Airport security debate-

[palmtreegirl]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20041010-9999-1m10transcol.html

By Jeff Ristine
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

October 10, 2004

A new layer of security at the nation's airports last month caught a Mira Mesa woman by surprise. Now Ava Kingsford wants other women to know just how uncomfortable the "secondary screening" process can become.

Kingsford, 36, was traveling back to San Diego from Denver International Airport with her 3-month-old son when she was flagged for a pat-down search, possibly because of an expired driver's license.

She took the procedure in stride until the female Transportation Security Administration screener announced, "I'm going to feel your breasts now."

Kingsford, wearing a snug-fitting tank top, objected to what she considered an unduly invasive search. More security agents arrived, warned her that she couldn't board her flight without submitting to the final step of the search, and the situation escalated.

"I was crying; I was shaking," she said. And just after she tugged down the top of her shirt just a bit to show that she wasn't hiding anything, the agents told her she wasn't going anywhere. She ended up renting a car for a two-day drive home.

"It was unbelievable," Kingsford said. "I think there is a line they cannot cross."

But Transportation Security Administration officials say their screeners did nothing wrong and that Kingsford's experience reflects a brutal new reality in passenger checkpoint screening.

The agency announced the extra security measures Sept. 16, just a few weeks after two Russian jetliners exploded in midair, killing all aboard. Authorities believe two women smuggled explosives onto the aircraft, possibly in "torso packs" underneath their clothing.

Bob Kapp, customer service manager for the TSA in Denver, said that to conduct a thorough pat-down search of women, "it does require going beneath, between and above the breasts."

In these first few weeks of the procedure, Kapp said, "a few people have been a little bit alarmed" by the touching. But he called it "a sign of the times" that is probably here to stay. Screeners are coached to try to minimize the discomfort by explaining each step as they go along.

Kingsford, however, thinks there ought to be some common sense to the approach and that the TSA is going to get a lot more complaints.

"There is nothing that I could possibly have been hiding there," she said.

END

What do you think? I think that I would've rather taken off my top then had some stranger feel me up, that's for sure.

 

[jeleebeene]

While I am happy that security measures are stricter now, I wouldn't want to be touched like that - no matter for what reason. Do they feel men that way in their "area" to check for hidden objects? I just don't know how far too far will be before too long.

I am glad that I wasn't searched on my flights this past weekend - I would have freaked out!!!

 

[caitycaity]

 

[Pete's Mom]

I probably would have opted to take my shirt and bra off as opposed to being felt up but that's just me.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The TSA is not needed. Bring back private screeners with federal oversight. It is an organization out of control.

NY Daily News
By MICHELLE McPHEE


NYPD cops who flew to North Carolina to bury fallen Detective Robert Parker were forced to undergo humiliating airport searches - enraging Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, the Daily News has learned.

The incident took place on Sept. 19, just hours after 33 of Parker's brethren from Brooklyn South watched his coffin being lowered into the ground at a cemetery near his family's home in Salisbury, N.C.

The officers were unarmed, wearing NYPD dress blue uniforms, and had been issued "Exempt" passes by Port Authority Police at Kennedy Airport that allowed them to bypass metal detectors and be screened by hand by Transportation Security Administration agents.

Despite the passes, TSA agents at Greensboro Airport demanded the cops remove their shields, shoes and dress jackets.

Some cops - including a deputy inspector - were even asked to put their hands against the wall with their legs spread while security officers ran a wand over their bodies, several NYPD sources said.

One agent was overheard telling a high-ranking NYPD official who balked at the treatment: "You're not in New York now, boy," the sources said.

"It was ridiculous and disrespectful," said one NYPD commander who was searched. "To have detectives who just buried their brother spread-eagle, undressed and wanded was inappropriate."

Kelly was appalled at the treatment the NYPD officers were shown.

"Common sense should prevail," Kelly told The News yesterday. "Regrettably, it appeared not to in this case."

But TSA spokeswoman Yolanda Clark said the Greensboro Airport agents took "extra steps" to accommodate the NYPD officers.

The agents asked the cops to remove their shoes and dress uniforms merely to conform to safety guidelines, Clark said. Greensboro Airport only honors "Exempt" passes for passengers with diplomatic privileges, she said.

"We are certainly sensitive to the reason the officers were there," Clark said. "It is the responsibility of this agency to follow the guidelines."

Parker, 43, and his partner, Patrick Rafferty, 39, were shot and killed in Brooklyn on Sept. 10 as they tried to arrest a career criminal who was terrorizing his own mother. The alleged cop killer, Marlon Legere, is being held without bail.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Originally posted by jeleebeene
Do they feel men that way in their "area" to check for hidden objects? I just don't know how far too far will be before too long.

I'm okay with the searches as long as I don't have to squat and cough.

 

[Chicago526]

I don't know. It really is a fine line, isn't it? If they don't do a "full" pat down of a woman, and she IS hiding something in her bra, and the plane goes down, then TSA gets busted for not doing their jobs (not to mention the loss of life).

On the other hand, who the heck wants to be patted down in private areas? There has to be a better way to handle this that makes everyone safe AND happy. I just don't know the answer to this one.

BTW, the post about the NYC cops was just wrong! Yes, they should be screened like anyone else, but their treatment was WAY over the line! What ever happened to professional curtesy?

 

[RadioNate]

I think the NYC cops should have been searched like everyone else. While the overwhelming majority of police officers are true heros there are some that do abuse their position.

As for the first case - I would have just pulled up my shirt and shown my bra. I don't want strangers touching me but I have no problem showing what's under my shirt. I "flash" my bra to my friends more often than I should admit (men and women). I have swimsuits that show more that people have no problem with so who cares about my ratty old full-coverage bra.

The touching is a little much and like someone else said, I think it should be applied equally. If they are patting down some guys you know what, I'm more inclined to think it's tolerable. Of course they wouldn't be doing it to men now would they?

 

[helenabear]

I have to say, the touching would really bother me *A LOT*! I don't care if it is a male or female either, it would seriously bother me. I would sooner show my bra than let anyone feel me. I would actually hope I would be told that option (if they did go for it). I do also think that touching private areas like that would be a law suit waiting to happen. I cannot imagine that someone wouldn't walk out of there and feel violated at some point... probably wondering when it would go from security checks to sexual assault. I have had no problems with security checks in the past (and I have been pulled over in the past to do them), but this I would seriously have a problem with.

 

[zulaya]

Personally, I think it definitely crosses the line to hand pat a woman's breasts and not have the same policy for a man's private areas. This is just a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen.

They have machines that can screen bags for plastic explosives. Get that technology on the metal detectors so that people can walk through and be scanned. It's private and non-intrusive screening that can be followed up on if something comes back.

The problem with secondary screening is that there's no real way to warrant it other than by random means, or with this woman, her license had expired. I don't know about the rest of you, but when I renew my license, they don't just create a new card for you. YOu have a piece of paper until the new card is mailed to you 2-3 weeks later. Now maybe it's her fault, but come on.

They need to get the technology in there to make everyone safe AND respect individual rights. Common sense.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The TSA doesn't understand common sense.

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

I think she overreacted. I'm disabled and fly with my wheelchair. Because of this I have been pat down through security including under and between my breasts. It is quick and painless and necessary. I don't resent it at all. I have never been treated with anything but the greatest kindness. The screeners have all let me know what they are doing and where they are going to touch before they did. That she would be hysterical is just over the top!

 

[SueM in MN]

I think it's sad that people do need to be subjected to this type of search, but stories like this article from CNN about a gun hidden in a teddy bear is why they are doing extreme searches.
My youngest DD has been getting pat down searches since she was almost 3. Because she uses a wheelchair and can't walk, she can't go thru the metal detector. She has been treated with care and respect by the screeners and we have not personally had any problems with the screeners.