myk

I know I'm just digging into it even more, but I can't stop typing. Too much caffeine. I was applying the US Centric view to an incident that happened in the US, with a US run agency, during operations on a US owned airline. I thought this would be fair.

You just applied a US Agency in a foreign country - I believe my US Civil rights are not guaranteed to be applied by the Russian FAPSI when I am in Russia.

I do not think it is illegal to force thorough identification procedures of foreign nationals on US soil, however just beyond policy. I could be wrong?


I think we deal with a good deal of security domestically, and are treated like we are foreigners when traveling to or through other countries, and don't think it should be any different for anyone else I guess?


I think one of my problems is I have in fact given up any hope of reasonable expectation of privacy in my life.

Classzed

No, I did not make the post with the "roll eyes" comment. My message contained the link to the story that the OP was referring to... and then I mentioned that I had a problem with security at YYC while entroute to Denver.

dodo

Why minus the fingerprinting ?what's ggod for the goose is good for ........
Don't you think that the Canadians also don't want to be fingerprinted like a common criminal, let alone leaving a trail in the database of the DHS which could be used anytime by the authorities or the men in black .

Here is a story for you.Us Canadians are used to being questioned by the agents at the border even when we are going across for hiking, fly fishing or day shopping and when we have to fly down for meetings at the corporate sites or customers, we have the right answers for the US agents. Couple of years ago, two fellows from a US Defence company were in town on business and decided to visit Vermont over the week-end. When they tried to cross back into Canada on the Sunday night they were refused entry across the border ( they made a mistake of mentioning that they were coming in for work when they didn't have the proper docs).To be brief: All -ell broke loose and both embassies, the state dept and Foreign affairs got involved during the evening and early on that Monday morning hubby had to get down to the border crossing ( 2 hrs one way) to vouch for them and escort them back to the place of business. Wonder what would have been the end-results if it was the other way around- "too bad buddy" or "we don't care who you are". Lesson learned for these two Texas fellows and an appreciation of what foreigners have to go through when crossing the border or flying into the US.

myk

Sorry, I actually meant that I have been questioned every time I come into Canada, but have not (yet) been fingerprinted. I would in fact not have a problem with the country of Canada having my fingerprints as I would trust them to only use for identification of myself in an unlawful situation, which I attempt not to get involved in on foreign soil as much as possible ^

Classzed

You have all twisted this thread into something totally unrecognizable and I have been misquoted several times.

My original post contained the link to the story that the OP mentioned. Then I casually remarked that I wondered how much freedom we had to give up in the name of security. Canadians being fingerprinted and having their photo taken at the boarding gate is absolutely ridiculous! As mentioned in the news article, before we even leave on a flight from YYC for the U.S., we go through U.S. Customs where our passport is checked and the appropriate questions are asked. Now, we should be subjected to being treated like criminals at a gate boarding the flight back to Canada?! Would you like to be fingerprinted and have your photo taken by Canadian Security every time you leave Canada?

BTW, my CATSA reference was not about how I was questioned. I have no problems answering anyone's questions. What they did was a totally unwarranted pat-down search on me prior to even getting up to the WTMD.

I guess my point is this -- despite the Canadian Charter of Rights or the U.S. Constitution, it would appear that airline passengers in either country actually have no rights at all.

dodo

That's where we differ in acknowledging our own civil rights. Even as a canadian, I won't allow Canada to have my fingerprints on file (w/ the understanding that I have no criminal record and am a law-abiding citizen) just for security reason. Never know when a hacker can break in or when an over-zealous unscrupulous employee can use it w/o permission or unlawfully.

coachron1

Write to whom now? Why didn't the TSA refer people to Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny?

dodo

Apologies Classzed. Your initial post didn't mention pat-down search and I assume it was the silly questioning or search of your carry-on.

Superguy

I guess the point I was trying to make is civil rights are civil rights, and where you are doesn't necessarily matter. Of course, some countries may not recognize those rights and trample on them. However, as we have recognized those rights and the government has deemed they apply to all people within its borders, they should be treated in a manner to protect those.

That isn't to say that some officials won't try to hassle foreigners because they think they won't be able to resist. Think of the cop giving a ticket to an out of stater ... even if it's bogus *cough*Arizona*cough.

I look at this as an EU country citizen wouldn't expect to be treated badly by another member country ... US and Canada are very similar here.

I think fingerprinting them was way out of line. There isn't an indication that they were fingerprinting other foreign nationals (it's possible, but not mentioned in the article). I think we should at least treat our Canadian neighbors with more respect than that.

I personally think we have an over abundance in "security" ... much more than is probably needed. I haven't left the country in awhile, but the countries I've traveled thru (Germany, Switzerland and Japan) generally treated me very well and didn't give me any grief about fingerprints, visas or anything like that.

We don't have to treat everyone like criminals to have effective security.

Sadly, I have to agree that our privacy is being infringed upon. I try to fight for what I have left using the legal means at my disposal.

Super

secretbunnyboy

Then at least I could have read the posts properly!

@ self.