Flying with children?

[maxiesmom]

Just a child asking to be excused when a TSa agent tells her she is going to touch her sensative parts.
Just a cute little 6 year old saying, "mommy I don't want to."
Breaks my heart.

Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither. (Ben Franklin) What makes it worse is that these procedures provide no security, not even the feeling of security. have the modified patdowns and naked photos found ONE bomb? didn't think so.

Wow, I don't think we watched the same video. The agent was very professional. The little girl stood there, and the agent explained to her what she was doing, and told her when and where she was going to touch her. And she only used the back of her hand. There was not grouping, no hand on the privates.

What the video didn't explain was why the girl was being patted down? Was it the choice of the parents to do the pat down to avoid the other screening, and then they decided tape it in the hopes of stirring things up? Did she set off the other detector? I wish that part was explained, but maybe the parents left it off on purpose. Makes me go hmmmmm.

 

[Dacky619]

What makes it worse is that these procedures provide no security, not even the feeling of security. have the modified patdowns and naked photos found ONE bomb? didn't think so.

Isn't that the point? Deterrance?

And in general, if you don't like it, you don't have to fly. Honestly, whining on a message board isn't going to change anyone's opinion or any policies.

 

[iheartdisney]

Since the link was removed, I assumed this is the video referenced... which has been all over the news this week.
http://youtu.be/SWExPhyPeZw
The little girl says several times "i want to be excused." What good manners!

 

[sam_gordon]

For those who point to the lack of the TSA finding any bombs...

How many hijackings have the metal detectors (that have been in place for DECADES) stopped?

Anyone want to guess I won't get any answers to this?

 

[jodifla]

Looks despicable and disgusting to me. And did they say they were doing a drug test too?

 

[iheartdisney]

For those who point to the lack of the TSA finding any bombs...

How many hijackings have the metal detectors (that have been in place for DECADES) stopped?

Anyone want to guess I won't get any answers to this?

i can think of four planes hijacked on one day that weren't stopped.

As has been pointed out, the problem with our "security procedues" is that they are reactive, not proactive. Imagine what security screenings the TSA will come up with the first time someone uses a bomb inside their anus. (body cavity bombs have been used since 2009 overseas)
Will bending over and spreading your legs at the gate be considered too far, or will you all just keep saying it is just the cost of flying?
And yes, I am still weighing if i want to drive 4 days from California to Florida and back this summer at $5.00+ a gallon diesel rather than putting my kids through this. Because i have one who already has stranger anxiety, I cannot imagine telling him it is OK for a stranger to stick their hands into his waistband. Which yes, a TSA officer is a stranger. As much a stranger as a mall cop or the parking attendant at Disneyland, who also wear uniforms.

 

[maxiesmom]

i can think of four planes hijacked on one day that weren't stopped.

But you don't know either if the new security would have stopped them or not.

Apparently Good Morning America is going to have the family on today.

 

[sam_gordon]

i can think of four planes hijacked on one day that weren't stopped.

Therefore the metal detectors don't work and we shouldn't use them.

 

[Lewisc]

Therefore the metal detectors don't work and we shouldn't use them.

Therefore the metal detectors aren't sufficient and we need to do more.

edited to add: Metal detectors were introduced into airports in the early 70's. There were a significant number of flights which were hijacked and diverted to Cuba. Introduction of metal detectors is one of the actions which resulted in the reduction (elimination?) of those hijackings. Obviously security measures which worked almost 40 years ago aren't sufficient today.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Whatever reason the girl was subjected to the patdown (and I did hear the mom's critical comment, so it probably wasn't the parents' choice ), that TSO was truly professional and kind. No yelling, no demanding, trying to make the girl as comfortable as possible, and ensuring the mom could see everything she was doing.

 

[3pletprincesses]

The lady was doing her job. I wouldn't mind if they had to do that to one of my children. She did absolutely nothing wrong unless I'm missing something.

 

[sam_gordon]

Therefore the metal detectors aren't sufficient and we need to do more.

edited to add: Metal detectors were introduced into airports in the early 70's. There were a significant number of flights which were hijacked and diverted to Cuba. Introduction of metal detectors is one of the actions which resulted in the reduction (elimination?) of those hijackings. Obviously security measures which worked almost 40 years ago aren't sufficient today.

My comment was tongue in cheek... in response to those (in this thread and others) who say "the TSA hasn't found any bombs, so we don't need them." However, they don't want to follow that logic with metal detectors.

Just like you can point to hijackings (almost) stopping since metal detectors went into place, have there been any bombings, etc, since the TSA came into being?

 

[CPT Tripss]

Since the link was removed, I assumed this is the video referenced... which has been all over the news this week.
http://youtu.be/SWExPhyPeZw
The little girl says several times "i want to be excused." What good manners!

That is the video that I initially linked. I didn't realize it was down. Thanks for finding and reposting it.

It isn't a surprise that the littler girl wanted to be excused from having a body search performed by a stranger.

 

[maxiesmom]

That is the video that I initially linked. I didn't realize it was down. Thanks for finding and reposting it.

It isn't a surprise that the littler girl wanted to be excused from having a body search performed by a stranger.

Then maybe the parents should have done a better job of reassuring her, and letting her know what was going on. And parent worthy of the title knows that the more calm you stay the more calm your child stays. You don't amp things up and make them worse. Unless your child is not your primary consideration, but taping the TSA is.

You have to live under a rock to not know about the enhanced screenings. A parent shouldn't be ready to roll tape trying to catch the TSA doing something wrong, but should be standing there ready to reassure their little one.

Or if you really object the screenings then find another way to get where you want to go.

 

[Minnesota!]

You wouldn't like the country I want. I want a country that isn't so afraid of being PC all the time we don't do what we need to do. I would be profiling and those people would be getting a much more thorough search that would actually be effective.

As far as what they are doing I have no problem with it, none at all. They can do that with either of my children or myself. Who cares? Don't llike it don't fly, easy as that.

And by the way they aren't strangers they are uniformed security persons, I know their names if I want and I know what they are doing, (their job) therefore they aren't strangers.

People like you cause children so much angst and lead children to have no idea who or what a stranger really is.

Statistically speaking, you should be a lot more concerned about what "Uncle Bob" might be doing when you aren't around rather than what a TSA staff member is doing in full view of you and dozens of other people in a public airport.

I'm not convinced any of the security measures we've imposed as a country since 9-11 really make us truly "safer." But, they don't disturb me too much and I certainly wouldn't let it worry me about my kids or let it impact my travel plans.

The lady was doing her job. I wouldn't mind if they had to do that to one of my children. She did absolutely nothing wrong unless I'm missing something.

Then maybe the parents should have done a better job of reassuring her, and letting her know what was going on. And parent worthy of the title knows that the more calm you stay the more calm your child stays. You don't amp things up and make them worse. Unless your child is not your primary consideration, but taping the TSA is.

You have to live under a rock to not know about the enhanced screenings. A parent shouldn't be ready to roll tape trying to catch the TSA doing something wrong, but should be standing there ready to reassure their little one.

Or if you really object the screenings then find another way to get where you want to go.

I saw nothing wrong with what they were doing in that video. I would allow my sons to go through the same thing. My kids can tell the difference between a TSA "stranger" and a TRUE dangerous situation..

 

[sam_gordon]

It isn't a surprise that the littler girl wanted to be excused from having a body search performed by a stranger.

My kids (5 & 7) want to be excused from getting shots at the doctor's office. I guess I should let them since THEY "don't want to"?

 

[N965VJ]

‘Furious’ Chaffetz pushes ban on patting down minors

The Salt Lake Tribune

Apr 14, 2011 02:59PM

Washington • After his 15-year-old daughter was whisked away from her mother for a pat down at Ronald Reagan International Airport, Rep. Jason Chaffetz says he’s had enough and introduced legislation this week to bar pat downs of minors without parental consent.

Chaffetz, the chairman of an Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee overseeing the TSA, says his wife and two daughters were flying back to Utah from Washington a few weeks ago when they refused to go through whole-body imaging machines, which the congressman has railed against as intrusive.

Click through for the rest

 

[maxiesmom]

‘Furious’ Chaffetz pushes ban on patting down minors

The Salt Lake Tribune

Apr 14, 2011 02:59PM

Washington • After his 15-year-old daughter was whisked away from her mother for a pat down at Ronald Reagan International Airport, Rep. Jason Chaffetz says he’s had enough and introduced legislation this week to bar pat downs of minors without parental consent.

Chaffetz, the chairman of an Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee overseeing the TSA, says his wife and two daughters were flying back to Utah from Washington a few weeks ago when they refused to go through whole-body imaging machines, which the congressman has railed against as intrusive.

Click through for the rest

Scanning only people over a certain age at the airport does nothing to keep us safe at all. We either need totally random screening, or a way to profile. And we all know profiling is never going to happen. There is nothing "decent" about terroists. We cannot hope they have a shred of decency and would not use a child to do their dirty work.

 

[kaffinito]

Scanning only people over a certain age at the airport does nothing to keep us safe at all. We either need totally random screening, or a way to profile. And we all know profiling is never going to happen. There is nothing "decent" about terroists. We cannot hope they have a shred of decency and would not use a child to do their dirty work.

But they do. You read stories about it all the time - about child suicide bombers. It's considered a godly act.

I hate to say it but I do think we need to start profiling - depending on the decency of another culture isn't going to work for us long term.

 

[tjmw2727]

I saw nothing wrong with what they were doing in that video. I would allow my sons to go through the same thing. My kids can tell the difference between a TSA "stranger" and a TRUE dangerous situation..

I wonder if you would feel the same after experiencing this yourself???

Having had the "pleasure" of an enhanced pat down after going through the new machine and passing - then I was randomlyselected I would disagree. I am a 40+ year old woman who understood what the TSA was doing and why and it was very uncomfortable to say the least.

I will say that the TSA agent was very professional and courteous but the entire ordeal - from where to place your feet to where to place your hands while I perform "this" is something that I wish never to experience again.

Meanwhile my two dd's had collected all our belongings and were hurried out of the viewing area - despite worrying about me. Luckily they are young teens, fly often and knew where to meet me. As a single mom I can only imagine what would happen if they were younger??

I fly often - at least 1/2 times a month so I imagine it will happen again If it does I hope it is me again and not either one of my dd's.

So please don't be so quick to say you would be ok if it were one of your kids unless you have had the pleasure yourself.

I feel so sad for that little girl and I think her parents had hers and other childrens best intersts in heart when sharing this. Like me she had already been through the new machine and cleared.