Originally Posted by jubal harshaw (Post 16333028)

@kmanus:

I never told them about medications I was on. They had found my medications during a previous search, in their bottles from the pharmacy, with the prescription labels (and all the identifying info that is on a prescription label) attached. Apparently they made notes of that find during that previous search.

Originally Posted by amygeorge (Post 16334826)

Like someone else, I am curious what the deal was with test strip A that had been positive for explosives before you came along? What in the world happened there? Did they let somebody on the plane anyway when they tested positive for explosives?

Also, I agree that it was completely inappropriate the way that this was handled.

Originally Posted by Isobel (Post 16334806)

If this is indeed what happened, you might want to investigate whether federal HIPAA were violated and whether you can sue.

Originally Posted by El Cochinito (Post 16335238)

Federal HIPAA security and privacy regulations only apply to covered entities as defined in the regs which are healthcare providers, payers and clearinghouses. Sorry but the TSA is not a covered HIPAA entity hence there is no breach under the security & privacy regs.

Originally Posted by sailman (Post 16341075)

What's with LAX? - Just a reminder, which I have posted in the past. When attempting to file a complaint the supervisor asked the TSO what the problem was, and she claimed I physically threateningly grabbed her, which resulted in an arrest for battery. In the end the county attorney's office could find no basis for pursuing the charge even armed with video/photo information provided by the TSA.

And yes I tried to get the video/photos, but was advised that it couldn't be released as it would compromise national security, and my 6+ year old request under the freedom of information act still goes unanswered.

Why requesting a complaint form and the name or ID of a TSO requires calling the TSO over, and results in a battery charge at the suggestion of the supervisor smacks of a "set up" to me. And yes I know even paranoid people have enemies.

I would opine that if we collected all extra ordinary experiences LAX would rank near the top of the list. I suspect it is either a written or unwritten policy of retribution. Even my LA attorney has an office policy that no one uses LAX because of the problems they have experienced. Presumably of a less criminal nature.

Originally Posted by ND Sol (Post 16337848)

Before you agree to hand over any information, ask for a Privacy Act Notice. If true, putting this info in a system of records is beyond the pale.

Originally Posted by jubal harshaw (Post 16332405)

This week, I was the victim of an attempted frame-up by the TSA. Here's my story; I present it as a warning. I suppose the only take-home message is that one should insist on an independent witness, such as a police officer in my case, during TSA “searches.” Thing is, I don't know how independent most police officers are likely to be.

This week, I went through LAX, and refused to go through the radiation scanner. I went through a manual search instead. During this process, I was “patted down.” During the “pat down” process, the screener announced what he was doing: “I'm putting my hand in your collar … I'm going to move my hand side to side ...” etc. After the “pat down” process, the screener who patted me down grabbed a test strip that had nothing to do with me, and was sitting on top of the test strip reader, apparently before I'd gotten to the “pat down” area. I will designate that as “test strip A.” He continued with his description of what he was doing, though by this time he was talking to his supervisor. “I handled the test strip that was on the machine before I put his [referring to me] strip in the machine.” The supervisor, who had apparently not expected this apparent rookie to continue his self-descriptive monologue during an obviously inappropriate part of the testing procedure told the screener to get on with the test. The screener then swabbed the same gloves with which he had:

(1) “patted me down” and
(2) handled test strip A

with an apparently fresh test strip, which I will designate “test strip B.” The screener then put test strip B in the reader. The reader then reported “explosives.”

I pointed out to both the supervisor and the screener than this was invalid test, since the screener (knowingly, since he'd described to his supervisor what he'd done) had contaminated his gloves with test strip A before handling test strip B. Upon hearing me point this out, the screener then picked up test strip A, which he had previously placed on top of the reader after handling it (apparently to be ready for the next person) and threw it out.

By this time, the police had been called. I explained what had happened to the officer, and asked officer him to investigate. I pointed out that there were cameras everywhere in this area, including two camera emplacements almost immediately above the reader. The police officer apparently called whoever was monitoring those cameras, and told me that those cameras were not working, and had not captured any of these events. I asked for an investigation, and the Officer told me that I could take it up with the TSA.

I was then told by the TSA personnel that I would have to undergo further screening away from the public. I did not refuse, but pointed out that I did not want to go to some back room for some unknown purpose, especially based on a knowingly adulterated chemical test. The police officer offered to accompany me as a witness, and I eventually went to a closed room, where I was again “patted down.” This time, in the presence of the police officer, I was again patted down, with largely the same procedure. This time, however, with the police officer watching, the new test read negative for explosives. I shudder to think what the second screening, in an isolated area, would have “found” if the police officer had not been present.

I pointed out again that I wanted an investigation, and stated that the test strip A was sitting on top of the garbage container where the first screener had thrown it. Having apparently heard that the video cameras covering the first test area were nonfunctional, the first screener (the one who had rubbed his gloves with a test strip from the top of the test machine) piped up at this point, and stated that he had thrown away nothing except his gloves.

There was a TSA supervisor there at this point, and I advised that supervisor that the screener had lied about this process, and asked the supervisor point blank how to formally request an investigation into this event. The supervisor told me that I could call the TSA 800 number.

I then went on to my flight.

There's a warning here to everyone who flies. The TSA is apparently in the process of mastering “throw down” evidence, though they don't seem to be particularly good at it yet. Beware, and ask for a police officer or independent witness when you are searched by the TSA.

Originally Posted by tsadude1 (Post 16343278)

So you are stating that during a pat down you were chemically tested at the same time and a supervisor was assisting and that a cop was also called. Hmmm.... what kind of meds do you take?

Originally Posted by tsadude1 (Post 16343278)

So you are stating that during a pat down you were chemically tested at the same time and a supervisor was assisting and that a cop was also called. Hmmm.... what kind of meds do you take?

Originally Posted by mozgytog (Post 16343329)

That is completely uncalled for.

Your immediate jump to snide comments about the OP's medical and mental condition is one of the many reasons the TSA is widely reviled.

Whatever prompted you to say that, it certainly wasn't professionalism.