I'm done.
Fuck the airline industry.
Printable View
I'm done.
Fuck the airline industry.
If the TSA has their way they won't be free either.
Quote:
"I want to take TSA to the next level," Pistole said.
Members of Congress Exempt From TSA AIT Full Body Scanners
Eric Calouro | Nov 20, 2010 | Comments (16)
http://cdn.erictric.com/wp-content/u...ple-images.jpg
We’ve tried really hard to stay away from the increasingly popular TSA AIT full body scanners topic, and for a good reason. Personally, I don’t mind the use of them on myself, but I can see why many folks feel like it’s a violation of their privacy. To a certain extent it is.
What’s motivating me to publish this post is the fact that you ought to know why this topic isn’t resonating as much as we would like it to with Congressional members. So, why isn’t it a big issue with our Congressmen and Congresswomen?
Could it be the fact that they’re, say, exempt from TSA screening? You betcha.
See, some members of Congress fly to and from Washington on military jets. The fact that they may not be checked for weapons here is understandable, given they’re not traveling with civilian passengers, but other members of Congress often travel commercially.
Case in point: newly-appointed Speaker of the House John Boehner.
The man often travels domestically with other passengers, but gets to bypass TSA security and go directly to the gate. Sure, the man likely isn’t planning to cause harm, but still, should he not be expected to endure the checks the rest of us must?
Head of the Republican party Michael Steel confirmed that Congress members are, in fact, exempt from security screening.
Just wonderful.
Yeah, Mrs. Clinton was droning on this morning about how we probably are going to have to suck it up and do this.
Then when she was asked, "Would you go through this?"
"Nope, not if I don't have to!"
Poor things..... I EXPANDED some text below. I want you people to read what it says, VERY CAREFULLY.
TSA workers face verbal abuse from travelers
Union that represents airport screeners urges agency to protect employees
- Below:
- x Jump to data Where are the scanners?
- data
- x Jump to discussion comments below
- discussion
- x Related story TSA chief apologizes to traveler with ostomy
- related
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By Harriet Baskas Travel writer
msnbc.com contributor msnbc.com contributor
updated 1 hour 36 minutes ago 2010-11-22T20:37:10
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Airline passengers aren’t the only ones complaining about the Transportation Security Administration’s new enhanced security procedures. Many TSA employees aren’t too happy, either.
The American Federation of Government Employees, the union that represents TSA workers, is urging the TSA to do more to protect its employees from abuse from airline passengers angry over the new security methods. The union reports that some members “have reported instances in which passengers have become angry, belligerent and even physical with TSOs (transportation security officers). In Indianapolis, for example, a TSO was punched by a passenger who didn’t like the new screening process,” the union said in a Nov. 17 statement posted on its website.
- Related coverage
- http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/C...d.grid-2x2.jpg
AP
Fed-up fliers protest airport security measures For 30 years, Marcia Miller has flown to Toledo, Ohio, to join four generations of her family for Thanksgiving. But this year, thanks to new airport security measures, she's opting to stay home. Full story- Lessons learned from 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'
- Road work may slow your holiday road trip
- Tactical Thanksgiving: holiday travel game plan
- Hefty surcharges a new holiday travel tradition
- Holiday travel 2010: what you need to know
Union President John Gage called on TSA to provide an educational pamphlet to each passenger describing both their rights and the details of the new procedures, which include full-body scans and enhanced pat-downs.
Video: Counterterrorism expert defends use of pat-downs (on this page) “This absence of information has resulted in a backlash against the character and professionalism of TSOs,” said Gage in a statement. “TSA must act now — before the Thanksgiving rush — to ensure that TSOs are not being left to fend for themselves.”
“Our concern is that the public not confuse the people implementing the policies with the people who developed the policies,” said Sharon Pinnock, the union's director of membership and organization.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday the government will take into account the public's concerns and complaints as it evaluates airport security measures. He says TSA procedures will continue to evolve.
Story: TSA chief apologizes to traveler with ostomy
Some travelers have vowed to disrupt airport security Wednesday in a protest timed for the busiest travel day of the year, as millions of Americans fly off for annual family feasts.
“TSOs are trained security professionals,” Pinnock said. “Despite this call for chaos and disruption, it’s our belief that our members and people we represent will respond as the security professionals that they are.”
Complaints of verbal abuse
Full-body scanners are now in place at close to 70 airports and send virtually naked images of passengers to a TSA screener at a remote location. Those who wish to avoid the scanners must instead undergo a new, open-palmed pat-down that many travelers, and even some security officers, feel is too personally invasive.
Aviation and security blogger Steven Frischling said he has received comments from TSA front-line screeners complaining of verbal abuse.
“Molester, pervert, disgusting, an embarrassment, creep. These are all words I have heard today at work describing me. ...These comments are painful and demoralizing,” one unnamed TSO posted on Frischling’s website.
Another said: “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 have encountered a few TSA transportation security officers that have the ‘We're keeping people safe’ attitude,” said Frischling, “But when you ask them about specific aspects of the TSA's policy or procedure, they backpedal a bit and admit there are problems.”
Interactive: Airport Security (on this page) TSA chief John Pistole said Monday on NBC’s TODAY show that the agency is reviewing its passenger screening methods to ensure they are as minimally invasive as possible. "We're going to look at how can we do the most effective screening in the least invasive way knowing that there's always a trade-off between security and privacy," Pistole said.
Pistole noted that those getting body searches constitute "a very small percent" of the 34 million people who have flown since the new policy went into effect.
“Obviously our work force has received the brunt of the frustration from passengers but seem to be dealing with it quite well, as they have been reassured they are doing a critical job at a critical time,” said TSA spokesman Nico Melendez. He added that TSA employees are prohibited from talking to the media “without prior approval.”
“The thing to keep in mind is that stress affects screeners as much as it does travelers,” said Tom Murphy, director of the Human Resiliency Institute at Fordham University. Murphy has provided customer-service training to screeners at many U.S. airports. “While senior government officials explore how to achieve optimum security in less intrusive, and therefore less stressful, ways my recommendation to travelers is to try to see this from the screeners’ point of view.”
A stressful job
Guy Winch, an expert on the psychology of complaining and customer service and the author of a forthcoming book, “The Squeaky Wheel,” is concerned with the stress levels TSA employees may be experiencing this week on the job.
He explains that the “emotional labor” TSA workers must do — “processing people regardless of hostile exchanges … and looking for explosives and weapons” — makes the stakes for performing their duties correctly “as high as they get.” Winch says the best thing TSA administrators can do for employees doing enhanced pat-downs is to provide an extra layer of managerial and supervisory support. “They need to convey the message that superiors are aware of the stresses the employees are under and are there to support them.”
Winch says having a mental health professional on staff or available as a referral “can be crucial in helping the people who did not make these rules but are charged with enforcing and implementing them nonetheless.”
Stewart Baker, who worked at the Department of Homeland Security as its first secretary of policy under President George W. Bush, suspects the new security protocols and the aggressive reaction of some passengers is hurting TSA morale.
“TSA has made a lot of progress in training its officers to be professional even in the face of unhappy passengers, but the latest protocols — and press coverage of the most inflammatory stories — have led to a much higher level of hostility,” said Baker.
“Instead of making this Wednesday National Opt-Out Day in which a bunch of self-appointed guardians of liberty slow down the line for everyone by asking for pat-downs,” said Baker, “maybe what we need is a day when everyone who goes through the line says, ‘Thanks for what you do.’ ”
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.
Harriet Baskas is a frequent contributor to msnbc.com, author of the “Stuck at the Airport” blog and a columnist for USATODAY.com. You can follow her on Twitter .
I really couldn't resist posting this.
It's a picture of Janet N. talking about the "Don't touch my junk" guy I think....
Home : Traffic :
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Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Regular Photo Size
DHS Chief To Visit Trenton Train Station
TRENTON, N.J. - The nation's Homeland Security chief wants people to be vigilant heading into the holiday travel season.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will discuss the "If you see something, say something" campaign during a visit to the Trenton train station Monday.
The campaign urges Americans to report suspicious activity while traveling. It encourages the public and workers to identify and report signs of terrorism and crime to police and transit authorities.
The program began in the New York City region and has since grown. It's being trumpeted ahead of the holiday travel season.
Napolitano will be joined by U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and New Jersey State Police Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security Lt. Col. Jerome Hatfield.
TSA Chief Apologizes To Bladder Cancer Survivor After Excruciating Experience In Detroit
» 1 commentby Mark Joyella | 3:35 pm, November 22nd, 2010
video
http://static01.mediaite.com/med/wp-...62-300x188.pngThe story retired teacher Thomas Sawyer tells of his experience at the hands of a TSA officer at Detroit’s airport makes you want to scream at the TSA agent and give Mr. Sawyer a hug–and now TSA Chief John Pistole has called to apologize.
Sawyer, a cancer survivor, lost his bladder and has a urostomy bag attached to his body under his clothing. When a body scanner picked up the bag at a security checkpoint, Sawyer was pulled aside for an enhanced pat down. As Sawyer recounted the story Monday on CNN’s American Morning, what happened next was avoidable–and humiliating:
“He started to talk about the pat down procedure and I said I need to tell you about my medical condition. He said, no you don’t need to tell me, and I said no, really, I have to…He proceeded just with the pat down. When he got to my chest area, he used his open palm and started going down my chest quite hard. And I knew if he got down near where my urostomy bag was, there was a possibility of pulling the seal off of it.”
Mr. Sawyer warned the TSA agent to go slow and soft at risk of tearing away the tube connected to Mr. Sawyer’s stomach, but that didn’t happen. “Once that happened, it was kind of like pulling the seal off a container of orange juice and turning it upside down,” said Sawyer, who says “one of the biggest fears of ostomy patients is having a leak in public.”
“These people need to be trained in physical conditions–and emotional conditions.”
Your heart really goes out to the guy, and then there’s this: The TSA agent, Sawyer says, never apologized–leaving the gentle retiree to clean himself up in an airport bathroom before traveling on to Orlando.
Sawyer has now received an apology–from the man in charge, who called on Monday afternoon to express his regrets.
Watch the interview, from CNN:
Screening of shirtless boy brushed off by TSA
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By Associated Press 3:04 p.m. CST, November 22, 2010
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Transportation Security Administration says no complaints were filed about an incident at Salt Lake City's airport in which a father removed his young son's shirt during a security pat-down.
TSA says the boy was being searched because he sounded an alarm inside a metal detector. A college student who recorded it all says the boy appeared so shy he couldn't keep his arms raised for a pat-down. The father removed his son's shirt out of frustration despite the protest of the screener.
The college student, Luke Tait of Utah Valley University, says he tried to approach the father and son, but was stopped by a man in a dark suit who appeared to be a TSA supervisor. Tait says he was grilled about his motives.
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The video was posted on YouTube.
Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, an outspoken critic of TSA screening methods, is demanding an investigation of the incident.
YouTube video: http://tinyurl.com/328gv7q
If they make Muslims exempt, they won't be able to contain the outrage.
I'm less of a risk than the incoming speaker. I should get a pass. I say less because a crafty muslim terrorist might target his airplane because of who he is and in my case no muslim terrorist would bother. The chances of either of us actively attempting to hijack or blow up an airplane is identical. Zero. I want a free pass.Quote:
Case in point: newly-appointed Speaker of the House John Boehner.
The man often travels domestically with other passengers, but gets to bypass TSA security and go directly to the gate. Sure, the man likely isn’t planning to cause harm, but still, should he not be expected to endure the checks the rest of us must?
Quote:
“Instead of making this Wednesday National Opt-Out Day in which a bunch of self-appointed guardians of liberty slow down the line for everyone by asking for pat-downs,” said Baker, “maybe what we need is a day when everyone who goes through the line says, ‘Thanks for what you do.’ ”
How about NO? If these generally unemployable TSA workers would refuse to do these unconstitutional searches, perhaps the whole shittery would just fall apart. We need to make EVERYONE involved in these rights violations as uncomfortable as possible.
TSA workers face verbal abuse from travelers
Union that represents airport screeners urges agency to protect employees
Airline passengers aren’t the only ones complaining about the Transportation Security Administration’s new enhanced security procedures. Many TSA employees aren’t too happy, either.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union that represents TSA workers, is urging the TSA to do more to protect its employees from abuse from airline passengers angry over the new security methods. The union reports that some members “have reported instances in which passengers have become angry, belligerent and even physical with TSOs (transportation security officers). In Indianapolis, for example, a TSO was punched by a passenger who didn’t like the new screening process,” the union said in a Nov. 17 statement posted on its website.
- Related coverage
- http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/C...d.grid-2x2.jpg
AP
Fed-up fliers protest airport security measures For 30 years, Marcia Miller has flown to Toledo, Ohio, to join four generations of her family for Thanksgiving. But this year, thanks to new airport security measures, she's opting to stay home. Full story- Lessons learned from 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'
- Road work may slow your holiday road trip
- Tactical Thanksgiving: holiday travel game plan
- Hefty surcharges a new holiday travel tradition
- Holiday travel 2010: what you need to know
Union President John Gage called on TSA to provide an educational pamphlet to each passenger describing both their rights and the details of the new procedures, which include full-body scans and enhanced pat-downs.
Video: Counterterrorism expert defends use of pat-downs (on this page) “This absence of information has resulted in a backlash against the character and professionalism of TSOs,” said Gage in a statement. “TSA must act now — before the Thanksgiving rush — to ensure that TSOs are not being left to fend for themselves.”
“Our concern is that the public not confuse the people implementing the policies with the people who developed the policies,” said Sharon Pinnock, the union's director of membership and organization.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday the government will take into account the public's concerns and complaints as it evaluates airport security measures. He says TSA procedures will continue to evolve.
Story: TSA chief apologizes to traveler with ostomy
Some travelers have vowed to disrupt airport security Wednesday in a protest timed for the busiest travel day of the year, as millions of Americans fly off for annual family feasts.
“TSOs are trained security professionals,” Pinnock said. “Despite this call for chaos and disruption, it’s our belief that our members and people we represent will respond as the security professionals that they are.”
Valyria Lewis, local president of AFGE Local 555, which represents TSA screeners in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, said TSOs are trained to screen passengers who opt out of full-body scans.
“But we’d like TSA to hand out pamphlets detailing what opt out means.
When someone opts out of the X-ray scanners, they’re opting in for the pat-down,” Lewis said. “And once we explain what the pat-down is, you can’t go back and change your mind and say ‘OK, I’ll go through the scanner.’ We’d like that explained so officers aren’t caught in that crossfire.”
The National Treasury Employees Union, the largest independent federal union, has launched a campaign in support of the TSA to educate the public about the critical role played by TSA officers in helping secure the safety of air travel.
“We stand by them this holiday season and ask the American public to stand by them as well and respect the difficult job they perform to protect our skies and our country,” said NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley in a statement.
Complaints of verbal abuse
Full-body scanners are now in place at close to 70 airports and send virtually naked images of passengers to a TSA screener at a remote location. Those who wish to avoid the scanners must instead undergo a new, open-palmed pat-down that many travelers, and even some security officers, feel is too personally invasive.
Aviation and security blogger Steven Frischling said he has received comments from TSA front-line screeners complaining of verbal abuse.
“Molester, pervert, disgusting, an embarrassment, creep. These are all words I have heard today at work describing me. ...These comments are painful and demoralizing,” one unnamed TSO posted on Frischling’s website.
Another said: “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 have encountered a few TSA transportation security officers that have the ‘We're keeping people safe’ attitude,” said Frischling, “But when you ask them about specific aspects of the TSA's policy or procedure, they backpedal a bit and admit there are problems.”
Interactive: Airport Security (on this page) TSA chief John Pistole said Monday on NBC’s TODAY show that the agency is reviewing its passenger screening methods to ensure they are as minimally invasive as possible. "We're going to look at how can we do the most effective screening in the least invasive way knowing that there's always a trade-off between security and privacy," Pistole said.
Pistole noted that those getting body searches constitute "a very small percent" of the 34 million people who have flown since the new policy went into effect.
“Obviously our work force has received the brunt of the frustration from passengers but seem to be dealing with it quite well, as they have been reassured they are doing a critical job at a critical time,” said TSA spokesman Nico Melendez. He added that TSA employees are prohibited from talking to the media “without prior approval.”
“The thing to keep in mind is that stress affects screeners as much as it does travelers,” said Tom Murphy, director of the Human Resiliency Institute at Fordham University. Murphy has provided customer-service training to screeners at many U.S. airports. “While senior government officials explore how to achieve optimum security in less intrusive, and therefore less stressful, ways my recommendation to travelers is to try to see this from the screeners’ point of view.”
A stressful job
Guy Winch, an expert on the psychology of complaining and customer service and the author of a forthcoming book, “The Squeaky Wheel,” is concerned with the stress levels TSA employees may be experiencing this week on the job.
He explains that the “emotional labor” TSA workers must do — “processing people regardless of hostile exchanges … and looking for explosives and weapons” — makes the stakes for performing their duties correctly “as high as they get.” Winch says the best thing TSA administrators can do for employees doing enhanced pat-downs is to provide an extra layer of managerial and supervisory support. “They need to convey the message that superiors are aware of the stresses the employees are under and are there to support them.”
Winch says having a mental health professional on staff or available as a referral “can be crucial in helping the people who did not make these rules but are charged with enforcing and implementing them nonetheless.”
Stewart Baker, who worked at the Department of Homeland Security as its first secretary of policy under President George W. Bush, suspects the new security protocols and the aggressive reaction of some passengers is hurting TSA morale.
“TSA has made a lot of progress in training its officers to be professional even in the face of unhappy passengers, but the latest protocols — and press coverage of the most inflammatory stories — have led to a much higher level of hostility,” said Baker.
“Instead of making this Wednesday National Opt-Out Day in which a bunch of self-appointed guardians of liberty slow down the line for everyone by asking for pat-downs,” said Baker, “maybe what we need is a day when everyone who goes through the line says, ‘Thanks for what you do.’ ”
I was planning on flying this winter. If this farce remains, I plan on taking a Viagra before I get checked out at least LOL. Maybe even an adult diaper and load that baby up.
TSA Goon: Excuse me sir. Is that a bomb in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?
:rofl2:
LMAO...
"...load that baby up..."
ROTFLMAO!
This guy went about it the right way. He also recorded all the audio.
Good man. One thing cops know about is Miranda rights. When asked "Am I being Detained" they had to either Mirandize him and answer yes or let him go. By asking this particular question, he framed their response, corning them into action or no action. Since they had no cause to proceed since the TSA wouldn't commit, they just stood their and were actually very professional about the whole thing.
----------------------
http://noblasters.com/post/1650102322/my-tsa-encounter
My TSA Encounter
“You don’t need to see his identification.”
On November 21, 2010, I was allowed to enter the U.S. through an airport security checkpoint without being x-rayed or touched by a TSA officer. This post explains how.
Edit: Minor edits for clarity. I have uploaded the audio and it is available here.
This past Sunday, I was returning from a trip to Europe. I flew from Paris to Cincinnati, landing in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
As I got off my flight, I did all of the things that are normally requested from U.S. citizens returning from abroad. I filled out the customs declarations, confirmed that I hadn’t set foot on any farmland, and answered questions about the chocolates that I had purchased in Switzerland. While I don’t believe that these questions are necessary, I don’t mind answering them if it means some added security. They aren’t particularly intrusive. My passport was stamped, and I moved through customs a happy citizen returning home.
But wait – here was a second line to wait in.
This new line led to a TSA security checkpoint. You see, it is official TSA policy that people (both citizens and non-citizens alike) from international flights are screened as they enter the airport, despite the fact that they have already flown. Even before the new controversial security measures were put in place, I found this practice annoying. But now, as I looked past the 25 people waiting to get into their own country, I saw it: the dreaded Backscatter imaging machine.
Now, I’ve read a fair amount about the controversy surrounding the new TSA policies. I certainly don’t enjoy being treated like a terrorist in my own country, but I’m also not a die-hard constitutional rights advocate. However, for some reason, I was irked. Maybe it was the video of the 3-year old getting molested, maybe it was the sexual assault victim having to cry her way through getting groped, maybe it was the father watching teenage TSA officers joke about his attractive daughter. Whatever it was, this issue didn’t sit right with me. We shouldn’t be required to do this simply to get into our own country.
So, since I had nobody waiting for me at home and no connecting flight to catch, I had some free time. I decided to test my rights.
After putting all my stuff through the x-ray, I was asked to go through the Backscatter. I politely said that I didn’t want to. The technician quipped to his colleague, “We’ve got an opt-out.” They laughed. He turned back and started to explain.
After he finished, I said, “I understand what the pat-down entails, but I wanted to let you know that I do not give you permission to touch my genitals or the surrounding area. If you do, I will consider it assault.”
He called his manager over, who again informed me of the policy. Throughout this event, this happened quite a few times. After raising my concerns regarding the policy to an officer, they often simply quoted back the policy. For the sake of brevity, I will simply say “Policy restatement.”
I said, “I am aware that it is policy, but I disagree with the policy, and I think that it is unconstitutional. As a U.S. citizen, I have the right to move freely within my country as long as I can demonstrate proof of citizenship and have demonstrated no reasonable cause to be detained.”
Policy restatement. “You have two options – the Backscatter or the pat down. It is your choice, but those are the only ways you can go through security.”
I asked if I could speak to his manager.
“I’m the supervisor here.”
“Do you have a manager?”
“Yes, but he’s very far away at the moment. And he’ll say the same thing I am.” Policy restatement.
At this point, I took out my iPhone, activated the voice recorder, and asked The Supervisor, “Per my constitutional rights, I am not allowed to be detained without reasonable cause for arrest. Now, am I free to go?”
He answered, “If you leave, we will call the APD.”
I asked, “Who is the APD?”
“The Airport Police Department.”
I said, “Actually, that’s probably a good idea. Let’s call them and your manager.”
The Supervisor turned and walked away without saying anything. I stood and waited, chatting to The Technician about how they aren’t allowed to wear radiation badges, even though they work with radiation equipment. He said, “I think I’m a couple steps ahead of you regarding looking out for my own health.”
I stood and waited for 20 minutes. Two cops showed up. Big ones. I admit, I did not want to be handcuffed by these guys.
One cop was older than the other, but they were still clearly partners. Neither of them took the lead on answering my questions, and neither of them told the other what to do. They came over to me and asked me to explain the issue. I first showed them the iPhone. After I explained my position, they restated the policy to me.
I said, “Yes sir. I understand the policy, but I still disagree and I still don’t think that I can be made to do these searches in order to go home. Now am I free to go?”
They didn’t answer.
I repeated the question. “Since you are actual police officers and not simply TSA, I am sure you have had much more training on my rights as a U.S. citizen, so you understand what is at stake here. So, am I free to go? Or am I being detained?”
Young Cop answers, “You aren’t being detained, but you can’t go through there.”
“Isn’t that what detaining is? Preventing me from leaving?”
“You can leave if you want, but it has to be that direction.” He points back towards customs. Young Cop asks, “Why are you doing this?”
I explain that I’m worried that the Backscatter has unproven health risks. And that for all he knows, I might be a sexual assault victim and don’t feel like being touched. I say that the policy is needlessly invasive and it doesn’t provide any added security.
He asks, “But didn’t you go through this when you left on your flight?”
“Yes,” I say, grinning, “But I didn’t want to miss my flight then.”
The cops leave, and I stand around and wait some more. It should be noted that throughout this time, no fewer than 10 TSA officers and technicians are standing around, watching me. I was literally the only one still waiting to go through security.
The cops, The TSA Supervisor, and another guy were standing behind the checkpoint deliberating about something. I explained this to my iPhone and The Supervisor shouted, “Does that thing have video?”
“No sir. Just audio.” I was telling the truth – I’m still on an iPhone 3G.
After a while, Young Cop comes and asks me for my papers. My passport, my boarding pass, my driver’s license, and even a business card. I give him everything except the business card. He told me that he was just gathering information for the police report, which is standard procedure. I complied – I knew that this was indeed standard.
He left, and a Delta Airlines manager comes over and starts talking to me. He is clearly acting as a mediator. He asks what I would consent to, if given my options. I explain that I want the least intrusive possible solution that is required. I say, “I will not do anything that is not explicitly stated on recording as mandatory.” He leaves.
Let me pause and clarify the actors’ moods here, because they will soon start to change:
- The Supervisor: Very standoffish. Sticking to policy, no exceptions.
- The TSA Officials: Mainly amused. Not very concerned otherwise.
- The Cops: Impartial observers and consultants. Possibly a bit frustrated that I’m creating the troubles, but being very professional and respectful regardless.
- The Delta Supervisor: Trying to help me see the light. He doesn’t mind the work - he’s here all day anyway, so he’d rather spend it ensuring that his customer is happy.
After another wait, Old Cop returns, and asks me what I want. I tell him, “I want to go home without going through the Backscatter and without having my genitals touched. Those are my only two conditions. I will strip naked here if that is what it takes, but I don’t want to be touched.”
He offers as an alternative, “What if we were to escort you out with us? It would involve a pat-down, but it would be us doing it instead.”
“Would you touch my balls?”
“I don’t want to touch your – genital region, but my hand might brush against it.”
I clarify, “Well, like I said, I’ll do whatever you say is mandatory. If you tell me that you have to touch my balls—“
“—I said no such thing. You’re putting words in my mouth.”
“OK. I apologize. If you say that a pat-down is mandatory, and that as a condition of that pat-down, I may have my genitals brushed against by your hand, even though you don’t want to, I will do that. But only if you say it is mandatory.”
“I’m not going to say that.”
“OK. So am I free to go?”
“You are free to go in that direction.” He points back towards customs. Then he walks away to commune with the others.
My iPhone is running out of battery, so I take out my laptop, sit in a corner, and plug it in. I have some work to do anyway, so I pull up Excel and start chugging away for about 20 minutes.
This is where the turning point happens.
The cops come back and start talking with me. Again, they are asking why I’m doing it, don’t I have a connection to make, etc. They are acting more curious at this point – no longer trying to find a contradiction in my logic.
I eventually ask what would happen if I got up and left, and just walked through security. They shrugged. “We wouldn’t do anything on our own. We are only acting on behalf of the TSA. They are in charge of this area.”
“So if he told you to arrest me, you would? And if he didn’t, you wouldn’t?”
“That’s right,” Young Cop says.
“OK well then I think it is best if we all talk together as a group now. Can you call them over?”
The Supervisor returns, along with the Delta Manager. The Supervisor is quite visibly frustrated.
I explain, “The police have explained to me that it is your call on whether or not I am being detained. If I walked through that metal detector right now, you would have to ask them to arrest me in order for them to do anything.”
He starts to defer responsibility to the officers. They emphasize that no – they have no issue with me and they are only acting on his behalf. It is his jurisdiction. It is policy. They won’t detain me unless he tells them to.
So I emphasize the iPhone again, and ask,” So, if I were to get up, walk through the metal detector, and not have it go off, would you still have them arrest me?”
The Supervisor answers, “I can’t answer that question. That is no longer an option because you were selected for the Backscatter.”
“Well you can answer the question because it is a yes or no question. If I got up and left, would you have them arrest me?”
“I can’t answer that question.”
The moods have changed. The cops are now frustrated with him because he’s pawning off his decision-making responsibility to them. He’s stopping what is clearly a logical solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the Supervisor is just growing more and more furious with me.
In another deferment of responsibility (which he probably thought was an intimidation factor), “Well then I guess I’m just going to have to call the FSD.”
Unphased, I ask, “What’s the FSD?”
“The Federal Security Director.” And he walks away.
I can see him talking on the phone to the FSD – a man apparently named Paul – and I can only catch parts of the conversation:
- “No, he’s been perfectly polite…”
- “We tried that…”
- “All he said was … Constitutional rights”
He walks over to Old Cop and hands him the phone. I can hear similar sound bites. They hang up, deliberate some more, and then wait some more.
Meanwhile, I’m typing away on my computer. Answering emails, working on my Excel model – things that I would have done at home regardless.
The Supervisor walks over and stands uncomfortably close to me. After typing for a bit more, I look up. His voice shakes, “I don’t know if I ever introduced myself.” He pulls out his badge. “My name is XXX XXX. Here is my badge. Now, I’ve shown you my credentials.”
Ah – he’s gotten the Miranda talk. I hide my smile.
“Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to escort you out of the terminal to the public area. You are to stay with me at all times. Do you understand?”
“Will I be touched?”
“I can’t guarantee that, but I am going to escort you out.”
“OK. I will do this. But I will restate that I still do not give you permission to touch my genitals or the surrounding area. If you do, I will still consider it assault.”
“I understand.”
And then came the most ridiculous scene of which I’ve ever been a part. I gather my things – jacket, scarf, hat, briefcase, chocolates. We walk over to the staff entrance and he scans his badge to let me through. We walk down the long hallway that led back to the baggage claim area. We skip the escalators and moving walkways. As we walk, there are TSA officials stationed at apparent checkpoints along the route. As we pass them, they form part of the circle that is around me. By the end of the walk, I count 13 TSA officials and 2 uniformed police officers forming a circle around me. We reach the baggage claim area, and everyone stops at the orange line. The Supervisor grunts, “Have a nice day,” and leaves.
In order to enter the USA, I was never touched, I was never “Backscatted,” and I was never metal detected. In the end, it took 2.5 hours, but I proved that it is possible. I’m looking forward to my next flight on Wednesday.
You can email Matt here.