How many little boys and girls have you given gential pat downs to?

Oh yeah, I think you're right. Much of the FT posting is near hysterical. The so-called "opt out" day---it would be nice so that TSA could have a separate area and machine for opt out for volunteers. That way, angry people can mount their protest and not force everybody else to wait excessively and possibly even miss a flight and not get to their family for Thanksgiving. But, there probably won't be that many people demanding a full pat down anyway. It's probably mostly FT hype. Personally, I think that instead of ramdom selecting passengers for a full body scan/pat down, TSA should rely more on profiling/interviewing passengers (as in Israeli airports). Then, if something seems curious, pull passenger for more throrough screening.

How the heck can ANYONE claim we are NOT getting actual PENETRATING XRAYS when YOU CAN SEE THE AIRLINE PASSENGER'S LEG BONES, ARM BONES in some screening images?

Most people don't agree with sexually assaulting people because they;ve bought a plane ticket, yes.

You can, however, discount the overreaction to an inept, unsuccessful one-off attempt. And, yes, you can discount the likelihood that anyone would try something that stupid a second time in the exact same way.

That answer, however, is not sexually assaulting people who have done nothing but buy a plane ticket.

If anything, it's underblown.

Perhaps this is getting overblown by the media, but the fact remains that TSA's policy is to screen pilots -- many who are allowed to have a gun in the cockpit, not to mention that they are in control of the entire airplane.

TSA should not disregard the loss of credibility they suffer based on this point alone.

If TSA wants us to at least believe they know what they are doing, then they can stop with retarded policies like this. Wanding babies in diapers and allowing Muslim women to pat themselves down are a few more. I mean, why can't I get that good deal?

In short the answer to the threads question is NO.


TSA and credibility departed ways a long time ago.

Given what Rep. Mica said a few weeks ago, I don't find that claim plausible. Can you point to an official source?



"We test the system. So I know how the system works and it doesn't work," said Congressman Mica.

As for the details on the results of that security testing: "That's classified information," said Mica. "But I can tell you publicly that the results that I've gotten, even of late, with this huge bureaucracy, this huge number of employees, even with this advanced technology, the (security test) results are not good."

I-Team investigator Stephen Stock asked "I've been told that it ranges anywhere from 75 to 90 percent failure rate?"

"Again, I can't quote on that," said Congressman Mica. "But the failure rates are way off the charts.

You are just lucky, trust me the luck will run out. 3 out 4 flights last week (all domestic) I chose lines without the new "naked photo, cancer giving" scanners, but was asked to divert to that line. Upon opting out, I was given the "new" pat downs. 2 of 3 times, I had major contact with the genital area. The TSA say they do not touch that area, they simply go up the inner thigh until they meet resistance. What the heck do they think they are resisting against, besides ones "junk"?

Freaking *AWESOME*.

But then, pretty much everything Adam and Jamie do qualifies for that description, regardless. I needed a lighthearted boost today, though, after all the CRAP I'm seeing them pull over the last several days.

What say you, TSA apologists?!? Missed the ball on that one, eh? And this was an innocent mistake by a PROP MAKER/TV HOST! What do you think the ACTUAL BAD GUYS can do?

I would add that there are more things behind this - in a sense, there are cultural reasons behind the reason "pat downs"have been overbown this past week.

BoingBoing - Why did OMG Whisky Tango Foxtrot TSA go Viral this week?

In short:

1. Yes, this is probably a little insane.
2. This kind of unreasonable security theater has already been going on for a while (as pointed out by this entire forum)
3. One of the reasons for the sudden media blitz is that the 'target' now includes white males.

That link isn't working.

OTOH, there are still more metal detectors than strip search machines and over the next week, a fair number of people will just go through the metal detector and be on their way, perhaps wondering what all the fuss was about.

Yeah, not sure what the impact of an 'opt - out' day will be when clearly more metal detectors are still available (and people are getting redirected towards them!)

For all of you who have NOT experienced the pat down, you should before you speculate, comment, etc. My middle-aged sister just flew from Hawaii. Because her small airport of debarkation does not have body scanners, everyone is patted down. She was wearing somewhat baggy cargo pants.
The screener touched her genitals -- the outer labia to be specific. If this is not too instrusive, I don't know what is.
She and I have an idea that we hope to spread to travelers everywhere in the U.S. Wear a bathing suit or body suit (without crotch snaps) under your clothes. When you put your carry-on, shoes, laptop, etc. in the bin, remove all but your suit or body suit, putting your outer clothes in the bin.
Next, decline the body scanner if the airport has one.
This serves two purposes: It lets the screeners see you almost to the skin, and allows them access to your entire body without going too far -- hopefully. Any video of the screener will clearly show what they touch and don't touch.
After you've been patted down, go to the restroom, remove your suit, put on underwear, and re-dress.
If this doesn't either prove that things are mostly going well, or make the TSA change its policy, I'd be very surprised.
So, if you agree, spread the word.