Time to Escalate My Level of Protest
Nov 17, 2010 | 3:48 pm
#32
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,275
Probably pinkcat, like myself, has wandered in here from across the pond, and is stunned at what is happening at US airports. When we all change our ways of life in awe of (potential) terror, then the terrorists have won 
Personally, I am in agreement with a column in one of the UK papers recently which was advocating doing away with all security vetting at airports, which would lead to a very much more pleasurable travel experience for all except the very small percentage who would/might fall victim to a bomb. It would still likely leave air travel massively more safe than driving. Or smoking. Or drinking. Or, indeed, going outside.
Unfortunately the governments of the West have collaborated in a huge hoax to their citizens, that they (the governments) can actually protect their citizens from all possible harm - not only a total nonsense, but also a cover for their increasingly intrusive powers.
I do hold some optimistic hope for the coalition UK government, but from reading some of the TS/S forum over the last few days (since 'touch my junk' surfaced) I am f***ing depressed about the US.
I am not planning a US trip anytime soon, but rest assured that when I do cross the pond I will be wearing a kilt and a 'touch my junk and I'll have you arrested' T-shirt... and to think that three days ago I thought that junk was either unwanted old stuff or a Chinese sailing vessel !
And my vote for best haiku goes to divemistressofthedark.
EDIT: just seen kokonutz's post - a boner under a kilt would give the TSA goon something to think about
SECOND EDIT: Tyner and Pissy make the BBC
Personally, I am in agreement with a column in one of the UK papers recently which was advocating doing away with all security vetting at airports, which would lead to a very much more pleasurable travel experience for all except the very small percentage who would/might fall victim to a bomb. It would still likely leave air travel massively more safe than driving. Or smoking. Or drinking. Or, indeed, going outside.Unfortunately the governments of the West have collaborated in a huge hoax to their citizens, that they (the governments) can actually protect their citizens from all possible harm - not only a total nonsense, but also a cover for their increasingly intrusive powers.
I do hold some optimistic hope for the coalition UK government, but from reading some of the TS/S forum over the last few days (since 'touch my junk' surfaced) I am f***ing depressed about the US.
I am not planning a US trip anytime soon, but rest assured that when I do cross the pond I will be wearing a kilt and a 'touch my junk and I'll have you arrested' T-shirt... and to think that three days ago I thought that junk was either unwanted old stuff or a Chinese sailing vessel !
And my vote for best haiku goes to divemistressofthedark.
EDIT: just seen kokonutz's post - a boner under a kilt would give the TSA goon something to think about
SECOND EDIT: Tyner and Pissy make the BBC
Last edited by Stewie Mac; Nov 17, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Nov 17, 2010 | 3:53 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
Nov 17, 2010 | 3:54 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: *wood Gold
Posts: 1,780
And, no, a pelvic thrust can't be considered as interfering with the screening process. It would merely be presenting my unit for inspection, much as Marines do with their rifles...
Nov 17, 2010 | 3:58 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Likely being followed...
Programs: DYKWIA Extraordinaire. TrollSlayer Mega Diamond. [insert esoteric sounding status level(s) here]
Posts: 5,237
Nov 17, 2010 | 4:01 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: *wood Gold
Posts: 1,780
I'd love to see a 350 lb man try to fit into a Speedo, then strip down to it at the checkpoint, and scream "Feel my junk! Do it now!"
Nov 17, 2010 | 4:04 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
Here are my TSA Approved travel shorts:
http://www.aussiebum.com/en/sportswe...ing%20agility/
http://www.aussiebum.com/en/sportswe...ing%20agility/
Nov 17, 2010 | 4:11 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Likely being followed...
Programs: DYKWIA Extraordinaire. TrollSlayer Mega Diamond. [insert esoteric sounding status level(s) here]
Posts: 5,237
Nov 17, 2010 | 8:08 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I will make two solid guarantees:
- Anyone seeing me in a Speedo would be scarred for life. The damage to the psyche would require expensive remediation and therapy.
- Any TSA screener that has to pat me down looks infinitely more foolish doing the pat down than I do receiving it.
Nov 17, 2010 | 8:15 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
As part of my job, I have to fly around 100K per year. Like any frequent flyer with a pulse, I detest all aspects of security theater. I always opt out of the WBI screening and choose the pat down. I have been subject to a wide range of pat downs, and they all suck.
My protests thus far have consisted of 1) letters to TSA, my representatives, and airline management and 2) direct, minor verbal disparagement of individual TSOs (e.g., "This is all a big joke." "Are you enjoying this as much as I am?" "Are you proud to tell people what you do all day?").
I have to fly out of BOS next week, and I am wondering what I can do to escalate my level of protest while still making my flights. I always arrive fairly early, so a 20-30 minute 'penalty box' delay is not a problem, but I don't want to get arrested.
Idea One: Dress in sweat pants, a t-shirt, and a Speedo. If selected for WBI, ditch the pants and shirt, and get my pat down in a Speedo and socks.
Idea Two: From the moment the pat down starts, sing. I'm saying sing in a conversational+ level voice that is not exactly disruptive, but is loud enough to be clearly seen as a protest. I'm thinking Journey's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" or John Mellencamp's "Hurt So Good."
Questions:
Can I get into trouble for either of these actions (i.e., is it legal)?
Does anyone have better ideas for appropriate songs?
Does anyone have any other ideas for escalated protest methods?
My protests thus far have consisted of 1) letters to TSA, my representatives, and airline management and 2) direct, minor verbal disparagement of individual TSOs (e.g., "This is all a big joke." "Are you enjoying this as much as I am?" "Are you proud to tell people what you do all day?").
I have to fly out of BOS next week, and I am wondering what I can do to escalate my level of protest while still making my flights. I always arrive fairly early, so a 20-30 minute 'penalty box' delay is not a problem, but I don't want to get arrested.
Idea One: Dress in sweat pants, a t-shirt, and a Speedo. If selected for WBI, ditch the pants and shirt, and get my pat down in a Speedo and socks.
Idea Two: From the moment the pat down starts, sing. I'm saying sing in a conversational+ level voice that is not exactly disruptive, but is loud enough to be clearly seen as a protest. I'm thinking Journey's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" or John Mellencamp's "Hurt So Good."
Questions:
Can I get into trouble for either of these actions (i.e., is it legal)?
Does anyone have better ideas for appropriate songs?
Does anyone have any other ideas for escalated protest methods?
I like the speedo and socks idea. We had a media group try something like that today at DEN. You are free to do just about anything as long as it does not distract the officer or create a disturbance.. If it does, you could be charged with interfering with screening and get a civil penalty. I have had people say disparaging things and also stand there flipping off the world with both hands. I think it is a protected first amendment right to that. Have fun just know when to call it good.