Originally Posted by
Firebug4
People walk by us all the time. It is a choice to talk to us or not. The airport operation can and is conducted at any point in the airport. They occur at the checkpoint, the gates, baggage claim, in front of the bathroom if that is where the officer decides to ask the questions. The choice to talk to the officer or not is entirely up to the traveler. Very few people say nothing at all to the officer. Some will say they really don't have time. Fewer still will say they don't want to answer our questions at all. (Which is probably a better tactic for you to use as it leaves no doubt if you heard us or not). The majority of people answer the questions and are on their way in less than a minute and a half. You can put it in quotes all you like it still is the travelers choice to talk to us or not. There is no requirement that we advise them they don't have to talk to us.
You physically threaten people by wearing weapons and physically blocking their way. Hardly a choice. But thanks for this. I will walk right past next time. If I get touched by one of your colleagues, assault and battery charges will be filed. If they block my way, I will file assault charges for the non-consensual encounter.
There is a report that one BP agent was physically blocking the line to the TSO in one case.
Not only that, but the TDC at the medical/family line was directing passengers away from that entry to the checkpoint and to the one where the armed Border Patrol agents were blocking the way.
Originally Posted by
Firebug4
Or perhaps you might see what those involved in Immigration Enforcement have seen long ago. That airports, train stations, and bus stations are used and are an extention of the smuggling routes used to smuggle people and contraband into and around the United States.
You might as well say "9/11" over and over again. Perhaps spell Marijuana with an h? You will say anything to justify harassing people.