Originally Posted by
chollie
Shame on you, TSORon. That non-reply was worthy of BB, but I expected better of you.
I’m in good company then.
Originally Posted by
chollie
However, I have read repeatedly that once a passenger enters the checkpoint, they do NOT have the option of changing their mind partway through the exercise and leaving. They must (and I believe courts upheld this) complete the screening. For example: as I understand it, if my bag alarms and you want to search it, I do NOT have the option to say 'forget it, give me my bag, I'm out of here' and leave. TSA may complete its process and decide not to allow me into the sterile area, or I may complete the process and decide I don't want to fly after all, but I am not allowed to interrupt the process and leave.
Hmmm, interesting points. Let me see if I can answer without violating any rules.
We can’t “force” anyone to complete screening. You are not a prisoner, you have rights. You can bet though that there are going to be consequences for refusing to complete screening once you start. I imagine that a LEO will be called, questions will be asked, and of course they will try and talk you into completing screening. I don’t know what will happen to you if you continue to refuse, I have never seen it happen. I do know that neither you nor your property will be allowed into the sterile area.
Originally Posted by
chollie
Your statement about the passenger saying 'no' and being allowed to leave doesn't ring true. Further, in that situation, there's no alternative way to satisfy the screening requirements, ie, if a passenger opts out of the WBI, then finds out it involves a full-body frisk, I suppose the passenger could ask to be sent to the WBI after all, But in the case of an involuntary medical opt-out (ie, passenger can not assume and hold the position), the full-body frisk is the only option.
Did I say that after saying “no” that you would be allowed to leave? After beginning screening? I don’t remember saying that. In any case we won’t nail you to the floor or tackle you if you do try to leave. We leave that kind of stuff to the LEO’s.
Originally Posted by
chollie
You indicated that some of what I described shouldn't be happening. Another TSO has posted that in some cases visual resolution will be necessary. I was surprised because in the incident involving the woman with pierced nipples, she was willing to submit to visual resolution but told TSA SOP didn't permit it. If I have a bulky surgical bandage over a very painful incision that should not be subjected to pressure, I understand all the 'bla-bla-bla' (don't waste space cuttting-and-pasting parts of the TSA mission statement here) about passenger safety. When presented with this situation (the wound site must be cleared, pressure is extremely painful and could even rupture an incision), another TSO referred to visual inspection, ie, remove the dressing so you can be sure there's nothing under it and apply the necessary degree of pressure or handling to the dressing itself to make sure it's not concealing anything. I don't know what the processes involve to resolve something like this is - I'm sure they are SSI, although eventually they'll become public because you will resolve this issues somehow - for the safety of all of us.
Interesting. How long are we going to “what if”?
There are ways of clearing a bandage such as you describe without putting any pressure on it. AIT systems being one. There are others as well, but if you want to get through screening you can’t say “NO” to all of them. At some point along the “NO” chain of events we are not going to be able to meet the required level of screening and you will not be allowed into the sterile area.