TSA to His Mother-in-Law: 'There's an Anomaly in the Crotch Area'
Apr 28, 2012, 3:54 pm
#1
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TSA to His Mother-in-Law: 'There's an Anomaly in the Crotch Area'
She entered the machine and struck the humiliating pose one is forced to strike -- hands up, as in an armed robbery -- and then walked out, when she was asked by a TSA agent, in a voice loud enough for several people to hear, "Are you wearing a sanitary napkin?"
Remember, she's 79.
My mother-in-law answered, "No. Why do you ask?"
The TSA agent responded: "Well, are you wearing anything else down there?"
Yes, "down there."
Remember, she's 79.
My mother-in-law answered, "No. Why do you ask?"
The TSA agent responded: "Well, are you wearing anything else down there?"
Yes, "down there."
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/...ors_picks=true
As I wrote in an earlier thread with a similar topic, I keep hoping - maybe in vain as others argue convincingly - for tipping points and critical mass to kick in.
Apr 28, 2012, 4:21 pm
#2
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I am in full support of 2 of the 3 main points of this article.
1. That it's all Security Theater and that "The terrorists" have won.
2. That the TSA sale associate should have spoken to the MIL in a quieter tone and not broadcast it so that others could hear.
But when it comes to the terminology/phrases used...I think they did an ok job. I wouldn't want to hear MIL and crotch area either but the terms are direct and not offensive in my opinion.
But still Death to the TSA.
1. That it's all Security Theater and that "The terrorists" have won.
2. That the TSA sale associate should have spoken to the MIL in a quieter tone and not broadcast it so that others could hear.
But when it comes to the terminology/phrases used...I think they did an ok job. I wouldn't want to hear MIL and crotch area either but the terms are direct and not offensive in my opinion.
But still Death to the TSA.
Apr 28, 2012, 5:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,425
I am in full support of 2 of the 3 main points of this article.
1. That it's all Security Theater and that "The terrorists" have won.
2. That the TSA sale associate should have spoken to the MIL in a quieter tone and not broadcast it so that others could hear.
But when it comes to the terminology/phrases used...I think they did an ok job. I wouldn't want to hear MIL and crotch area either but the terms are direct and not offensive in my opinion.
But still Death to the TSA.
1. That it's all Security Theater and that "The terrorists" have won.
2. That the TSA sale associate should have spoken to the MIL in a quieter tone and not broadcast it so that others could hear.
But when it comes to the terminology/phrases used...I think they did an ok job. I wouldn't want to hear MIL and crotch area either but the terms are direct and not offensive in my opinion.
But still Death to the TSA.
Clearly, use of the the AIT causes more problems than it solves. It does not work, it can be easily evaded, as John Corbett showed, and it results in unjustified searches of persons contrary to any normal reading of the 4th Amendment.
Apr 28, 2012, 5:41 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Imaging technology is the wrong methodological approach to find weapons and explosives. It detects images on body surfaces. It cannot differentiate between a sanitary napkin and an underwear bomb. It was doombed before it started to cause more harm than good.
And explosives can get through undetected - inside cavities, under fake skin or pancakes...
And explosives can get through undetected - inside cavities, under fake skin or pancakes...
Apr 28, 2012, 6:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,007
Imaging technology is the wrong methodological approach to find weapons and explosives. It detects images on body surfaces. It cannot differentiate between a sanitary napkin and an underwear bomb. It was doombed before it started to cause more harm than good.
And explosives can get through undetected - inside cavities, under fake skin or pancakes...
And explosives can get through undetected - inside cavities, under fake skin or pancakes...
Apr 28, 2012, 8:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,425
Exactly. If they take the person's word for it, it is a charade. If they let it pass it is a charade. If they demand definitive proof from the person, they stir up a PR fire storm. Ain't it a beech about them high false positive rates?
Just sh*tcan the AIT and rethink what you're doing.
Apr 29, 2012, 7:11 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ZRH - Zurich Switzerland. I like my local Airport. Wake-up at 0500uhr. Airside and through Security 80 minutes later after Shower, Breakfast and 10km Train ride. That is good!
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.... If TSA clerks have to ask someone from the general public if they are wearing a sanitary pad, they have clearly gone too far. No one should have such things (1) revealed when guilty of nothing besides buying a airline ticket and (2) be questioned about it. Those indeed are questions commonly asked of visitors to prisons. They should not be questions for someone boarding an airplane.
...
...
I am really shocked.
My mother is nearly 79 and I would be ashamed of my country if she was being asked "are you wearing a Sanitary Pad?" by our Airport Security here.
Apr 29, 2012, 7:26 am
#10
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Having traversed your very civilized and even friendly ZRH security more than once, I can understand your dismay.
Apr 29, 2012, 7:58 am
#11
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kOewRGhtx8
Apr 29, 2012, 10:37 am
#12
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That's because the Swiss have common sense and keep their government responsive to them (democracy). The US is run by insane criminals.
May 1, 2012, 1:12 pm
#14
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Glad to see this made it to the boing boing RSS feed. Every additional story of this nature is another nail in the TSA's coffin. The iron curtain did not fall in a day.
That being said the TSA morons continue to disgust me with their antics. Sad that the famous exchange with Senator McCarthy continues to resonate: "Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last?"
That being said the TSA morons continue to disgust me with their antics. Sad that the famous exchange with Senator McCarthy continues to resonate: "Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last?"
Last edited by Boraxo; May 1, 2012 at 1:15 pm Reason: fix quote