Airport 'pat-downs' cause growing passenger backlash

I think it goes too far also.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/12/AR2010111206580.html?tid=wp_featuredstories

Airport 'pat-downs' cause growing passenger backlash
Video from TSA

.....................Following the uncovering of a terrorist plot last month to blow up cargo planes en route to the United States, the TSA has instituted a new type of pat-down of passengers, a move that's part of a general tightening of air security. If a full-body scanning machine shows something strange or a passenger declines to go through the machine - which is now in use in the Washington region's three major airports - an officer will perform a more personal search.

The examinations routinely involve the touching of breasts and genitals, invasive searches designed to find weapons and suspicious items. The searches, performed by TSA security officers of the same sex as the passenger, entail a sliding hand motion on parts of the body where a lighter touch was used before, aviation security analysts say. The areas of the body that are being touched haven't changed. ...........................


"It's more than just patting you down. It's very intrusive and very insane. I wouldn't let anyone touch my daughter like that," said Marc Moniz of Poway, Calif., who is planning to accompany his daughter's eighth-grade class from San Diego to Washington in April. "We're not common criminals."
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In the latest escalation of the debate over the balance between security and passenger rights, privacy advocates have enlisted consumer rights activist and four-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader, who called the screening techniques "extremely voyeuristic and intrusive." .................

It was short and non-invasive. The agent was polite and professional.

I must say this, however, and that is that I don't think we would be hearing about any so-called backlash IF the only people being patted down were immigrants, blacks, Hispanics, Muslims and foreigners. If the pat downs were limited to them then I don't think we would hear a peep of outrage in our corporate media. But when white grandmothers and white businessmen start getting the pat downs, then look out.

it was like being felt up. This was after she had been through the scanner. She is, BTW, a white grandmother. It made her very uncomfortable.

There may have been fewer voices but I am certain that they would be there.

They grow more insane and restrictive with each new incident. I really hope this is their undoing.

be on Big Sis and the TSA.

Just take of all your clothes, gate check them in a plastic bag, and fly in a swimsuit.

Free drinks with little umbrellas in them for everyone.