Frustrated with Airline Security? Try These.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Isn't that basically what the Xmas Day Bomber did?

Nope. He had a small packet inside the waistband of his underwear, hence why the new "enhanced patdowns" involve the TSA agent sticking their hands inside the waistbands of your pants to feel the waistbands of your underwear.

By the way, Kevy - should the guy whose urine bag was patted so hard that it leaked all over him leaving him to fly in his own piss just have simply accepted it? The big "deal" is that we're losing more and more freedoms for false senses of security. How much farther is it going to go? And, it will go much farther the more we just "accept" it.

When we flew home right after Christmas last year, we were not only pulled aside at the checkpoint for manual bag searches and minor patdowns, but then I was also "randomly" pulled out of the boarding line at the gate, forced to sit in a wheelchair, and given an "enhanced patdown" all the way into the top of my pants in front of everyone getting on the plane (who, of course, stared at me as though I had done something wrong), and they refused to let Ken wait for me, telling him he had to board the plane and I would be allowed to as soon as they were done. They took off my shoes (even though those were already x-rayed at the checkpoint), and also removed my jacket, emptied the pockets, etc. I was not allowed to touch anything on my body, forced to keep my hands and arms stretched straight out in front of me for over 5 minutes. I was treated like a criminal, plain and simple. But, I got on the plane thinking, "So, they went through all that, yet I could have a stick of dynamite shoved up my **** and they'd never know. What a pointless waste of time and energy, and violation of my own person."

In this country, you're supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, yet now at the airport, they're suspecting everyone of being guilty and still not proving them innocent. And it's also a violation of the constitution. Which brings about a funny thought - some of the idiots who spout "right to bear arms" who don't want to lose gun rights are perfectly ok with this search and seizure at the airport. Hypocrisy at its finest.

Do I personally care if someone sees my naked scanner pic? No. However, I do care for those under 18, and those who have been victims of sexual crimes, and those who have medical necessities/special needs that are being violated. Yes, I can handle being groped, but not everyone can, nor should they be expected to just "cope with it".

If they're so worried about terrorists on planes, they need to put up DUI checkpoints outside of EVERY bar to catch the idiots who drive under the influence and terrorize our damn roads, killing people every day.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

And it's also a violation of the constitution.

I agree with 99% of your sentiment, but unconstitutional is a tough case to argue. You are making a choice to use a private service, and the terms of that private service are that you will be searched. This is not a case of the government searching people at-whim with no warning or explanation, which is what the 4th amendment is about. "and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." It's pretty well described where they'll be searching you and what they're looking for (save the odd idiot who forgets that they're no longer looking for nail clippers).

I do not disagree that it is kabuki, overkill, unnecessary, paranoid, undignified, insulting, and frankly disgusting. But unconstitutional? Not particularly.

[Morrigoon]

Is there nothing we can do to reign our government in?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Is there nothing we can do to reign our government in?

There is this thing called representative governance...

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

There is this thing called representative governance...

Too bad we don't have much of that any more.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Is there nothing we can do to reign our government in?

Do what our founding fathers did - stage a revolution

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by JWBear

Too bad we don't have much of that any more.

I would dispute that anything has changed.

[Kevy Baby]

No.

Just accept that and life becomes much simpler

[JWBear]

The whole airport security thing is a farce. Flying, even with the threat of terrorism, is still by far the safest mode of transportation. You have a greater chance of being killed just walking down the street!

Do you realize that it would take ten 9/11s per year to equal the number of deaths by auto accidents in this country?

I’d rather have my freedoms back and take my chances with flying.

[Disneyphile]

I understand what you're saying, GD. But, TSA is a government agency.

I think the airlines who offer the service should supply and determine their own level of security. It would allow people to choose what service they'd like to use.

Say, if United wanted to grope and xray everyone, then those who do not like it have other flight options. And, those who need to feel like they are safer, can totally fly with them. Personally, I'd fly with a company who just has the old pre-9/11 screening, plus a sky marshall or two onboard. I was fine with that level, and I wouldn't feel any less safe with it today.

Also - 9/11 taught us all something. Vigilante justice. I'm confident that anyone caught being remotely suspicious on a plane is going to be tackled and beat to a pulp by fellow passengers. I know I sure as hell wouldn't hesitate to launch myself at someone pulling a knife, match, etc. Because if I don't, I'll probably die anyway. The underwear guy last year was subdued by fellow passengers. Perfect way to deter anything.