I believe that such a list can be more comprehensive. And I will add this - if you believe that a list detailing what a screener can NOT do can not be exhaustive, then by defninition you must believe such as list as to what will happen prior to screening can not be exhaustive either. At which point, it becomes silly for people to demand a list.

Over the nearly 2 years I have answered many questions on this site. I myself ask few questions. In this thread, I have asked 2 questions - no one has answered them, and one person has spicifically decided to side-step my question. I'm using your post to point this out. There seems to be a lot of take in the discussions I am involved, but little give.

Fair enough. But, please help me out. There are almost 30 pages in this thread. What were your questions? A link to the original post will suffice. I may not be qualified to answer, but if they are philosophical rather than technical, I will give it a shot.

And while you are at it, was what I said here correct?

You screen their bags. But you don't read their documents, touch their medication, or count their cash. You treat their things with decency and respect, using methods that actually secure the flight.

Same with the passengers.

You screen them. But you don't touch their genitals, make them disrobe or irradiate them. And you do it with decency and respect, using methods that actually secure the flight.

I do believe some screening is required as I've never been on the "absolutely no security" bandwagon. I criticize the the rules in place and the fact that I don't believe baggage screening is currently performed adequately and the personal searches are unreasonable and as such, it does come off as theater to me.

That being said, given that I do believe screening should occur for WEI, baggage and hand luggage should be screened, should someone refuse such screening, yet wants on the plane, it seems fair to say, "I am sorry to have to inform you that you may not be able to fly today because federal regulations requires the screening of all baggage for WEI in order to board the aircraft. You can either have your luggage screened and board the flight, or leave all baggage behind and board the flight, but it must be screened if you want to have your baggage on the flight."

Seems easy enough and respectful to both sides, especially if limited to to the WEI and prohibited items, and other fun and games are left out of the equation (cash counts, being grilled or having the entire process be handled most unprofessionally and disrespectfully).

Just my penny's worth of thought as to your question.

Like my 3-day hotel bill in Denver?

Actually, I don't necessarily believe that. I think it might be a great improvement to current screening procedures if there was a list detailing what a screener is permitted to do, and no more.

Yes, that opens up the system to vulnerabilities, as a terrorist could design a method to circumvent the published limits of the screening procedure. But I'm willing to make that trade-off, in order to know that my own rights to liberty and property and privacy are being protected at the checkpoint.

Here's a question: would such a list actually protect rights or just let us know the extent to which they are or aren't protected?

It would give someone the knowledge of when to protest, and when to meekly allow the abuse to happen. Today the abuse happens with no controls whatsoever.

Direct me to your questions. I am fine with the I'll answer yours if you answer mine game.


If it is the bag screening question, then of course you have to screen the bag, however you should do so in the most effective least invasive way possible. Looking only for weapons and not making the process anymore difficult, invasive or uncomfortable as it has to be. X-ray scan plus a respectful hand search (to resolve an anomaly) is appropriate.

I'd take it further and add that there should be cameras (yes, multiple angles) on you/your hands at all times as you are performing that screening of the item. I don't think we shouldn't do screening, I think we (the passengers) should have protections during the screening process for ourselves and our belongings. Today, it is a free for all as has been shown by the multiple arrests of TSOs stealing from the passengers (which I'm sure reflects just a small percentage of what really goes on)

I disagree with that, I think as long as the TSA allows passengers to film the screening process (without screeners intentionally trying to block it) and as long as all procedures are done where there is some type of camera system recording everything (for the passengers and the TSO's safety) that is fine.

I do not think the AIT/SPD should ever be used as primary screening. Too invasive. It is worse that having bag searches be used as primary screening.

I'd tell the person that government regulations require that their carry-on luggage be screened in order for them to fly.

Sorry, I thought your question was a rhetorical debating point, in the vein of "What else can I do?" or "I'm just doing what they tell me to do." Rather than sidestepping it, I assumed you weren't really looking for an answer, for which I apologize. :) I appreciate your contributions here. ^

I had to explain all sorts of rules, policies, and edicts to people over the years in my own line of work. Some of them I didn't even agree with, nor would I defend them. Fortunately for me, none were so egregious that I felt I couldn't morally enforce them.

If I worked in the DMV I would similarly explain to license applicants that they were required to have a photo taken if they wanted a license. If a law were enacted stating that it had to be a nude full-body photo I would politely explain that too, unless I decided that I could no longer work there enforcing that.

Yes, those are all Hobson's choices in the most literal sense. The difference is one of degree and relative reasonableness, which I'm sure you understand.

The response would depend on the individual. As you are aware, some travelers can have a bag put on the plane without screening.

A. Diplomatic pouches are exempt from any form of screening. A diplomatic pouch can be a bag, pouch, or container holding diplomatic correspondence, documents, or articles. Although an individual transporting a diplomatic pouch may have diplomatic immunity, that individual and his or her nondiplomatic accessible property and checked baggage must undergo screening and all alarms must be resolved.

B. The diplomatic pouch must have visible external markings in English that state “Diplomatic Pouch” or “Diplomatic Bag”. The pouch must bear an official seal of the sending government or international organization. For example, a seal could be a lead seal attached to a tie that closes the pouch, a printed seal on the fabric of the pouch, or an ink seal impressed on a detachable tag. The pouch must be addressed to an office of the government or international organization whose seal the pouch bears. For unaccompanied pouches tendered as checked baggage, a detachable certificate will be affixed to the outside of the pouch that describes the pouch and certifies the contents as diplomatic materials. The Department of State (DOS) encourages diplomatic couriers to notify the aircraft operator that they are carrying a diplomatic pouch.

C. When a diplomatic pouch is presented by a diplomatic courier to TSA at a screening checkpoint or screening location, the STSO must check that the diplomatic courier is carrying an official or diplomatic passport and a courier document or letter on their person for identification. A courier letter must be on appropriate letterhead stationary and must bear a seal of the sending state, embassy, consulate, or international organization. The courier letter must be signed by the relevant Ambassador or Chief of Mission serving in the United States. The courier document must clearly identify the bearer and his or her status as a diplomatic courier and must contain information sufficient to identify the pouch(es), to include the number of pouches being escorted.

You simply tell the pax that they should start placing a starters pistol in their checked luggage.