I know a doctor here in Alabama, who was a reserve Army Colonel, medical corps, (now medically retired) who was blown up by an IED in Iraq while on convoy. He now has a metal plate in his head and various other ceramic, plastic and metal body parts.
He told me that every time, EVERY time he flies he sets off the metal detectors and TSA agents scurry ‘round him in frenzied happiness that they have a “live” one. He has a letter and other official documents explaining his situation but it doesn’t matter. He always gets the full pat down and extra scrutiny. They call their coworkers over to help, using it as a training moment, and really make a spectacle of this national hero. The smaller the airport, the more the complete workover. At Atlanta Hartsfield, for example, it’s much more routine; just the full pat down. He told me he was going through Rochester NY and they acted like he was Osama himself.
It’s so shamefull. I can’t understand how we put up with it, yet we do.
These TSA abuse stories are a golden opportunity for the GOPe and Romney to win voters and influence opinion...or lose voters and make it worse. Experience makes me cynical.