http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/airport-security-encounter-dont-touch-my-junk-john-tyner-tells-agent/19716789

It is about time someone stood up to them. This guy can sue them for sexual harassment!

Thunder, If the government isn't allowed to humiliate and dehumanize citizens at the airports then the terrorists win.

Terrorists is still winning by forcing the government to fondle with our body parts. Next year, they'll have us stripping completely nude in front of people.

Terrorists is still winning by forcing the government to fondle with our body parts. Next year, they'll have us stripping completely nude in front of people.

Thunder, if that makes me safer then I'm all in favor of it. Don't forget that we are living in dangerous times where all of us must be willing to sacrifice essential basic liberties and freedoms for safety and security. I guess it boils down to this. Would you rather be fondled by a well trained and skilled federal government worker or blown to smithereens by a godless soulless murdering terrorists? We can't live in the 9/10 world of yesterday.

I've completely supported airport security but I'm close to being done with it.

Me too PQ. I get my back up with the lousy attitude that permeates every TSA employee I have dealt with. At least security in other countries is understanding and generally light hearted and actually enjoyable to interact with. 99% of the TSA thugs I have dealt with are surly/bad attitude/condescending/mean spirited punks. Friends in OKC PD Airport Division describe TSA as a bunch minimum wage dolts.

TSA is only minorly responsibile for increased aviation security. Flight attendent training/armed flight deck program and the fact that passenges wil not sit idly by and will fight in the are much larger factors.

Thunder, if that makes me safer then I'm all in favor of it. Don't forget that we are living in dangerous times where all of us must be willing to sacrifice essential basic liberties and freedoms for safety and security. I guess it boils down to this. Would you rather be fondled by a well trained and skilled federal government worker or blown to smithereens by a godless soulless murdering terrorists? We can't live in the 9/10 world of yesterday.

I wouldn't have a problem stripping and allowing only the dudes to touch me. If a female TSA attempt that on me, I will sue.

I wouldn't have a problem stripping and allowing only the dudes to touch me. If a female TSA attempt that on me, I will sue.

My husband would be the exact opposite!! <vbg>

There are many security experts that will tell you that the new porn scanners and groping procedures will do little to actually make us safer.

One way of protesting the new groping pat-downs is to act like you're enjoying them just a little too much... and casting flirting glances at the groper -- male or female...

They could save a fortune if they just handed out box cutters to everyone on board. I have not flown in almost 2 years and I am not sure I want to. It seems like the US government is trying to create demand for High Speed Rail.

Until the TSA is a real law enforcement agency things will never been safer. You get what you pay for. If you only offer a TSA agent 25-30K a year you'll get the police academy dropouts,etc. Make it a REAL federal law enforcement agency that requires college degrees, rigorous training, and pay them well ... then I might feel safer.

The TSA is the most useless agency the govt. has come up with.

They hold no authority. They are unarmed, 90% of the time physically unfit, 99% of the time dull, and 100% of the time mentally unable to distinguish threat vs. non threat. Last March I was let through security without being screened. I had my ID badge on of course, but they told me they were too busy with screening passengers (for the Spring Break rush) to deal with employees, they walked me and a few coworkers around the screening area and into the secure area with no pat down, no metal detector, nothing.

I wouldn't trust them with a safety-pin, much less my life. In fact, I trust myself, and the person next to me on the airplane with my life. There's no way in hell a terrorist will be able to hijack a plane in this world, thanks to the sensitivity of the American flyer, not the TSA. No monkey business on airplanes, the public will attack first and ask questions later. See: Detroit Christmas Day.

Not unlike the famous guy who filmed the Rodney King attack in L.A.*--this cat was smart enough to make a name for himself early and film it for posterity. He is famous now. Retirement fund. Clever. I like it...

*Man who filmed the incident...after a 20 mile chase, that happened right outside his balcony at 1am--he JUST happened to be out there with camera---King repeatedly fights with police to provoke them...with a camera he bought just before the incident...go figure the odds...

On a recent vacation trip to Las Vegas, while departing from OKC to Denver I discovered that my drivers license was expired (and had been for four months) by gettings questioned about it when presenting my ticket to the TSA woman working the line. I was shocked and thought my vacation was in jepardy of serious delay, but she just let me on by without further questioning, which I thought was odd considering the heightened level of alert we've been on lately. I guess a middle-aged white guy with his trophy wife in tow didn't raise any terrorism alarms. :smile:

I was a little surprised that on the way back, the Las Vegas TSA people never noticed that little oversight of mine. Of course, I was glad that I wasn't hassled, but it makes me question how effective these people are.

Of course, I was glad that I wasn't hassled, but it makes me question how effective these people are.

In my frequent flyer status not very effective at all.

Husband recently flew with a very "interesting" piece of metal equipment (evidence in an investigation) complete with wires and about the size of a half an ammo box. He had all kinds of documentation with him in case they needed it. He carried it on the plane and they didn't raise an eyebrow or even seem to notice it.

Flying just isn't much fun anymore. The security is still not as good as it should be, the procedures they do have are humiliating, there have really been very few amenities added on board over the last decade, and so on. I'd much rather drive.

The most interesting thing about the "don't touch my junk" guy is that he is now facing a $10,000 fine. Apparently once you enter the line at the airport you must either go through the scanner or a pat-down and there's no turning around. Isn't that lovely.

penn jillette, in my opinion, came up with the best form of airport security. there'd be no scanners, no pat-downs, no removing of shoes, no nothing. the only thing you had to do in order to board your flight was eat a piece of bacon and kiss a member of the same sex. think about it. 'bacon and a kiss airlines'... pure genius. -M

I don't understand, Mr. M.

On a recent vacation trip to Las Vegas, while departing from OKC to Denver I discovered that my drivers license was expired (and had been for four months) by gettings questioned about it when presenting my ticket to the TSA woman working the line. I was shocked and thought my vacation was in jepardy of serious delay, but she just let me on by without further questioning, which I thought was odd considering the heightened level of alert we've been on lately. I guess a middle-aged white guy with his trophy wife in tow didn't raise any terrorism alarms. :smile:

I was a little surprised that on the way back, the Las Vegas TSA people never noticed that little oversight of mine. Of course, I was glad that I wasn't hassled, but it makes me question how effective these people are.

Did you have a hard time finding your birth certificate in order to renew your license? In Oklahoma you have to do that to renew an already expired drivers license.

Did you have a hard time finding your birth certificate in order to renew your license? In Oklahoma you have to do that to renew an already expired drivers license.

And that is extremely stupid. Why need a Birth Certificate? That just do not make sense. To renew is to renew. On time or late....still the same thing....to renew. Providing proof of Birth Certificate does not do anything...seriously.

Who doesn't keep a birth certificate around???? That's basic.

Who doesn't keep a birth certificate around???? That's basic.

I agree it's basic and I agree you should keep it around and in a place where can easily find it. Yes, I totally agree with you on that but unfortunately I fail as witnessed by my countless waiting hours at the lovely 1000 Northeast 10th in OKC.

I just don't do well with paper. I need an electronic version that is acceptable. So once again it's not me it's them. :)

penn jillette, in my opinion, came up with the best form of airport security. there'd be no scanners, no pat-downs, no removing of shoes, no nothing. the only thing you had to do in order to board your flight was eat a piece of bacon and kiss a member of the same sex. think about it. 'bacon and a kiss airlines'... pure genius. -M

That would also keep Jews off the plane. There's those pesky unintended consequences.

I think some day our grandkids will be studying this time in history and laughing at the photos of US Citizens standing in airport lines with their shoes in one hand waiting to be scanned or felt up, all smiling with ignorant confidence they are more secure for it. (sigh)

I think some day our grandkids will be studying this time in history and laughing at the photos of US Citizens standing in airport lines with their shoes in one hand waiting to be scanned or felt up, all smiling with ignorant confidence they are more secure for it. (sigh)

I do believe you are correct. No, I hope you are correct.

Did you have a hard time finding your birth certificate in order to renew your license? In Oklahoma you have to do that to renew an already expired drivers license.
Luckily, I was prepared for this because my sister-in-law went through the same things a few months back. The only copy I had was the hospital's "memento" birth certificate, which isn't acceptable to the state for drivers license reasons (although I used it when I first got my license years ago and had no problems).

I was born out of state so it wasn't as simple as going down to a local government office, but it was no big deal. I just found the website for the state's department of vital records. They had a form you filled out and mailed in with a check for $10. It was sent back to me in about two weeks. They also had an option to take a credit card over the internet, but it required the use of a third-party search company and the cost was $35.

http://img3.ranker.com/list_img/2513/305202/full/the-definitive-funniest-tsa-parody-videos-pictures-and-more.jpg?version=1291353083000


On September 22, 2011, H.R. 3011 was introduced in the House. It is entitled the “Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act of 2011” and it contains some curious language.

Two thirds of the way through the ponderous bill, in Sec. 295, we find the following:

Whoever, except with the written permission of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security (or the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service for issues involving the Federal Air Marshal Service), knowingly uses the words ‘Transportation Security Administration’, ‘United States Transportation Security Administration’, ‘Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘United States Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘Federal Air Marshals’, the initials ‘T.S.A.’, ‘F.A.M.S.’, ‘F.A.M.’, or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or the likeness of a Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service badge, logo, or insignia on any item of apparel, in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or with any play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in a matter that is reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the wearer of the item of apparel is acting pursuant to the legal authority of the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service, or to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or such play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service .(Emphasis added.)

In other words, if you print a t-shirt or produce a publication with a TSA logo, the government may soon be able to arrest and prosecute you.

The language states that it would be illegal to “convey the impression” that you are representing the TSA, but this interpretation would likely be left to federal prosecutors.

In the past, satire was protected under the First Amendment, but it may soon be illegal to poke fun at the TSA or use its logo or even utter its name. Notice there is no exception in the above language for parody.

Political satire is as old as the Greeks and the Bible. But it may now become a punishable crime if this legislation is enacted.

The TSA and the Justice Department are obviously serious about making sure we don’t criticize their Gestapo operation. Since they began irradiating citizens with naked body scanners and shoving their hands down the pants of old ladies and grade school kids, public outrage has reached a crescendo.
http://www.infowars.com/house-bill-would-criminalize-satire-of-tsa/

How's that hope and change working out?

Hey look its a dig at the current president.

Can we please get forum bans or instant thread locks for people bringing dead threads (almost 1 year for this one) back to life?

They could save a fortune if they just handed out box cutters to everyone on board. I have not flown in almost 2 years and I am not sure I want to. It seems like the US government is trying to create demand for High Speed Rail.

thanks for the laugh "They could save a fortune if they just handed out box cutters to everyone on board." lol i can just hear it now.
Terrorist says- I gotta box cutter dont do anything stupid
everyone else on the plane- so do we bring it fool

I don't remember starting this thread.

Venture, don't be mad, please. I'm sure that Pete has a reason to keep threads up to 3 years old or so open for future new posts rather than creating new threads. Its another way to keep the forum less clutter. Just don't get your blood pressure up. Can you do that for Thunder?

Jesseda, I think that is a swell idea. Offer knives on the planes in a special pouch behind each seat. If only this was done, I highly doubt that 9/11 would have taken place.

TSA venturing out...


PORTLAND, Tenn. – You're probably used to seeing TSA's signature blue uniforms at the airport, but now agents are hitting the interstates to fight terrorism with Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR).

"Where is a terrorist more apt to be found? Not these days on an airplane more likely on the interstate," said Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.

Tuesday Tennessee was first to deploy VIPR simultaneously at five weigh stations and two bus stations across the state.

Agents are recruiting truck drivers, like Rudy Gonzales, into the First Observer Highway Security Program to say something if they see something.

"Not only truck drivers, but cars, everybody should be aware of what's going on, on the road," said Gonzales.

It's all meant to urge every driver to call authorities if they see something suspicious.

"Somebody sees something somewhere and we want them to be responsible citizens, report that and let us work it through our processes to abet the concern that they had when they saw something suspicious," said Paul Armes, TSA Federal Security Director for Nashville International Airport.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol checked trucks with drug and bomb sniffing dogs during random inspections.

"The bottom line is this: if you see something suspicious say something about it," Gibbons said Tuesday.

The random inspections really aren't any more thorough normal, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott who says paying attention to details can make a difference. Trott pointed out it was an Oklahoma state trooper who stopped Timothy McVeigh for not having a license plate after the Oklahoma City bombing in the early 1990s.

Tuesday's statewide "VIPR" operation isn't in response to any particular threat, according to officials.

Armes said intelligence indicates law enforcement should focus on the highways as well as the airports.

Woman Roughed Up, Arrested for Reciting the Constitution During TSA Inspection

Albuquerque International Sunport Security Checkpoint:

I pass a camera crew filming the ticket counter. I stop and consider telling them what I am about to do, but decide against it. They probably won't care. Instead, I wheel my baggage to the security area.

I can feel my heart beat in my chest. I've never done anything like this. I've always said “Yes sir,” even when I didn't agree. Even this simple act fills me with conflicting emotions.

New Mexico is far warmer than my native Pacific Northwest. I'm sweating by the time I reach the first inspection of my ID. I'm sure I already look like a terrorist. The TSA agent, perched on his stool, takes no notice. I look enough like my driver's license and I have a valid airline ticket. He black lights my ID and lets me pass with hardly a glance.

I've come here to moonlight from my real job. My daughter had an operation, and I had to come up with thousands in deductible. She's in college and, so far, I've managed to keep her from becoming a debt slave, like her mother. I took eight extra weekends of work in the Land of Enchantment to cover the cost. I'm lucky, I guess, I can do that. Others, with fewer job opportunities, have no choice but to go bankrupt.

My heart kicks it up another notch when I get to the conveyor belt. Shouldn't have had that coffee this morning but thank God I didn't eat anything, or I'd be hugging the trash can right now.

Come on, I tell myself, what are they going to do? Confiscate your toothpaste? Say something mean to you? So what. Relax. You can do this. You should do this. You have to do this.

I take off my shoes and strip my backpack of computer and the baggie of incidentals. I stand in line while my armpits grow embarrassingly moist and I feel my heart race. I think, Get a hold of yourself. You're being a drama queen.

When it is my turn, I decline to go through the monitor that scans under your clothes, as I always do. The TSA agent starts his spiel about how safe it is. I've done my research. His statements are questionable, but that is not why I am doing this. I start my own spiel.


"The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution reads: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, an particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."



-----



I'm speaking loud and clear so those around me can hear. Before I get to "unreasonable search" a man in an ill-fitting suit and a tie marches up to me. He tells me I was disrupting his operation. I have no idea what his position is. He stands in front of the metal detector--the first place they usually screen me. He tells me I am holding up the line. I drop my voice and tell him to go ahead and screen me. I'll take the pat down. But that's not what he wants. He wants me to shut up. I continue reading the Fourth Amendment.

He asks me to go with him to some undisclosed location to “talk”. He indicates with his hand somewhere back toward ticketing, away from being screened. I decline. He tries to gently guide me with a hand on my elbow, like we're on a date, pushing me back up the line. I stand firm. I want to go forward, let them pat me down while I read the Fourth Amendment to my fellow citizens.

MORE: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/683300/bizarre%3A_woman_roughed_up%2C_arrested_for_reciti ng_the_constitution_during_tsa_inspection

This is interesting. TSA violating our 4th amendment.