Sandy in El Paso writes:
I recently flu out of El Paso Airport. They were one of the first to get the body scanners. I did not know of the change until I was in line. I was really caught off guard by the scanner. I did it, but I told myself that this was going to be the last time.
The worst thing was what happened to the guy in front of me. He was on crutches because he had a broken leg. The took his crutches away from him and gave him a cane so that he could go through the scanner. His cast was wrapped with a big ace bandage. They took the bandage off his cast and scanned the cast again. I would think that might make the cast slip our something. I really felt sorry for the guy.
I have two new grandchildren, but I’m not going to fly until they get rid of those scanners. I will take the bus instead.
Sandy’s story illustrates the irresponsibility of the TSA in not educating the public about this new security theater. This is why Opt Out Day is so important. Many of those traveling for Thanksgiving are not frequent flyers and will have enough information to make an informed choice – unless we help them.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have round trip tickets to LasVegas, and too late I realized that the main airport in LasVegas has the scanner. I have 3 choices: 1) Do the scanner (no!)
2)Opt for the “pat down/feel up” and insist on it being in done in public, so everyone will know that the government is violating the rights of an innocent citizen. (I would do this if I was traveling alone, but I don’t want to subject my family to witnessing this)
3)rent a car one way, drive about 20 hours, pay at least $400., maybe more, and send my wasted return plane ticket to Janet Napolitano. It will be well worth it to avoid the degradation.
I may have another option, which is to call Southwest Airlines and try to talk them into changing my destination to a nearby airport that does not hav e a scanner. Its a very long shot but I might try it.
The bus and train options will take 36 hours and cost a lot more. I remember when air travel was only for the wealthy, and buses and trains ran more often and to more places. If we use the buses and trains more, they will schedule more. Next time I will try to plan my trip to allow for the extra time & money.
Maybe everyone should eat vast quantities of beans, eggs and onions before arriving at the airport and then repeatedly excuse themselves for flatulating in the security guy’s face as his hand crawls up their crack.
“What…I’m being arrested? For being a little gassy? I said ‘excuse me.’ It’s just that I was nervous. Oops! There I go again!”
Love it!
OH NO! Some person that you’re never gonna see again is going to see a scan of your body for security reasons!!! THIS IS MADNESS! WE MUST NOT FLY!
get over it…
Yeah, until that scan winds up on the internet. I wonder when the first celebrity scans are gonna wind up on TMZ. Doesn’t matter to me that I’ll never see the peeping tom at the other end of the scanner, it’s still a gross violation of the Fourth Amendment. And that bit of radiation is the gift that keeps on giving….just a little souvenir from the TSA.
The 4th Amendment guarantees “The right of the people to be secure in their persons… against unreasonable search and siezure.” This means it is illegal for the TSA to search you unless they a good reason to suspect that you have committed a crime. Such searches include strip searches (and what else are the images produced by those scanners?) and pat downs. Now, you may not think it is a big deal for your government to violate YOUR most basic rights as a citizen of this nation, but I think it is a VERY big deal. Because if we let them do this, what are they going to try next?
you don’t get it, do you?
Bella, you and your type always miss the point. It’s a waste of time trying to explain it to you.
Has anyone researched how these porno-scanners and feel-up pat-downs are especially problematic for people who have been victimized by past sexual abuse? This kind of treatment is bad enough for anyone and everyone, but to someone who has been traumatized in the past, it is likely to trigger a debilitating emotional and psychological reaction. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a real condition. A stressful event like this could easily make it impossible for a sufferer to enjoy or participate meaningfully in a family reuinion or vacation. It could easily keep a sufferer from being able to conduct business, close a deal, or make a presentation.
ADA experts, where are you? We need to refuse both further victimization and the creation of new trauma victims.