BOS - "Mandatory body scanner" with SSSS BP?
Oct 12, 2010, 8:35 pm
#16
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Oct 13, 2010, 2:58 am
#17
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Oct 14, 2010, 7:58 am
#19
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The TSA replies to my complaint
It took them less than 48 hours. The reply is pretty much a form letter; however, it does confirm that the opt-out procedure remains in place.
Thank you for your email message. We are sorry you were unhappy with your recent travel experience.
Screenings using AIT are voluntary. Individuals who do not wish to be screened by this technology will be required to undergo alternative screening, including a physical pat-down. Signs are posted in front of each AIT location advising passengers of this right.
Because your complaint is regarding screening at BOS, we have forwarded a copy of your email to the Customer Service Manager at that airport. The Customer Service Manager is responsible for ensuring that the screener workforce adheres to TSA principles for professional processing.
We monitor the number and nature of complaints we receive to track trends and spot areas of concern that may require special attention. This ongoing process will enable us to ensure prompt, corrective action whenever we determine that security-screening policies need modification or specific employees or screener teams are the subjects of repeated complaints.
Again, the TSA offers sincere apologies for the discomfort you experienced while traveling and encourage you to check the latest information at www.tsa.gov.
TSA Contact Center
Screenings using AIT are voluntary. Individuals who do not wish to be screened by this technology will be required to undergo alternative screening, including a physical pat-down. Signs are posted in front of each AIT location advising passengers of this right.
Because your complaint is regarding screening at BOS, we have forwarded a copy of your email to the Customer Service Manager at that airport. The Customer Service Manager is responsible for ensuring that the screener workforce adheres to TSA principles for professional processing.
We monitor the number and nature of complaints we receive to track trends and spot areas of concern that may require special attention. This ongoing process will enable us to ensure prompt, corrective action whenever we determine that security-screening policies need modification or specific employees or screener teams are the subjects of repeated complaints.
Again, the TSA offers sincere apologies for the discomfort you experienced while traveling and encourage you to check the latest information at www.tsa.gov.
TSA Contact Center
Oct 14, 2010, 8:06 am
#20
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I think this kind of big mouth talk is counterproductive. These NoS screenings, gropings, and the TSA in general represent signifcant degradation to our 4th ammendment rights. Hyperbole and this kind of spouting off weaken the legitimate complaints that most of us have about this invasion of privacy. We need to be organized, rational, calm and collected in resistance to this TSA abuse.
Last edited by ludocdoc; Oct 14, 2010 at 8:11 am
Oct 14, 2010, 8:10 pm
#22
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TSA: Enhanced pat-downs coming nationwide Oct. 31?
When it comes to the Transportation Security Administration’s new security measures, it’s hard to know who to believe anymore.Take enhanced pat-downs. A few months ago, I asked the TSA if it was was giving people who refused the full-body scans a more thorough once-over. It denied it.Then it un-denied it, admitting that it had been testing a more aggressive pat-down technique.So when I asked TSA about what reader Andrew Burmeister heard when he was flying last week, I had to read between the lines.
Can they possibly make flying any worse?
Oct 14, 2010, 9:42 pm
#23
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Oct 25, 2010, 12:33 pm
#24
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Oct 28, 2010, 11:46 pm
#25
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More from the TSA
From the BOS TSA this time:
Guess I'll have to add this to my travel documents for my next trip to BOS, in case I run into more TSOs who "forget or become confused" by the security procedures... wait, aren't the passengers supposed to be the ones who are confused?!
Although we were unable to identify any information specific to the October 12, 2010, incident you have described, we wanted to inform you that to date, TSA has used Advanced Imaging technology (AIT) on a purely continuously random screening basis and an alternative to a pat-down inspection. Passengers who have been identified for screening with AIT may opt-out for a pat-down instead, regardless of SSSS or other protocol. We constantly have new procedures to meet new potential threats and on occasion a TSO may forget or become confused.
Oct 28, 2010, 11:50 pm
#26
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I guess they shouldn't be security screening clerks if they forget or become confused.
Dec 10, 2010, 8:30 am
#27
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Anatomy of a TSA complaint via Congress
After this incident, I forwarded my complaint to my congressman as well. The wheels of government grind slowly, and I've finally heard back nearly two months later. This may be a useful benchmark for those who filed complaints in November after these "enhanced" procedures were rolled out nationwide.
Congressman Frank's office unfortunately says little more than "we forwarded your complaint to the TSA and here's the letter they sent back to us." The letter came from the TSA's office of legislative affairs, and mentions that they have forwarded a copy of my letter to the Federal Security Director at BOS. In addition:
And then goes on to the usual "it's safe", "we're unpredictable", etc spiel the TSA usually gives.
So, while this whole misadventure didn't result in any huge gains, at least BOS TSA should by now be aware of TSA procedures... and just as TSA replied to e-mail at federal and airport levels, I wonder how the BOS FSD will reply to this more formal complaint via Congress?
Congressman Frank's office unfortunately says little more than "we forwarded your complaint to the TSA and here's the letter they sent back to us." The letter came from the TSA's office of legislative affairs, and mentions that they have forwarded a copy of my letter to the Federal Security Director at BOS. In addition:
Mr. danang was correct in noting that screenings using AIT (millimeter wave and backscatter systems) are voluntary. Individuals who do not wish to be screened by this technology will be required to undergo alternative screening, including a physical patdown. Signs are posted in front of each AIT location advising passengers of this right. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regrets if this was not the case in Mr. danang's experience.
So, while this whole misadventure didn't result in any huge gains, at least BOS TSA should by now be aware of TSA procedures... and just as TSA replied to e-mail at federal and airport levels, I wonder how the BOS FSD will reply to this more formal complaint via Congress?
Dec 10, 2010, 9:29 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2007
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When is the earliest you can find out if you are SSSS? Will a boarding pass you print at home have the SSSS on it? I do sometimes fly on one way tickets. If I get an SSSS I would have to reschedule the flight since it means I would have to opt out of a genital patdown anyway. Maybe at some point they will disallow one way tickets anyway since obviously anyone with a one way ticket is a terrorist.
Dec 10, 2010, 10:13 am
#29
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When is the earliest you can find out if you are SSSS? Will a boarding pass you print at home have the SSSS on it? I do sometimes fly on one way tickets. If I get an SSSS I would have to reschedule the flight since it means I would have to opt out of a genital patdown anyway. Maybe at some point they will disallow one way tickets anyway since obviously anyone with a one way ticket is a terrorist.
can indicate SSSS if they Now you mention that if you win a maSSSSage, you will opt out. Unfortunately, that is something you cannot do-and that is whether or not you have opted out of the nude-o-scope and thus get an enhanced
Now you mention that you would cancel your flight if you are SSSSelected and the only sure fire way to do it once you notice SSSS on your bp is to cancel your ticket at the ticket counter before even going to security as once the screening process has started, you must complete the process even if you want to exit the secure area to go back and cancel your ticket.
Dec 10, 2010, 3:12 pm
#30
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Congressman Frank's office unfortunately says little more than "we forwarded your complaint to the TSA and here's the letter they sent back to us." The letter came from the TSA's office of legislative affairs, and mentions that they have forwarded a copy of my letter to the Federal Security Director at BOS. In addition:
I'd suggest you try to contact Scott Brown, because even though he is a complete moron, he's probably gonna be a one termer and is therefore more inclined to listen to the public.