You've taken that way out of context. The issue there relates, e.g., to the fact that a company can't be required to redesign an entire assembly line to allow a disabled worker to be at any position of it. Or that would require a company to hire somebody so disabled that they can't follow any directions. The screening situation is very different and one which, as I said, the ADA didn't contemplate and which will likely require court decisions.

Here you have a person who is physically able to undertake the required activity, in this case flying, but the government would be preventing them from doing so because of a disability. There's a very different standard in that case. If the TSA were around when Hellen Keller was alive, would you be of the belief that they would have the power to prevent her from flying?

Also, in a previous post, you said that it might be necessary to make a disabled person "uncomfortable". Aside from the fact that everybody else in the world tries to make a disabled person as comfortable as possible, can you please cite that part of the ADA (since you're obviously familiar with it) that permits the government to subject a disabled person to physical discomfort that a person without that disability would not be subjected to? Remember that, unlike people, the government doesn't have "rights", but instead "powers" that are specifically granted to it. Where is that one granted?

One's crotch has also become the subject of enhanced pat downs, which is totally offensive.

Ha! ;)

You are assaulting me if you touch my genitals without my permission. There is exactly ONE person in this world (other than me) who can do that. And you (And your criminal TSO buddies) are not that person. Touch me there, you'll be searching for your teeth and I'll be filing a complaint with the local LEO.

You demostrate that point quiet well.

Something you and the rest of TSA need to work on and then we might get a reasonable screening instead of the mess we now have.

Feeling somones genitals is clearly an assault if that person objects.

That is one step away from rape.

You can deny the point all you want but does not change what you or other TSA workers are doing.

I do lock up all my valuables, besides my carryon luggage, I travel with a 5” wide hard shell black attaché case, which has a built in combination lock. I put all my valuables inside my attaché case and lock it before it goes through x-ray screening. I highly doubt anyone would walk off with this large case, because even though I might not see it on the table, I keep my eyes on that area and would spot anyone walking off with it. It is the maximum size allowed for a personal item, 35 linier inches and would not fit into any other bag like a backpack, so it would have to be visually carried away.

And for the other safety precautions I take, I put my valuables in my attaché case way before I even enter the security line and I lock my carryon as well so no TSA inspector can open it before I get to my luggage. Do I trust the TSA inspectors, not as far as I can throw them, enough of them have already been arrested for theft from luggage.

It’s strictly my laptop I am concerned about. The TSA requires that all laptops be removed and placed in a separate bin, a laptop can be easily and quickly slipped into a backpack or another large sized bag.

I am still waiting for one of the TSO posters here to let me know what the official TSA policy is in allowing passengers to keep their possessions in sight at all times.

So if any of the TSO posters here do not respond to my inquiry, then I can assume the TSA is taking their normal head in their butts approach, telling me it’s not their problem, your $hit out of luck, you can’t sue us and if I complain loudly, they will threaten to have me arrested for obstructing them, or whatever else they call it.

Mr. Elliott

It seems that TSA has no official policies since any TSA employee can make any decision they like.

Time for a passengers bill of rights from TSA.

I can't go into specifics, but hands on training is a large component of the pat down training that I have recieved. I have also recieved training specifically to help accomodate and screen folks with disabilities of many natures. TSA worked with several disability groups in designing the screening procedures, as there has actually been quite a bit of effort and coordination in outting together the program for TSOs to be trained with.

If a passenger were to break down and cry, I would take some extra time to work with them in the process, hopefully by taking time before we begin the screening, I will have been able to allay most of the passengers fears and give them a realistic expectation of what is going to happen.

This is security, just a different type than you consider to be security.

:rolleyes:

I agree to 100 %. My "stuff" has/and are only chared witha few selected people.
I never have or have I been raised to share it with strangers.
I was always told that if somebody touch you , report it to a grown up or police.
I am not that desperate that I need starngers to touch me.

And I have certainly never/ ever thought that I have to be touched to travel.

I think this is so personal area that TSA and Co. should be ashammed that they even do it.
I have grandkids. And if they were to be touched their parents would have reallty problems with that.
And so would I.

In my case it would not calm/ help me by explaning to me what you are during a pat down on my privates.

I do know what it is. I also have friends that work/have worked in security.
And they all say that pat-downs that exists now is very insulting. And that they object to it.
So sorry It doesnt do anything for me at all.
Security yes but not like this.

You do even know how rude the majority of TSA are?
They are bullies without any respect at all.

Like I said earlier I have no problem with taking of my clothes in a private screening but being touched YES.
I was told that they (you) dont want to see my naked body just touch it!
Do you even understand how perverted that sounds?

gsoltso, thanks for your reply.

Will everyone be required to train to do these patdowns? I ask because there have been a couple reports of long waits because a trained female TSO wasn't available. I don't know if that means fewer women opt out or fewer women TSOs have been trained.

Does a TSO have the option of declining this duty?

Gsoltso, I am asking you this question directly now.

I am sure you have read my previous posts about my concerns about my laptop being stolen from the x-ray machine if I have to go through the NOS and lose sight of my personal property.

So answer my question, don’t ignore it, what is the TSA policy about passengers demanding to keep their personal possessions in sight when going through the NOS.

Post the policy now, if there is none, then tell me so I know what I am up against when I complain to a supervisor about losing sight of my possessions.

Mr. Elliott

Weird indeed. And I assume it only applies to some areas. For example, let's say something under my sleeve set off a metal detector. I doubt that any official would say, "No, don't roll up your sleeve. I need to touch your arm through your clothing."

So there are apparently only certain areas that a passenger has to be touched rather than show the area. Breasts for women and genital area for both sexes--would that be right?

Why?

This thread has gone SO off topic that, for me, it has become totally useless.

My original question was about the screening of surgical/injured areas. It had absolutely NOTHING to do with screening private parts of the body or tampons/pads or the safety of my belongings at the checkpoint. To those posters who took it there -- I would encourage them to start their own thread about those particular issues.

And, to the moderators of this board... please start clamping down on people who go waaaaaay off topic in a particular thread.

Probably has something to do with the thread title. 'Question for TSOs' unfortunately invites just that: questions addressed to TSOs.

Having said that, I'm curious. Do you feel you know what to expect if you frisked over a sensitive (physical pain) area? Would you be comfortable with peeling back a dressing to avoid pressure?

I ask because a few years ago I had a quite painful procedure that required me to have an open drain from a wound for a week. Very very painful. I couldn't bathe around it, certainly wouldn't have even touched it myself, just the pressure of clothing elevated the pain. At the same time, I wasn't supposed to mess with the dressing because the drain could be shifted or dislodged and cause serious problems.

I don't know what I would do today if I were in that situation and had to fly. Based on the answers here, I probably couldn't.

It is unfortunate because I agree with you that there needs to be a discussion centred around medical issues/disabilities and how TSOs deal with them. That message may get lost around some of the more emotional posts not dealing specifically with injuries etc.

However as chollie noted, the thread title does invite other questions. Hopefully (as someone suggested) this thread is not merged with another one dealing with the emotions of dealing with a physical search, as I really do see the value in one dealing with specific medical concerns.

And I am not downplaying the other issues which have arisen on this thread, but I do think that the value of the original question may be overshadowed by some of the other posts not dealing with the original subject matter.

I have a 8 year old handicapped grandson. He is not a citizent or lives here.

I am very worried how they would treat him if he would come with his family for a visit.
He is deaf, cant walk, cant talk. And NOBODY except close family can touch him.
He would not do good at all if a stranger starts touching him And checking is diaper.
He is handicapped in the body not the brain.

Also like to add that he bleeds and bruise easy.

And TSA ready with an answer how you would treat a disability like this.