I have an idea - documenting checkpoints
 

I just read a post in the opt-out day thread that has me enraged and which I will quote here:

"Flew out of BOS today. At the security checkpoint there was a young lady, a TSA employee, yapping very loudly how anybody who opts out of the xray won't get on their plane. She was sitting checking ID's and tickets and complaining how she wasn't able to go anywhere over Thanksgiving so anybody who opts out won't get on their plane either."

This got me to thinking about an idea that would not involve flying (thus we can continue to boycott the airlines so their bottom line gets hurt and they start to pressure the TSA and lawmakers) and would not cost people much money:

Would it be possible to get a few people in different cities to bring a videocamera or other video recording device (iphones, whatever) to document these checkpoints? I am thinking about a situation where three people show up together and each takes a recording shift. Then we might get some of these outrageous comments and intimidations/punishments on video. Maybe it could start in BOS - seems like they have been particularly bad based on some of the posts I have read on here.

Whatta yall think???

Watch how fast the TSA policy on photos and videos changes in "response" to the new "threats to security".

PHX is also a prime target in this regard...

Barbell - you always seem to be cutting edge and very well informed. I'm curious as to what you think of this idea.

TXagoggo - Aww shucks, flattery will get you everywhere! And here I thought no one was listening.

I think the idea is brilliant. It's a little difficult to organize as this entire group is like herding a bunch of cats. I'd say everyone should figure out how to get their phones to record and just set it once entering the airport and turn it off once reclaiming your weapons, err carry on luggage.

Is it Scubatooth who advocates recording the Enhanced, err Standard, err Was-Never-Called-Enhanced-Has-Always-Been-a-Testicle-Grab Standard Pat Down? That way we'll eventually have this nonsense on camera? TSA can't run and hide once this stuff is recorded.

And trust me, the vast majority of screeners are rubes who say this kind of stuff all the time because they think it's funny. We will record it by accident, but we will record it.

I read an earlier thread where Scubatooth was vocal about his use of radios/scanners so he might be a good person to help educate us non-techies on how to do this. For instance I have a very old cell phone that does not have a good enough capability. But just because of all this I am thinking about investing in a new one that can record high quality video with high quality sound (arguably even more important than video).

I would caution the TSA folks to be *very* careful about what they say and do moving forward in the future. We are living in a world of video cameras and microphones everywhere. What you say in passing to a no-nonsense passenger may very well be on the cable news networks before your shift is out. You might want to try taking a chance on your immunity but even if you avoid prosecution you could get the axe it's gonna be tough to buy baby formula on a Burger King salary.

I would not be surprised to see it change by the end of this week considering what asses they made of themselves last weekend in San Diego. No one is going to have sex with any TSA employee I've ever seen.

Once again, there are "meet-ups" being organised at various airports for NOOD. I regret not being able to be more personally involved as I won't be in the USA, but I would hope that those participating would be more organised than just showing up to fly and opt-out. Instead, there should be many non-flyers handing our leaflets, there should be people filming at all checkpoints, and there should be volunteer lawyers on hand if the TSA gets LEOs involved at any point.

I don't think so since checkpoints are public spaces. There are a number of threads addressing photography at airports and specifically of the checkpoint so you might glance through those discussions for legal details.

Sorry Polonious - I posted that in error. Thanks for the input.

I don't know about that. 10 years ago, we never thought they'd have NoS's or junk grabbing at the checkpoint either & now here we are. Especially with all the "It's for your own safety" line being spouted all over the media.

I was wondering why my ears we're burning. The radios are a separate issue from video and each takes a different approach and equipment to nailing TSA. The radios are very specialized pieces of equipment that have to be set up. On the radios if it's a analog communication like am/fm freq any scanner or HAM radio can pick up. If it's digital ( especially p25 encrypted) then it's more complicated as the radio and scanners are not cheap($500 and up) and the set-up programming can take a bit. Still might be worth it to snoop on the clerks and see what there up to.

The video on the other hand is not that hard. It can be done a couple of way. If you have a smart phone it most likely has a video camera and you can go that way. There are also glasses that have cameras in them ala mission impossible but if you need RX your out of luck cut but the cost is $65-80.

Personally being a professional photographer in addition to being a paramedic I have a full compliment of gear so I can shoot from 1' away to a football field with the lens I have, so I can shoot wide or close for a tight shot by zooming or changing lenses. My main camera is a canon 5DmkII which has the capability to capture HD video (100mbps capture rate) as well as 21mp still images. I have a back body but it's still only. I only shoot in RAW format so if the images ever come into question they will stand up in court to any claims the images were photoshoppee/doctored (I speak from experience)

Ill work with anyone in the Dallas area to capture stills/video as I have been in contact with DFW department of public safety as to any regs/rules/restrictions so were in the clear as long as were taking up alot of space in one area or if i put a very obvious large fast lens (think what you see on the sidelines at Monday night football).

But keep in mind that photography and audio recording are two very different animals and may fall under different laws.

I thought for sure I've read some of these procedures and it was advised that you take a friend to a private screening for your safety. They don't trust the TSA scum in private so a friend is recommended for safety? What does that tell you?

Regardless, the TSA cannot keep the friend from using a recording device. The same can be said about the public space area. The TSA cannot shut you down if a friend is recording.

So I'm curious about the 2-party notification states. If they post that they are recording me, that's good enough notification. Does that mean I am free to record too?