Good day!

As a Southwest Airlines shareholder, I want to convey my concerns over recent policies of the Transportation Security Administration and the potential impacts on Southwest’s business (and thus long-term stock price).
I know that TSA is not directly under any airline’s control. However, I am certain that Southwest can exert greater influence on TSA’s policies than I can. I request that Southwest exert what influence it can regarding TSA’s airport security screening policies, as those policies may substantially negatively impact revenue as people choose not to fly.

TSA has been increasing their use of whole-body imaging scanners and intrusive pat-downs. TSA had promised that WBI scanning would not be a primary screening method. However, their policy in practice has been to direct passengers through WBI scans instead of the metal detector. Passengers opting out of WBI scans are subject to detailed physical searches; these searches by TSA policy involve physical examination of genital areas. Passengers have reported being groped and fondled in the conduct of these searches.

New TSA policy indicates that as the fall travel ramps up, TSA will seek to conduct intrusive pat-downs of all passengers. This will create extensive delays at airport security checkpoints. These searches also intrude on passengers’ expectations of privacy and modesty. These searches treat every passenger with strong disrespect.

In sum, TSA’s WBI scans and intrusive pat-downs defy Southwest’s ad tag line, “You are now free to move about the country.”

I ask Southwest to use its corporate influence as a major provider of air travel in the US to (1) oppose TSA’s policies for the present and expanded use of WBI and intrusive pat-downs, and (2) promote smart and effective methods of screening passengers and baggage to prevent weapons and explosives from getting onto airplanes, while respecting passengers’ rights and dignity.

Sincerely,
{sig}

I have considered the argument for TSA body scanners. At the end of the day I will go on record saying that this is unacceptable. The individual in our society is systematically being degraded, demoted, stripped of his/her liberties and now, simply stripped.

TSA body scanners are supposedly a measure to protect us from Terrorism. Terror? If you read most forums associated with these scanners (as well as most online polls) you will discover that Americans are terrified alright. We are terrified by the insinuation of impending Authoritarianism inherent in this scanner scenario.

The message to every man, to every woman, to every child, is: "You will strip for Us. We will look at your naked bodies. You will not see Us, but We will see you. We will blur certain details of your nude image as a courtesy, but We have the power both to view and to document your nude image if We desire to do so. We may or may not use images of your naked body for Intelligence purposes. If you decline the scan (while declining is still an option) We will explore your body with Our hands rather than Our eyes. Either way We can and will violate you. You cannot win. We are in control. This is for your protection. Submit now."

This isn't merely the threat of a few troglodytic TSA employees receiving X-Ray Glasses from their bosses and being told that they are not only ALLOWED to look up any skirt they want but (snicker, snicker) that they'll be PAID for it. Just that in itself is inappropriate and unacceptable, but -- at least for most -- not an act of Terror. The Terror comes from the logical deduction that a potentially sinister, faceless force is rounding us up and herding us through mandatory checkpoints shoeless, virtually naked, and almost completely powerless.

Whether or not is DOES anything sinister with that power isn't the issue. It's the fact that it could, and that we would be helpless to defend ourselves. That is Terror.

For as long as this technology is in place my family will either drive or take trains.

Dear Sir,

Attached please find a copy of correspondence I recently shared with my elected representatives. Since the issue of airline security is one that directly affects the financial health and well being of airlines such as your own, I feel you ought to be informed there is a groundswelling movement directed at stopping the Federal Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) from gross abuses of the person and effects of those who choose to travel via aircraft.

Until such time as TSA’s processes are reviewed by Congress and the courts, I personally intend to dramatically reduce the frequency and distance (cost) of airline trips I purchase for leisure travel. I feel that the currently required invasion of my privacy necessitates this step. Along with this invasion, of course, has come a requirement to invest noticeably more time, money and mental suffering in the need to arrive several hours early for a flight, and in contemplation of what is now an increasingly likely chance I will be significantly delayed or caused to miss my scheduled departure.

It is my understanding the TSA now shoulders costs and legal responsibilities formerly borne by the airlines in screening passengers, thus the hesitance by airline executives in helping to address these issues. However, I feel the bottom line of America’s air travel companies may at some point be affected by the hesitance of customers to purchase airline travel, given the increased costs via government intervention in what should be the private affairs of common people.

Signed,
Divemistress
[AA/DL/F9/WN/UN/US Frequent Flyer number] (I'm a member of all of them)

When the IRA was active, they posed a more real threat to the people of the United Kingdom than Al Qaeda & Co. – and they regularly delivered on that threat. We didn’t allow them to change our way of life to anything like the degree we now permit these terrorists to change our liberties and freedoms