Posted on 11/17/2010 11:22:37 AM PST by Mike Evers
Very unpleasant experience today with TSA employees on a mission from God to conduct full body pat-downs whenever they could. You’ve heard about it. You’ve seen it on television. Well, it actually happened to me this morning and I almost went to jail over it.
I was attempting to fly out of Sarasota, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia today. I cleared security and got out to my gate only to discover the flight was delayed for another hour and a half. So I exited the boarding area and went to one of the restaurants in the main terminal. When I attempted to go back through security I was detained and told to sit in a Plexiglas cubical. I was now separated from my carry-on bag, my shoes, wallet, cell phone, watch and belt. Eventually a TSA employee entered and began to describe the procedures he was going to use to pat-down my entire body. I declined, and said I wanted to go back through the scanner. After all, I had cleared it earlier in the morning, and there was nothing new on my person. Perhaps it was just a misreading.
Well, they would have none of that. A very pompous little supervisor came over and asked me if I wanted to fly today. I informed him that was my intention. Otherwise, why would I be in his little plexiglass cubical. I told him I did not wish to submit to the full body pat-down because I believe it is unwarranted and potentially an unconstitutional invasion of my right to privacy—you know, the privacy right the Supreme Court says is in the Constitution even though there are no such words to that effect. Not persuaded by my argument, the supervisor told me to submit or he would have me arrested. I asked what law I was allegedly violating. He said refusal to submit to federal authority. I replied that I thought there were less intrusive alternatives. He said “No,” and once again demanded that I submit. I declined, so he brought over his superior and three Sheriff’s deputies. Now it was getting interesting.
So much time was taken up with all this nonsense that I missed my flight. When I informed them that I wished to leave the screening area so I could see about another flight I was advised that I was not allowed to leave. Now that I had tripped into their briar patch I either submitted to their search or face arrest. I contemplated the arrest scenario in earnest. When I was in law school 30 years ago, I don’t recall things being like this. Certainly there have been some changes, especially after 9-11, but full body pat-downs and groping of genitalia? When did all this come about Janet Napolitano? Last week? Well, I don’t think it will be around six months from now, so enjoy it while you can.
Facing certain arrest if I refused to submit to their police tactics, I agreed to the search and was led to a private cubical with frosted glass to keep things a bit more private. A Sheriff’s deputy stood inside because I said I did not wish to be without witnesses should the TSA employee get a bit too frisky while feeling every inch of my body, and I do mean “every inch!” Ladies, you are going to love this new procedure when you get singled out for “special” treatment. And guys, you are not going to like it one bit. No happy ending!
Naturally, the extraordinary feel-down didn’t produce anything explosive, or otherwise. Nevertheless, I was informed that the contents of my carry-on bag needed to be searched. Once again, I protested, informing them that it had already passed through screening on the x-ray conveyor belt. Well, now things were different. Now that I was getting the “special” treatment, the entire contents of my bag were laid out on the table for all to see. About 13 local and federal agents gathered around for this little training exercise, or as our beloved President Obama would call it, a “teachable moment.” Fortunately, I wasn’t carrying any sexy lingerie or other items that could cause one to blush. And the extra look-through didn’t produce anything explosive or dangerous, even though I mentioned that my house key could be used to poke out someone’s eye. They failed to see the humor in that observation and stuffed my belongings back into the bag and escorted me out of the screening area and into the ticketing terminal. I got booked on a late afternoon flight, rented a car for three hours ($18 is a lot cheaper than a taxi), and came home to catch on some work before returning to the brave new world of TSA dominance.
As a Million Miler with Delta, I have a little bit of experience with this whole flying thing. I was flying long before 9-11 brought about all this beefed up security and intrusiveness. I’ve faced plenty of airport security issues about the decade, had valuable items stolen from my checked bags by TSA employees, and now this arrogant display of unbridled assault and battery on my body, all in the name of protecting the American public. I publish this missive and add my voice to the growing tide of rebellion over this unprecedented intrusion against our personal freedom.
Now, it’s time to head back to the airport and pray that there has been a shift change in the screening area. If not, please come visit me wherever they decide to lock me up.
......................I find it fascinating that an illegal can’t be asked for his passport and ID while getting caught in the act of an actual crime in Arizona, but an American citizen can be groped, searched and harassed by federal agents without cause while travelling....................
Bingo! Sir, that bears repeating:
I find it fascinating that an illegal can’t be asked for his passport and ID while getting caught in the act of an actual crime in Arizona, but an American citizen can be groped, searched and harassed by federal agents without cause while travelling.
(Even though he had to show picture id to get to the point where he was groped)
Great point.
I’m looking for something that won’t set off the metal detectors.
“The real answer? You guys don’t bitch.”
We need people monitoring the screening to collect data on the demographics of who gets pulled for enhanced screening and what proportion is young females, middle aged white males, etc. When my pilot husband and I flew on airline employee discount tickets we were always pulled and he traveled in uniform. What a joke.
Or blows up a stadium, church, or anything else...
What are they going to do, start scanning us before we leave our homes? Pure insanity.
I’d rather drive all night than put up with this federal abuse of authority.
The airline industry is dead to me.
As many people as possible should swear off the airlines for a month or so. If that doesn’t work, make it three.
We are far too compliant.
Those five Islamic guys can disrupt a flight with impunity, and you can’t even board after you’ve already cleared the device gauntlet. F ‘em.
From on citizen to another, please accept my apology for what our government is up to.
I watched Pistole today. He was extremely evasive through much of it. He also lied through his teeth: he claimed that no child under 12 would be subjected to the “enhanced pat down”. That flies in the face of MANY reports and also some YouTube videos.
-PJ
I haven’t seen more than one or two real conservatives yet.
Or holler out during your grope, “Move to the right! There it is! Oh YEAH baby!”
Do you remember when "the computer" selected former Vice President Al Gore, and the TSA agents blindly pulled him out of line for the secondary screening?
If THAT didn't show what was wrong with the system, then nothing will.
-PJ
That’s the whole point of next weeks “Opt-Out Day”. Most people are sheeple however and the protest will bomb (no pun intended).
The homosexuals are privileged. They can get their rocks off doing jobs like this.
The TSA is made up of Federal union employees. Every airport in the nation could go out of business and the TSA would be still be getting paid by the Federal government.
how long will the American people tolerate this garbage government and why should we ? how much longer will we be living on the planet of the apes ?
That is what I did[quit flying] and it was way back in 2004.
They will add another line. So you have to go through a screening before you go through the screening.
It's the government. If at first you don't succeed, add more.
If I ever fly again, I’m going to have a hard time not saying “No need to pat me down” and strip bare naked right there at the checkpoint in front of everyone. This is quite a stretch for me, since I’m normally a pretty modest person, but I have a feeling they’re going to seriously piss me off that much.
I’m already considering a two-way cross-country drive with a carload of kids rather than subject myself and my family to the TSA.
My congressman, recently re-elected with about 80% of the vote. Perhaps the only reason I can think of to be against term limits. I was getting ready to send him a letter about this and the fact that the recent election may be the Republicans' last chance to prove they are conservative. Looks like I will have to amend my letter a bit.
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