^ ^

Please pursue this with an attorney.

The FlyerTalk TOS prevents me from suggesting what should really happen to both the arresting officer and the TSAhole who harassed you.

QUOTE

." He said, "I don't believe you. Turn around and put your right hand behind your back." He snapped on handcuffs and said I was under arrest for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

UNQUOTE


You cannot arrest anybody in this country for SUSPICION for anything. The Officer must have probable cause.


Do yourself a favor.

SUE the Officer, department, and airport for the false arrest.

It is the only way they will learn.

OP - definitely get an attorney and pursue this matter further! Which airport was this?

To everyone else, I have a feeling some of this nonsense will end in about 3 weeks, after the election.

I guess the moral of these stories is:

Pay attention to name badges and remember to get names if ever having a problem.
Know the phone numbers of local TV stations and a lawyer.
And, if you even think it might raise suspicion, don't take it carry-on.
Oh, and, have pad and pen always at the ready to jot down info hopefully before being handcuffed.
What year is this?

22 years after 1984. New America Year 5.

Our X-Rays are not generally that powerful, anything dense enough will appear opaque, so the operator may have mistaken that for metal, rather than simply density.

Anywho, interesting story, but this being the internet and all...

.... the results are no different than anything else in the world. ;)

But I'd do that just to challenge the authority.

OP, I understand your dilemma with not wanting to cause further difficulties in your travels...but as an American citizen, I would thank you wholeheartedly for challenging this whole situation and getting those involved punished for inappropriate actions...even if you yourself are not a US citizen, think of your fellow countrymen and other persons from foreign lands that it becomes "ok" to hassle because they don't fight back.

Also, a key for the future...the magic phrase is "Am I under arrest?" and if the answer is no, then you can express your desire to freely continue your movements.

I am so sorry, eastwest. Harassment is the pits.

Back in 2002, I had a similar incident. Although I must admit that being marched at gunpoint out of the secured area is inherently preferable to spending a night in jail.

Contact the Wall Street Journal. They picked up my story, which led to some interesting phone calls from newspapers, radio and TV stations all over the country, and a noticeable improvement in the behavior of the security agents at the check point involved. ;)

I hadn't heard about this. Thanks for posting it again. I can't help but feel a slight sense of nostalgia when reading it though. It is almost like the good old days gone by. :rolleyes: :(

When the lawsuit check arrives, I suggest going somewhere warm for a nice vacation. Driving there might not be a bad idea either. :p

Absolutely. An officer like this has probably done this before and it NEEDS to be brought to the attention of his supervisors. Who knows, you may be the final complaint that is needed to get rid of this guy.

Given what you routinely say about Comrades Hawley and Chertoff, you must really have something to say about the LEO and TSO in this case to keep you mum on it. :eek:

Indeed I do. Although TSO is a term I'll never use, no matter what titles the TSA "leaders" bestow upon their drones.