Posted on 11/17/2010 11:22:37 AM PST by Mike Evers
Very unpleasant experience today with TSA employees on a mission from God to conduct full body pat-downs whenever they could. You’ve heard about it. You’ve seen it on television. Well, it actually happened to me this morning and I almost went to jail over it.
I was attempting to fly out of Sarasota, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia today. I cleared security and got out to my gate only to discover the flight was delayed for another hour and a half. So I exited the boarding area and went to one of the restaurants in the main terminal. When I attempted to go back through security I was detained and told to sit in a Plexiglas cubical. I was now separated from my carry-on bag, my shoes, wallet, cell phone, watch and belt. Eventually a TSA employee entered and began to describe the procedures he was going to use to pat-down my entire body. I declined, and said I wanted to go back through the scanner. After all, I had cleared it earlier in the morning, and there was nothing new on my person. Perhaps it was just a misreading.
Well, they would have none of that. A very pompous little supervisor came over and asked me if I wanted to fly today. I informed him that was my intention. Otherwise, why would I be in his little plexiglass cubical. I told him I did not wish to submit to the full body pat-down because I believe it is unwarranted and potentially an unconstitutional invasion of my right to privacy—you know, the privacy right the Supreme Court says is in the Constitution even though there are no such words to that effect. Not persuaded by my argument, the supervisor told me to submit or he would have me arrested. I asked what law I was allegedly violating. He said refusal to submit to federal authority. I replied that I thought there were less intrusive alternatives. He said “No,” and once again demanded that I submit. I declined, so he brought over his superior and three Sheriff’s deputies. Now it was getting interesting.
So much time was taken up with all this nonsense that I missed my flight. When I informed them that I wished to leave the screening area so I could see about another flight I was advised that I was not allowed to leave. Now that I had tripped into their briar patch I either submitted to their search or face arrest. I contemplated the arrest scenario in earnest. When I was in law school 30 years ago, I don’t recall things being like this. Certainly there have been some changes, especially after 9-11, but full body pat-downs and groping of genitalia? When did all this come about Janet Napolitano? Last week? Well, I don’t think it will be around six months from now, so enjoy it while you can.
Facing certain arrest if I refused to submit to their police tactics, I agreed to the search and was led to a private cubical with frosted glass to keep things a bit more private. A Sheriff’s deputy stood inside because I said I did not wish to be without witnesses should the TSA employee get a bit too frisky while feeling every inch of my body, and I do mean “every inch!” Ladies, you are going to love this new procedure when you get singled out for “special” treatment. And guys, you are not going to like it one bit. No happy ending!
Naturally, the extraordinary feel-down didn’t produce anything explosive, or otherwise. Nevertheless, I was informed that the contents of my carry-on bag needed to be searched. Once again, I protested, informing them that it had already passed through screening on the x-ray conveyor belt. Well, now things were different. Now that I was getting the “special” treatment, the entire contents of my bag were laid out on the table for all to see. About 13 local and federal agents gathered around for this little training exercise, or as our beloved President Obama would call it, a “teachable moment.” Fortunately, I wasn’t carrying any sexy lingerie or other items that could cause one to blush. And the extra look-through didn’t produce anything explosive or dangerous, even though I mentioned that my house key could be used to poke out someone’s eye. They failed to see the humor in that observation and stuffed my belongings back into the bag and escorted me out of the screening area and into the ticketing terminal. I got booked on a late afternoon flight, rented a car for three hours ($18 is a lot cheaper than a taxi), and came home to catch on some work before returning to the brave new world of TSA dominance.
As a Million Miler with Delta, I have a little bit of experience with this whole flying thing. I was flying long before 9-11 brought about all this beefed up security and intrusiveness. I’ve faced plenty of airport security issues about the decade, had valuable items stolen from my checked bags by TSA employees, and now this arrogant display of unbridled assault and battery on my body, all in the name of protecting the American public. I publish this missive and add my voice to the growing tide of rebellion over this unprecedented intrusion against our personal freedom.
Now, it’s time to head back to the airport and pray that there has been a shift change in the screening area. If not, please come visit me wherever they decide to lock me up.
Refusal to submit...
We are so screwed.
(but, I think the word Islam means submission)
“He said refusal to submit to federal authority.”
What is that about? I have neve heard of this before. Any legal beagles care to enlighten me on this one?
Not all airports have the scanners—yet. Could be helpful when trip planning to know which do.
In CA, Palm Springs International doesn’t have them yet.
TSA = Gestapo, and it is useless to appeal to reason or the Constitution when dealing with arrogant, fascists pigs. Americans will pay the price of PC stupidity for as long as they are willing to tolerate it.
The bitter thing here is that we are going to be the tools Obama uses to instigate the disruptions that lead to the destruction of our country.
The plan is for the ruling class to ensure that the proletariat can’t afford to fly and the bourgeoisie refuses to fly.
When that happens, the ruling class will remove the search/scan rules and fly at their leisure.
The rest of the country will be one step closer to anarchy.
Obama wins.
Ok, so get this... a few years ago flying home from Maui.
Several local UTES are in the airport, and screaming profanities as people walk by. Deranged, like they were on drugs. Eventually, I look over at these three bozos, and say “watch your language”.
Ok, so then they threaten to kill me and my family, have several witnesses.
Me and another guy go and ask for security. TSA and the local cops seem to care less, and because they are minority UTES, I’m supposed to “understand” the local culture...
Well, plane boards, and guess who is getting on my plane? Yes, the three local minority UTES, carrying their martial arts trophies, and have a mom/dad in tow as well.
I tell the stewardess about what’s up. When one of the UTES starts staring me down, making hostile gestures, the Captain of the plane has them all booted off the plane.
The TSA and security did NOTHING. Thankfully the Cptn had some common sense, but then again, he wasn’t a gubmint employee...
A little sweet justice? That week, a second carrier in Hawaii had gong bankrupt, and plane seats were going for thousands of dollars one way to get off the island. So, I’m assuming the UTES had some time to think about how stupid they were!
This “submit or arrest” thing is an unbelievable abuse of power. What about “submit or leave the premises”? I have been in courthouses and have witnessed entrants told quite simply that if they wish to enter they have to pass through a metal detector. If they don’t wish to pass through it, they turn around and leave. I’ve seen that happen.
The “submit or arrest” thing is like a fly into a spider’s web. As soon as you enter the building, your freedoms, liberties and dignity are forfeit? You cannot gather your belongings and decide NOT to proceed? Appalling!
Do you know any lawyers? You should have said “you will not touch me without my lawyer being present.”
Then called a lawyer.
I expect trouble.
Maybe this applies to your situation: Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
You assume you'll find a lawyer to handle your case... and that you'd win.
If it was that simple there would already be cases pending.
That’s it. Accuse them of taking stuff from your bag.
SUE THE BUMS
What next? His hand up your bum cause' he says so?
These people are freaks!
IANL but it would seem to me that your attempt at asserting your Constitutional rights was NOT probable cause for their detaining you. I know there is a difference between detaining and arresting but doesn't that come perilously close to an illegal detention, their refusal to let you walk away?
Someone said to me today, the TSA has a job to do.
I replied, so did the gestapo. ;>)
Profiling is the answer! Whenever we decide to be adults about NS.
I am getting tempted to buy a motherhuggin’ ticket, and MAKE them arrest me for refusing the Happy Ending Security Stop.
TSA 1, Mike Evers 0.
I think it is going to take more folks like you steadfastly refusing. Let them arrest you. Then, we can expose them for what they are and what they’re doing.
Also, have you contacted Delta? The airlines are being silent on this, yet it is likely to hit them on their bottom line. They need to know how their “valued customers” are being treated.
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