Posted on 09/01/2011 3:15:10 PM PDT by SLB
Took my son-in-law to the airport in Nashville for his return trip to Afghanistan. My daughter and I got gate passes to see him off. When we got to the TSA security point I was selected to go thru the millimeter wave xray. I told the screener that I did not want to go thru it. She made a big thing of it, repeatedly asking me if I was "opting out" of it. I repeatedly told her I was. She then radioed to her supervisor that she had an "opt out" that needed screening.
After about 4 or 5 minutes a guy showed up and asked me to follow him into a glass enclosed area. I had to pass thru the regular metal detector to get there and did not set it off, but had to have the pat down search anyway. So here I am,a 61 year old, white male slightly overweight and with very blonde hair standing with arms out to my sides and getting patted down. They guy who did it was very polite and we did visit. When he was finished he scanned his rubber gloves for explosives residue. Found none and let me leave. I think the next time I go to the airport I will rub some old expended brass or shotgun shell hulls on my clothes and see what happens. :-)
I know you are joking, but, let me tell you about my experience:
I fly 75-90K miles per year and have for many years, spotless record until recently.
Standing in line, pressed for time, the group in front of me (four people) were confused on the procedures and were sorting out their passports and boarding passes. While they did this, four people from the other line (we were in the 'fast track line') went through screening.
I spoke up. Words were exchanged, it got a little loud.
I got to the front and was called into special screening, behind closed doors, questioned and felt up by the TSA. Then I went through.
Next trip................ same thing as to the special screening.
Now I feel as if I am on the list.
I own a heavy construction company in North Jersey, we do our own drilling and blasting. I have a Federal License to purchase and posses explosives, I also have a license to use them in NJ and NYC, that is a blasting license.
I was on one of our jobs and walked around over the muck pile, shot rock, just after the blast and picker up explosive residue on my loafers.
Two weeks later I went to Newark Airport for a flight to a meeting in Texas. When I past through to scanner, every bell, whistle and flashing light in Newark went off, I was then taken by four heavily armed men to have a more detailed look see, long story short when they saw my documents I was released without any further ado, they were VERY professional and all business. Do not pull their chains.
They NEVER have any problems.
needs to be TSA needs to be disbanded, and I mean TODAY.
Janet “Nappy Headed Ho” needs to be called on the carpet, interrogated (preferably with thumbscrews), and then unceremoniously shown the door.
He who gives up a little liberty for security gets neither.
I was on one of our jobs and walked around over the muck pile, shot rock, just after the blast and picker up explosive residue on my loafers.
Two weeks later I went to Newark Airport for a flight to a meeting in Texas. When I past through to scanner, every bell, whistle and flashing light in Newark went off, I was then taken by four heavily armed men to have a more detailed look see, long story short when they saw my documents I was released without any further ado, they were VERY professional and all business. Do not pull their chains.
Of course, the TSA-holes will still rummage your suitcase and swab everything for the mere cause that one is declaring a firearms in checked baggage, as if that makes one a more likely suspect.
I know how I am in dealing with bureaucratic micro-minds, and I have little doubt that I would inflict bodily harm on any Federal drone who attempts to lay hands on me for any reason. So I just avoid the whole stinking mess, and if that means the airlines go bankrupt (which I doubt, since obviously most people put up with this abusive crapola), I won't shed a single tear.
I might have a business conference to attend in a month in half in Cincinnati. That's a two-day drive each way from my locale. But that's the price I'm willing to pay. The meat-bots of the TSA can all burn in hell. Every one of them.
There is one reason and one reason only that you cower in fear of the TSA, ........Muslims. Rid the world of Muslims and we can all fly, walk, ride, and live in peace! As long as one single muslim walks the earth no Jew, no Christian, no peaceful person is safe!io
I’ve also stopped flying. It’s sort of worked in my travel sched thus far to drive as far as 800 or so miles. Not sure what I’ll do when a coast to coast trip comes up. I’ll probably walk through the xray if it’s an option.
Stonewall Jackson presented an interesting situation. Suppose a person in Vermont or Wyoming or Alaska is carrying a concealed weapon inside his/her waistband, goes to an airport and while in the parking area removes the concealed weapon and stores it. They then are selected for the more advanced screening and “bingo” they show positive for gunpowder residue. Not permit needed, so does the TSA understand or do you end up in a “special” area of the airport?
My wife, a little lady in her seventies, was stopped because they found traces of explosives on her clothing. They asked if her husband (me) or anyone in her household was a hunter. She said “no” (which is true), so they let her board the plane. Both my brother, who lives with us, and I reload.
>>My wife, a little lady in her seventies, was stopped because they found traces of explosives on her clothing. They asked if her husband (me) or anyone in her household was a hunter. She said “no” (which is true), so they let her board the plane. Both my brother, who lives with us, and I reload.<<
Interesting — ya never know but that isn’t the way to plan. :)
Be very clear about something Doc, I do not cower in fear of anyone, they are doing their job and doing it, for the most part, very well.
The two times I’ve had to “opt out”, I did so by dryly observing that “If I’m going to have my Fourth Amendment rights violated, I’d prefer not being irradiated in the process.”
Same silly pat down and running the fingertips of rubber gloves around the waistband and shirt collar then testing for explosive residue.
I’m surprised they don’t get false-positives when farmers fly: I presume nitrate fertilizer will set off their testing gear.
They may blow planes up in the air, but the days of hijackings are over. They have been for ten years.
My point is that the TSA is security-theater.
Their incompetence will one day be quite apparent.
No doubt about that. An "Operation Bojinka" attack (minus the hijackings) could happen tomorrow.
Just hope I never have to find out...:o)
Good points though.
I beg to differ. It's because of the knee-jerk reaction of a bunch of cowardly politicians in DC whose main objective is the utter and complete comtrol of the populace of the country.
Who? The TSA? Who have they caught? I know for a fact that Al Qaeda laughs at US "security measures".
TSA is nothing more than a jobs program for the chronically unemployed.
I no longer fly too, I drive or stay home. If I had to absolutely, positively, no getting out of it, dammedifIknowwhy had to fly . . . I would charter a GA flight. No TSA there . . .
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.