Beating the TSA: How a determined passenger spent hours arguing his rights before being waved thru

The Daily MailOnline ^ | 23rd November 2010 | James White

[Tucson_AZ]

It's the solution that millions of American airline passengers have been searching for - how to avoid bodyscanners and intrusive pat-downs when they fly.

Now one patient traveller has proved it is possible to bypass the high-level security measures in place at all airports, but only if you have time on your hands.

Blogger Matt Kernan recorded his epic experience as he returned to North Kentucky International Airport in Cincinnati from Paris on Sunday.

[Tucson_AZ]

...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.

original source: http://noblasters.com/

[elpinta]

He had just gotten off a plane.

[Kackikat]

Maybe he should brag, after he tries to get on a plane, without TSA examining him.

[Tucson_AZ]

I know, but if you read the whole story the TSA ‘policy’ was strip-search machine or groping. Eventually, he had to do neither.

[screaminsunshine]

They have no controlling legal authority. Only intimidation of the Sheeple.

[The Sons of Liberty]

He could’ve saved 2 1/2 hours if he’d just come across the Rio Grande.

[silverleaf]

This was AFTER he flew, got OFF the plane, and AFTER he went through customs- just to walk back into the aiport to get his baggage AND GO home!!!

Now you get groped or irradiated when you get OFF the plane and want to go home????

TSA is out of control.

[mvpel]

I’ve never been in an airport where passengers on their way out were subject to search. This story seems a bit odd in that respect.

[Tucson_AZ]

That is all correct - apparently TSA policy is to add you to their bio-metric database via the strip-search machines - or (attempt to) abuse you if you refuse - even if you are ARRIVING by airplane into the USA.

[Syncro]

International flight, from a country that has been taken over by radical Islamic muslums.

France.

So I guess they routinely check arrivals from out of the country

[surroundedbyblue]

We strip-Xray and/or molest people getting off a plane but NEVER inspect any cargo coming into our ports? Something seems bass-ackward here. Perhaps its just me.

[The Pack Knight]

Union President John Gage called for more information on the searches including leaflets for passengers.

He said: 'TSA must act now — before the Thanksgiving rush — to ensure that TSOs are not being left to fend for themselves.'

Yes, Mr. Gage, the problem is obviously the ignorance of the flying public, not the procedures themselves. They just need to be informed that the 4th Amendment doesn't apply to air travellers.

[B Knotts]

They have no controlling legal authority.

I agree. This should be tested in court.

The ACLU sues over just about anything. Why aren't they suing over this? Oh...that's right...this affects law-abiding citizens, and the ACLU doesn't defend their rights.

[SERKIT]

Backscatted

Interesting. Is the the scat that comes from the backside?

[jazminerose]

I think I’m going to have to research this a bit further.

[SweetCaroline]

mark

[GailA]

Has ever one forgotten about http://history1900s.about.com/od/1900s/a/typhoidmary.htm Typhoid Mary? What about the STD’s that could be transmitted through body fluids...after they’ve had their hands on your private parts.

[cll]

The ACLU sues over just about anything. Why aren't they suing over this? Oh...that's right...this affects law-abiding citizens, and the ACLU doesn't defend their rights.

Who needs the ACLU? Where's the conservative equivalent? maybe the Thomas Moore Law Center?

[B Knotts]

It’s just an observation. What if the Border Patrol was doing this to illegal aliens? The ACLU would sue in a second.

[MamaDearest]

The Supervisor grunts, “Have a nice day,” and leaves.

He was fortunate. Americans who complain about the TSA or these procedures are apparently now called "domestic extremists:"

DHS and TSA - making a list, checking it twice

Snip: (referring to what appears to be an administrative directive):

It labels any person who “interferes” with TSA airport security screening procedure protocol and operations by actively objecting to the established screening process, “including but not limited to the anticipated national opt-out day”  as a “domestic extremist.” The label is then broadened to include “any person, group or alternative media source” that actively objects to, causes others to object to, supports  and/or elicits support for anyone who engages in such travel disruptions at U.S. airports in response to the enhanced security procedures.