Originally Posted by GoingAway (Post 16583124)

I would like to respond by indicating, generally speaking, those of the Travelling public who are paying attention are also seriously jaded by the multiple and ongoing factual based instances of TSOs stepping far outside the bounds of their SOP, whether to complete their interpretation of their duties or to complete clearly illegal acts against said traveling public. Regardless, my truth meter is stretched where I am forced to take the wildest of accusations and believe that the skybcan indeed turn colors, because many of those instances previously have been proved to be correct.

You seem like a good guy, and I applaud that. Unfortunately too many of your brethren have PROVEN to be lying, cheating, manipulating power hungry scum that doesn't deserve their paycheck or the opportunity to interface with the traveling public. We all have and are entitled to our perspective based on our experiences, but the shared ones are really running against you and your organization.

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 16583121)

As I said earlier, a lot of my skepticism comes from the nature of the comments made by forum members. But there's another reason: I cannot believe that something this outrageous could have occurred without it being reported or rumored. Because if it happened so "routinely" once, then it was likely to happen again. And if it happened again, then someone other than the OP would have most likely reacted the way other forum members have that this would have made it to the press or the internet.

Originally Posted by TheGolfWidow (Post 16583186)

Respectfully, this is the same sort of skepticism to which rape victims were at one time routinely treated. And, many of them (for a lot of the same reasons a woman who has had the experience the OP describes) remained silent for a very long time as a result. Some will hold their private horror to themselves for a lifetime.

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 16583332)

I understand that. However, I'm also talking about TSOs. For something like this to happen, especially on a regular basis (and if it happened once, it is likely to be regarded as "routine"), I am very confident that a female officer would blow the whistle, and that an investigation would have been launched.

What we're talking about here is something that is very clearly a violation of standard procedures. There is no way to rationalize, explain or otherwise justify such an action IF IT TOOK PLACE.

But, IF it did happen, then I certainly agree that this should be handled on the same level as a sexual attack.

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 16582843)

This may have happened as described. But I'm still skeptical and think the lot of you have been baited hook, line and sinker.

For the record, there is nothing in the screening SOP that warrants for anyone to remove clothing with the exception of outer wear such as sweaters, jackets, coats, etc. provided that the individual has other clothing underneath such as a blouse or similar appropriate attire. If any TSO instructs you to remove clothing such as a blouse or pants, DEMAND to see the supervisor and/or your airline representative immediately.

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 16582843)

For the record, there is nothing in the screening SOP that warrants for anyone to remove clothing with the exception of outer wear such as sweaters, jackets, coats, etc. provided that the individual has other clothing underneath such as a blouse or similar appropriate attire.

Originally Posted by GoingAway (Post 16583359)

See - your confidence seems unshakeable - where as most of ours are in the toilet.

It's nice that you think so well of your fellow man, but when it comes to your organization, they are really showing us the worse of human nature on a quite frequent basis. On top of that, the culture within the organization doesn't freely allow anyone to blow the whistle anywhere, so I now get confused on why and how your confidence is so unshakeable. Quite honestly, that unshakeability is concerning to me because it means there might be blinders where a more open mind is needed with the requisite analytical review to really see what is going on - encouraged as standard or as a one-off.

Originally Posted by SurlyJoe (Post 16583492)

Respectfully, this means nothing. SOP also states that my Nexus card is acceptable ID. Yet it is often refused.

The only thing consistent at your agency are the inconsistencies.

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 16583121)

And if it happened again, then someone other than the OP would have most likely reacted the way other forum members have that this would have made it to the press or the internet.

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 16583863)

There's a huge difference between acceptable ID and requiring someone to remove a blouse.

Originally Posted by TheGolfWidow (Post 16583432)

Some of the things that go to her credibility, for me, are...

- She is not new to FlyerTalk and certainly not an inexperienced traveler
- She really did not take exception to the strip search and, in fact, her words seem to suggest she thought was to be expected in her situation. It is more of a side story than her story. She came here looking for an explanation of the alarm, not an explanation of the strip search. The attention to the strip search is ours, and not hers.

Originally Posted by RichardKenner (Post 16583877)

I disagree. The vast majority of the traveling public has an "anything for security" attitude. I think it's equally likely that somebody who had this happen to them would praise the TSO for being so thorough as would raise a stink with the press. Remember that the OP didn't see anything wrong with it and wouldn't have even posted it were it not part of a different question. I suspect that almost everybody this happened to would think it a normal part of security and not say anything. (And this, of course, is the problem with so much of SOP being SSI.)

Originally Posted by Bart (Post 16583863)

There's a huge difference between acceptable ID and requiring someone to remove a blouse. I don't expect all TSOs across the country to know what a Nexus card looks like. I agree with you that they should, but since the majority of IDs presented are drivers' licenses, I think that TSOs are probably better at spotting fake DLs.

But every TSO is trained in pat-down procedures and procedures used to resolve questionable areas.

Originally Posted by SurlyJoe (Post 16583999)

Fair enough. I'll give you another example then.

How about not stealing from passengers? Do you deem that an important enough part of your vaunted SOP that every TSO across the country should be trained well enough to remember not to steal from us?