Wallet Grab in Austin: "It's Procedure."

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Jul 25, 2012, 10:59 am

#31

BearX220

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Quote:

Originally Posted by chollie

Was the single leg 'grope' to resolve an anomaly? What sort of anomaly runs all the way up the leg to the 'crotch'?

Was the single leg 'grope' a half-arsed, incomplete, random 'patdown'? Then the screener should be punished for failing to complete the patdown, thus putting the public at risk. Who knows what the pax might have had concealed on the rest of his body?

It was a one-leg-only, rough-and-rapid patdown, executed before I had time to argue, right in place. It took only seconds. It appeared to me to be a consequence of my questioning the wallet grab. The TSO neither really examined my wallet nor patted me down in the normal fashion. In my biased view it was all about subjugation to procedure, not effective security.

Jul 25, 2012, 11:03 am

#32

TheGolfWidow

Join Date: Jan 2008

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I mentioned on another thread about the screener that just reached out and started patting my mom's head without asking or warning her after she exited the scanner. That was in Austin.

Jul 25, 2012, 11:35 am

#33

chollie

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BearX220

Exactly.

That would probably be apparent on the camera footage - but I suspect the cameras were down that day.

Jul 25, 2012, 11:56 am

#34

T.J. Bender

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Quote:

Originally Posted by coachrowsey

The only thing that would bother me here is what if some clerk or psgr decides to swipe that briefcase.

Any carry-on that can be locked by me is locked before putting it onto the belt. This includes my rollaboard and my computer bag, even my backpack if I'm only going for a short, personal trip.

Edit: And I do NOT use TSA-approved locks on my carryons.

Jul 25, 2012, 2:32 pm

#35

janetdoe

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Boggie Dog

Just tell them that you can't raise your arms over your head. It could be from shoulder problems or just a refusal to take the criminals "I surrender" pose but I don't think TSA will ask which of those cases fit you.

I don't have problems opting out, I plead the fifth on the name game.

Jul 26, 2012, 7:51 am

#36

cottonmather0

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Quote:

Originally Posted by coachrowsey

The only thing that would bother me here is what if some clerk or psgr decides to swipe that briefcase.

Yet another reason to just not go through the scanners. There is no way to watch your stuff if your standing in a phone booth with your hands over your head. Twice while I've been in the middle of the groping process have I've seen people complain that their stuff was taken while they were in the machine. We talk about watching your belongings a lot here while waiting on the grope, but it's absolutely a problem for the people in the scanners... and my personal experience is that it's one justification for opting out that's particularly effective with people who otherwise think the scanner is a-ok.

Quote:

Originally Posted by halls120

This is why my wallet is safely located in a zippered pocket in my briefcase before I approach the TDC, and stays there until I'm well away from the screening area.

My phone, watch, wallet, and any extra cash I may have are always locked in one of these inside of my briefcase whenever I go through security:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005V874NM/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

I've never been asked to unlock it, nor has it ever been flagged in the x-ray. I guess if they ask me to unlock it someday, I will, but I'm unsure just how much of a stink I'll raise if they decide they need to search the contents themselves. My guess is that if they ever did, it would at least involve a LEO being present.

Jul 26, 2012, 8:08 am

#37

Caradoc

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BearX220

In my biased view it was all about subjugation to procedure, not effective security.

That is what the TSA is all about, after all. "Security" is just the excuse.

Jul 26, 2012, 9:15 am

#38

Always Flyin

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BearX220

I was the only passenger at the checkpoint this week at about 430am.

I move on to the checkpoint. MMW scanner. Been up working all night, too tired to opt out. I hold my wallet in my hand, stand in the blender with arms up, and exit.

That's not excuse. Everyone should be opting out.

But they don't. TSA hasn't neutered us into a nation a sheep.

Jul 26, 2012, 9:16 am

#39

Always Flyin

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Quote:

Originally Posted by janetdoe

I plead the fifth on the name game.

Being asked to state your name does not invoke the 5th Amendment.

Jul 26, 2012, 9:27 am

#40

whytravelsomuch

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[QUOTE=Caradoc;18992674]http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1370.shtm

Another lie from the TSA.[/QUOTEH]

How does this apply? A cup is not a prosthesis, cast or support brace...

Jul 26, 2012, 9:34 am

#41

FearFree

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[QUOTE=whytravelsomuch;19005669]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caradoc

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1370.shtm

Another lie from the TSA.[/QUOTEH]

How does this apply? A cup is not a prosthesis, cast or support brace...

I would consider it to be a cast from this definition: a stiff dressing or casing (medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com, quick google).

Stiff casing to protect an area recently affected by a medical procedure seems to fit.

Jul 26, 2012, 11:50 am

#42

Global_Hi_Flyer

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Austin is on my "do not fly from this airport" list. Particularly hostile and obnoxious TSA there.

Jul 26, 2012, 2:52 pm

#43

Caradoc

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Quote:

Originally Posted by whytravelsomuch

A cup is not a prosthesis, cast or support brace...

Never had groin surgery, have you?

I'd very much classify a "cup" as a "support brace." Possibly a "cast," depending.

Aug 14, 2012, 8:56 am

#44

danl08

Join Date: Jan 2002

Location: Wash D.C. metro area

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BearX220

TSO #1: "Now I'm going to pat down your leg."

In a twinkling, before I have time to argue, he drops to one knee, cups my left leg with both hands, and runs them up past my knee toward my crotch -- bumping it hard. He gets up just as quickly.

TSO #1 "There. That's procedure, too."

And they both walk away.

I'm sure America is safer because of stuff like this. I just can't figure out how, exactly.

I think you need to watch some soccer videos and learn how to drop like you were shot in the groin the next time they do that. writhe in pain on the floor and ask for an LEO since you were assaulted. That might get someone's attention