New Tsa xray machines and patdowns

[maxiesmom]

I'm asking because of an experience I had recently. The line for the new xray scanner was very long so they opened another line to go through the traditional scanner. The TSA agent picked which passengers would go through which line. I was one of the first picked to go through the older model. Once I got through, the (female...like me) agent instructed me to hold my arms out and began a VERY thorough search. She reached up under my bra in the front and back and did a "sweeping" motion. She ran her hands up the inside of both thighs and between my legs. The humilating part was when she told me to turn around and stuck her hands down my waistband. The 2 "gentlemen" in line behind me smiled and commented on the "show". I wouldn't have been upset had this taken place behind a screen or if I had chosen this route. Just wondering if I could request a more private screening if I'm forced to do the pat-down again.

This post is just creepy and wrong. I have been patted down before, and it was nothing like that. No reaching under my bra, and not hands down my waistband either. I have to say, it sounds like you got someone who was going a bit to far with the pat down.

 

[sam_gordon]

I also don't believe the promises that they don't save the images they take. Think about, if someone gets something aboard a plane the first thing anyone will ask is what did they see in his image. It just doesn't make sense that they will delete them.

But even for the sake of argument, lets say they don't delete them. Can they match the scans with a specific person?

When I flew last week (granted not through one of the new scanners), a TSA agent checked to make sure my ID & boarding pass names matched and then I went through the scanner. They didn't write down my name or check me off a list anywhere. So how would they know what time *I* went through security?

IMO, even if they kept all the body scans and posted them on the internet, is there anyway to ID someone simply from the bodyscan? If not, who cares whether they delete them or not?

 

[pr surfer]

Sorry, but it is. The decision to take a job where you're subjected to what society has deemed to be inconsequential risk is not involuntary.

I will have to disagree, since for most of us who travel for work, unless we were hired in the past 9 months, would not have had to take these machines into consideration when we accepted the job.

In 19 hours, I'll be on a plane to Miami. In 17 1/2 hours, I'll refuse the machines, I'll be patted down, and will continue to the gate. The only real inconvenience for me? I have to get to the airport an extra half-hour early to make sure I don't go through that machine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I will have to disagree, since for most of us who travel for work, unless we were hired in the past 9 months, would not have had to take these machines into consideration when we accepted the job.

But the much greater radiation exposure ON the flight has always been there - yet that has not deterred any person from taking a job which requires air travel.

 

[pr surfer]

But the much greater radiation exposure ON the flight has always been there - yet that has not deterred any person from taking a job which requires air travel.

It's a similar risk to living at higher altitudes. Yet I don't see the entire populations of Denver, CO; or La Paz, Bolivia rushing to sea level. (for the record, I live at sea level, since I like living in front of the beach)

Having said that, the vast majority of my flights are intra-Caribbean, which rarely, if ever, go above 10,000 feet in altitude; and rarely, if ever, are longer than an hour.

In my case, the additional radiation from scanners is a concern, since it could very well double my usual exposure.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, so your "eight day boat ride to Miami" was hyperbole? Not that you don't go - but the bulk of your repeated extensive proximity to airplane radiation isn't at three miles like most vacation travelers; but rather cumulatively at 10,000 feet many times a year.

Got it.

 

[pr surfer]

Ah, so your "eight day boat ride to Miami" was hyperbole? Not that you don't go - but the bulk of your repeated extensive proximity to airplane radiation isn't at three miles like most vacation travelers; but rather cumulatively at 10,000 feet many times a year.

Got it.

Yes. The eight day boat ride to Miami was hyperbole, although I'll be doing that round trip both tomorrow and wednesday, and I have a few trips to the Western US and to Central America scheduled over the next 90 days.

However, I have done the boat ride before. For pleasure. Because I wanted to. Not because I had to

 

[robinb]

I went through one in Richmond last month. I didn't even realize it was in use, I was pulled from the line randomly. I didn't have a chance to think about it, I just did it. After you go through, the guard waits for an OK over a radio, I guess they are looking at it at a different location. Then I felt invaded.

That's exactly what happened to me in Tampa in January. I didn't even know what the machine was until it was already in use. I thought it was just a place to stand while being "wanded" and I was never even given the option of a pat-down. Now that I am aware of what they look like I will ask for the pat-down should I be pulled aside again. Oh, and I won't let my 11-year old DD go through one either. My DH can make his own decision .

 

[uva185]

Hi Folks,

I know this is going to burn some folks, but it is the bottom line when its all said and done!

We have a toerrist problem and until it is ended, I am not going to risk my or my families safety becuse a few folks(and yes it is a few folks when you count the thousands flying every day) are being fussy!

Lets be honest and God please it never happens again, but all the folks complainting about the seciurity will be the first complaining on why did it happen agian!!

So, with all due respect...........

If you dont what to be scanned or be patted down.......DON"T FLY!
Flying is a privilage and not a right.....Take the train, bus, drive or walk.....but DON'T FLY!

Just the bottom line and in my opinon the end of the story!

Best Regards................AKK

You may want to look into how effective (or noneffective) our security really is...

 

[monarchsfan16]

One additional thought to All!

When it comes to the safety of thousands in the air and millions on the ground........seciurity trumps privacy by a mile (especaily went we are talking about a shadow of a body image).

This is the best tech we have ..so this is what we use.......when a better system comes along I will be happy to support it!


Just my opinon......AKK

No, it's not the best technology we have. It's the technology from those that lobbied the hardest.
Since you seem to know so much about the TSA, why is it that Isreal has the best airport security in the world, yet they don't use virtual strip searches?

 

[uva185]

One additional thought to All!

When it comes to the safety of thousands in the air and millions on the ground........seciurity trumps privacy by a mile (especaily went we are talking about a shadow of a body image).

This is the best tech we have ..so this is what we use.......when a better system comes along I will be happy to support it!


Just my opinon......AKK

So what happens after a terrorist brings a cavity bomb aboard a plane? Do we then perform cavity searches on everyone? There has already been talk about the development of a breast implant explosive. The body scanners do not penetrate below the skin (or hint....skin-like material).

Effective security comes from intelligence gathering long before the terrorists are at the airport. In this sense our level of security is pathetic. Take a look at the various warnings the US Government received about the Christmas Day bomber. Ye, no one acted upon the warnings We did not withdraw his visa, deny him access to the plane via Do Not Fly List, etc. Until we change the protocol and effectiveness of intelligence gathering there is no true improvement in our level of security.

All the TSA does is provide a security facade. It makes the general traveling public feel like the government is keeping them safe, but if you wanted to get a prohibited item through it is really not all that difficult.

 

[pr surfer]

but if you wanted to get a prohibited item through it is really not all that difficult.

Not difficult at all.

 

[robinb]

Not difficult at all.

Hey there! Long time, no see !

You're right. Security Theater at it's best.

 

[pr surfer]

Hey there! Long time, no see !

You're right. Security Theater at it's best.

Heya! Long time no see, how's life?

 

[robinb]

Heya! Long time no see, how's life?

Other than getting scanned at TPA without my knowledge ... peachy!

For your amusement from The Onion: [URL="http://www.theonion.com/articles/smart-qualified-people-behind-the-scenes-keeping-a,17954[/URL"]
Smart, Qualified People Behind the Scenes Keeping America Safe: 'We Don't Exist'[/URL]

 

[SDSorority]

The agent said she had to do some extra patting because my clothes were loose. So I guess my suggestion would be to wear form fitting clothes.

Good idea to go before hubby! That way your daughter could be in between the 2 of you and you won't have strangers watching if the pat gets personal.

Oh ok cool! We'll be the ones in the wetsuits if you ever see us

 

[SDSorority]

So what happens after a terrorist brings a cavity bomb aboard a plane? Do we then perform cavity searches on everyone? There has already been talk about the development of a breast implant explosive. The body scanners do not penetrate below the skin (or hint....skin-like material).

Effective security comes from intelligence gathering long before the terrorists are at the airport. In this sense our level of security is pathetic. Take a look at the various warnings the US Government received about the Christmas Day bomber. Ye, no one acted upon the warnings We did not withdraw his visa, deny him access to the plane via Do Not Fly List, etc. Until we change the protocol and effectiveness of intelligence gathering there is no true improvement in our level of security.

All the TSA does is provide a security facade. It makes the general traveling public feel like the government is keeping them safe, but if you wanted to get a prohibited item through it is really not all that difficult.

 

[goofy4tink]

This post is just creepy and wrong. I have been patted down before, and it was nothing like that. No reaching under my bra, and not hands down my waistband either. I have to say, it sounds like you got someone who was going a bit to far with the pat down.

Happened exactly like that to a friend of mine just recently. We were just talking about it last night. She said the 'pat-down' she had was much more invasive than the ones done at the prison she volunteers at!!

No, it's not the best technology we have. It's the technology from those that lobbied the hardest.
Since you seem to know so much about the TSA, why is it that Isreal has the best airport security in the world, yet they don't use virtual strip searches?

Racial profiling at it's best. I will say that my mother told me she never felt so safe as she did when flying El Al. Well, once she got past all the guns in sight!! The way they run airport security over there would have the vast majority of people in the US screaming about violation of rights. Too bad...it works very well for them over there.


Let's not get into a 'discussion' about whether or not security in the US really works. We have no way of knowing. And I actually prefer to blindly go along and think that it does work. Since there isn't much I can do to make it otherwise, I figure ignorance is bliss....just keep those fingers above the waistband please!!!

 

[bear_mom]

I'm debating in my head, which is worse for my dds having her image seen or being touched by stranger?

Emily

 

[pipervali]

I'm of the belief that every little bit counts when it comes to security. Sure, the system is far from perfect, but it's what we have. It might not work flawlessly, but nothing does. If this new scanner stops just one person from harming just one other person, then to me, it's worth the extra hassle we as fliers have to go through.

As for radiation, I work in a hospital, I'm sure I'm exposed far more regularly than a brief trip through the scanner once or twice.