Strange event at Nashville Airport

Self | 2/4/2011 | Self

[Blood of Tyrants]

While checking in for my flight this morning in Nashville, TN I saw a man, (light skinned, bald, 5'7", 220lbs) taking photographs of the people standing in line at the airline ticket counter and then walking over to where he could see people standing in line waiting to have their ID and boarding passes checked at the first TSA station and taking a couple more pictures.

Red flags and bells went off in my head like crazy. The guy wasn't taking pictures like you would take pictures of your family standing in line. No, he wasn't looking to get vacation photos to post on facebook and he wasn't a professional photographer (inexpensive camera and he was not setting up shots). I watched him for a minute taking photos and then watched him go into the restroom that could be seen from the TSA ID checkpoint.

So, being a good citizen concerned with safety, I immediately went to the first TSA agent and told them what happened. You would think that they would immediately call someone over and see what the heck this guy was doing, but, no, the supervisor they called over was more concerned with dealing with the lady who had misplaced her driver's license. After a moment, he FINALLY listened to my story and seemed to be only mildly interested and not concerned at all. So, to be sure that maybe I hadn't just given possibly vital information to a moron who would be too stupid to follow up, I told two more supervisors. Since I had to catch my flight, I could do no more.

Maybe I was overreacting, but I think that the guy just might be collecting info for something bad.

Any other Freepers seen anything strange lately?

[SonOfDarkSkies]

This guy might have simply been an airline employee documenting an eyeball audit of check-in lines at his own company's counter. Traffic at the TSA check point might provide a point of reference for a comparison of general traffic at the time of audit.

That said, I think you did the right thing in bringing it to the attention of TSA.

[Viking2002]

I think this evening was Crack Whore Friday. There were enough emaciated skanks and mouths with missing teeth in there to rent out an entire trailer park.

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[screaminsunshine]

Obama is turning the White House in to “Hog Farm 2”. It will be every bit a success!

[Blood of Tyrants]

1 and 2. Nope, he was taking pictures at several areas, all to rapidly for him to be following a celebrity. Walk a few steps, take a photo, walk several more and take photo of a different area, etc.

3. Nope. Not a professional quality camera.

But I do hope that it was something innocent, but I fear it was not.

[KoRn]

Sometime tonight, maybe around 4:30AM, you’ll hear something. As soon as you open your eyes, he will be standing there staring at you.

[FrdmLvr]

It was a joke.

[21twelve]

A fine line between Big Brother Is Watching, the Hitler Youth, and being a responsible and observant citizen. If he was in employee, he would probably have an ID around his neck. My concern would be if he were doing an audit of the crowded lines as well. Which lines were most crowded and at what time of day. Probably a good place for a suicide bomber to wait in line. Although it has been awhile, I seem to recall that they do check the tickets BEFORE you get in line where I am. Not sure if that is for security, or just to make sure you are in the right line!

[Viking2002]

Then - and I'm not making this up - after I left Walmart, I stopped on the way home to pick up a quick dinner at Wendy's (the wife was on her way home from work and wanted a cheeseburger tonight for some reason). While I'm waiting for the order, some big, 350 pound brutha in NWA, urban ghetto-wear comes in, asks for the manager, at which point the girl behind the register told him he was on the phone with a customer. Just as I'm grabbing napkins, etc. and heading out the door, brutha tells the manager, "I want your name and store number." The manager says, "I ain't talking to you!" and turns his back. My wife had just walked in the door here, and apparently the 'customer' the manager was talking to was 911, because she heard a dispatch on the scanner for a cop to head for Wendy's. She sent me a text as I was getting in the car and asked, "Are you OK?" She thought I'd blown a gasket and was about to get carted out in charm bracelets.

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away, for his name is Obama."

[buccaneer81]

If he wan’t in the secure area and not breaking any laws, then why would anyone care?

In an airport? Do you recall what happened in Moscow two weeks ago? That wasn't in a secure area, either.

[screaminsunshine]

Wow. I am right. Obama is turning the USA in to a giant Hog Farm. Excursions out in to the insanity are getting scary. I am wondering if the water supply is being spiked with some undetectable Pshychodelic concoction. I never go in to Wendys I just go to the drive in window. But I wonder what is going on in there. Could be an Obama operative doing a scouting mission. I would steer clear of the area. Hunter S. Thompson is looking more relevAnt every day. I f you see anyone at Wal-Mart with a Blue Arm post it right away. I think I will avoid Wendys for a while...Pax.

[Hammerhead]

man I’m loving that site...especially the wise-ass comments.

My GF and I do this sitting on the beach boardwalk every summer. Its our favorite summertime beach activity.

“Hey, check it out...what’s THIS guys problem?

lol

[Blood of Tyrants]

That’s okay. I’ll be ready.

[USNBandit]

Most airports have police inside security. Remember that TSA is for the most part a screening agency. They don't have arrest powers or any authority to use any sort of physical contact beyond the search.

[saganite]

More proof, if you needed it, that the TSA isn’t a serious security organization. They are there for eyewash. They convince the sheep they are vigilant by harassing them.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I fear you are right.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

If he were an employee performing a managerial audit, he wouldn't want to announce his identity with an ID around his neck. But your point about his observations of line lengths (which is an indicator he seemed to be interested in, hence his snapshot) would, as you say, be exactly the kind of thing a terrorist might be interested in.

Odd coincidence also the Nashville airport is just up the road from Murfreesboro (about 30 miles if memory serves) and that is the location of the planned TN mosque of note. Of course, the description of the photographer in question doesn't sound Muslim, does it?

Fun mystery...hope no trouble comes of it.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[SaraJohnson]

It is not against the law to film/document TSA’s sexual molestations and other interactions with innocent citizens at the airports. This was a recent court finding.

[Blood of Tyrants]

He wasn’t recording anything like that.

[CholeraJoe]

Easy, now. I’ll bet he was a private detective looking for a philandering husband taking off for Vegas with his 27 year old girlfriend with fake boobs. The right photo would be worth another $2 million in a divorce settlement.

The TSA knew what he was doing.