Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see how pat downs or anything else are “too far,” because it is always optional to fly. If you don’t want to be patted down, don’t fly.
Of course we should profile in the pat-down process, but until then, we shouldn’t be offended when it happens to us.
Just smile and think of Washington.
*Is* there a “too far”, then? What about when they start doing it in bus and train stations? What if they pull you over on the highway? You OK if they want to implant a chip?
Those are pretty well optional, too. Do you have a line?
Well, I’m offended. It may be “optional” to you, but I have a minor daughter, so it’s not EVEN and option now.
Let me offer my opinion on how it has gone too far.
I flew yesterday and had some extra time on the way back so I sat and watched a security station for about 30 minutes in the Minneapolis airport.
It was disgusting.
As I sat there and there were 3 women in 30 minutes that set off the metal detector even after taking off all metal objects. All three were 55-65 year old white women that were full figured. My assumption was they were likely wearing underwire bras.
So under the new rules they get subjected to the “enhanced patdown”. In full view of everyone a TSA agent stands in front of the victim and rubs the back of her hand in circles around each breast. Then the TSA agent rubs the back of hand up and down over the front surface of the victim's breast. This is not a “pat down”, this is the rubbing of the hands repeatedly over the breasts. Each of the victims turned bright red with embarrassment while this was happening. The TSA agents took their time and were in no hurry as they stroked the women's breasts. It was very disturbing to watch.
The look on the faces of the victims as they walked away was that of abject embarrassment. I really got the feeling they have never been treated like this before (having their breasts stroked repeatedly in public by a stranger).
This crap has to stop. These women were no threat to anybody and they have to groped in public according to the new rules? It is sick and twisted.
I just wanted to comment on your “its optional to fly.”
Sure its optional if you are taking a vacation.
But for the millions of business people who fly every day, it is not optional. In my office alone, the engineers, sales people, quality people, production people, vice president and CEO all fly at least quarterly. Some have to make multiple flights a week.
If we stop flying, we can not get our job done. Then, I get fired and can’t feed my family. If the entire company stops, we don’t sell products and 100’s are out of work.
If my industry stops flying, construction equipment takes much longer to design and build with higher costs. This directly impacts the cost housing, shopping centers, hospitals, etc.
So in this day and age, flying is NOT an option for millions of people. It is required for their job.