine morning while at work feeling penises of fellow Americans a terrorist will come up to you and blow himself up. Gp get a real job you faggots.
I have never read so many abusive comments in my life. Especially the ones that say TSOs are stupid or deserve abuse. What the hell is wrong with you people? I’m so glad I’m not flying during this holidays. Not because of the new orders forcing TSOs to search, although I feel bad that they have to be subjected to all this. I’m glad I’m not flying with you crazy, selfish, horrible people. You’d be the first to condemn TSOs if someone did bring an explosive on a plane. You’d be the people stepping on the heads of others trying to get off the plane, not caring for anyone but yourselves.
I have great respect for all those who give service to our country, and to other countries in our name. TSOs and those they go home to, members of the military, their families, members of the state department who put themselves in harms way to benefit us in the US. I am so ashamed of so many of you commenters here. Argue for your rights all you want, but the US used to be known for its compassion and kindness, for our ability to bear difficulties and still be fair and welcoming people. I am sad to see that change. TSOs everywhere, thank you for enduring this fresh hell, for putting yourselves in harm’s way, for enduring all these things, for our sake. I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I am so grateful for your work, your patience, and your amazing professionalism.
I am stunned with the US gov’t introducing such privacy violating procedures. Either full body scan or the enhanced groping procedures.
I have travelled in and out of Israel 10 times in the last 3 years and THEY KNOW HOW TO PERFORM screenings, security checks and have NOT had any bomber board their planes. They have don so, WITH NO full body scanners, NO groping procedures, but just with interviews, luggage X-rays, etc.
It is my believe that the US gov’t installed those machines BECAUSE George Soros and others in the same circles have invested heavily in the companies that makes the equipment that now is being installed nationwide, IN THE US but NOT anywhere else in the world.
I probably quit my job before I continue flying for a living and going through such humiliation at our nations airports…
There are always two sides to the story. At least!
I hope we have this thing figured out by the time I go on Spring Break with my family.
I’m Star Alliance Gold = I fly a lot. And I’ve encountered my fair share of random TSA policies over the last few years. My favorite exchange was – TSA: “Yes, you can bring breast milk, but where’s your baby? You can’t bring breast milk without a baby.” Oh, really. Then why the hell would I have a cooler of breast milk and a pump? I demanded a supervisor and was told that being able to bring breast milk without a baby was an old rule (even though I had the printed out Web page from that day with me) and that he’d let me slide, this time. Last I checked, it’s the same rule.
As much as I disagree with the new policies, I do believe that the TSOs have a choice. If they dread coming to work everyday because it is morally and emotionally draining leaving them to cry every night, then quit. No one is forcing them to come to work every day. Yes, it is a tight job market, but I would rather lose my job than my own self-respect.
These new policies stink – and frankly, they’re not going to catch any more “bad guys” than the old policies or the policies before that. They’re just going to p**s off the flying public until the public doesn’t fly anymore.
And who’s that going to hurt? The airlines – one of the largest industries in the country, employing thousands upon thousands of people.
It’s time the airlines join into this conversation. I want to hear what they have to say about this.
Me? I’m going to continue flying … to countries where they treat human beings the way human beings should be treated. That behavior stopped here a long time ago.
Why don’t they use the traditional metal detectors and DOGS!!! Dogs can be trained to detect bombs. Between the two how can you go wrong?
What happens if some terrorist hides a bomb in his rectum? We gonna do rubber glove searches soon too to everyone??
Most of you who complain about this are the same ones who voted for Obama. So, take your medicine and live with it.
It’s not consent to choose the better of 2 evils. Would you rather give me $1000 or $10000? There, you just ‘consented’ to give me $1000.
I cannot even begin to say how much #539 echoes my thoughts. I’ve posted twice already (#288 and #318), but comment #539 (Beth Burton) really articulates exactly how I feel.
BRAVA for common sense! BRAVA for decency and compassion (the traits that used to make this the best country in the world).
Suggestion: there’s lots of trained nurse assistants that are out of job because of the recession. Let them do this: they’ll know what a foreign object (bomb) is, what a medically necessary object is, and less people will object because it will be associated with the idea of going to the doctor. All in private rooms. If it comes to that, recruit medical sonographers to do the picture screening – they’re better trained and I have two friends who were top of their class and had a hard time getting work, so the labor supply should be good too.
Then train all TSOs to be nurse assistants/sonographers, so if they quit as they maybe should, at least they’ll have wider options.
Great stimulus idea, no?