KDS

Another legal suit has been filed:
https://nypost.com/2018/08/11/tsa-sc...daughter-suit/

I will hope that this might lead to some shame for our elected officials and unelected bureaucrats.... I will hope, but I won't expect results. I do continue to be angry about the personal and constitutional violations that occur every day. My US representative and US senators have ignored all my calls, emails, etc. Must be nice to be part of the elite who don't have to suffer this abuse.

petaluma1

Poorly trained or screeners who actually take pleasure from sexually abusing passengers? Or both?

WillCAD

How far gone are we?

This guy seems less upset about a TSO fondling his junk than about the fact that the TSO fondled his junk in front of his daughter. I guess he'd be okay with a TSO fondling his junk if only it were done in private?

Personally, I think TSOs shouldn't be fondling peoples' junk AT ALL, public or private. In my opinion, such as search is far more intrusive or intensive than necessary, in light of current technology, to detect weapons or explosives, confined in good faith to that purpose. Hence, it's un-Constitutional and illegal.

Being something of a cynic when it comes to the erosion of our personal liberties and individual rights, I have little hope that this lawsuit will ever even be heard in front of a jury, much less change anything. Given past lawsuit results, I'm sure that the courts will all either deny that they have jurisdiction, or deny that the plaintiff has standing, to hear the case, and it will eventually peter out into nothing.

But I wish luck to anyone trying to halt TSA and DHS's over-reach and abuse of the people.

Boggie Dog

What a sad state of affairs when TSA Sexual Assault is so commonplace that it is not only expected but tolerated. Has the screener been placed on leave until the matter is resolved? I don't know but would bet an ice cold cola that the guy is groping other people still. TSA won't even make a statement, must be nice thinking the agency untouchable.

The consequences of TSA misconduct are near nil, the only court a case can be brought in is without jury and there seems to be no legal jeopardy for individual TSA screeners. I would say that is a complete failure of the justice system to let citizens seek justice. I certainly don't think the framers ever visualized a situation where wronged parties had no avenue to seek redress.

Given the complete denial of problems by TSA, DHS, and Congress I see little chance of any changes at TSA in the near term.

Think I will start wearing loose slacks and go commando for my next screenings, might as well present the largest target of opportunity for the screeners.

FliesWay2Much

The American People need to rise up and tell the executive and lesiglative branches that this level of intrusiveness is unacceptable -- period. But, the deck is stacked against us:

1. The TSA is very good at the art of inventing threats that only they can mitigate. Nobody in Congress has ever challenged them, except for the SPOTNik program. What did the TSA do? SPOT became Quiet Skies. Nobody except a courageous Boston Globe reporter has spoken up.
2. Nobody in power cares because they all have bought into ExtortionCheck. They have no idea what happens to the Proletariat who goes through the Nude-o-Scope with its resultant sexual assaults.
3. The current political environment doesn't allow for Congress to deal with real issues.
4. The airlines don't care anymore.

Georgia Peach

FliesWay2Much

...and the individual would have a few less teeth...

Boggie Dog

The Texas Stand Your Ground Law is a defense to protect oneself in their home, vehicle, or place of work. Not sure if it extends to other places but I recall the words, "place legally to be at" might apply. Would be an interesting case if one was to defend themselves from a sexual assault by a TSA screener. No more force than needed to stop the assault and you can be sure the screener and/orTSA would file charges. Wonder if a person could counter sue in such situation?

BSBD

Boggie Dog

Consent to be screened, yes . Consent to be sexually assaulted, no!

84fiero

Agree and I would add #5 - too many people (from my anecdotal experience anyway) buy into the "anything for security" mindset and/or don't fly enough to see enhanced patdowns as even a potential problem.

petaluma1

Nowhere does TSA advise passengers that their genitals will be searched. In fact, they specifically have said

Touching of the genitals is deliberate and its sexually assaultive.

TSA is too cowardly to use the word genitals, instead using the term "groin area." With women especially "groin area" does not cut the mustard. I would like to see a woman sue the TSA on this very aspect of its SOP.

BSBD

Punch the screener next time you get a patdown, and report back. It will be interesting to see how long of a prison sentence you get

Boggie Dog

So you agree, there is no defense against a sexual assault by a TSA screener while going through TSA screening?

I never said punch, I said no more force than necessary to stop an assault.

nachtnebel

Correct. Such as the pushback by the Texas congressman when he was hit in the genitals so hard he doubled up. All caught on video. No charges either way. I imagine the TSA clerk may have been retrained.

And, no, the TSA clerks are NOT free to do as they please in the search.