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 may be faced with a similar decision soon. I'll take arrest and continue to resist and we'll see what happens.
Hubby found a unique way to get through the TSA screening fairly quickly. This week he is escorting his mom’s cremated remains back home to have them interred next to his dad’s. He was also taking a set of decorative spurs as a gift to a collegue. So, the young TSA female agent was giving him some grief about the spurs, took them out of the box to inspect them, questioned him about their purpose, etc. Finally got through with that, Hubby slides over the box with my MIL’s remains in it, the TSA agent says, “I’m going to have to look in that, too. What do you have in there?”
Hubby says, “My Mom.”
He says the look on her face was priceless, and she could not get the box through the screening fast enough. She practically refused to touch it. He laughed all the way to the plane.
My question is: Why did you submit to search and not allow the arrest which you would have beaten in open court. You had violated no law by refusing to submit to an unlawful search and seizure.
Pictured above is an excellent alternative to the TSA Pat Downs and Death by Xray at airports.
Outside the terminal, place hundreds of these new bomb/IED proof booths. Notice there is even a unit to accommodate people in wheel chairs.
All passengers and their luggage must enter one of these Perfect Solution booths. If they are carrying any explosives on them or in their luggage, the booths will detonate the explosives. That will eliminate any terrorist with a bomb and open up seats on the airlines during holidays and other high use days. The units can be self cleansing after each use like the French Porta Potties.
This will also eliminate any bs about profiling, as everyone with a ticket will have to enter and pass or go boom/ByeBye.
Female terrorists can remain in their Burkas until the divine moment, and Islamofascist terrorists will not have to run crying to CAIR and our crybaby AG to complain about profiling and racism. They can even bring their prayer rugs into the booths.
After a few weeks, the TSA can be dismantled, saving billions. Boy and Girl Scouts can escort the approved passengers to their terminals.
wouldn’t zinc oxide work as well?
Can you imagine the response if the Bush Administration had dared try to implement this perversion?!
What happens if one has to “break wind” while one iw being felt up”
“The airlines are going to go out of business if this thing doesn’t change.”
That’s the plan.
Or, “What, no reach around?”
Good question. I don’t know.
hey man, haven’t run into you in a while.
I’ve been traveling every week for the last 8. Not once have I seen someone in muslim garb selected for search. Each time they are waved thru while grandpa gets the glove.
So you may be on to something.
I thought about that --- but they could still have you submit to the intrusive full body feel up/down even if the new scanners are not in place
Believe me, I'm trying to decide whether to change my daughter's flight to an airport without the full-body scanners, but that doesn't mean that they won't do the full-feel up/down
I am feeling full-force rage at this illegal affront.
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