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.
Unfortunately, a lawyer would have to explain this arrest for years to come on any Bar related matter even if it was later thrown out in court. So you had better be independently wealthy so that you never have to work again if you go that route.
So that just tells the terrorist that they can strap their weapons on their kids and they won't be detected.
Make sure you also complain to the local airport!!
The TSA law allowed airports to opt-out of using TSA after two years. Then the rent-a-cops could be brought back in. At that point, if these idiots do sexual assaults (as directed by Napolitano and TSA requirements), you can sue the airport and the rent-a-cop group!!
Complain, complain, complain!!!
Unless the 4th Amendment has been repealed, this is a text book search without warrant....or so it would seem.
Doesn't sound like the OP was "secure in his person."
I was thinking in the incident here, maybe when coming in the second time he should have dressed as a Muslim with a Quran, then gone back out and come back in as himself. Watch the difference in treatment.
When enough people quit flying, When enough airlines and airports are out of business (and that includes all those airport stores, reataurants, etc.), When landing fees and airport taxes drop far enough
THEN will they get a clue?
Though when enough people resort to driving themselves or riding buses, then the TSA people will try scanning everybody using a highway.
THEN there will be civil war.
Nope, not on American Airlines. I looked.
I’ll post a URL when I get home.
“There must be something that can be done to ‘reward’ their digusting, groping hands.”
Flatulence?
Im heading back to canada during Christmas and already instructed my family to pick me up in Blaine WA. I’ve already heard of canadians getting PO;d about this. No wonder we have a drop off in foreign visitors..
Did you ask the Sheriff’s deputies why you were being detained, and whether it was legal for TSA to do so? What was their attitude toward the matter?
I am unaware of a crime of “refusal to submit to federal authority”. A google search of that phrase turns up only this thread.
They can arrest for probable cause, and a refusal of a search can trigger probable cause in some cases (like a refusal to submit to a breathalyzer, for instance). But, it seems to me they’d need something besides simple refusal to trigger probable cause, and thus allow an arrest.
SnakeDoc
How does it detonate the explosives?
Although I am not a lawyer, that was along the lines of my thinking. This probably needs to be nipped in the bud but I am not sure how it would be done.
The federal government is totally out of control...
The terrorist won.
Hey, he's a lawyer! And, a good FRiend!
You know there were actual dynamite bombings of airliners back in the 1950’s, involving maniacs out to collect insurance money. The FBI investigated each case, the maniacs were captured, tried and executed, and life went on. The culture did not change. So what happened between then and now? IMO we’ve lost our cojones and surrendered to political correctness.
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