Question about airport security now

[Arch]

Reason and common sense aren't helpful in this thread, it gets in the way of the hysteria and outrage.

Jeez, watch it, will you? I almost sprayed my drink all over the screen!

[A]

I have an interesting story regarding excessive security in the US nowadays.

Three years ago, I visited New York with my class. We naturally visited the Statue of Liberty.

At the dock of the boat going there, we had to go in metal detectors and leave some of our belongings there.

Then we arrived at the island and entered the statue. Surprise -- At the entrance, yet ANOTHER security check. This time, though, they added a pointy object detector. A classmate had a pen in his pocket. The scanner detected something and the agents became all prudent, asking him what there was in his pocket. He said "a pen". He took out the pen, not in a menacing way or anything. Softly. The agents took their guns in their hands, pointed them at him armed and shouted to let go of the weapon immediately with a panicked look.

My teacher had to talk with the agents, or they would not have let him inside. Heck, what did they fear ? That we hurt the statue ? I'm not even mentioning how much they must exaggerate at airports. Our story is funny, but it must be less pleasing when it is worse.

[A]

Dee_pntx: We understand you are very, very worried about this exaggerated security. But I do not think excluding men or behaving like a sensationalist media with daily videos or, over everything, writing in red and bold and capitals is really going to help anyone. To keep this thread constructive, I believe "ignoring" half the site's population (or whatever the gender numbers are) and using big flashy characters combined with a harsh way of speaking may not be the best way to go.

You know, even in situations where death is imminent, the best solution is often to just calm down.

[Suzy]

Great, so now we have stoned megalomaniacs manning the porn scanners.

[A]

Great, so now we have stoned megalomaniacs manning the porn scanners.

Yeah, that too. 

[JohnR]

Personally, I'm totally ignoring anything men have to say in this thread.

Men, you are on notice, you are hereby IGNORED.  FU for your dismissal of our concerns.
PISS OFF...  Keep your opinions in the men's sections.  This is about transwomen being harassed.

Men ALWAYS dismiss anything women have to say.


We need a WOMEN ONLY section to discuss this new TSA BS.

You are rapidly becoming one of my favourite posters.

You do realize that stamping through the airport looking like you're about to waste everyone there is what is going to make you draw attention to yourself, don't you? Passengers with attitude are always singled out for special treatment to teach them a lesson.

While lamé knickers may seem tempting, it's worth thinking ahead that you will definitely be stripped so the TSA can see what it is you're hiding.

Being trans in a high security environment is no fun for anyone but we have no choice other than to comply if we want to fly.

A lot of transguys still have vaginas too you know, you might want to factor that in on your next "FU you bastards" post.

[justmeinoz]

LAX by name and lax by nature?  Has anyone asked where these people who work in airport security got the drugs?? And if the system can be compromised by someone testing positive for drugs, it surely isn't working.

According to the paper here, there have been "stripping protests", and some men are wearing kilts without underwear to make their displeasure felt. 

[kyril]

Personally, I'm totally ignoring anything men have to say in this thread.

Men, you are on notice, you are hereby IGNORED.  FU for your dismissal of our concerns.
PISS OFF...  Keep your opinions in the men's sections.  This is about transwomen being harassed.

Men ALWAYS dismiss anything women have to say.

...I thought I was being supportive...thanks for the dismissal.

[NikkiJ]

Dee, it will be OK.

Do you have a therapist who can give you a relaxation mantra?

You probably have a card in your wallet about the metal in your back, right? Just show it to them when it gets detected.

They are not there because you are transgendered. Be polite and forward and they will be OK.

I flew yesterday. I could not pick up my luggage to get it on the belt, I pointed to my hospital bracelets (which I was advised to keep on all the way home by my surgeon's staff) and asked for assistance and received it on both sides of the x-ray machine).

Stay calm, cooperate with the people at the checkpoints and you will have smooth sailing.

You may want to take one of those flying relaxation courses offered at most major airports. It will help you. I have feared flying myself in the past, and even though I haven't flown in years before these last two weeks, I really enjoyed it.

I did not get patted down or scanned on the way home. I don't believe it's because I flew first class, we all got funneled into the same security checkpoint anyway, it was just a little faster.

No worries girl, you will be fine.

[Epigania]

I think this thread has outlived it's usefulness.  It's no longer a thoughtful discussion on navigating security but a rant and kindle thread.

Let's move on, please.

[Miniar]

  MOD NOTE!

I'd like to remind everyone here of the following site rules;

10. Bashing or flaming of any individuals or groups is not acceptable behavior on this web site and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.

15. Items under discussion shall be confined to the subject matter at hand, members shall avoid taking the other users posts personally, and/or posting anything that can reasonably be construed as a personal attack.

Let me make this perfectly clear.
Unless everyone calms down and the fighting stops, I will lock this thread and hand out warnings as appropriate.
Keep it civil everyone.

/MOD NOTE!

[JohnR]

MOD NOTE!

I'd like to remind everyone here of the following site rules;

10. Bashing or flaming of any individuals or groups is not acceptable behavior on this web site and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason.

15. Items under discussion shall be confined to the subject matter at hand, members shall avoid taking the other users posts personally, and/or posting anything that can reasonably be construed as a personal attack.

Let me make this perfectly clear.
Unless everyone calms down and the fighting stops, I will lock this thread and hand out warnings as appropriate.
Keep it civil everyone.

/MOD NOTE!

It was the lamé knickers, wasn't it?

[JohnR]

Dee, you used miscegenistic in the wrong context. Was it a spelling error?

[Aidan_]

I think I'd rather just drive or take a bus/train to my destinations.

Unless it's across oceans or over 1,000 miles away...then...blech. I think I'd take the scanner to be honest. So what if the scanner sees a female go in, but a penis on the screen? I think it'd be funny to imagine their face!

[Epigania]

 

I suppose we haven't had much drama in the forums for a few weeks ... It was bound to happen eventually.

[xAndrewx]

Been watching this thread for a while and it really upsets me that we all will have to go through this. I think if it comes down to go through the scanner or get physically searched I will go through the scanner. I do understand everyone's concerns and I have the same ones but I don't like people touching me and truth is... I'd rather deal with them seeing my naked X-ray form and the trans questions than take a car trip. It's insane that anyone should have to make that choice though.

[justmeinoz]

Hey Dee, why not really screw with their heads and wear a Nun's habit, and be in the wheelchair, see how they cope! Make sure there are plenty of bystanders to enjoy watching them squirm though!

Not that I am likely to fly to the US for years, but maybe I will wear a heavy leather kilt, no underwear, and make sure I have an erection before the search!!

[Elsa]

Hey Dee, why not really screw with their heads and wear a Nun's habit, and be in the wheelchair, see how they cope! Make sure there are plenty of bystanders to enjoy watching them squirm though!

Not that I am likely to fly to the US for years, but maybe I will wear a heavy leather kilt, no underwear, and make sure I have an erection before the search!!

Rolf..  I dont think I will be going to the US in years (and I mean lots & lots of years) either .. but I would like to see the look on their faces when that happens !! heck I might I even join you!! 

[Miniar]

Since the warning was not complied with, as promised I have locked this thread.