Organized resistance to WBI/invasive patdowns
#62
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
This is the heart of the matter. Unless a significant number of us take action, nothing will change, and if a couple of acts of aerial mischief happen to take place, it doesn't matter whether or not WBI would have been effective in catching the perpetrators, these things will be mandatory for all of us.
#64
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
Airports are not the only places these leaflets can be distributed. You can put them in your local library, leave one or two in your doctor or dentists' office; in the local supermarket - ask to put up a poster on their bulletin board- Target, WalMart, Home Depot, Lowes, the shopping mall. You can take a supply with you and leave one or two wherever you go. Visit lots and lots of restrooms on your meanderings.
You are much more likely to hit the occasional traveler in these places rather than the airport.
I like MKEBound's wording but I also think that people out to be warned that opting out will probably involve having their genitals manipulated and probed and prodded.
We need to advocate that neither the strip search nor the advanced pat down is acceptable.
At the same time, I acknowledge that you can't put too much information on a flyer 'cause people won't read it.
Another site, not related to TSA but also promoting a cause (in which I don't believe), suggested that business cards be made with your message on it.
You are much more likely to hit the occasional traveler in these places rather than the airport.
I like MKEBound's wording but I also think that people out to be warned that opting out will probably involve having their genitals manipulated and probed and prodded.
We need to advocate that neither the strip search nor the advanced pat down is acceptable.
At the same time, I acknowledge that you can't put too much information on a flyer 'cause people won't read it.
Another site, not related to TSA but also promoting a cause (in which I don't believe), suggested that business cards be made with your message on it.
#65
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OOL/DOH
Programs: QF LTS WP, Avis Pres Club, HH Diam.
Posts: 3,192
I don't see that there is much more a non-resident of the US can do.
#66
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,974
It would be difficult to pull off, but another way to practice some civil disobedience is for FT's to coordinate some of their flights and attack the NOS's with mass opt-outs. I'm not a very active participant here, but I have read about FT members having get togethers (DO's?). If a few dozen FT's who had to fly anyway could blast a security checkpoint at rush hour and all request opt-outs it might get some attention (and certainly annoy some TSO's, which in itself would be worthwhile).
Yes, we could all buy refundable or cheap ($49) tickets and present ourselves en masse at a checkpoint and each opt-out and demand a private screening. Once the TSA figured out what was happening (admittedly that could take a while ), they would either simply line the dissenters up separately or call for the tame airport LEOs to come and threaten us.
Maybe a few other passengers would get the message but most would think us nutters or worse, some kind of al Quaida suicide squad. I'm not kidding.
Protesting outside the terminal or even at the airport entrance (I'm thinking the "LAX" sign for example) seems a better option to me.
#67
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PBI
Programs: DL 2.8 MM/PM, AA MM/GLD, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,746
BDL is installing the strip search machines now. I've been thinking that it might be effective to print up a half page flyer with the title:
It's called the Nude-O-Scope for a reason!
-Insert images from the backscatter machines-
You have the right to refuse to be strip searched!
When they ask you to enter the machine and raise your arms, simply tell them "I choose to opt out"
*No one should need to see you naked to fly
*No one should be exposed to excessive x-rays without a medical reason
*These machines can not detect explosives, and haven't been proven to making flying anymore secure.
I'm sure someone could come up with better text, but if you had a half page flyer that you could handout to anyone and everyone as they cue up for the ID check, I'm sure by day two you could get a local TV channel to come down and do a story, once you get a little press coverage - especially if we managed to get two or three stations around the country the same day, we could get to the point that a national broadcast picks up the story.
It's called the Nude-O-Scope for a reason!
-Insert images from the backscatter machines-
You have the right to refuse to be strip searched!
When they ask you to enter the machine and raise your arms, simply tell them "I choose to opt out"
*No one should need to see you naked to fly
*No one should be exposed to excessive x-rays without a medical reason
*These machines can not detect explosives, and haven't been proven to making flying anymore secure.
I'm sure someone could come up with better text, but if you had a half page flyer that you could handout to anyone and everyone as they cue up for the ID check, I'm sure by day two you could get a local TV channel to come down and do a story, once you get a little press coverage - especially if we managed to get two or three stations around the country the same day, we could get to the point that a national broadcast picks up the story.
Specific details of what this means, however, seem to be enlightening and horrifying more occasional flyers.
The sentence below from the ACLU website spells it out:
Passengers...should not be required to display highly personal details of their bodies such as evidence of mastectomies, colostomy appliances, penile implants, catheter tubes and the size of their breasts or genitals as a pre-requisite to boarding a plane.
#68
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PBI
Programs: DL 2.8 MM/PM, AA MM/GLD, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,746
[QUOTE=embassy55;14549737]Thanks for the inspiration. I've written my congressman, both senators, and mayor. Is there anyone else? [QUOTE]
Local columnists, newspaper editors, on-air reporters and news anchors. Especially those who have young children.
Local columnists, newspaper editors, on-air reporters and news anchors. Especially those who have young children.
#69
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
If public speaking does not terrify you the the following is effective. If you can, put together an effective presentation of factual information that would take about ten minutes to present. Approach the local Kiwanas, Rotary, Lions whatever public service organization meets in your community. Offer to make a presentation on airport security and what to expect. Offer to explain the new technologies. Your expertise and your credibility is as a frequent traveler, X flights per year, x nights on the road, X miles on AA or whatever.
Keep the presentation to the facts and avoid sensationalism. For example, explain the new technology and say that some people are skeptical due to the possibility of radiation exposure even though the government has said the machines are safe. Give a ton of advice that is helpful (like how to get through security without hassle) plus information about the new technology. Open the floor for questions and share your person opinions if the subject is broached.
This is hard work and will take a day or so of prep, but if out fellow FT folks could contribute a list of links to use for info, it will reduce the time needed. If someone could put together a power point presentation that everyone could use that would reduce some of the prep time as well.
Why this? These organizations meet very often and are commonly scratching around for speakers. They look for people that can provide useful but little known information (which we have) and try to avoid sales talks (not us) or sensationalism (we can do this, we really can). If you make a good presentation, you will be asked to make your presentation to others. These groups often contain the local community's leaders and shakers. If you get their attention, you will have the attention of people that can effect change.
Our biggest problem is that we travel a lot and committing midweek time to this will be a sacrifice. We need to make the process as easy as possible. Maybe we could have a thread with tips, links and such. We will need material to pass out, pdfs and printed at home is fine.
This is marketing 101 for consultants, of which I am one. The technique works. And in the end, we are consultants. We have knowledge that we need to share. The knowledge is for the benefit of the listener and they will appreciate it if it is presented in the right way.
INK
Keep the presentation to the facts and avoid sensationalism. For example, explain the new technology and say that some people are skeptical due to the possibility of radiation exposure even though the government has said the machines are safe. Give a ton of advice that is helpful (like how to get through security without hassle) plus information about the new technology. Open the floor for questions and share your person opinions if the subject is broached.
This is hard work and will take a day or so of prep, but if out fellow FT folks could contribute a list of links to use for info, it will reduce the time needed. If someone could put together a power point presentation that everyone could use that would reduce some of the prep time as well.
Why this? These organizations meet very often and are commonly scratching around for speakers. They look for people that can provide useful but little known information (which we have) and try to avoid sales talks (not us) or sensationalism (we can do this, we really can). If you make a good presentation, you will be asked to make your presentation to others. These groups often contain the local community's leaders and shakers. If you get their attention, you will have the attention of people that can effect change.
Our biggest problem is that we travel a lot and committing midweek time to this will be a sacrifice. We need to make the process as easy as possible. Maybe we could have a thread with tips, links and such. We will need material to pass out, pdfs and printed at home is fine.
This is marketing 101 for consultants, of which I am one. The technique works. And in the end, we are consultants. We have knowledge that we need to share. The knowledge is for the benefit of the listener and they will appreciate it if it is presented in the right way.
INK
#70
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: California. USA
Posts: 1,404
Travelling to USA has dropped quit a bit.
It is so low that money has to be spent in tourism to encourage travelling. Also to give USA a good reputation abroad.
All people that I know in Europe ( quit a lot of them) will not come here.
They have all lost intrest in travelling here. Mostly because of the way they get treated in airports by various workers.
It is so low that money has to be spent in tourism to encourage travelling. Also to give USA a good reputation abroad.
All people that I know in Europe ( quit a lot of them) will not come here.
They have all lost intrest in travelling here. Mostly because of the way they get treated in airports by various workers.
#71
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
... The sentence below from the ACLU website spells it out:
Passengers...should not be required to display highly personal details of their bodies such as evidence of mastectomies, colostomy appliances, penile implants, catheter tubes and the size of their breasts or genitals as a pre-requisite to boarding a plane.
Passengers...should not be required to display highly personal details of their bodies such as evidence of mastectomies, colostomy appliances, penile implants, catheter tubes and the size of their breasts or genitals as a pre-requisite to boarding a plane.
TSA is not equipped or qualified to deal with these things.
#73
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO/SJC/SQL
Posts: 1,412
Any action must be minimally disruptive to the target audience. I've seen many awareness events backfire because the organizers alienated those they were seeking support from. In a campaign to seek reasonable speed limits on a local highway, a bunch of people decided to drive 55MPH during peak traffic times. On a typical day, people drove 65 - 70MPH. In the end, traffic was so backed up that the protesters swayed many with a neutral stance in the direction of the "safety" advocates. A family member told me of a plant where striking workers tied up traffic everyday for months by picketing on the shoulder of a busy highway and even stopping traffic at rush hours with sit-ins on the road. When the plant was shutdown, they received no sympathy from anyone.
Therefore, I would be against any mass action at a checkpoint that would delay people from going through security. The casual traveller is probably ambivalent but any inconvenience would turn them toward the wrong side. If a mass opt-out leads to the shutting down of a checkpoint with flights being missed, the folks will simply walk away mad and not better educated. A good checkpoint would be one where screening continue via the WTMD and patdowns performed in full view of the public. That way people can see how invasive security can be under the new system. A quick message can also be that the people being patted down are "taking one for the team" so that others can passthrough unmolested.
Therefore, I would be against any mass action at a checkpoint that would delay people from going through security. The casual traveller is probably ambivalent but any inconvenience would turn them toward the wrong side. If a mass opt-out leads to the shutting down of a checkpoint with flights being missed, the folks will simply walk away mad and not better educated. A good checkpoint would be one where screening continue via the WTMD and patdowns performed in full view of the public. That way people can see how invasive security can be under the new system. A quick message can also be that the people being patted down are "taking one for the team" so that others can passthrough unmolested.
#74
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: *wood Gold
Posts: 1,781
Therefore, I would be against any mass action at a checkpoint that would delay people from going through security. The casual traveller is probably ambivalent but any inconvenience would turn them toward the wrong side. If a mass opt-out leads to the shutting down of a checkpoint with flights being missed, the folks will simply walk away mad and not better educated. A good checkpoint would be one where screening continue via the WTMD and patdowns performed in full view of the public. That way people can see how invasive security can be under the new system. A quick message can also be that the people being patted down are "taking one for the team" so that others can passthrough unmolested.
#75
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 15,978
If a mass opt-out leads to the shutting down of a checkpoint with flights being missed, the folks will simply walk away mad and not better educated.
A good checkpoint would be one where screening continue via the WTMD and patdowns performed in full view of the public. That way people can see how invasive security can be under the new system.
A quick message can also be that the people being patted down are "taking one for the team" so that others can passthrough unmolested.
Last edited by essxjay; Aug 26, 2010 at 3:41 pm