Originally Posted by Cholula
Good points above but I have a slightly different take on the suggestion of increased private pat-downs.
One advantage of many people requesting private pat-downs thus slowing the lines and causing mucho people to miss their flights would be a quick and overwhelming reaction by the airlines directed toward Homeland Security.
I don't see any way that the airlines are going to idly stand by and accept 1000's of pax missing flights.
The airlines can get the ear of the TSA bigwigs much faster than the average pax. Slow down the process, create a spate of missed or delayed flights and I predict the airlines will quickly step in and carry the ball on this.
Cholula,
I agree 100%! While I'm not a fan of private gropings/patdowns per se (because they take this practice out of public view), I'm for anything that would bring the system to its knees in a very visible way.
The TSA has really built itself a lose/lose situation. The press hasn't dropped this issue and has stayed on it much longer than any other "TSA improvement." GredGirl has started a web site. If lots of us demand private screenings, resources are tied up, the lines slow down, people and airlines complain and the TSA loses. If the TSA rescinds it policy to conduct private screenings, people -- especially women -- will complain about that louder than ever. Screeners, supervisors and passengers wil be stressed out in the trenches. The TSA loses again. That's OK -- in the name of liberty.
To follow your football analogy, it's 3 & 34 for the TSA and we have to pin our ears back and blitz 9 guys. We MUST force a very public debate on groping/patdowns that the TSA was either incapable or unwilling to have on its own. We rolled on the shoe carnival and we rolled on unlocked luggage. Shame on us if we roll on gropings/patdowns. It's time for the American people to take a stand.