Flying out of larger airports is painful, and the sadistic TSA people enjoy inflicting the pain, whether physical or emotional.
In ‘08, I was going see my ill father in Buffalo. On the shuttle ride to LAX, I received the call that he had died. During security check, I was crying and was ordered to stop or else I’d be arrested. I said that my father had died less than an hour ago. Response was that I’d still be arrested if I didn’t stop crying.
Because of an artificial hip, I ALWAYS beep going through the scanner, so am wanded and patted every time I fly. Once I waited for 30 minutes in the stanchion for an agent to wand me, completely disconnected from everything personal — purse, cell phone, luggage, etc.
I despise flying, but must do it sometimes.
These stories are killng me. You can’t be crying for your father, one hour after he passed??
This government is supposed to be by the people!! Why do we take this crap??? Can’t we get a presidential candidate with some balls to give us back our freedom??
I remain devastated about the innocents we all lost on 9/11 but this is (bleeping) Worse!! Profile for people with ties to Islam or enemy countries!
That is so, so, so horrible, I’m so sorry.
I had to fly in ‘08 because my uncle had died, but thankfully it was two smaller airports and no radiation scanners in use then. I can’t imagine the emotional pain you were in.
Sometimes we just have to fly, like you said, and the sadistic-ness has most definitely increased. The TSA brainless jackboots are especially happy to see non-affirmative actions in pain or distress.
If that happens again,such as having all your personal items and valuables out of your sight and control loudly and repeatedly call out “SUPERVISOR, SUPERVISOR TO THE CHECKPOINT”
If no one comes or you are told to be quiet demand to see either a manager or the PD as it is TSA policy to be responsible for and keep you in view of your valuables at all times. This is to limit liability on their part. The TSA do not have police powers of arrest only the PD has that.
Explain politely to what ever responsible party shows up TSA responsibilities regarding personal possessions. If the PD shows up be polite but firm and DO NOT GET ABUSIVE OR HAVE A TEMPER TANTRUM. The airport assignment for the local PD is a plum assignment and easy money for the PD. They like to do as little work as possible but know how to handle direct confrontation quite well.
If all else fails exit the holding area on your own and stand in plain view by your personal possessions and refrain from touching them if possible. I guarantee that will draw a response. If there is a cam in the area position your self in view of it. The TSA may be pure lard on the inside but have 6” of armor up front. They know how to deal with direct confrontation like tantrums,screaming,yelling etc.
Some TSA like the power trip but if handled well can be neutralized. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEM.
It is disgusting how they treat people who are obviously not a threat like this lady or yourself.
In your case, crying can be as reflexive and uncontrollable as hiccups. How dare they demand you stop. What could be their reasoning? Did they think you would be less of a threat if you didn't cry?
Political correctness is a disease, and it is killing us as a nation. We are losing our freedom and individuality. They want us to be a nation of unemotional robots that say "yes master" like slaves as we do what we are told.
Threatened to arrest you for crying? That’s yet another parallel between the TSA and the Nazis. In the 1930s, the Nazis, in at least the region my family was from, would routinely arrest kill people who cried around them. The stated reason was that crying showed dislike of the Nazis or sympathy to the partisans.
I heard these stories first hand, years ago, from the holocaust survivors in my family. Now, I’ve just heard a similar story again, from you. Makes one think, it does.
Yes, I believe it's because TSA hires a lot of people with double-digit IQs and then gives them some authority.
So, you have a lot of power tripping going on at those checkpoints.
I'm so sorry about what happened to you in '08. That's just reprehensible. Words cannpt convey my disgust at those idiots threatening a grieving person like that.