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If you want to know what to expect when flying and going through TSA security checkpoint you had better read this.
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I have permission to post the full article as this was written by a friend of mine.
[link to tsaabusestory.blogspot.com]
If you want to know what to expect when flying and going through TSA security checkpoint you had better read this.
Incident occurred at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 4 Gate D July 13, 2011 at approximately 3:20 PM far right security line.
I entered the screening line and opted out of the full body scanner – for reasons why see below.
After politely opting out of the Full Body Imaging the lady working the line told me to wait at the gate for a pat down. My wallet, shoes, belt and laptop was already through the imaging machine which was out of my sight and control for approximately 15 minutes. I watched several people leave the area with their belongings while mine (as I found out when the TSA agent finally collect them) was sitting in the open at the end of the conveyor belt with no TSA agents in plain view of my items. I told the lady at the gate that my wallet and laptop was sitting there with no one watching and unsecured. Yes I was worried about my laptop, and wallet with personal Identification, money and enough credit cards with limits to make the most discerning thief very happy. She stated that they have cameras watching; I told her that I wanted my belongings secured which she refused to take action. The only thing the female agent had to say was that there were cameras in the area – each time she stated that "this is your fault for refusing the body scanner". I finally demanded (with an angry tome this time) to speak to a supervisor, at this point the TSA agent sitting at the carry on screening machine spoke up and in a very annoyed tone and loud voice said the supervisor was already called. This agent, whose name was later identified as Detras will enter this series of events a little further down.
The supervisor who finally showed up (later identified as Schmidt) can be described as light completed with freckles about 5’9” with large stretched holes in his ear lobes from what appears to be gauging which is typically associated with some sort of sub-culture. . This supervisor took me to get my belongings (again which were un-secure and out of my sight and control for 15 minutes) which he picked up and had to carry them as if they were now somehow secure. I was led to the open area downstream from the scanners. He explained that he was going to do a pat down which he did. This person with the freaky earlobes touched my scrotum 4 times and continued to run his hands all over my body. After the search he did a test on his gloves which he said came back as positive for something. The TSA agent with the freaky earlobes collected a printout from the testing machine and attached them to a book which appeared to be kept near the machine. I asked to see the results. He said that that I could not see them and they were only for the TSA to see. He then said that they had to do a more thorough pat down. The supervisor got the TSA agent sitting at the far right (Detras from before) and started whispering to him, then I heard this agent Detras say “I can do that” happily volunteering as if there was something in it for him. At this point I couldn’t help but think this was payback for refusing the Full Body Scanner. Given the fact that he was annoyed before and they would not show me the results lead me to believe this was definitely payback.
At this point Detras led me to the area which was at the far left (As an entering passenger would view it) and taken behind a cube that was made of white frosty glass. The officer described that he was going to do an enhanced pat down which would be even more intrusive than before. I asked again to see the report that came back from the first pat down which was suppose to be positive, he said that was classified and then corrected that it was not classified but for TSA only. Detras described the enhanced pat down and mentioned he was going to feel my groin with the back of his hand. Apparently there is an enhanced pat down for refusing the scanner and another more enhanced pat down when the gloves fail the test. I then asked if he was going to touch my penis, he got very angry and ordered me to sit down in the chair and said that he was not going to put up with this and was going to call an officer and threatened that I would be removed from airport property and miss my flight. At this point I told him that they were violating my rights, he stated that I gave up my rights when I bought a ticket. My comment was "I never gave up any rights". At this point I felt that the only to end the ordeal was to allow this person to “feel my groin area”. Then the pat down started. The officer touched my penis 5 times during the pat down which was extremely humiliating and at which time a sense that something was totally wrong going on rushed through my mind (and later that night). How is it that in order to get on an airplane to make my business trip I have to let a stranger touch my penis? Why is it that anyone else doing something like this is considered sexual assault? After they tested my items and checked their gloves again which were good I was allowed to leave. The gloves tested positive at first now they test good. How could this be?
The only difference between the first enhanced pat down(because of the supposed glove test failure) and the 2nd more intense pat down was 1) this one was conducted out of public view, 2) the pat down now included specifically touching my penis 5 times. All other body areas were handled exactly the same. And for a definition of “touch your groin”; this means for males that they are going to feel your inside buttocks and penis and for females they are going to feel your inside buttocks, vagina and breasts. Why couldn’t the re-testing be done on the same exact areas that supposedly failed the first time? If those areas failed the first time they were obviously the areas of concern. Why was my penis the only body part added to the enhanced, enhanced pat down? For me the answer is clear, they were using this as a means of intimidation for refusing the full body scanner.
About me: 40ish professional male, well groomed, blond hair, dress business casual - even on this day. Love this country. I regularly fly the American flag. Rode my motorcycle in the Run to the Wall ride honoring all Veterans. Served in the military. Disgusted with politicians and the erosion of our rights - getting tired of TSA and other agencies pissing on the graves of veterans that gave their lives in the name of freedom.
Why I opted out of the Full Body Scanner:
There are many reasons I have for refusing the extra dose of radiation and violation of privacy. Being a very frequent flier (on the A list) I do not want dose after dose after dose. The ionizing effect of back-scatter radiation has been classified as a carcinogenic. There have been testing on live biological species (mice and rats) which have been determined to cause cancer. Ever hear of this so called “low dose” back-scatter testing results that were done on live biological studies – I have not heard of event one reference to this type of testing or the results and I have looked extensively. I certainly do not want to be the quinine pig only to find out that I have lymph node, testicular or skin cancer. What is absolutely comical and a total lie to the public is the chalky white images that are shown on TSA press releases some of which feature Janet Napolitano standing next to the image. Many of the companies selling Back-scatter X ray machines report “photo like quality images” on most of their equipment but their Full Body Imaging machine statements avoid this all together, nothing about a chalky white image only and nothing about “photo like images”. Common sense should dictate here.. The next time you accept the full body scan think of what that little girl or boy that will have a pornographic picture taken of them. Think your rights are not being violated? On 7/19/2011 as a result of a lawsuit brought by EPIC, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the TSA violated federal law when it installed body scanners in airports for primary screening across the country without first soliciting public comment. The list of violations goes on.
The next time you go voluntarily go through a full body scanner or are exposed to the enhanced pat down think about those little girls and boys out there that have to be exposed to this. You are doing a dis-service to the rest of Americans - young, old and disabled. Think about that.
[link to tsaabusestory.blogspot.com]
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