The minute you stop flying.

There was a thread here the other day on a woman that was forced to strip down to her undergarmets by TSA because she was wearing a zippered-sweatshirt. That stripping was not in lieu of a patdown; they required her to strip in addition to the patdown.

Where do we draw the line on "anything for security?"[/QUOTE]



I believe you are talking about me in this post. Just a quick update here, I will also post it on the other thread when I get a chance (flying so much I don't have time!).

I received a call today from someone at TSA at DCA. I spoke with her about the situation for 30 minutes. Bottom line is that she admitted that the screening I received was excessive, and I should not have been forced to remove my shirt.

I am not sure this will really change anything, but it is a step. I will be contacting the reporter from the article.

Jennifer

HERE IS ONE RIGHT HERE! Yes I have complained, both in person and in writing to TSA and in writing to my representatives in Washington.

As a former federal prosecutor, I was outraged at receiving scrotal palpation (left, right, and perineal aspects) during my last trip as a "punishment" for declining the "voluntary" shoe removal.

No, I did not complain at the scene. But I would encourage all victims to e-mail their stories to this reporter.

Many people believe that the body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit; these actions are a defilement of one's body and chastity. Others have a healthy agnostic respect for the value of each individual's uniqueness, and the fact that in our constitutional system, government comes from the consent of the governed

We do not consent to these indignities!

With publicity, the public will come to soundly reject these actions that are being conducted in their name.

The politics will follow.

So, it would seem that you agree that the TSA does nothing to make flying safe?

As long as the fanatical people here are flying I don't feel safe.

It appears the country has voted for four more years of the same thing. You have to pressure the congress to fund for more technology while pressuring the DHS/TSA Administration to reverse such policies.

The technology will lessen the need for more invasive personal screening.

Actually, you would be WRONG about that.

The FATHER of the TSA LOST!

The Republican Party, the party that was AGAINST formation of the TSA, GAINED seats!

Folks, let's not get into a political debate on this thread. The topic is airport security procedures. Let's stick to that.
Thanks for your cooperation.

_________________________________

Cholula

Travel Safety/Security Forum Co-Moderator

Yeah right, I ll take your word for it

Too many inconsistencies in your story for you to be credible surely as a "Former Federal Prosecutor" You would be able to see that. As far as a temple is concerned, your temple is potential threat to us athiests.

What is illegal about "attempting to influence a screener," at least in this case, through speaking? I cannot imagine any judge, even Scalia and his ilk, imposing or upholding a fine because a lawyer used legal language (although criminal law is outside of her specialty) to question a screener.

Apparently we are now subject to civil penalties for standing up to 'authority'. By voicing our dissent against an invasive process, the government can financially censure us or ban us from air travel.

This is really sick. I am sending a letter to the reporter at this very moment.

Moreover, one should take full advantage of a hearing before an administrative law judge if threatened civil penalties are ever sought (and are not mere screener bluster).

As with any matter involving evidence and law, it is wise to write down one's experiences contemporaneously, while they are still fresh in one's mind.

Do not forget to make a complaint to the DHS Inspector General, if warranted.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=89

That goes for other agencies such as Treasury and Justice, if applicable.
http://www.ignet.gov/igs/homepage1.html

Both parties were to blame in the bi-partisan congressional rush to judgment that created the abuse-prone agency we see today.

But precisely because of this lack of due deliberation ("Do something, anything!") and the illogic of the TSA overly-intrusive sexual groping practices, this is an area where the voice of the people can have an effect when expressed directly as constituents, and through the media, and to the agency concerned and its Inspector General overseers.

Do what needs to be done.

There are tons of posts on this board about the TSA and the groping and the shoe removal and lots of other things. A while back, somebody suggested that it is not enough to complain to each other... we must take action by contacting others who can help communicate our stories and make change happen. (I don't remember who said it, but it was much more eloquent than that.)

Here is your chance. It takes just as little time to email Joe Sharkey as it does to post on Flyertalk.