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What do you think, did the TSA cross the line?
I have to admit, I deliberately choose a line without the scanning machines. The last few pat downs I’ve received have been significantly different depending on which screener selects me. My favorite line: “are we going to get rectal exams at the airport”?
I think they cross the line every time with the new procedures, do you?
If you have a complaint, you can send it to TSA through their online complaint submission form.
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About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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I always go for the line with the body scanner, I’ve gotten the full patdown and explosives check of all my stuff a few times on the same trip, so I tried to get body scanned to make it par for the course, but haven’t had the experience, unfortunately.
This person is so clueless being worried about the radiation because on a short flight you get exposed to more radiation than the backscatter scanners, and the majority of scanners deployed in airports aren’t even backscatter and don’t expose you to any heightened levels or radiation.
As she said, clearly none of this works because planes get blown up so often. Oh wait, no they don’t. If you don’t want to be voluntarily “molested,” choose to go through a scanner or don’t fly.
What a fool. I have been flying and moving all over the planet for years. In some counties coming through customs they can make you strip down to nothing!
Bottom line the world is not a safe place. There are religious nut jobs that want to kill us, our kids, our wives – everyone. While I do wish the US airports would use the same units that are safer like the ones in AMS etc, I understand the risk is so low it is just silly to be afraid(of the scanners). Beyond that, if you have to “touch my junk” to make sure there is no bomb in my underwear – I UNDERSTAND and each and every time I fly I THANK THE TSA for doing their JOBS and keeping us SAFE!
I say keep up the good work guys and get over it! BTW I am:
DELTA – PLATINUM
Continental – PLATINUM
KLM – PLATINUM
@Kris
Not flying is really not a realistic choice in our world today.
You are correct that the millimeter-wave scanners are much safer than the backscatter x-rays machines. The millimetter wave machines (the onese with the spinning equipment) are just as safe as using a cell phone.
@deltagoldflyer, not everyone is an elite like you where you have a faster line, more benefits, etc…
If I have to go thru the scanner, I would travel only when necessary.
“Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety”
-Benjamin Franklin
Thank you for posting this video. The airport volunteer who “comforted” Susie Castillo has an imperfect grasp of history. Every airplane related terrorist attempt in the U.S. since 9/11 was thwarted by the traveling public, not the TSA. The former head of security for Israel’s Tel Aviv airport, a prime terrorist target if there ever was one, explained Israel’s security measures differ sharply from the TSA’s because the TSA’s are ineffective.
I no longer fly. Submitting to a stranger groping my vagina, running hands between my buttocks, or irradiating me to look at my naked body, even through my clothes, is not security. It is government bureaucracy run amok.
Millimeter wave scanners are less “dangerous”, about 1/1000 of a dose from using a cellphone. Backscatter machines are less “dangerous” than a flight (at cruise altitude and speed) from JFK-EWR. Elite status on an airline has nothing whatsoever to do with security procedure, I have been *G/Premier Exec on United for the past few years, going through security I am in the exact same security line as the people who have never flown, I just get to the security lines more quickly. Having your body scanned to fly is not an essential liberty, having to submit to having your body scanned to leave your house is an essential liberty.
I look forward to the day when I get to go through a body scanner so I can back up my claims about not being worried about it by actually doing it. I have already gotten the pat down, so I can say with absolute certainty I don’t care at all about that.
Humph! Well, look on the bright side (even in a dark place). At least for male passengers, they will save the expense of the annual DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) from the primary care provider, to check for prostate problems. I’m not sure that the TSA screeners have been properly trained to evaluate what the ‘feel’ up there, but after doing several thousand such exams, they will know the territory. Thugs with a badge! Perverts and folks with ZERO CLUE about what they are supposed to be looking for. In the end, the TSA is the world’s Best Reason to NOT Fly. Unless one can afford a private jet, find alternate means or just don;t make the trip. When the rest of the US’s flag carriers go tits-up, we can thank the TSA.
Thanks for all of your comments. This is definitely a hot topic. Will keep an eye on how the legislation proceeds.