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.
Is anyone watching the airlines’ stocks on Wall Street? How are they doing with all this TSA controversy?
I am of the call a lawyer opinion, but it seems they separated him from his phone.
They'll let everyone beach and moan about the scanners and body searches then they'll give the impression that they are giving in and say “ok here's what we do - we'll stop nuking and feelin yall up if you let us inject this teeny weeny itsy bitsy thread up your hand - do we got a deal.
I find it fascinating that an illegal can’t be asked for his passport and ID while getting caught in the act of an actual crime in Arizona, but an American citizen can be groped, searched and harassed by federal agents without cause while travelling.
Where are all the liberals in the media this time, who were mocking the notion of illegals being asked for papers, but are stone silent when Americans are being groped for no reason at the airport?
Yeah, the same crap they pulled in 1861.
Can you imagine the response of La Raza, ACLU et al if a Border Patrol agent said the words “Submit to Federal Authority!”
I want to watch!
In this instance, it seems that driving would have been quicker.
Watch the lines on approach. Some airports are putting all people thru lanes which have these. Some only have the devices on some security lanes.
Do your best to look bored and certainly don’t lose your temper. It seems if you make eye contact with the person doing the ‘random’ selections you are more likely to get picked.
Unless of course you are over 80, a nun, or a child. In those cases you are more likely.
I’m going to tell them I don’t feel comfortable being touched by a guy and request someone of the opposite sex.
Or I may ask if the guy touching me is gay. He’ll probably say he doesn’t have to answer that, but isn’t that my right to know if I am submitting to an illegal groping?
What if EVERYONE refuses? Will they arrest entire passenger lists for not complying? We could shut this crap down in a nanosecond if everyone was on the same page.
The refusal to submit to Fedral authority appears to me to be the “cattle-car clause”.
If it is part of the USC, it needs to be deleted. This is really dangerous.
I was considering dressing up as a muslim and carrying an quoran. They won’t dare violate my rights and profile me, so it’s probably safer to dress like the enemy while going to the Airport.
Thanks for telling your story. The airlines are going to go out of business if this thing doesn’t change.
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I AM a lawyer!
You, a mere mortal, DARED to question their authority! As I said earlier, this is really about training us to submit to their authority.
Liberalism is really another name for fascism.
You know, it would be funny if someone had the nerve, when they go between the legs, if someone would urinate on their hand. I know it’s gross but...
Some woman called in to Hannity’s show this week and threatened to strap a Di*do under her skirt.
There must be something that can be done to ‘reward’ their digusting, groping hands.
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