bdschobel

It's already bizarre that the U.S. and Australia don't have some kind of visa-waiver program in place. We shouldn't need visas to visit each other's countries.

Bruce

aeleva

Today I contacted:

My home airport is SFO, which is owned by the city of SF, so I tried to contact some of the people likely to read their own mail:

- The five members of the SFO Airport Commission (could not find contact info for the "Airport Director"... give a shout if you have a link to public contact info)
- SF Mayor Gavin Newsom
- State Assemblyman Monning
- United Continental Holdings -- CEO and chairman

I am not sure if it's worth it to send letters to any of the Washington DC level people -- they don't read their own mail. I did consider sending one to the white house though -- after the white house said they supported the pat downs and scanners, with a copy of Obama's inauguration speech where he says we cannot sacrifice liberty for safety and expedience.

I will follow up on these letters as the situation develops this week.

NotaCriminal

That's what I said when I read it.

neko

Looks like a good list.

You can find (old-fashion) contact info for the manager and owner of any US airport from the FAA database. This will tell you everything about how to takeoff or land from that airport (the contact info's around mid-page, just in case you're not fascinated by radio frequencies and visual beacons). Some airport websites have (modern) contact info reachable from a less obvious link.

It's worthwhile to contact national representatives because they are the ones who actually have authority and responsibility. They don't read their own mail, but they do have interns that tabulate issues and opinions of incoming mail.

It can also make sense to target your contacts more carefully. If you call and ask to speak to the staffer who is responsible for homeland security or transportation issues, you can sometimes reach a "real person". If your rep is on one of the relevant senate or house committees; s/he will definitely have a staffer who specializes in these issues. Contact info for the Senate Committee is here.

One problem is that congressional staff are moving around even faster than the congresspersons just now and the house committees will change hands in January. Another concerted campaign in Feb/Mar might be useful.

jtb226

I've contacted my district representatives to the Senate and House via email (Arlen Specter, Bob Casey, and Glen Thompson). Rec'd only canned responses from Specter and Casey and nothing from Thompson. Casey's only said "Thank you for your email, it has been rec'd by my office". So, i'm 0 for 3 (not that I really expected anything).

Would it do me any good to contact state reps?

neko

It certainly can't hurt. A group of NJ state senators are introducing a resolution opposing the scanners.

You can also look up (info is in the middle of the page) what agency owns the airports you fly out of (most are owned by a county or city). You can google contact information for members of that agency (or contact e.g. the mayor or city council, if the owner is a city).

If you're a frequent flyer, it can also be helpful to contact your airline (customer service pointer on their homepage) and let them know that this affects your willingness to fly. The USTA, a travel industry association is also collecting comments.

ConcernedAndScared

I got this from Dean Heller (Rep R-NV, 2nd district) today via snail mail. Nothing from Harry Reid or John Ensign yet, but it's only been a couple of days (I sent these out Saturday). I'm bound to make a few typos transcribing the letter, so forgive me; the typos are mine, not his."

"Dear Mr. Scared,

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about body scanners and body searches at U.S. airports. I appreciate your thoughts on this important issue.

Like many Americans, I was disturbed to hear of the news last Christmas Day that a Nigerian terrorist, Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab, attempted to ignite explosive chemicals to kill innocent civilians aboard Northwest Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. In response to this incident, some Americans have been advocating for increased use of X-ray body scanners and pat-down searches to detect bombs or weapons under airline passengers' clothes. The event and new TSA policies has rekindled the debate about security needs superseding civil liberties.

I share your belief that protecting Americans' precious civil liberties is critically important. The liberty and privacy we enjoy in America is part of the way of life that makes our nation worth protecting, and you can be sure I will continue working to protect these rights. You should be pleased to learn that I voted to *LIMIT* [emphasis mine] the use of body scanners at U.S. airports. The Department of Homeland Security should work tirelessly to detect, deter and defeat hostile acts targeting U.S. air carriers, airpots, passengers, and crews without infringing on our civil liberties. Please rest assured that I will keep your views in mind, and will strongly consider any new proposals that would protect American citizens from terrorists while also protecting our civil liberties. I remain committed to upholding my oath to ensure my constituents' liberties through my work in Congress and will keep your concerns in mind as legislation concerning our cherished civil liberties comes to the House floor.

Once again, thank you for contacting me to share ... etc. etc."

Overall a positive response, but I'm curious what "limit the use of body scanners" means? I mean, right now they are certainly "limited" but that's unacceptable. That can be read in both contexts, that "he voted to make them off-limits at the airport" or "that he voted that they be used sparingly at airports." Unfortunately I think the latter is more likely. But nonetheless, a good letter I think.

I'm still very curious if Reid will write me back.

Thanks for reading.

eyecue

I sent an email to mica and one to perlmutter. Told them both they are not the brightest bulbs in the circuit. I have not heard back.

gojirasan

I can't believe you actually got a letter back. I've never even heard of such a thing nowadays. It looks like it could be a form letter, but even if it is that's good news I guess that they went to the trouble of making a form letter for such complaints.

slsdi

I finally got a reply from Senator Feinstein (I emailed in early Nov). I guess I am not too surprised, but she is pro-pornoscanner. She didn't address the pat-down issue at all.

Sadly, my vote won't matter for her reelection or not. I do plan on calling & asking if her office is aware that the scanners/pat downs were unlikely to catch the underwear bomber, but I won't have time probably until next week.

Still no reply yet from Boxer, who did at least oppose some parts of the PATRIOT Act.

ladytraveler

I've written to Rep. Perriello (VA-5th Dist.) who is a lame duck, and Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner. I've even written to the President.

Warner is on the Security Committee, and he's the only one who answered me. It was a form letter, and said he was watching developments carefully.

myadvice

Most likely the vote for HR2200 the "Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act " (111th Congress 2009-2010). Passed the House. No Senate Action.

Here is how everyone voted.

Full text on the bill is available in Thomas

Some nuggets:

Wollstonecraft

^This is very useful, thanks!

I have faxed Boxer multiple times now and heard nothing. I got a canned letter from Feinstein similar to the one above. I would venture to guess she is pro-body scanners. My best letter so far has been from Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, who expressed civil liberties concerns and emphasized the role of intelligence. She ran unopposed and doesn't have any particular reason to be opposed to invasive passenger screening, so I am guessing she is doing it on principle. Yay.

jbcarioca

I have called, faxed and emailed my representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Zero response. Not too surprised actually.

snowmentality

Last week I wrote to my Senators, Richard Burr and Kay Hagan, and my House representative, David Price. I also wrote to President Obama.

No response yet, but it usually takes a few weeks to get a form letter back.

Considering calling them as well -- it seems like that carries more weight somehow.