Freedom from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures is NOT a Privilege

by George Donnelly on November 15, 2010

Flying in anyone’s airplane but your own is a privilege. No one disputes that. That does not constitute a rebuttal of what We Won’t Fly and millions of air travelers are saying. We are saying that freedom from unreasonable search and seizures by government agents is a right. The right to contract also comes in to play. This right is basic to our commercial life – our economy.

When you buy a ticket from your airline, you are making a contract with them. They transport you. You pay them. But the government is stepping into the middle of your contract, uninvited, and saying “No grope, no fly.” And they turn around and pretend they are exempt from their constitutional restrictions.

At a time when 10 or 20 per cent of the American workforce are unemployed, can the government risk any more damage to the economy? Stop getting in the way of our commerce, TSA. Let us contract freely and stop pretending you’re not limited by the fourth amendment.

An airport is a place of business for airlines, travelers and many others. If you think people sign away their rights when they buy a ticket, show me the wet ink where I consented to waive my rights free of duress.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Aeronot November 15, 2010 at 11:30 pm

George I can not even show you the dry ink because my last commercial flight was in early 2001. However I remember that I had to give up the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Amendments in order to get on the plane. That is why it was my last commercial flight.

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Aeronot November 15, 2010 at 11:54 pm

I Googled “american airlines terms and conditions.” (Is cyberink wet or dry?) American will not let you on if you “Refuse to permit a search … deadly, controlled, or dangerous weapons, articles or substances.”

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