Posted on 06/07/2017 6:55:44 AM PDT by Kaslin
Much has been said of the ineffectiveness and intrusiveness of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) over the last decade and a half. However, when newspaper headlines start mocking the agency for asking a passenger “Is that a cookie or a bomb?”, it becomes clear that we have a real problem.
To be sure, there is a vital need for pre-flight security. That has never been in question. What has been questioned is the amount of power granted to a single federal agency for performing functions that can, could, and should be undertaken by private agencies under contract with the federal government. At least private contractors could be fired for the troubling behavior demonstrated by the TSA over the years, including beating-bloody passengers with special needs, humiliating teenagers over choice of clothing, and making incredibly rude remarks about passengers – including U.S. Olympians.
Despite numerous incidents of this nature, the TSA is routinely rewarded each year with billions of taxpayer dollars, out of blind deference to the golden calf of “national security.” And now, federal officials are poised to give the agency even more power over you.
Responding to recent terror threats in the same, often ham-fisted and reactionary methods typical of federal agencies in the post 9/11 world, the TSA currently is testing new screening procedures that require passengers to remove food and reading materials from carry-on bags. In addition to demanding that passengers place their shoes, coats, laptops, “liquids,” and any other bulky items in separate bins, new procedures being applied in several airports require passengers to separate out books, magazines, and snacks for extra inspection by TSA agents.
Where today passengers are advised to arrive at their departure airport at least two hours before a scheduled flight, one can only imagine the additional time delays this will create with TSA screenings; though, this should be the least of passengers’ worries. According to TSA officials, screeners may “fan” reading materials while checking for contraband, but promise they are not actually paying attention to what travelers are reading. Never mind that it was revealed only two years ago that TSA’s SPOT (Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques) program employs subjective behavioral markers such as excessive body odor and sweating, for secret scorings to determine if an individual passenger likely is a terrorist. Yet, have no fear -- the content of a person’s reading material is completely off-limits. Sure.
Try as they might to convince us of their trustworthiness, nothing in the TSA’s history of gratuitously punitive, if not deliberately petty behavior, leads us to believe this to be true. Rather, what is more likely is that reading material specifically will become the focal point of TSA screeners’ discretion as to whether passengers warrant additional screening. A passenger’s magazines and books will then be subject also to callous remarks from agents; all of which passengers must silently endure. After all, what other recourse do they have when faced with abuse from federal agents – submit or miss your flight, or find yourself facing criminal charges.
Passengers, who long ago should have abandoned hope for even a modicum of privacy or dignity when attempting to fly, must also endure the embarrassment of pulling out their choice of reading for other passengers to see and judge. Ready to fly? You must also be ready for your fellow passengers to know if you are dealing with marriage issues, depression, or a have a predilection for erotica. It will soon be all on display as agents “fan” through your reading material with the restraint and professionalism demonstrated with other luggage items.
To its credit, TSA’s Pre-Check program, in which passengers apply to be vetted before flying and then are allowed expedited screening without all the dehumanizing antics of going through non-Pre-Check screening, is a significant step in the right direction. However, rather than double-down on what has so far been a relatively successful program, TSA fritters away its budget on other highly questionable projects like SPOT, and now what might be called its “Approved Reading Materials Assessment Program” (“ARMAP” for short).
Congress, of course, should step in and undertake serious oversight of TSA, including this latest foray into inspecting an individual’s reading materials. Unfortunately, considering the deference with which the Congress has approached funding TSA year after year, it is unlikely the legislative branch of our federal government will do more now, than issue some stern warnings followed by approving increased funding for yet another year. And the privacy rights of the citizenry – at least those who wish to exercise their right to travel by commercial air carriers – will have suffered another blow in the name of “national security.”
As if those knuckle draggers have ever read a book.
Not unlike those traffic wardens in the UK and Australia. Cops had other things needed done so they turned over parking and other mundane jobs to these wardens who wear a uniform and a badge and then think they’re high almighty and people are really really upset over them; cops don’t like them either.
I have yet to read a single book on a electronic device. I love the feel of a book.
The Gift Of Fear has a plain cover with the letters large and bright! Ya could read the title from rows away I am betting. It is a decent book, bout paying attention to your instincts.
Yes, it’s not just the power given to the agency itself, it’s the power given to the individual inspectors. What I find totally unnerving is that most of these “agents” (at least in major metropolitan areas where I’ve observed them) are NOT American born. MANY look to be muslim, many have thick accents. Most could not get a real job in the private sector, yet they now have the power to decide who gets on a plane and who doesn’t. Plus the power to confiscate anything they like from your baggage. I will bet a large sum that when they confiscate things of value, those things go home with them.
I’ve got books that would make TSA shit.
I can appreciate the tactile feel of books as well. But I really didn’t get into recreational reading until I got my pad.
Consider: All the books in my library are all the same weight and dimensions; I can adjust the font and size to suit my eyes; I can read in bed at night without disturbing The Little Crazy Woman™; I can search the book for words and phrases; look up unknown words; open maps to get the layout of places etc., etc. And my entire library goes with me, wherever I go.
It’s more than the feel. It’s picking up an old book because the cover *looks interesting*, scanning a few random pages - then happily anticipating curling up on the couch with a cookie and the new acquisition. I love age-browned pages, torn edges, and the occasional old note or postcard I sometimes find tucked inside.
Let me help.
If the Mob did it; the courts would call it EXTORTION; and claim the Protection Money was NOT a mere fee for handling.
Which PROVES that they ARE doing a 100% effective job!
Much like the amulet I wear (which I bought from a street vendor in Kinshasa) that protects me from ever being killed in an elephant stampede.
How far does onw have to go into the website before finding out the COST of this handy little program?
Then you; too; could work for TSA!
They get to 'find' quite; shall we say; 'interesting' things while searching for battery powered explosives.
Hmm, that makes for some interesting mischief.
ewww ewww ewww
My response to that request would probably be some variation between "Srsly?" and "Go to Hell! Do I look like a Muslim?"...
Come on . Everyone shows ID at the start.
THATS where you get picked for the “random” check. They mark your boarding pass.
it’s happened to my wife the last 2 times she flew THIS WEEK.
At the start yes, but not to the person with the wand.
They pull you aside for screening before that. Happens all the time.
/they didn't in 1985 when we flew from Nashville, TN to Rochester, NY. All what the guy did was run the wand up and down.
When I visited my daughter in Amarillo, TX in 2009 they also just ran the wand up and down on me.
They pull you aside and go through all your stuff, including swabs looking for explosives. Sometimes they pat you down.
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