TSA Hits New Low

John, Unbelievable!!! I can't believe the indignities travellers are being subjected to in the name of "security". Many experts have already commented that these new measures are not really enhancing security an appreciable amount anyway. I haven't flown domestically for several months, and I'm really hoping that CATSA hasn't adopted the same screening methods (although I suspect they will for direct flights to the U.S.). If so, my flying will be sharply curtailed (an I'll make sure that the airlines know that)! It's likely that my trips by air to the U.S. will be reduced to "essential travel" ONLY. I'll drive when possible to avoid the security hassles of air travel. I wonder if this situation can get any worse? Cheers!

At LaGuardia last week I saw two, yes two, TSA staff occupied with explaining to a bewildered, white-haired elderly woman that she was going to be patted down. It is an utter waste of resources quite apart from the indignities suffered by passengers. TSA is out of control and the Obama administration is clueless.

>>>" TSA is out of control and the Obama administration is clueless. " <<<< Exactly - I couldn't agree with you more - it's like you are chanelling my thoughts!! However - I believe I read earlier today that the TSA would NOT "push" the search on a Muslim women in Muslim dress (burka, I assume??), agsinst her will. IF that is a trus statement, that is un-f-ing-believable!!!!!!

Don't you think they should put the same amount of time and money into screening all baggage? Not done everywhere. However, I in no way support racial profiling.

I know I'm swimming against the Helpline tide on this issue, but personally I am not in the slightest bit bothered by body scans, 15-second patdowns, removing my shoes, or other TSA safety procedures. These guys are just trying to keep us safe, and I'm glad they're there. And I think it's obvious that the reason they pat down old ladies, nuns, handicapped people, etc., is that if they didn't, they'd instantly be accused of profiling. We've put them between a rock and a hard place on that issue.

I would think Muslims should be their first priority..forget about being PC.

Yes, I agree, that security needs to be enforced to safeguard the flying public. I do agree, that I am not crazy about the body scanner, but I rather do that than go through a pat down that is being so intrusive. However, if I need to do it, I will, even if it is a pain in the ...... neck. I rather be as safe as possible on the flight than worry about not making it there. Wherever it might be, domestic or international. In fact, I am not crazy about traveling by air at all, but it is the quickest way to get somewhere overseas or coast to coast. Now, in Europe, you do get questioned at the airline counter, you go through security machines and then sometimes patted down. I think we should go back to the questioning before we ever get our tickets or use our tickets for the flight. This way, the airline personnel or security personnel can maybe tell if a person is anxious, sweating or displays unusual behavior or unusual body language other than the normal feelings a person has on the beginning of a trip. Now, no body likes profiling, but if all people are interviewed in some way, then there isn't any profiling, but a helpful way of determining if a person is a risk. Unfortunately, in the world of today, anything can happen, anywhere.

Elaine, I don't know where you read that about Muslim women getting or not getting a pass, but on Fox News last night it was pointed out that Muslim women with a head and neck piece on will not be patted down by TSA but will be allowed to do (get this) a "self pat-down"!!! How is that for anti-profiling....the exact opposite of what we should be doing to combat terrorism. D

While the TSA is spending all this time and money on body scanners I'm sure real terrorists have moved on to some other dastardly ideas.

My daughter's boyfriend's mother just came back from 2 years working at the American HS in Saudi. She bought a couple of those scarf/neck thingies to my daughter, because she knows Kate has an unusual, eclectic taste in apparel. Guess I'll borrow one so I can pat myself down.

Some of you can't help blaming Obama, can you? Oh, do people really take the rubbish on Faux news as gospel? Give me a break. I'm with Tom.

James, that was not a "story" it was an editorial. Big difference. While some of what he wrote is disturbing, if true, my impression is that he is very anti-Obama and biased. I am completely against the scanners and the pat downs and I don't understand the sheep mentality of most people to just go along with it. The TSA does not make us safer. That's a joke. The insanity of it all is that cargo is not checked. Contacting our Representatives to stop the insanity is the only thing that may help.

His boss.... When directly asked.... He ws there.... ""Look, we have, like I said before, we are doing what we need to do to protect the traveling public and adjustments will be made where they need to be made," Napolitano responded. "With respect to that particular issue, I think there will be more to come. But, again, the goal here, you know, we're not doing this just to do it. We're doing it because we need to keep powders and gels and liquids off of planes that are
unauthorized just as we need to keep metals off of planes." She wouldn't answer the question. We have official policies and even laws dealing with people coming into the country illegally. How's that working?

Well folks, looks like this is just getting worse and worse. Check out this story...'
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40291856/ns/travel-news

We know where to look for terrorists. TSA very obviously does not because where they are currently looking they won't find them. And yes Ken, it will be worse. TSA is only reacting, not proactive. Next time explosives will be in terrorist body cavity and we will all get digital per rectum exam and women also gyn.exam. TSA is also creating huge lines of people, terrorists can just come and start shooting or explode themselves. One good news: TSA backed off and they don't do their idiotic search of pilots anymore.

I'm all for making flights safer. I think that people should be subject to an extensive interview and body cavity search prior to boarding. They should fly nude with their arms and legs shackled. Of course this would only be in coach.

The article begs the question of how TSA will handle testicular reconstruction...

Good article John. Thanks for posting it. The TSA is a joke.

listen i am all for security measures but there is a limit, so for people like Tom and others you need to have a limit. This cancer patient was embarrssed but because of someone's faith they are excluded, that is constitutionally illegal and unfair. If any of you want, go to gizmodo.com and read the story of the boy around the age of 10 who was forced to have his t shirt removed to be searched by TSA in front of everyone. It was caught on video and then read the ensuing story of what the video taker had to go through. This poor child and father were humiliated and for what? What could this poor young white child have that is threatening to passengers? yes i said white because let's be honest here, TSA and other authorites profile for muslim or other ethnic muslim/african races. I am not an obama fan at all but nor was I a bush fan, but the fact that as a society we need political parties to tell us how we should run our lives is a joke, the de-wussification of the world continues and for all you people who watch msnbc or fox new with olberman and glenn beck, you all have issues and cant think for yourselves. while olberman is a dink and a blow hard he is harmless, where as glenn beck is a sociopath and lunatic and needs to be taken out or at least taken off the air. i wish people in this country and the world would start thinking rational and stick up for themselves, i knows times are different and dangerous but one still has to live a little and think for ones self. trashy cable network one sided news channels wont help you,wake up people

Wow. There's always Al Jazeera if you're lookin' for an alternative. Lighten up before you blow an "o" ring.

Someone suggested the TSA target only Muslims...period. What, and give the Taoists a free pass...no way! They're the real threat! LL is on to something...those TSOs will need to be thoroughly trained on the proper way to squat, hold the flashlight in one's mouth, and use both hands to spread the cheeks. This is normally reserved for convicts in prison, but we all want to be safe and secure after all, right. Where's my Teddy?

James, the Washington Times is a crackpot newspaper owned by Sun Myung Moon-- "the Moonies" cult guy that runs the Unification Church (remember the mass weddings?). He started the paper to spread the word of God as he sees it. No serious person considers this a good news source.

Anyone who says they do not object to this screening should submit to the "enhanced" pat-down before commenting. It is not proven to work, while some type of behavior studying is proven to work. Why ignore that? I am very worried that my 76 year old mother will be subjected to what in her mind will be the equivalent of rape after her double knee replacements set off the metal detectors next month when we travel! She will NOT have a choice in the matter, in fact she probably will be put through both!

"Washington Times... No serious person considers this a good news source." I don't believe that's the case. The Washington Times seems to be respected in the journalism community, having won numerous awards earlier in the year. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/apr/26/times-nabs-best-in-show-regional-press-awards/

In regards to the Wash Times, Tex mentions some awards they won. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/apr/26/times-nabs-best-in-show-regional-press-awards/ I work in the media and can assure you that every newspaper of almost any size wins these awards. They are like the trophies kids get on soccer teams --- everyone gets one no matter how the team finished. The Wash Times has probably the best newspaper in the US in their backyard. To have been able to stay afloat is a pretty big accomplishment. By the way, the paper was just sold back to old man Moon for $1 a few weeks ago.

While searching the internet this morning, I saw an article about the young man who was pictured at a TSA security check point with his shirt off. The article said that his father had taken the shirt off and the father and son had no complaints about the issue. Is what you read on the internet true, probably not all the time, but I will believe this story until I read otherwise. Having a pacemaker, I have been going thru "pat-downs" for as long as they have had them.
I do not refuse to go thru the "hoops" but, choose the "pat-downs" to increase my likelihood of living longer since my pacemaker manufacture recommends to stay away from any magnetic fields. Happy travels everyone.