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.
:: rolls eyes ::
(sigh)
Facebooked AND Twittered. This is getting out of hand! (No pun intended!) >:-(
Simple as that.
If enough people choose the former, there will eventually be no TSA to speak of.
I suppose, if I had submitted to the pat down, I would have made the entire thing quite uncomfortable for the TSA union goon. Start making farm animal noises. Squeal. Grunt. Moo for your life.
When the public rectal exam is over, say “Will you still respect me in the morning?”
They all need to go on the National Sex Pervert Registry.
Everyone should do this.
We need to overwhelm the fascists with civil disobedience.
At this point, I would have asked them to cite the charge against me, chapter and verse. And show it to me from an authoritative source.
And if they insisted, I would have asked each one of them to write their name and badge number on a piece of paper, so that my lawyer would know exactly who each of them were.
When I was done, I might have an arrest record. But, I'd be rich enough to retire.
I don't know what's worst:
1) That this tinhorn actually used such language
2) That the tinhorn believes it
3) That such a concept has wide circulation among government employees of any stripe
Aren’t you supposed to stay with your belongings? How can you be sure they weren’t tampered with while you were separated?
http://www.kamapigment.com/store/index.asp
Mix with linseed oil to make a paint and paint a message on underwear for the TSA to read in their X-ray scanners.
If I can't get there in my own vehicle, I don't need to go.
I say, piss on ‘em.
By the end of the decade passengers will be forced to drink a laxative, then sit in open view on a glass toilet bowl until they crap
Unbelievable.
You write good. :)
This would be a dream job for a homosexual TSA worker, male or female.
My first thought was I know the number to my attorney since she is a good friend. She would have given them an earful and we would have seen them in court (all of them)!
I am definitely NOT flying again until this crap is over which it probably never will be!
Thanks for posting your experience.
Maybe a boycott of all flying is in order!
SUE THEM. I’m serious. Everyone needs to sue them for detaining you... unlawful imprisonment.
For sexual harrasment.
For anything and everything.
Where did our country go?
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