Assume the position: TSA begins new nut-busting pat-downs

[Flan]

bend over in the name of homeland security

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/10/assume-the-position-tsa-begins-new-ball-busting-patdowns.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

Yesterday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rolled out new nationwide rules for traveler pat-downs. Want to keep your genitalia private by avoiding the new backscatter security scanners? You can request a pat-down instead, but the TSA is intent on making sure you won't enjoy it. The new rules require agents to pay renewed attention to your crotch, and their hands won't stop until they meet testicular resistance. (No word on quite how far they'll go should you lack said testicles.)

[Janet_Girl]

Go head run your hand up my skirt.  But you better have boughten me dinner first.

[V M]

*a bit off subject* ... Love the Halloween avatars 

So, the TSA thinks it's okay to feel folks up now? As if taking a pic. of your genitals wasn't enough?

This is sounding more and more like legalized porn and sexual assault to me

Do they really need to violate average citizens in order to ready themselves to handle terrorists?

[lilacwoman]

what has anyone to fear from the backscatter machines?  I say make them compulsory if I have to travel with other people.

[Christo]

next time I fly somewhere, I'm not gonna pack & choose the pat-down.  I'm gonna love to see the look on the TSA dude's face when he cant find my balls.   

[J.T.]

This isn't cool... I don't want to be sexually assaulted.  If I pack, will they be able to tell the difference?

I have to fly in December, taking a boat to Hawaii just doesn't work.

Those jerks.  Unlawful search and seizure, no probable cause this should be illegal.

[Britney_413]

Anyone who starts rubbing my genitalia without my consent is getting punched in the mouth, period. I don't care if they have a badge either. This kind of airport security is not even remotely constitutional. Last time I checked when a private citizen gets on a private airplane that is a contract between the passenger and the owner of the aircraft they are flying on. Why is this a government issue? Yes, we know about 9/11 but there is more effective security than what is going on. The best security is nothing more than people being aware of their surroundings. The only real security needed other than awareness is the way it used to be: metal detectors, bag searches, basic wand downs. If that isn't effective from preventing someone from still smuggling a very small item onto the plane,  passenger and crew awareness will. As I've stated before there are plenty of dangerous items already on board an aircraft.

Benjamin Franklin said (loosely): "Anyone who is willing to trade freedom for security deserves neither." The terrorists have won--not because they took 3,000 lives on 9/11 but because their actions have resulted in 300 million Americans to willingly give up their freedoms completely changing what America is all about. I'd rather take the very small risk of something happening while living in a free society than being "safe and secure" while not even having the right to keep my genitalia free from the government's eyes. I haven't flown for awhile but I certainly will not allow anyone to touch my genitalia or photograph/scan it. I will turn around and cancel the flight if I have to. Is this what the U.S. has come to?

[Fencesitter]

The terrorists have won--not because they took 3,000 lives on 9/11 but because their actions have resulted in 300 million Americans to willingly give up their freedoms completely changing what America is all about.

Not only in the USA. 9/11 has also had lots of repercussion in Europe, e. g. the German government created lots of new "control-freak" laws against terrorism. Some of them have been ruled unconstitutional by our highest court in the meantime, but damage has been done by those laws which still exist. This paranoia is so ridiculous, but our conservative voters don't care about freedom as long as their government gives them the illusion of security.

I also know a couple of people who boycott going on vacation to the USA cause they don't want to feel treated like criminals by the airport security. And honestly, I wouldn't go to the USA either if that means you need to accept to get fondled.

[Cindy Stephens]

While I really don't have a problem with the machines, I think the policy on shipments is funny.  The stuff being shipped in the hold isn't checked.  The only reason they stopped the stuff coming over this last weekend was because of intelligence from the Saudi's.

[spacial]

I also know a couple of people who boycott going on vacation to the USA cause they don't want to feel treated like criminals by the airport security. And honestly, I wouldn't go to the USA either if that means you need to accept to get fondled.

I know quite a number who won't go, for that very reason, and not just airports. I have to include myself in that.

[VeryGnawty]

what has anyone to fear from the backscatter machines?

Radiation poisoning?

[aubrey]

It's o.k. they can scrutinize the scan all they want cuz I'll just wear tin foil underwear

[xAndrewx]

If I pack, will they be able to tell the difference?

A transguy on youtube from the states said that he went and got stopped because basically the man stated that they noticed the thing in his genital regions wasn't attached I think that was almost a year ago. I know it's been a while since you posted that but I figured I would answer. I don't know if that for all of the machines.

[Cindy]

There was a news item today of a Guy, I think in LA, who refused the scan and the 'pat down' and was refused to fly. And insulted to boot.
I think there should be a 'If you want to feel me I can feel you, just to make sure hands are being pro, whatever that may mean.  '

All sorts of questions.
For guys, what happens if you get an erection? I'm very pre-op and have serious control problems, so some one puts their hand up my skirt there is no way that I will not 'react'.

Pre  or CD people wearing bras or garters?


Where is the intelligence that checking genitals will reduce terrorism.

Is this just yet another USA corporate money making thing.  We have built it. We can scare them. They will buy.

I've put off two trips to the USA because I cannot be bothered by the crap. I used to fly over, deal the business and have a day or two. Love the shops.

Easier now  to justify IC coms than visiting.


Cindy

[justmeinoz]

If I am properly tucked I might insist he (? or she!!) keep feeling until we are both satisfied!!
Could take quite a while and I would have to insist that public safety takes precedence over their embarrassment! 

[Britney_413]

None of this seems to have anything to do with security. For someone to sneak a bomb through by hiding it in or near their genitals, it would have to be extremely small and therefore not as effective. I don't see how there aren't other ways of detecting hidden dangerous devices such as the old fashioned hand-wanding and metal detector walk-through machines.

Last time I checked most passenger airplanes have a cockpit door that the pilot(s) can lock if they need to. That aside if someone wants to use a weapon or explosive on a plane this can be easily stopped by other passengers and crew members doing the simplest of things: paying attention to their surroundings. The government failed us on 9/11 and is continuing to fail us with these intrusive security screenings. I think airline security would be more improved if it was left up to "we the people." If someone were to bring a gun on a plane and pull it out I would guess that plenty of passengers would easily be able to jump that person at once and take it away from them. I'd put more faith in that than I will in poorly-trained low IQ government agents keeping us safe.

I will also say it again that there plenty of objects already on board commercial aircraft accessible to passengers that are much more dangerous than the objects TSA doesn't want you to bring on the plane. A fire extinguisher for instance could be used to hit someone with. Same with heavy luggage. Plus the oxygen system and any portable tanks would be a terrorist's dream come true. Yet the government is worried about tiny and likely insignificant objects (namely drugs) that people could be hiding in their genitals. I'd be willing to bet that a huge portion of airline security is nothing more than attempts to prevent drug smuggling which is irrelevant to a safe operation of an aircraft. Security should be under the control of the owner of the aircraft either the pilot or the airliner employing the pilot. I own and drive a car. I don't have government agents forcing me to screen passengers who get in my car. I'm not required to be screened for anything to get in my own car. Cars have been proven to be dangerous and have been used many times in terrorist attacks. At the same time the government is making simple air travel a nightmare anyone could easily pack a semi truck full of explosives and crash it into a building making it as dangerous and deadly or moreso than an aircraft.

But don't listen to anything I say. I couldn't know anything. Only the government knows what is best for us. I'm ending my rant now.

[V M]

Just in this morning's newspaper was an article about people being upset with the new methods at the airlines

[justmeinoz]

Simple answer- consumer boycott. Might be difficult to organise, but once the airlines start to lose money they will demand a change of procedure.

[Flan]

Simple answer- consumer boycott. Might be difficult to organise, but once the airlines start to lose money they will demand a change of procedure.

hear hear...

[VeryGnawty]

It won't happen because people don't think about doing things collectively to make any sort of REAL change in this country

I agree.  People in this country are wimps.  If this kind of stuff happened anywhere else it would be illegal.  If I started feeling on one of my customer's breasts in the name of "security" I would be charged with sexual assault so fast I wouldn't even be able to finish my workday.  Yet the TSA can authorize illegal search and touching people's genitals as standard procedure?  Give me a break.  The hypocrisy in this country is astounding.  Since when is it appropriate to feel on an eight year old girl's genitals without probable cause?

What if terrorists start hiding bombs inside their body cavities?  Are we going to have agents peering up someone's urethra?  Or maybe just a quick fingering of their rectum?

Oh well, if the world is going to be ridiculous, you might as well have some fun with it.  Just hold a suggestive poise and ask the agent:  "Did you find what you were looking for?"