TSA screeners win immunity from flier abuse claims: U.S. appeals court

yahoo.com ^ | 7/11/18 | Jonathan Stempel

[ColdOne]

(Reuters) - Fliers may have a tough time recovering damages for invasive screenings at U.S. airport security checkpoints, after a federal appeals court on Wednesday said screeners are immune from claims under a federal law governing assaults, false arrests and other abuses.

In a 2-1 vote, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners are shielded by government sovereign immunity from liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act because they do not function as "investigative or law enforcement officers."

The majority said it was "sympathetic" to concerns that its decision would leave fliers with "very limited legal redress" for alleged mistreatment by aggressive or overzealous screeners, which add to the ordinary stresses of air travel.

[ColdOne]

Good grief. I feel for you people who have to fly all the time. Plus you have to hear Cnn while waiting for your flight in all airports.

[DoughtyOne]

I’ve run into some screeners whose IQ seemed to be just above a bucket full of marbles.

Not convinced this immunity is a good idea at all.

[rstrahan]

Went through a checkpoint at Miami where the screeners were literally screaming at each other.

[pgyanke]

This is BS. When abuses occur, especially under the power of authority, there should be liability. One of our biggest problems is that wrong-doers don’t individually suffer for their actions. When a cop breaks the law while on duty, the very taxpayers he betrayed will end up footing the bill when the municipality pays the claim. Make these people personally liable for their crimes and then see how often it happens!

Sick of it.

[Skywise]

The TSA..aren’t law enforcement officers?!

[ColdOne]

No way it is a good idea.

[Lurkinanloomin]

I stopped flying when TSA was invented.
I will not subject myself to unaccountable buffoons.

[Rashputin]

Horrible decision. Every pervert on the planet will get a job with the TSA and there won't be a damn thing you can do about your child being groped right in front of you and a whole crowd of witnesses. You can bet TSA won't fire em' and if you complain, they're immune !!

They go where they can get access and now it's open season at airports.

JMHo

[SoConPubbie]

The Judicial Branch, once again, caught Legislating from the Bench.

[Pravious]

Horrible decision. Every pervert on the planet will get a job with the TSA and there won’t be a damn thing you can do about your child being groped right in front of you and a whole crowd of witnesses.

—

Oh, there’s something you could do - you’d just be arrested for it.

[DoughtyOne]

There’s a confidence builder.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the note of agreement.

[vette6387]

“This is BS. When abuses occur, especially under the power of authority, there should be liability. “

This needs to be appealed to the SCOTUS just as soon as Kavanaugh is seated!

[No Socialist]

Total B.S. Everything is video taped. Frivolous claims could be disputed.

Why do they win immunity and free reign to do whatever they want?

Big government stinks.

[vette6387]

“Oh, there’s something you could do - you’d just be arrested for it.”

I’m just waiting for a group of aggrieved travelers to get together and follow one of these TSA miscreants to his parked car and beat the living $hit out of him.

[SpaceBar]

This is Bush's real legacy.

[Rurudyne]

You don’t see London, or see France, until we see your underpants.

[ColdOne]

;)

[simpson96]

I am so over flying anywhere, unless it’s an emergency.

[Founding Father]

Probably, but let’s wait and see. The plaintiffs should ask for a rehearing, the dissenter could try to have an en banc rehearing, appeal to SCOTUS. This isn’t over yet.