Pat Downs, and Touchy Stuff

[Truck Cruiser]

I really hope you all don't think that these new airport security measures will stay in the airports do you? I give it a year and it will be at the cruise port of your choice, 2 years and probably at your local schools and court houses.

Haven't you ever noticed that when personal freedoms are taken away in one area it soon advances to others?

[Aidan]

I don't mind the invasive groping since it is for security, but I don't like it when the TSA guy says, "Now you do me."

[johnthed0g]

Originally Posted by MarkNYC

Ah yes, the politics of fear is alive and well.

Or just reality??

[anniegb]

Originally Posted by Truck Cruiser

I really hope you all don't think that these new airport security measures will stay in the airports do you? I give it a year and it will be at the cruise port of your choice, 2 years and probably at your local schools and court houses.

Haven't you ever noticed that when personal freedoms are taken away in one area it soon advances to others?

Do I think these security measures will stay? yes, of course and quite right too!

I thought some schools and govt buildings already had scanners for knives etc

If you are uncomfortable with these measures, stay at home and vegetate.

[Manuel]

My friend Linda ( who worked at the pentagon for many years) Has not flown since 9/11.
Since then she nad her husband have visited Italy every year. Shae been in Autria, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, the UK, Autralia andmany Islands in the Caribbean as well as the Azores, Madeira and Santorini.
They have also cruised withus to the Mexican Riviera a well as Alsaka.

They have also cruised with us on the Oasis back in april.

They drive across the the US and Europe, they take trains and do many cruises, but they will not fly.

So if you have the time and the money, you can travel extensively without flying.

TM

[Kuki]

If you are chosen for a pat down, tell the TSA officer you are obligated to advise them you have several STDs ;-)

[Manuel]

Originally Posted by Kuki

If you are chosen for a pat down, tell the TSA officer you are obligated to advise them you have several STDs ;-)

That's funny! ....... But it might keep you from flying.

TM

[Aerogirl]

I refuse to not live my life out of fear. I hate to fly but do so a few times a year because it makes the most sense for me. I hate long car rides and the train sounds less the appealing to me. People need to do what their comfortable with and what’s best for them. My older sister will be flying for the first time in her life this coming April, she’s terrified. I’m giving my then 15 year old son the option as far as pat down or scanner in April. He’s a seasoned traveler and I think he’s old enough to choose what’s right for him. I did explain what happens in both cases. It will be interesting to see what he chooses.

I’ve been reading into both arguments and it seems the problem with the scanners is the radiation is concentrated to just under the skin not throughout the entire body and experts believe that the amount is too high for just that area. It also seems there are already changes being made to give a less detailed image of the person’s body. I will always go for the pat down not because of not wanting to be seen on the scanner but purely for the sake of less radiation. The TSA lady can pat away just; don’t make me late for my flight!

Just one more thing, for the passengers who are going to get patted down just to prove a point and try and create longer lines you’re the ones who will be stuck in that line and stand the chance of missing your flight and if you do don’t complain!

[Manuel]

For the guys!

Maybe we can get a free prostate exam, while we are being patted down.

TM

[MarkNYC]

No one has actually answered how far they will allow the TSA to go to ensure "security".
If the next attempt is a bomb inserted into a rectum or vagina of a would-be bomber, will you allow the TSA to conduct cavity searches?
Will you say "If you don't like it, stay home" to people who object to cavity searches?

[Lakers Fan]

I fly primarily out of JFK .Security on every airline I've flown on has been very lax . A neighbor of mine works for Homeland Security .He said that they do a lot of profiling but for everyone else they basically choose every 30th person to be checked .

In the days of me having shoulder length hair and a beard to match I was always checked

[Phil&Liz]

Originally Posted by Kuki

If you are chosen for a pat down, tell the TSA officer you are obligated to advise them you have several STDs ;-)

And go commando in loose fitting shorts.

BTW, do they take off their gloves after EACH person is groped? If not, couldn't they be cross contaminating from one person to another?

[Aerogirl]

Originally Posted by MarkNYC

No one has actually answered how far they will allow the TSA to go to ensure "security".
If the next attempt is a bomb inserted into a rectum or vagina of a would-be bomber, will you allow the TSA to conduct cavity searches?
Will you say "If you don't like it, stay home" to people who object to cavity searches?

Mark... have you seen Ron Paul's video? I'll send it to you.
Ron Paul introduces HR 6416 The American Traveler Dignity Act
Not sure if I can post it here??
http://www.ronpaul.com/

[johnthed0g]

I don't see the problem, if the indignity becomes too great don't go. That is what we shall do.

[Ron]

I still fail to see how our " freedoms " are being taken away. As terrorism grows, as it has over the past few years and will undoubtedly continue to do so, they will become more sophisticated in their methods, which means we have to either surrender to them or continue to try to thwart their plans as we go along.
No one is denied the right or freedom to travel anywhere they choose
nor the method of how they choose to get there. There's speed limits on the roads to try to help people keep from killing each other--there's laws against driving drunk to help save lives--there's already security in place in court houses, there's laws against having firearms on school property and if I'm not mistaken some schools already have scanners to detect metallic objects such as guns and knives from being brought into schools. However on that point, if we have more stringent security measures in place in schools, maybe some of these mass killings would have been preventable. Just last week here in my town a kid in high school was found to have a loaded handgun in his possession. Luckily some other kid saw it and wasn't afraid to tell someone who got the gun without any one being hurt. What would the kid have done if someone one hadn't found out about him having it? We can't say for sure but you wouldn't necessarily take a loaded gun into school just for the fun of it.Yes, I can forsee the day when scanners, etc. will be in every school in order to save some kids life or several kids lives. What freedom have we lost there--except the freedom to go to school without being worried about being killed in history class.
Regarding cruises, yes-- the security, by necessity will become even more strict than it is now. Will that take away my freedom? Hardly. I can still cruise if I choose to, cruise the line I choose, the itin. I choose and the cabin I choose. It just will make my cruise more secure--doesn't mean that something won't happen but it lessens the chance that it will.
I'm not saying at all that the scanners, patting, etc. will stop terorists, but It will help. Stopping idiots for blowing up things will probably never be entirely eliminated but if we just sit back and say, oh well, we don't want to infringe upon someone's supposed " rights" then travel would basically come to a standstill.
Regarding the comments made about inserting explosives in body cavities, there's a real possibility of that. How about women who have breast implants that are actually explosives instead of harmless gel? I'm not sure, I may be wrong on that, but it seems that that has already happened somewhere in the middle East. So, I agree that there's no real solution and the patting, scanning, etc. isn't going to eliminate entirely the threats. But we cannot afford not to do whatever we have to do to protect as many people as we can.
Now having said all that, I can see how the Government in Washington works--or doesn't work-- no one can agree on anything--this thread reminds me of that bunch we send back year after year called--- I can hardly bear to say the word---CONGRESS !!! So, some of us must be Democrats and some of us must be Republicans on here !!! ;-) ;-)
Anyway, to all who travel on the upcoming holiday, however you get there, hope you make it safe and sound--if you get patted, try to enjoy it--who knows --if you've never been patted, you just might find another side of yourself! If you get scanned, hope you have something to be proud of!!

[Mike M]

Originally Posted by Phil&Liz

And go commando in loose fitting shorts.

BTW, do they take off their gloves after EACH person is groped? If not, couldn't they be cross contaminating from one person to another?

They are required to use a new pair of gloves each time they do a pat down. When the pat down is finished they put the gloves in a machine that tests for explosive residue.

The last TSA agent I had pat me down said that problems can arise if someone had been target shooting or have any gunshot residue on their body. This would trigger a positive and that person would be pulled out for a "private screening" and questioning.

Also: I believe that even if they didn't change the gloves between people the cross-contamination risk would be minimal. They are only touching the external clothing. You have a greater risk of cross-contamination sitting on a public bench or bus stop.

Take care,
Mike

[Aerogirl]

My son's high school has metal detectors and every kid & visitor has to go through them to enter the school, and it's a good school. I like it and it does make him feel safer.
I do think all school should have metal detectors but metal detectors and body scanners are two very diferent things. He wouldn't be attend a school that used body scanners or patted him down.

[Luanne Russo]

I am so glad that all of you have included your points of view. It has made for a very good discussion.

Mike, I agree about you saying that handling a gun, might be reason to test positive. On our last flight, I was picked to test for anything on my finger tips. I quickly told her I had been to the range the day before. There was nothing there, because I wash my hands so often, but it could have tested positive.

I personally think the terrorist are laughing at us. They have done what they wanted to do, which is disrupt our lives.

They tried the bombs on the cargo planes a few weeks ago, and that didn't work, they tried the under wear, and that was found out, so I think the next strike will be someone with cemicals, that they brought with them over the border of Mexico. While homeland security has it's hand down our pants, the borders remain wide open, for anyone to walk through.

[anniegb]

Originally Posted by Luanne Russo

I am so glad that all of you have included your points of view. It has made for a very good discussion.

Mike, I agree about you saying that handling a gun, might be reason to test positive. On our last flight, I was picked to test for anything on my finger tips. I quickly told her I had been to the range the day before. There was nothing there, because I wash my hands so often, but it could have tested positive.

I personally think the terrorist are laughing at us. They have done what they wanted to do, which is disrupt our lives.

They tried the bombs on the cargo planes a few weeks ago, and that didn't work, they tried the under wear, and that was found out, so I think the next strike will be someone with cemicals, that they brought with them over the border of Mexico. While homeland security has it's hand down our pants, the borders remain wide open, for anyone to walk through.

The chemicals may not have to cross a border!

[Phil&Liz]

YouTube - TSA's enhanced security spurs US 'airport rage'

[Snoozeman]

Originally Posted by Aidan

I don't mind the invasive groping since it is for security, but I don't like it when the TSA guy says, "Now you do me."

Excellent!

[Fern]

FINALLY - A great alternative to body scanners at airports . . .

The Israelis are developing an airport security device that eliminates the privacy concerns that come with full-body scanners at airports.
It's a booth you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on you.

They see this as a win-win for everyone, with none of this c**p about racial profiling.
It also would eliminate the costs of a long and expensive trial. Justice would be swift.

Case closed!

You're in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter an announcement comes over the PA system . . .

"Attention standby passengers - we now have a seat available
on Flight Number 2500.”

Yes, I do know this is a "funny", but wouldn't it make flying easier ?

[Lakers Fan]

I favor this for all airports

[Manuel]

Fern, that would be the best solution.

TM

[Lakers Fan]

Alas ,tis only a dream

[johnthed0g]

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

I recall the thread somewhere suggesting that anyone suspected of carrying explosives should be put in a blast proof room & subjected to a signal or impulse that detonates bombs....muffled boom ...announcement ''anyone on standby for flight XYZ ...''

Not bad from memory I think.....

[MrPete]

Originally Posted by Kuki

Yup.. if people don't agree with your viewpoint the best and most effective arguement is to just label them.

You want to drop your drawers and bend over for "SECURITY THEATRE", be my guest.

You must be one of the people buying into thinking this will keep you safe. :-D

[Lakers Fan]

A friends daughter flew from JFK last night .The only thing she was asked to do was to remove her shoes ,no scanning ,no pat downs.

[MrPete]

Hulu - Saturday Night Live: Message from TSA

[MrPete]

The TSA hates the FAT and the SMELLY.

Now 'abused' TSA staff vent their anger at security patdown searches | Mail Online