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.
So what happens if you accuse the guy of doing something not related to a search but more of a sexual nature, like grabbing your jewels?
I suppose your job demands it, Mr. Evers, but to me there’s no way that I would submit myself to such indignities for the privilege of flying through the air in an aluminum tube.
Good read. . .and interesting response and ‘offer’ from TSA contact. Incredible, really; whatEVER her intentions.
I think that young people are having a hard time finding jobs so what if we hire hooters girls to frisk the guys and sexy muscular guys to inspect the ladies. Security is up, everyone will submit and the airlines will boost travel. Everyone smiles and I think my husband would even agree to travel more.
Mike is certainly not alone with this TSA crap! Here is an interesting link about a group of New Jersey Legislators who stepped forward....and with the ACLU too! Surprise, surprise!
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?singlepost=2269414
Landed in Atlanta safe and sound. I really appreciate all the fine posts on this thread. Many good suggestions and links to other atrocities. We will see this new procedure scrapped within two weeks if we keep the pressure.
Now for some dinner and a margarita. Tomorrow will be time enough to deal with this controversy.
Mike “Pink Slip” Evers
Then, when they begin their SS procedures (you vill show us your papers, ja?), let out a blood curdling scream "Ooooooouuuuuch!!!", repeat it several times, make a scene if you have to. Dont say anything else. Just "ouch!!".
There is not a court in the land that could objectively prove you were NOT subjectively, physically hurt by the procedure, and you could embarrass these TSA on the spot, and nothing you do would be illegal to my knowledge, but simply an act of civil disobedience that would make everyone uncomfortable. They could threaten to arrest you, but on what ground? That you hurt upon being touched?
Meanwhile, burkaed Muslims are going to get a partial pass. This is almost as ludicrous as out of state Americans being charged extra tuition in some states, where as illegal aliens on the same soil get the same rates as residents for that state. ILLEGAL ALIENS!!???!!! When are we going to wake up and realize that the lifelife of this country, the average American, is being made a Second Class Citizen overnight due to Intrusive Goverment and Political Correctness.
I will tell you this. In the history of mankind, if man does not stand up against Government-Run-Amok, they, the Overlords, will get drunk on power and seize even more personal liberties from the individual. It is just the reality of human nature and power.
Either we submit to this and they take more and more from us (a year or two from now under Big Sis and Obongo, they will be doing full an*l and vag*nal cavity exploration on a regular basis, mark my words), or we put our feet down as a group now and put a stop to it, otherwise we also make them pay politicallly at the polls and make it an election issue for 2012, and also force our Congresscritters to take public positions even before the new sesssion (if they are being held over into the new Congress).
That is a hoot but I think his celebrity is what let it be an amusing story and not one about a night in the slammer.
THREATEN THE TSA supervisor. Two words. JURY TRIAL ....arrest me please......We are the Jury...............Revolt peacefully
If this was a GWBush initiative, the Dems would have the fondled women and children testifying in Congressional hearings on live TV. All of the daytime talk shows would be booking the victims for interviews.
And they would demand that Bush submit to the XRAY and have the image displayed on live TV.
In the fwiw department, the First lady and I are doing well. We have been having much fun since election night tweaking liberals/socialists/progressives/democRATs. Sometime the too much fun alarm goes off.
5.56mm
“...This is a posting on 11/13...”
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Yeah, but that was back in 2002!
“So what happens if you accuse the guy of doing something not related to a search but more of a sexual nature, like grabbing your jewels?”
I sure don’t know but I’m just a lady who doesn’t fly. My sweetheart says that kind of grabbing would call for a different reaction.
My sweetie’s nickname is 357.
We never learn anything from Demrats. And not sure what a Dem would do; but I am still stuck on the fact that Goverment Leaders and Congress members are exempt. . .am thinking our new Repubs in Congress have an opportunity here - a promise as well as a threat.
Are not these exemptions a form of 'reverse profiling'?
You must be kidding!
You let them feel all up your bare genitals and butt crack? After already being x-rayed? Because they threatened to “arrest” you?!!
You should have said “F YOU!, ARREST ME!!”
Every traveller should do the same, each time they are propositioned by these creeps. Things would change in a huge hurry.
You can definately win lawsuit money for false arrest by the Sherriffs. You cannot successfully sue the TSA for sexual assault.
“Meanwhile, burkaed Muslims are going to get a partial pass.”
No, they’ll get a full pass because they won’t be pulled out for special screening in the first place. I’m pretty sure none of the screeners want CAIR sic’d on them personally. Gov’t employees go after the easy targets that will offer the least resistance so it appears they are doing their job.
I figured you were the type to keep getting back in line to be searched again? Grin...
Of course, you are correct on that.
FWIW, leaving boarding area and re entering is one thing they look for.
I alway ask if their is food in the boarding area before I enter if its in a airport I am not familar with.
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