Posted on 02/11/2011 10:44:55 PM PST by Roberts
Ever since the TSA started putting back-scatter devices into use at selected airports last fall, I've been waiting to have the chance to opt out and register a one-woman protest against the machines.
So I was awfully pleased when I arrived at a security checkpoint in Miami International Airport this morning and discovered that my line fed into a back-scatter device, even though metal detectors were in use for the other lines. When it was my turn, I politely said that I would like to opt out. "Seriously?" the first TSA worker asked me with a raised eyebrow. Yes, seriously.
He directed me through the nearby metal detector (the one that would have been good enough if I'd just chosen another line) and motioned for me to wait for a pat-down agent: "Female opt-out!" A female agent led me to a table where she set my bags and then skeptically asked if I knew what the pat down involved. Yes, indeedy (thanks, Jeff Goldberg!) "Do you want to do this somewhere private?" No, thank you. The agent calmly explained what she was going to do before she performed each part of the procedure, and very briskly but thoroughly went through the pat-down. The whole thing was over in a matter of minutes and was a completely professional experience.
Or it was, until a male TSA agent walked behind us and hollered: "Hey, I thought she was mine! I was gonna do her!"
And that, buddy, is exactly why I'm opting out instead of standing in the see-through picture machine. Thanks for validating my choice.
(Excerpt) Read more at swampland.blogs.time.com ...
I have not flown since Sept 2001, to my father's funeral, and I'm with you -- I will only fly again for a matter of life and death. I have no intention of being herded defenseless and pawed over and humiliated and treated like a prisoner.
Curiously, I'm lesbian too.
I decided, instead, to drive -- and to make a road trip of it. I'm driving up the Blue Ridge Mountain expressway, sightseeing in DC, Gettysburg, and Hershey PA, then stopping in NY Amish country, overnighting in Canadaigua, then Rochester. It will be 4 days instead of 4 hours, but it will be a fun 4 days.
Screw the TSA.
(btw....I loved your Web Developer thing! I sent it to my brother, who does web developing. He says, "I'm jealous...I wish my clients were that articulate" *snort*)
where abouts in ny did you go? - were building in Naples NY
Yup, in Time Magazine no less... one big fat black eye for the Rats.
Heading up TO Canada, we pretty stayed on main roads, I81, thru Scranton, etc. Almost driving by the Adirondacks made me think "want to go there someday, too".
We still talk about that drive home on backroads. Yes, it took a few hours longer, but was such a pleasant, hassle-free travel experience. No TSA, no major interstate back-ups...AND an awesome diner somewhere (I'll never remember) with the best hamburger I've ever had!
Maybe if enough people start opting out, it will delay too many flights and crash the system. If no one opts for the back skatter machine, then they will have to abandon it.
Elicotville - southern tier NY - real pretty place - just south of where we are building - Adirondacks is a must - huge - St lawrence / 1000 islands too - both great places - are you aware of NY’s growing wine / grape presence?
Buffalo is disppointing has been like that since forever - our reps are mostly from NYC - so western NY gets crapped on financially
if you don’t have it on tape, I strongly suspect nothing gets done.
The trip plan at this point has me going to N.J. and then to Austria to Italy.
No way I'm going to JFK or Heathrow
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