Groped In SAN
 

I apologize in advance for the length. This was my first time being groped and I needed a place to vent and to share my experiences.

Synopsis: Long wait...defective equipment and 2 TSO's who knew it was "silly" for me to have to endure the resolution pat-down because of a faulty piece of equipment that was "crap".

Flew out of SAN Sunday morning and was chosen for the nude-o-scope. I opted out. There was a little bit of a loud announcement that they needed a Male assist. I was asked to stand by a chair to wait for the guy who would be doing the deed.

I pointed out that I could not see my stuff the TSO manning the NOS said "there are cameras monitoring the area" presumably to convince me I had nothing to worry about. I then turned to another TSO and with a bit more forceful voice said "I can't see my stuff" she directed me to stand close to the baggage screening machine so that I could keep an eye on my belongings.

There was a significant delay, at least 15 minutes before they could get a male TSO...this, in spite of the fact that I saw several walking back and forth. Eventually, the ID checker was the one who did the standard pat-down.

At one point, as I waited, the WTMD agent motioned me to come through, it was tempting to do it, but I told her I was waiting for the opt out pat-down. I was afraid it would lead to a terminal dump if I skipped on through. I wasn't about to create trouble for every other person simply trying to fly from point A to point B. After a few more minutes, she apologized for the delay. A bit later, another TSO apologized for the delay.

All of the TSO's I encountered were polite and professional excepting the TSO manning the NOS, who basically glared at me as I was waiting.

Finally, I am called over by the TSO who would do the pat down. He did not "touch my junk". But he did run his hand around my waistband and flat handed my bum.

He then did the swab thing and, bingo, I alarmed. He asked me if I was a golfer and I confirmed this. Of course, this led to the resolution patdown in the private room. Unfortunately, there was another wait for a 3 striper but the room was being used and we had to wait some more. The 3 striper was called away and when the room became available we had to wait again until a 2 striper came in to do the resolution grope.

He did not grab my junk but he did rub pretty firmly with a flat hand. He then went back out with a new swab and a couple of minutes later I was released.

Here is what I found particularly interesting. As I was getting the resolution grope, the swab machine went off a couple more times and the 1 striper said to the 2 striper, there must be something wrong with the machine because nearly everyone is alarming and the numbers were too high. The 2-striper was in agreement. And, it was clear they were a little embarrassed by it and were somewhat apologetic towards me.

While the 2-striper was out getting me "resolved", I told the 1-striper that it sounds like they had some equipment issues and he said, and this is a direct quote, "It is a piece of crap". I don't recall exactly what he said after that because I was blown away by such a candid admission.

I got to the gate about 2 minutes before boarding began. Fortunately, I was able to use the priority lane or I could have missed the flight.

Sadly, I did not see anyone else who was obviously opting out...I did see a few folks who triggered the WMTD and NOS getting patdowns.

So, my take away from my first opt-out:

If you are planning on opting out, get there extra early. The whole pat-down process took a total of about 45 minutes because of the delays.:mad:

Don't play golf the day before you fly:rolleyes:

There are at least 2 TSO's who have enough common sense to recognize something as "silly" and "crap". Who knows, maybe they will have enough sense to quit this unconstitutional treatment of their fellow citizens.

There are not enough people opting out.:td:

One final point: It appeared to be about 50% going though the NOS.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Just say "No."

Disgusting. They treated you like a herd animal.

I did think about asking them to do it right there. But, and I don't exactly remember why, I got distracted, and forgot.

I guess it could have had something to do with the fact that I got up at 3:30 AM after having gone to bed a few minutes after midnight. I really was very tired and a bit groggy.

So, when you tell them you want the resolution patdown in the open, will they routinely try to give you any hassle?

Thanks!

Yep!

In the reso, did they tell you exactly what they were going to do? Did you get the impression you could have refused the reso rubdown?

It is indefensible that passengers get a genital rubdown simply because the TSA has crappy equipment and rampant false positives. I think our society is coming apart at the seams that this is permitted.

Is there a single TSA person on this board who sees the problem with this process and this reality?

Yes, both TSO's specified what they were going to do. I was also asked if I had any sore or tender spots.

No, I was not given the impression that I could opt out of the Reso.

Question. Can you opt out of the Reso and still fly?

Agreed.

Did she think you wanted a videotape of people stealing your stuff?

thanks for the info. Next time, possibly try saying that your groin is esp tender from a childhood injury and cannot be touched...:rolleyes:

You won't fly that day, that much is certain; there is doubt as to the rest, as there is a threat of an $11K fine if you don't complete screening once you start. Given the highly evolved f*up that this process has become, I would doubt TSA would want any more high profile light thrown on it, but who knows. A good lawyer is indispensable just to make a stinking flight!

Sorry if it's obvious, but what does golf have to do with alarming the ETD?

Fertilizer, lots of nitrates particularly ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia this time of the year. And some very serious chemicals for weeds, vermin and other living things that affect the somewhat hard to maintain grasses.

I have to say this every time at BOS and this is usually the response I get.

I tell them that having a video of someone taking my things won't actually replace my things.

This is also why I started not taking my netbook out of my bag. I have about a 25% success rate of not being asked to remove it anyway but more to the point, they don't remove it until they are done feeling me up and then I can see where it is.

That would depend on exactly when the brainless twits had their last "retraining" session - most of them require one at regular intervals or they start just making up lies to tell people so as to exercise their power trip before they're caught again.

SAN finished up a golf tournament not too long ago.
Great time to use a machine that can't tell the difference between fertilizer and explosives.

Some fertilizers are explosive, when combined with an accelerant. They can not tell a difference because there is none chemically.