Uncomfortable Pat Down at IAH E
Oct 6, 2009 | 2:31 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,957
When I last flew out of E in September, I asked the TDC about signage. He said it was there, so I asked where. There was one sign that was turned around so that no passengers could see it. When I pointed that out, he went over and turned it around, but then only the people in a non-MMW lane could see it (it looked like the one with the four pictures). When I pointed that out, he said that there was other signage near the MMW, but when I asked him to show me where, he demurred and went back to ID checking.
That was the only sign, people in the line couldn't see it and I didn't see any language about opting out. Not an informed choice in the least.
That was the only sign, people in the line couldn't see it and I didn't see any language about opting out. Not an informed choice in the least.
Oct 6, 2009 | 3:27 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,971
On a recent trip I "opted-out" of the naked scanner (they were requiring everyone to go through it) and was subjected to a somewhat embarrassing pat down.
Right out in the open I was felt up and down. With parts touched that only my wife and doctor are allowed near.
Are they doing these pat downs in the open to embarrass us into going through the machine?
From now on I'll go through Terminal C, especially when traveling with my wife, I can't imagine subjecting her to a similar pat down, she'd never fly again.
Right out in the open I was felt up and down. With parts touched that only my wife and doctor are allowed near.
Are they doing these pat downs in the open to embarrass us into going through the machine?
From now on I'll go through Terminal C, especially when traveling with my wife, I can't imagine subjecting her to a similar pat down, she'd never fly again.
TSA is hyping rolling out 150 more backscatter STRIP SEARCH machines because of successful 98% acceptance by the public.
Thats $25 million taxpayer dollars so we can either comply or get felt up by some GED educated TSA employee.
Oct 6, 2009 | 3:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 898
Oct 6, 2009 | 3:58 pm
#19
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
When I last flew out of E in September, I asked the TDC about signage. He said it was there, so I asked where. There was one sign that was turned around so that no passengers could see it. When I pointed that out, he went over and turned it around, but then only the people in a non-MMW lane could see it (it looked like the one with the four pictures). When I pointed that out, he said that there was other signage near the MMW, but when I asked him to show me where, he demurred and went back to ID checking.
That was the only sign, people in the line couldn't see it and I didn't see any language about opting out. Not an informed choice in the least.
That was the only sign, people in the line couldn't see it and I didn't see any language about opting out. Not an informed choice in the least.
Oct 6, 2009 | 6:16 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney (for now), GVA (only in my memories)
Programs: QF Lifetime Silver (big whoop)
Posts: 9,301
Oct 6, 2009 | 7:59 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
Oct 6, 2009 | 8:28 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,971
I should not be forced to give up my modesty by having to choose either the STRIP SEARCH or FULL BODY MOLESTATION at the hands of TSA just to fly the friendly skies of United.
It's getting a bit to fricken friendly!
Oct 6, 2009 | 8:45 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL, AA
Posts: 6,033
I agree. And witnesses that don't work for the TSA. (Actually, I would rather not be felt up by TSOs at all.)
But one of the OPs complaints seemed to be that it was conducted in public. "Right out in the open... Are they doing these in the open...." I was just pointing out the option.
But one of the OPs complaints seemed to be that it was conducted in public. "Right out in the open... Are they doing these in the open...." I was just pointing out the option.
Oct 7, 2009 | 7:56 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,684
Thank you for your email message concerning the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) deployment of whole body imaging technology.
Ongoing threats to aviation security require that certain security measures be undertaken. The Supreme Court has held that administrative searches are reasonable to undertake without first obtaining search warrants. Airport checkpoint searches are administrative (or "special needs") searches. Several federal appellate courts have held that airport screening searches are reasonable, in that they appropriately balance the privacy interests of citizens against the compelling goal of protecting the traveling public. While all passengers must submit to an administrative search to gain access to an aircraft, TSA's policy is to afford passengers professional and courteous treatment with dignity and respect.
Whole body imaging provides TSA with a means of detecting a wide variety of threats, including suicide vests and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that are hidden under individuals' clothing and that may not be detected during metal-detection screening. TSA is sensitive to passengers' concerns about protecting their privacy as it relates to the security screening process, and in particular the use of whole body imaging technology.
To date, TSA has used whole body imaging on a purely voluntary basis as an alternative to a pat-down inspection. Passengers who have been identified for screening with whole body imaging may opt for a pat-down instead, if that is their preference. In addition to effectiveness and suitability assessments of the whole body imaging technology, TSA is examining operational issues associated with the technology, including efficiency, privacy considerations, training, safety of use, and perceptions by the traveling public.
TSA has established rigorous controls to ensure privacy during whole body imaging screening. The Transportation Security Officer (TSO) attending the passenger will not view the image, while a second TSO will view the image in a separate, remote location and will not be able to view the passenger. No cameras, cellular telephones, or other devices capable of capturing an image are permitted in the image viewing area. The image cannot be stored, transmitted, or printed and is permanently deleted after each passenger has been screened.
We have worked very hard to address privacy concerns while testing whole body imaging technology. We believe that whole body imaging technology will be an effective tool in detecting terrorist threats. We look forward to continued public dialogue as we assess the effectiveness of the technology in the airport setting.
We encourage you to visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.
TSA Contact Center
Mike
Oct 7, 2009 | 8:02 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,971
Here's the reply, in all of its glory. If you can interpret it, let me know:
Thank you for your email message concerning the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) deployment of whole body imaging technology.
Ongoing threats to aviation security require that certain security measures be undertaken. The Supreme Court has held that administrative searches are reasonable to undertake without first obtaining search warrants. Airport checkpoint searches are administrative (or "special needs") searches. Several federal appellate courts have held that airport screening searches are reasonable, in that they appropriately balance the privacy interests of citizens against the compelling goal of protecting the traveling public. While all passengers must submit to an administrative search to gain access to an aircraft, TSA's policy is to afford passengers professional and courteous treatment with dignity and respect.
Whole body imaging provides TSA with a means of detecting a wide variety of threats, including suicide vests and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that are hidden under individuals' clothing and that may not be detected during metal-detection screening. TSA is sensitive to passengers' concerns about protecting their privacy as it relates to the security screening process, and in particular the use of whole body imaging technology.
To date, TSA has used whole body imaging on a purely voluntary basis as an alternative to a pat-down inspection. Passengers who have been identified for screening with whole body imaging may opt for a pat-down instead, if that is their preference. In addition to effectiveness and suitability assessments of the whole body imaging technology, TSA is examining operational issues associated with the technology, including efficiency, privacy considerations, training, safety of use, and perceptions by the traveling public.
TSA has established rigorous controls to ensure privacy during whole body imaging screening. The Transportation Security Officer (TSO) attending the passenger will not view the image, while a second TSO will view the image in a separate, remote location and will not be able to view the passenger. No cameras, cellular telephones, or other devices capable of capturing an image are permitted in the image viewing area. The image cannot be stored, transmitted, or printed and is permanently deleted after each passenger has been screened.
We have worked very hard to address privacy concerns while testing whole body imaging technology. We believe that whole body imaging technology will be an effective tool in detecting terrorist threats. We look forward to continued public dialogue as we assess the effectiveness of the technology in the airport setting.
We encourage you to visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.
TSA Contact Center
Mike
Thank you for your email message concerning the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) deployment of whole body imaging technology.
Ongoing threats to aviation security require that certain security measures be undertaken. The Supreme Court has held that administrative searches are reasonable to undertake without first obtaining search warrants. Airport checkpoint searches are administrative (or "special needs") searches. Several federal appellate courts have held that airport screening searches are reasonable, in that they appropriately balance the privacy interests of citizens against the compelling goal of protecting the traveling public. While all passengers must submit to an administrative search to gain access to an aircraft, TSA's policy is to afford passengers professional and courteous treatment with dignity and respect.
Whole body imaging provides TSA with a means of detecting a wide variety of threats, including suicide vests and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that are hidden under individuals' clothing and that may not be detected during metal-detection screening. TSA is sensitive to passengers' concerns about protecting their privacy as it relates to the security screening process, and in particular the use of whole body imaging technology.
To date, TSA has used whole body imaging on a purely voluntary basis as an alternative to a pat-down inspection. Passengers who have been identified for screening with whole body imaging may opt for a pat-down instead, if that is their preference. In addition to effectiveness and suitability assessments of the whole body imaging technology, TSA is examining operational issues associated with the technology, including efficiency, privacy considerations, training, safety of use, and perceptions by the traveling public.
TSA has established rigorous controls to ensure privacy during whole body imaging screening. The Transportation Security Officer (TSO) attending the passenger will not view the image, while a second TSO will view the image in a separate, remote location and will not be able to view the passenger. No cameras, cellular telephones, or other devices capable of capturing an image are permitted in the image viewing area. The image cannot be stored, transmitted, or printed and is permanently deleted after each passenger has been screened.
We have worked very hard to address privacy concerns while testing whole body imaging technology. We believe that whole body imaging technology will be an effective tool in detecting terrorist threats. We look forward to continued public dialogue as we assess the effectiveness of the technology in the airport setting.
We encourage you to visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.
TSA Contact Center
Mike
Oct 7, 2009 | 8:05 am
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, In Memoriam
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 69,201
It would be even better if I were allowed to feel her up in return (to make certain that she is not concealing a bomb which she might place on my person and thus endanger the aircraft).
Would I have this option?
Oct 7, 2009 | 8:30 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: The Sunshine State
Programs: Deltaworst Peon Level, TSA "Layer 21 Club", NW WP RIP
Posts: 11,372
So there's your answer. Cross dress and wear a garter belt with big steel buckles to trip the WTMD and get your female TSA massage every time.
