Open letter to Disney concerning new TSA full body scan.

[maxiesmom]

Not opting out of the Nude-O-Scopes is no guarantee of not being on the receiving end of the new grope procedure, as this will be used to resolve any anomalies in the Nude-O-Scope. Also, as of today, it seems hand held metal detectors will no longer be used in lieu of groping, even to resolve an alarm with the walk through metal detector.

I've always been very careful with what I choose to wear when I fly. No jewelry at all, and my watch goes into my carry-on which goes thru the scanner. The underwire bra stays home. No bobby pins or clips in my hair either. Still, I did set the WTMD off one time, with just a gum wrapper in my pocket.

I've tried to not give the TSA any reason to pat me down, and now I will be doubly careful. I would much rather the scan than to be groped.

 

[maxiesmom]

Does anyone else think maybe the reason they are making the pat down so much more personal is in the hopes of making people choose the scan? What a yucky job, having to feel up complete strangers.

 

[padawans]

Does anyone else think maybe the reason they are making the pat down so much more personal is in the hopes of making people choose the scan? What a yucky job, having to feel up complete strangers.

I agree with you on something. Thats exactly why they are making the gropping more personel. You could pay me 1000 an hour and I would not do that to another human being expecially a child. Doing that to a child that is to young to understand why its being done is beyond wrong.

 

[padawans]

I don't like the scanners because I don't know if there is enough information about what type of radiation we are being exposed to every time we go through one.
I guess I don't care about being felt up. I'm wearing clothes. The agents are wearing gloves. I'm not getting a thrill out of it.
If they are, then they are just gross.

I agree even with dental xrays they cover your reproductive organs and everything else. I worry about the amount of radiation a child or baby gets. I would like to have grandchildren some day. I worry about exposing my kids to this. The government has approved a lot of things saying its safe and then we find out it isin't. Just look at the drug industry as an example. People say this won't effect disney, but even if this reduces airtravel by only a few percentage points. It will greatly reduce the revenue of already sufffering airlines and hotels. Leading to more layoffs. Any negative effect on the economy will effect disney. Most of the people on this planet are not disney fanatics and can take it or leave it. There always nice cheaper places to take a family vacation within driving distance.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I've always been very careful with what I choose to wear when I fly. No jewelry at all, and my watch goes into my carry-on which goes thru the scanner. The underwire bra stays home. No bobby pins or clips in my hair either. Still, I did set the WTMD off one time, with just a gum wrapper in my pocket.

I've tried to not give the TSA any reason to pat me down, and now I will be doubly careful. I would much rather the scan than to be groped.

Unfortunately, all of your efforts will not guarantee that the scope viewer will not see something that leads to a patdown/grope. Also, any glitch in the scan process that messes up the image will result in being radiated again and/or a patdown/grope.

 

[HappyFingers]

I would love to read your letters and hear your complaints to god when your standing at the pearly gates after just faceplanting the side of a building because the will of the people made body scans and pat downs illegal allowing some terrorist to take control of the plane and smash it in the misguided belief that 72 virgins will be made available to him all the while neglecting to consider that perhaps the soul/spirit does not have any genitals with which to take advantage of that illogical situation

I wonder if he would read your letters or listen to your complaints
Or if he would just do as wdw has more than likely done

Thrown it in the bin

If you don't want to be scanned, then simple, don't go.
If thousands don't go, even better, as I won't have to worry about all these adr's

Be happy

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay everyone...I would really appreciate if if personal issues were left off this board. No personalities going back and forth, arguing here. A little debate is fine, but not when it gets personal. I will delete any personal debates/issues.
Also, be careful when posting under different screen-names. We are getting more and more posters who are using 'other' DIS screen-names to 'further' their thoughts, thinking they can avoid notice. Not so.

 

[linzbear]

I would love to read your letters and hear your complaints to god when your standing at the pearly gates after just faceplanting the side of a building because the will of the people made body scans and pat downs illegal allowing some terrorist to take control of the plane and smash it in the misguided belief that 72 virgins will be made available to him all the while neglecting to consider that perhaps the soul/spirit does not have any genitals with which to take advantage of that illogical situation

I wonder if he would read your letters or listen to your complaints
Or if he would just do as wdw has more than likely done

Thrown it in the bin

If you don't want to be scanned, then simple, don't go.
If thousands don't go, even better, as I won't have to worry about all these adr's

Be happy

You do realize that the terrorists' ultimate aim is not to kill people, right? It's to instill so much fear in us that we are willing to give up the freedoms we hold dear. They want us to be slaves to our fear of them.

Looks like they got what they wanted in the airports if we're willing to subject ourselves and our children to genital imaging or genital groping in the name of safety.

 

[jucaam]

I agree with the OP's letter, they are very valid concerns. I have been wondering WHY children would be subjected to going through these full body scan machines too. The UK is currently ONLY scanning adults, no children at this time.

Even if you opt for the "extended pat down", how much is too much especially for children? You have no idea if the TSA agent viewing the images or even a male agent patting down a young boy is a pedaphile.

The TSA has stated that it IS possible to save images (court cases), but that function has been "disabled"...oh really?

It is possible that the full-body scan will become mandatory, but at least the TSA will be partially lifting the "liquid-ban" sometime after 2011.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would love to read your letters and hear your complaints to god when your standing at the pearly gates after just faceplanting the side of a building because the will of the people made body scans and pat downs illegal allowing some terrorist to take control of the plane and smash it in the misguided belief that 72 virgins will be made available to him all the while neglecting to consider that perhaps the soul/spirit does not have any genitals with which to take advantage of that illogical situation

I wonder if he would read your letters or listen to your complaints
Or if he would just do as wdw has more than likely done

Thrown it in the bin

If you don't want to be scanned, then simple, don't go.
If thousands don't go, even better, as I won't have to worry about all these adr's

Be happy

Terror mongering rises again. Anytime anyone doesn't like what is being done they try to "scare" folks into believing "it's really going to happen"

Honestly, the TSA is NOT protecting you and if you think they are...then count yourself amoung the "gullible" Those of us who travel a lot know the truth! It's a SHOW to convince us that they are doing SOMETHING.

Something effective HECK NO! LOL!

If thousands don't go....... Disney will just shut things down like they did after 9/11 and you will STILL wait in line.

If thousands don't go... the airlines will feel the pinch and strat shutting down.... resulting in HIGHER fares.


Are we safer now then before 9/11? Sure! Is ANY of it due to the untrained "bullies" working the TSA gates?
No, it's due to the efforts of your REAL law enforcement.

(And always remember... everyone that works for an airline or at the airport is expempt from the "liquid" rule.... After all one of the "terrorists" in London on the oriignal bomb plot was an airport employee Enough said! LOL! )

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree with the OP's letter, they are very valid concerns. I have been wondering WHY children would be subjected to going through these full body scan machines too. The UK is currently ONLY scanning adults, no children at this time.

Because some disturbed people have no problem using kids to do their dirty work. If there was a blanket policy of not scanning kids, some sicko would just strap a gun or bomb on their 5yr old.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I would love to read your letters and hear your complaints to god when your standing at the pearly gates after just faceplanting the side of a building because the will of the people made body scans and pat downs illegal allowing some terrorist to take control of the plane and smash it in the misguided belief that 72 virgins will be made available to him all the while neglecting to consider that perhaps the soul/spirit does not have any genitals with which to take advantage of that illogical situation

I wonder if he would read your letters or listen to your complaints
Or if he would just do as wdw has more than likely done

Thrown it in the bin

If you don't want to be scanned, then simple, don't go.
If thousands don't go, even better, as I won't have to worry about all these adr's

Be happy

You do realize that the terrorists' ultimate aim is not to kill people, right? It's to instill so much fear in us that we are willing to give up the freedoms we hold dear. They want us to be slaves to our fear of them.

Looks like they got what they wanted in the airports if we're willing to subject ourselves and our children to genital imaging or genital groping in the name of safety.

Well stated Linzbear!

Happyfingers (I'd point out that this is an apt screenname for this topic only out of jocularity and with absolutely no malice intended) - you do realize that no terrorists have been uncovered at TSA security stations. Right? All the successful "stops" have been due to law enforcement, intel or someone ratting.

As for when a terrorist does get through the screening (see shoe bomber and underwear bomber) it has been other pax who took the perp down.

And, let's be clear here. Those here opposing the scans and the gropes are not advocating elimination of all preflight security measures. Nor are they against improved, effective security measures that respect the rights of passengers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Are we safer now then before 9/11? Sure! Is ANY of it due to the untrained "bullies" working the TSA gates?

Stop it! Just STOP IT - all of you!!! Now! This is disgusting!!! You don't like the TSA? Fine. You think it's all a show? Great. But STOP ATTACKING INDIVIDUALS!!!!

"Untrained"? Really? I don't give a rat's patoot HOW the TSA recruits its officers, they sure as BLAZES don't just have 'em show up the first day of work, toss uniforms at 'em, and throw 'em out onto the job. Absolutely not. I'm not saying this as a TSO or as anyone related to or acquainted with anyone employed by the TSA, Homeland Security or, to the best of my knowledge, the Federal Government. It's simply common sense.

And bullies? Really??? That's an awfully broad brush all you anti-TSA complainers are using. I don't support bullying at all; but let's be realistic - you're going to find people with that character fault in any field. Not excusing it in ANY manner - but any job has people who abuse authority. The MAJORITY of people in ANY field aren't like that. I'm not surprised that nobody mentions the all the TSA they encounter who behave as one would expect any person who works with the public to behave. Nope, not surprised at all.

Unbelievable.

 

[eliza61]

Kid, dh and I went through the new scanners at the Philly airport. So far

1) have not seen my image on the web. I'll let you know if I do.
2) TSA agents were extremely friendly and informative. More so that the CM's at disneyworld. put every one at ease.
3) those who opted for the full body pat down where not thrown to the ground and mauled by the so called gestapo agents bullies working at the TSA. we must have gottne the nice shift.
4) One of the guys was a really hot honey made even my dh stare. A couple of women where requesting him for a personal pat down.

Scan took all of 1 minute and I was done. Loved it.

Have another trip for thanksgiving and fully plan on using them.

 

[eliza61]

Stop it! Just STOP IT - all of you!!! Now! This is disgusting!!! You don't like the TSA? Fine. You think it's all a show? Great. But STOP ATTACKING INDIVIDUALS!!!!

"Untrained"? Really? I don't give a rat's patoot HOW the TSA recruits its officers, they sure as BLAZES don't just have 'em show up the first day of work, toss uniforms at 'em, and throw 'em out onto the job. Absolutely not. I'm not saying this as a TSO or as anyone related to or acquainted with anyone employed by the TSA, Homeland Security or, to the best of my knowledge, the Federal Government. It's simply common sense.

And bullies? Really??? That's an awfully broad brush all you anti-TSA complainers are using. I don't support bullying at all; but let's be realistic - you're going to find people with that character fault in any field. Not excusing it in ANY manner - but any job has people who abuse authority. The MAJORITY of people in ANY field aren't like that. I'm not surprised that nobody mentions the all the TSA they encounter who behave as one would expect any person who works with the public to behave. Nope, not surprised at all.

Unbelievable.

Common sense left the building long time ago Kay, I fly regularly out of 2 major East coast airports (newark & Philly).

I'm still waiting for the big bad, excon, pervert-feeling up the little girls people that supposedly all work for the TSA. In philly they've all been super professional and *gasp* even say thank you, have a nice flight and other curtesies.

and I have yet to read the rampant reports of people being scandelized or traumatized for seeing their images pop up on the web.

I've got 4 more flights out between today and Dec 1st. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

 

[dj2]

Kid, dh and I went through the new scanners at the Philly airport. So far

1) have not seen my image on the web. I'll let you know if I do.
2) TSA agents were extremely friendly and informative. More so that the CM's at disneyworld. put every one at ease.
3) those who opted for the full body pat down where not thrown to the ground and mauled by the so called gestapo agents bullies working at the TSA. we must have gottne the nice shift.
4) One of the guys was a really hot honey made even my dh stare. A couple of women where requesting him for a personal pat down.

Scan took all of 1 minute and I was done. Loved it.

Have another trip for thanksgiving and fully plan on using them.

so could you please clarify this for me...is it only the security employee who can see one's image, or can passing travelers see it, too?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks, eliza. I've calmed down a little .

I don't care. I really don't. If it's a show, fine. If it's a deterrent, fine. If I need to be scanned before I fly, or patted down, fine.

Keep us posted - I'm not flying until mid-December, but they've been using the scanners here in Boston for a while now... which is why the source of this letter genuinely surprises me, and makes me skeptical as to its authenticity

 

[padawans]

The dislike for tsa agents is going to increase with these new security measures . If you can't handle that you might wan't to consider a new line of work.

 

[CPT Tripss]

What should people who do not follow the SOP provided by their employer and in the process make people remove prosthetics, require the "surrender" of prescription nutritional products, examine ostomy bags, etc. be called? I'd like to be able to call them "no long federal employees," but unfortunately, that isn't accurate.

Are many competent at the tasks they are asked to perform? Sure. But too many aren't.

Then there are the recent situations that made the press from PHL:
- the college student with arabic flashcards in his pocket detained by police.
- the college student that had a TSAer "punk" her by putting a baggie of white powder into her carry-on and then 'arresting" her.
- the 62 year old business woman with knee replacements that had a TSAer wand her under her skirt until the wand contacted her crotch. She was free to go until she complained and then was detained.
- the middle aged woman who was detained because she was carrying sequential checks and might be trying to empty out the joint bank account she and her husband had.

What do you want us to call people who do this in the name of security?

Newark brings us:
- the TSAer stealing $oo plus from a woman in a wheelchair.
- the TSA supervisor stealing money, accepting bribes for not reporting other TSAers who stole and conspired to steal.
- the TSAer that stole cameras and computers she sold on E Bay.

So much for the pre-employment investigations aand the training provided.

 

[maxiesmom]

Kid, dh and I went through the new scanners at the Philly airport. So far

1) have not seen my image on the web. I'll let you know if I do.
2) TSA agents were extremely friendly and informative. More so that the CM's at disneyworld. put every one at ease.
3) those who opted for the full body pat down where not thrown to the ground and mauled by the so called gestapo agents bullies working at the TSA. we must have gottne the nice shift.
4) One of the guys was a really hot honey made even my dh stare. A couple of women where requesting him for a personal pat down.

Scan took all of 1 minute and I was done. Loved it.

Have another trip for thanksgiving and fully plan on using them.

After all of the commotion on this board, I'm glad to hear about your positive experience. I must admit to being a bit apprehensive about flying in December with all of this going on. It is reassuring to hear from someone what has delt with the new measures and found them to be painless.