Does anyone else feel like a criminal when going through TSA?

[GreatLakes]

Naked Pictures and groping. Sounds very Alex Jones to me.

If anyone actually feels that the TSA is violating your rights you can hire a lawyer and bring a case that may eventually make it to the SCOTUS.

Backscatter machines have not been used by the TSA for quite some time. They started phasing them out in 2013 and now exclusively use millimeter wave scanners.

If no issues are found when you are scanned the operator sees the word OK.

If something concerning was found the operator sees an image like this with yellow placed on the concerning areas:
View attachment 730201

I think even the most conservative person would agree that image is in no way pornographic.

Oh my GAWD, the graphic nudity!!!

 

[JBRB828]

I got patted down on Kaua'i a few years ago. The reason was I had too much loose change in my wallet and they didn't know what it was.

 

[Dan Murphy]

@JLTraveling, c'mon man!!!

 

[DeeBee3]

I will say I never know how to look at the guy checking your ID. Like do you smile or just do a blank face? I usually walk around without smiling, but I know that can come off as being rude. I just have a serious expression most times.

As an aside, I was patted down when I was about 5-6 months pregnant, and to me it was funny because I had on maternity leggings and you could clearly tell I had nothing stuck in anywhere. It was also annoying because I had to wait for a female officer to do the patdown and she was really "thorough." I felt unnecessary when I did not have bulky clothes on.

I know they need to do a job, but it seems very random and just to give the illusion of safety.

 

[Orion Nebula]

I want to apologize for asking the question, it just popped in my head while bored at work. I had no idea that there would be (as of now) a 10 page argument. One that amazingly has dragged in everything between sexual assault, human rights and things happening to children...

 

[EACarlson]

Backscatter machines have not been used by the TSA for quite some time. They started phasing them out in 2013 and now exclusively use millimeter wave scanners.

If no issues are found when you are scanned the operator sees the word OK.

If something concerning was found the operator sees an image like this with yellow placed on the concerning areas:
View attachment 730201

I think even the most conservative person would agree that image is in no way pornographic.

That is the image as shown now. That is not the image that was shown to the operator on backscatter machines from 2010-2013 or even the mm wave machines until approximately 2017. The backscatter images were not quite pornographic but certainly NC-17. mm wave were a hard R. There are still issues with transgender and gender non-conforming people that get secondaried because there are things where the the scanner doesn't think there should be, either breast tissue or male genitalia.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I want to apologize for asking the question, it just popped in my head while bored at work. I had no idea that there would be (as of now) a 10 page argument. One that amazingly has dragged in everything between sexual assault, human rights and things happening to children...

No need to apologize. This discussion has been very interesting to read. I'll take a thread like this over ones on the Community board such as "What color is your grandmother's friend's cousin's car?"

 

[sam_gordon]

That is the image as shown now. That is not the image that was shown to the operator on backscatter machines from 2010-2013 or even the mm wave machines until approximately 2017. The backscatter images were not quite pornographic but certainly NC-17. mm wave were a hard R. There are still issues with transgender and gender non-conforming people that get secondaried because there are things where the the scanner doesn't think there should be, either breast tissue or male genitalia.

So if this is what we're dealing with now (and have been for 5 years), is it really appropriate to bring up "naked pictures"?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I will say I never know how to look at the guy checking your ID. Like do you smile or just do a blank face?

I feel you on this. I think it ends up being a toss up and also what condition I'm in lol.

I think I feel more inclined to do a smile with the times that I only have to have my ID out instead of my boarding pass (which is almost always on my phone) and my ID. When I have to do that I'm juggling my phone, ID, carry on and personal item so I'm usually less into smiling. I'll still say thank you though.

 

[kdonnel]

I will say I never know how to look at the guy checking your ID. Like do you smile or just do a blank face? I usually walk around without smiling, but I know that can come off as being rude. I just have a serious expression most times.

As an aside, I was patted down when I was about 5-6 months pregnant, and to me it was funny because I had on maternity leggings and you could clearly tell I had nothing stuck in anywhere. It was also annoying because I had to wait for a female officer to do the patdown and she was really "thorough." I felt unnecessary when I did not have bulky clothes on.

I know they need to do a job, but it seems very random and just to give the illusion of safety.

Thick folded fabric, layers of fabric, etc will get flagged by the body scanners.

As to what to do while they are checking your ID, depends on what you want to happen.

Sovereign Citizen's should:

• Loudly proclaim "I know my rights" alternated with "I do not consent"

Intoxicated idiots should:

• Middle fingers from both hands
• Loudly proclaim "I smell bacon"

Average person should:

• Say "Hello"

Advanced respectful person should:

• Say "Hello" while making eye contact
• Say "Hope you are having a great day!" while making eye contact and with a smile on their face

 

[sam_gordon]

I will say I never know how to look at the guy checking your ID. Like do you smile or just do a blank face? I usually walk around without smiling, but I know that can come off as being rude. I just have a serious expression most times.

If I'm in a good mood, I'll smile. If I'm not, I don't. I try to be friendly and respectful regardless of who I'm dealing with. However, if I get rudeness or disrespect back, I might react in kind.

 

[Snowysmom]

Since I have knee replacements I get to go through the big scanner. Then something on my right hip is a problem which makes them ask if I have metal in my hip. Nope! I asked several times what they think it is and I got, don't wear jeans to wear jeans. I don't think what I am wearing is the issue. Then I get the patdown. I am asked if I want to go to a room to do it or just do it there. I say, just do it right here. I think I should get a glass of wine or dinner afterwards. When the person is checking my ID I just stand there with a neutral expression. I always say thank you when they hand back my ID.

 

[EACarlson]

So if this is what we're dealing with now (and have been for 5 years), is it really appropriate to bring up "naked pictures"?

I didn't bring it up, but it was SOP in many airports for three years. Because of the underwear bomber at DTW.

 

[sam_gordon]

I didn't bring it up, but it was SOP in many airports for three years. Because of the underwear bomber at DTW.

Sorry, didn't mean to imply you had brought it up. I remember the uproar when it came out (but couldn't tell you how long ago it was).

 

[EACarlson]

Here's a question I'll throw out there. Does anyone actually feel safer now with the TSA than they did flying pre 9/11?

 

[persnickity]

It does make me feel a bit like a criminal, but I'm also autistic and it's just a lot to process in a short period of time. I get overwhelmed.

 

[sam_gordon]

Here's a question I'll throw out there. Does anyone actually feel safer now with the TSA than they did flying pre 9/11?

I'll admit "no". But I also don't feel like a criminal or feel any extra pressure than pre 9/11.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

Here's a question I'll throw out there. Does anyone actually feel safer now with the TSA than they did flying pre 9/11?

I would say yes. Not significantly safer, but safer nonetheless.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Not possible. We live in Seattle. It would take a week to get to Florida.

You could charter….. as long as you don’t charter anything larger than a gulfstream 650, you show your license and walk on the plane…..

 

[White Cat]

Not going to repeat myself. You're welcome to read everything I've said in the past 9 pages of this thread.

No thanks. Just wondered. I don’t find it scary at all.