Originally Posted by
petaluma1
So in order to make certain that a passenger is not hiding something under a bandage, TSA presses harder on those sites. That's really smart.
Why does TSA require people wearing casts and using crutches to give up those crutches and hop through scanners, either WTMD or WBI? Why does TSA force people using crutches to stand while those crutches are being sent through the x-ray? What would happen if someone refused to put their health at risk to satisfy TSA?
When is TSA going to publish a reconciliation of all those "dangerous items" found "daily" while molesting passengers?
Actually, I would appreciate it if you didn't try to put words in my mouth, I am quite comfortable with my own. I never said that "TSA presses harder on those sites", that was someone else here. I believe that my statement was " In terms of identified sensitive areas, the TSOs are supposed to clear the area, but we are also supposed to work with the passenger, and be conscious of the pain it can cause". If anything, what I said contradicts what you are implying.
TSA does not
force passengers to hop through anything, the passenger has a choice on how they can be screened - if they choose to use the WTMD or AIT, then we are to work with them to get them through with as little hassle as possible. If they do not choose to use the WTMD or AIT, then the last resort available to them is the pat-down. When we conduct a pat-down, the passenger does not even have to stand up, we can do it with the individual in the chair, at GSO, we even keep chairs near the back of the checkpoint in case someone with limited mobility needs a place to sit down during a pat-down. There are myriad ways we can work with a passenger to get them through the checkpoint, and at times we may offer other screening methods, but ultimately the choice is made by the passenger, not the TSOs.
Originally Posted by
T-the-B
I truly believe you are sincere in your believe that "the organization can follow up on things like this", but it runs counter to my experience.
Here is one experience I had. After going through the normal screening process (WTMD) I was pulled aside for additional screening. I was not given the option of private screening. Rather I was ordered into a room for private screening against my expressed desire. During the "screening process" (groping) the TSO rubbed my genitals with the front of his hand while also making gratuitous comments about my muscle tone. Those comments were totally inappropriate and uncomfortable to me in the extreme. I did just as you suggest. I filed a complaint with the TSA and with my representative. The TSA's response basically boiled down to "so what". No one from TSA contacted me to gather any additional information, no one ever addressed what were clearly inappropriate comments by the screener, No one ever explained why the groping had to be done away from the public view. Not a single person at the TSA gave a damn. In short there was no follow up worth of the term.
If you want to hear about the lack of interest when I had screeners attempt to steal from my bag let me know and I'll post about those incidents, too.
In short, filing complaints may provide some cathartic relief but nothing else will come of it.
I apologize that your experience has been different than I have described. I also appreciate your comments.
I will give you the same information I gave above. If you file a complaint with TSA, and are dissatisfied with the results, you can always step up the chain and file with
DHS OIG. It is an imperfect system, and some times things are not addressed the way they should be - if you feel that is the case, then file with DHS OIG, also as mentioned above, the next step is elected officials, and that is... inconsistent at best.
I hear and experience many more positive comments at my airport than constructive, not because we don't get constructive ones, but because we are a smaller airport and have a consistent traveler base. Most of our regulars know they can stop and talk to the STSO on the way out if they are unhappy, as do the majority of our infrequent passengers. I have fielded complaints, compliments and simply talked with tons of people that were asking questions. We are lucky that we have that opportunity here, because I am not the only one that does it. I hope that your future travels are uneventful at worst, and wonderful in any case.