I'm suggesting that anyone that feels comfortable do as the Don't Touch My Junk guy did and start you iPhone or other recording device before you go through security. There's no need to be overt or confront anyone about it, just do it and save it for later.

If you have problems, post it to YouTube. TSA abuses won't be addressed unless there is PROOF.

ScatterX's post below http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...eview-rdu.html shows the urgent need for records of TSA abuses during all opt-outs.

They will be on the lookout for cell phone cameras, but I don't think they will be expecting something like this. The only problem is there may be enough metal in that watch to set of the metal detector if you end up exiting through that for your genital grope opt out massage.

I think if you simply start your cell phone or camera recorder before it goes through xray (like Tyner did) then they won't know it's recording. There's no need to be overt. Make sure you things are brought to the pat-down area so the interaction will be recorded.

If you don't often use your phone (or camera) for recording, practice doing it before you go to the airport.

If you'd like to be more subtle, you can just record sound. For example, if your camera records video, you can set it to record (video and audio), but don't worry about where it's pointing (or even that it's all the way out of its case).

But again, it might make sense to try stuff and see what the quality is like, where/how far away the device is likely to be, if you need to boost input or other settings...

Neko, that's exactly what I was trying to say! Just record the sound and don't sweat what the video does. Thank you for your suggestion about practicing.

If anyone has an old phone or camera that records audio/video, this might be a good use for it. If you use an old one (that you could risk losing) you could leave it in out in the bin so the sound would be better.

how? most everything I've read involves you being separated from your bags ... sounds totally hit or miss whether a particular TSA clerk bothers to do what you ask...

It is hit or miss, but inform the clerk that you KNOW you have the right to have your bags brought to the screening area. Refuse to go forward with the screening unless your bags are brought to the screening area. LOUDLY ask for a supervisor is the screener refuses to comply.

Also, it can't hurt to keep recording even while you're not being screened. You might catch something that would be helpful to someone else...

Those opting out need to go in pairs, act as each others witness, and bring as many live mics/ccd's as you can. Live streaming to http://ustream.tv or similar (can simultaneously record) when possible. This prevents a confiscated phone from keeping the video under wraps (like todays san diego incident).

If your particularly ballsy the witness might try demanding to be allowed to film the pat-down as a condition to consent to the grope.

If we're allowed a witness? Why not real documentation in the form of video? For our own privacy?

For the screeners privacy?

Claiming filming a pat-down constitutes SSI is an implicit verification that the TSA approved screening footage we're seeing on the news is not the real deal. Whether due to intentional misrepresentation, or overzealousness on the part of screeners.

see also:

• video: Sea-Tac TSA staff call a BDO, then the police, because I took some photos
• Streaming Vs Recording Checkpoint Audio/Video
• PV Alert: Can I Take Photos at the Checkpoint and Airport?

Thanks, Phil. I admire your willingness to get out there in the trenches.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/c52b/

That looks handy.

Cool, huh? You can buy those from eBay sellers for around $10 delivered. Search for "spy camera car keychain" or similar to find them.

I have two similar devices. One looks kind of like a clip-on phone headset microphone. The other is a small black box about the size of a pack of chewing gum. They're cheap (like $20-40 or so, from China, sold on eBay), nice for unobtrusive recording (and unlike with the key fob, you don't have to hold them out pointed at what you're recording), but the interface is horrible (is it recording when I power on, or when the blue light goes green?), it's hard to tell whether you're recording what you want or not (wide angle lens would be really nice), and the battery life doesn't match memory capacity.

I'm still searching for a better "personal data recorder". I've had too many experiences of people lying about their interaction with me.

An idea for recording audio:

If you've got minutes to burn/an unlimited plan, sign up for Google Voice. Then just make a speakerphone call to whomever, and press 2 to record it. As long as you've got someone that'll pick up and stay on the line, it should work. This would allow you to use a throwaway phone and store the recording offsite, so there's basically no consequence if it's seized.

I call my own Google Voice number and leave a voicemail, but the same could be done with any voicemail.