Public Acceptance of New TSA Procedures Has Been Exaggerated

Pajamas Media ^ | November 21, 2010 | Dan Miller

[DanMiller]

The mainstream media ask all the wrong questions. A CBS survey concluded that:

Americans overwhelmingly approve of the use of full-body digital x-ray machines — a new technology in use at some airports in the U.S. Most, meanwhile, do not approve of racial or ethnic profiling — a practice not in place.

The following questions apparently were not asked: “Have you or an immediate family member flown on a commercial airliner in the United States since November 1, 2010?” and “Do you or an immediate member of your family intend to fly on a commercial airliner in the United States in the near future? If not, have your plans been changed on account of recent changes in airport security procedures?”

The report of the survey speaks of “two potentially inconvenient and invasive practices” at airports. However, the reported question asks only about the new “‘full body’ digital X-ray machines.” No question was reported about the second and certainly more invasive of the “two” techniques, presumably the “enhanced pat-downs.”

As to “profiling,” the question was whether it would be justified or unjustified for people of “certain racial or ethnic groups to be subject to additional security checks at airport checkpoints.”

[DanMiller]

Race and ethnicity alone are not suitable bases for profiling. Had the question been about additional security checks based on perceived religion, race, ethnicity, age, and conduct which would appear to a reasonable observer trained in interpreting conduct, body language, and conversation to be “abnormal and suspicious,” my answer would have fallen into the “justified” category. Like it or not and quite independently of race and ethnicity, far more young Islamists than elderly Methodists have recently engaged in terrorist activity as encouraged by their religious leaders and teachings; those facts should be part of the mix to be considered, even though I guess it could be argued that since there have been no terrorist attacks involving airlines in recent years by elderly Methodists, TSA procedures have functioned quite well.

Surveys which fail to distinguish between respondents likely to have had some experience with the subject of the surveys or otherwise likely to have fact-based views are misleading and are more revealing about the perceptions of the folks conducting them than anything else.

[Slings and Arrows]

Cue Captain Renault...

[ari-freedom]

we need behavioral profiling. We can't really check to see if someone is a true muslim. They could change their names or get some swedish convert to do it

[dawn53]

From the stories I’ve read recently, they’re not singling out anyone by race or ethnicity but by their health...those that have medical devices or appliances that show up on the scanner and then are presumed guilty until proven innocent. And how do they prove their innocence...whoopie...they get to show their colostomy or urosotmy bag, breast prothesis, etc. to the screener. It’s disgusting.

I’ve still not found any info on people wearing internal devices i.e. pacemakers, insuliin or other medicine pumps surgically implanted just below the skin. What’s happening to those folks...how do they prove what they are?

[thethirddegree]

I’ve still not found any info on people wearing internal devices i.e. pacemakers, insuliin or other medicine pumps surgically implanted just below the skin. What’s happening to those folks...how do they prove what they are?

I have a device implanted in my back and hip called a spinal cord stimulator. I have a plastic card from the manufacturer that documents the device and I would show that to the screener thugs.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

It is easy to say you approve of TSA pat downs if you do not travel by airplane.

Same applies to FR commentators who say they are not going to fly via airplane when it may have been 5 years since their last flight.

[dawn53]

Similar here, ITB pump...but with the new invasive procedures, a poster yesterday said they’re saying the card isn’t enough (he had double hip replacements and tried to show the card.) If they couldn’t figure out the urosotmy bag was a medical appliance until they spilled urine all over the guy, what makes you think the card will suffice for an explanation. And the woman with the breast prothesis, why did she have to remove it?

I want some clear cut statements from the TSA regarding medical devices and appliances. Will the card be enough to get me past the pat down, they’re obviously going to see these things on scanners...or does that mean everyone with a medical appliance/device will need to be patted down?

[Shady]

You shouldn’t have to. We are flying Tuesday. I already hate it, I am just hopeful it goes OK for us.

[Joe Boucher]

I’m surprised we haven’t seen a father or husband find out where a “tsa” agent lives who molested their wife or child and beat hell out of them.
I’m not advocating this but would surely smile broadly if it did happen.

[Frapster]

I haven’t flown in years but I go through security checkpoints at the airport about 3 times a year. I’ll complain.

[Lurking in Kansas]

ANYONE WHO FLYS, TAKE YOUR CAMERA.

RECORD EVERYTHING !

[samtheman]

I just traveled. Through an airport that has scanners (Las Vegas), and was fully ready to be scanned if asked.

A scan doses you at the same level of radiation you will get from TWO MINUTES of cruising altitude flight on the jet you’re about to board.

I know the scanners don’t detect everything but I don’t care. I want them there. I want as much anti-bomb technology as possible. I want to arrive at my destination with my butt still firmly attached to the rest of my body... thank you.

My only worry in all this is that muzzies get an exemption. If muzzies get an exemption, I’m willing to join any anti-TSA, anti-Obama, anti-HS protest available.

So far, from what I understand, there is no muzzie exemption in place. To my mind, that’s the issue here. Is there a muzzie exemption, or isn’t there.

If there is no muzzie exemption, count me as a happy flier... fire up the scanner and I’ll walk right through with a smile on my face.

[Pravious]

“Same applies to FR commentators who say they are not going to fly via airplane when it may have been 5 years since their last flight.”

Let me try and wrap my brain around this. If I haven’t flown in 5 years, it’s somehow... unacceptable for me to take a stand and say I’m not GOING to fly until this nonsense ends?

Personally, I haven’t flown since 9-11. I was, however, seriously considering flying across the country on a family visit. It won’t happen, now.

I hope every sane person in America takes this stand, air traffic comes to a halt and mass chaos ensues. Of course, that won’t happen because Leftists enjoy getting felt up by strangers... but I can always wish.

[CajunConservative]

Maybe you haven’t read this thread yet then.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2630512/posts

[raybbr]

Let me try and wrap my brain around this. If I haven’t flown in 5 years, it’s somehow... unacceptable for me to take a stand and say I’m not GOING to fly until this nonsense ends?

Same here. "PR" comes across as another self-righteous gnome.

We were planning a trip to Disney next Feb but it's off until this is over.

[Shethink13]

However, the reported question asks only about the new “‘full body’ digital X-ray machines.”

I also think that people are not aware of how vivid and personal the full-body scan is. I believe they think it is like an x-ray that shows bones and inner organs, when it is actually basically a nude photo.

[CPOSharky]

Same applies to FR commentators who say they are not going to fly via airplane when it may have been 5 years since their last flight.

Flew twice in the last year. AZ to VA and AZ to LA. Next trip, in the spring, to VA will be by automobile.

Two nights on the road each way and total expenses will probably be less than two plane tickets. And even idiot drivers along the way won't raise the blood pressure as much as TSA. (Maybe as a salute to TSA I'll drive in just my skivvies.)

[Mouton]

Most General Aviation terminals, except at the largest airports, do NOT have screeners and leave it up to the plane owner to know whom their passengers are. Consider one could easily rent, or own, a large private jet, say a G-5, pack it full of explosives, put a full load of fuel aboard, and use it as a guided missile.

Also notice the “threat” now has moved away from someone hyjacking a plane to someone blowing one up with people on board. Suttle difference but nonetheless a move from looking for weapons with magnatomiters to now looking for plastic explosives with naked photos and strip searches. What a joke and just proves that government expands into any void open to it to expand its influence.

[Eroteme]

From the stories I’ve read recently, they’re not singling out anyone by race or ethnicity but by their health...those that have medical devices or appliances that show up on the scanner and then are presumed guilty until proven innocent.

Well put. These administration braintrusts are poster children for the law of Unintended Consequences. (And that's a charitable analysis. ) In their zeal to appear "fair" and unbiased they've actually become hideously discriminatory--and in the most twisted and least possibly fruitful manner.

[Atlas Sneezed]

It is easy to say you approve of TSA pat downs if you do not travel by airplane.

---

It’s even easier when the question mentions nothing about nude imaging, increased health risks, or intimate genital contact. The first question should have asked about awareness of the characteristics of the new machines and procedures.

The second should have been reported as “among those who were aware of the new...”