Update 12-2-10 9:15 AM
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Update 4:30 P.M
Some are asking for the rest of the CCTV footage. Well… that’s all there is. There were two camera angles and we posted the complete footage of both of those angles. From the time the passenger enters the checkpoint to the time they are escorted out of the checkpoint, it’s all there. The passenger stated the full experience was around an hour, but as the video shows, it was much shorter. ~ Blogger Bob
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A YouTube video containing a radio interview of a woman who claims to have been cuffed to a chair at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International airport after opting out of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) has been circulating today. TSA takes situations such as this seriously and we immediately looked into it.
We diligently review claims of improper conduct. But when inaccurate passenger accounts are made either via media outlets or on the blogs, TSA works to resolve them and present both sides of the story. In this case, TSA has made the decision to post the CCTV video of the incident online.
You can listen to her radio interview, and then you can view our airport CCTV footage. We’ll let you decide what really happened.
When TSA received the CCTV footage from FLL, the timestamps were not included. TSA has worked with the airport (who owns the video cameras) and the manufacturer to get time stamped footage. We now have the footage and would like to share it with you.
Update 4:30 P.M
Some are asking for the rest of the CCTV footage. Well… that’s all there is. There were two camera angles and we posted the complete footage of both of those angles. From the time the passenger enters the checkpoint to the time they are escorted out of the checkpoint, it’s all there. The passenger stated the full experience was around an hour, but as the video shows, it was much shorter. ~ Blogger Bob
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A YouTube video containing a radio interview of a woman who claims to have been cuffed to a chair at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International airport after opting out of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) has been circulating today. TSA takes situations such as this seriously and we immediately looked into it.
We diligently review claims of improper conduct. But when inaccurate passenger accounts are made either via media outlets or on the blogs, TSA works to resolve them and present both sides of the story. In this case, TSA has made the decision to post the CCTV video of the incident online.
You can listen to her radio interview, and then you can view our airport CCTV footage. We’ll let you decide what really happened.
Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team
391 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 391 of 391I listened to her whole story and watched the whole security video posted on youtube. There are definitely things that don't match up, but maybe because I can't see everything going on in the video. She said there were 12 cops and a couple TSA around her, but it didn't seem like that many. She said she was grabbed and taken to a different area, but I saw no grabbing. She said she was the only one being scanned, but there were people being scanned. She said a TSA lady ripped up her ticket, but I didn't see it on video. Still, they treated her poorly and TSA didn't need to let this happen! It seemed like they were making an example of her to intimidate others to not opt out. I'm still opting out when I fly home for Thanksgiving.
I wonder if there was more to the video than what we saw. There was no audio, not to mention the girl was off screen for a few minutes. What she claimed happened to her could have happened during that offscreen time. Plus we have no evidence the video wasn't tampered with. One must always be skeptical of organizations like the TSA.
Could they have possibly only released part of the video, leaving off the incriminating parts? In the interview, she claimed she was detained for over 20 minutes, however, the video only lasts 13, and she was detained for only 11. Perhaps the TSA trimmed the video to make her story look like a fabrication.
I think this shows a few things:
Her story may be embellished.
The secondary screening areas are curiously just outside of good camera range.
The lack of sound to hear what the TSA and passenger were saying seems odd. With all the billions spent on security, did we forget to buy cameras with sound?
The sheer number of idle TSA employees that stand around making sure a 100 lb female doesn't threaten air travel is truly shocking to someone in private bussiness. Does anyone really think you need more than 2 people to make sure she doesn't sprint away? Instead it is about 6 (5 male) "officers" to walk her out.
Why is this footage so quickly available, but when there are other requests for footage it seems like it "isn't available". Things like that, make people suspicious.
Looks like everything the girl said was right, and the video is not fully available. Only clips... I wonder why? Couldn't put the whole thing up on youtube in 10 min chunks?
I'm a UK resident and have no idea about this radio, so i hope this is unbiased as can be but, the woman clearly exaggerated everything that happened, although there was a lack of tape showing certain stuff, there was certainly not 'at least 12 police/TSA', there were no handcuffs, there was no ticket ripping, there were other people being screened behind her ( she said she was the only one ).
I think the woman who kept resting her hand on the chair was showing a little odd body language but apart from that it seemed pretty professional and nothing out of the ordinary.
I don't understand how she can whine about doing a safety precaution albeit a lengthy or uncomfortable one, when in the long run, even if the machine picks up only 50% of weapons and stuff, will seriously deter any type of smuggling or terrorist attack. Her receiving a quick grope and pulling off the crocodile tears shouldn't exempt her from something that could potentially however unlikely from leading to far worse events. She's made it seem like you guys are the bad guys when she's the one who held up the secondary screening, wasting your time and so forth which in the confusion -could- of let someone far sinister sneak by.
Honestly, this kind of stuff only occurs for people who place themselves above everyone else and feel they deserve better.
If you let her through, what's to say that another woman could be forced through and pull an identical act and actually do some damage?
You did the right thing and i honestly never realised how different someone's interpretation of something can be ( especially in the media apparently ).
Sorry for the lengthy post!
The video does not for the TSA's behalf. Usually CCTV has time stamps. Where are the time stamps to validate the fact that these 2 videos are consecutive and near the same time ?? Secondly, the first video does show that as soon as shes brought away from the initial metal detector various TSA agents flock around her. The second video shows her being brought to an area; which is unviewable to the CCTV. Agents with latex gloves, approach; then she is escorted out?
Not that I am a fan of the body scanners, but from what I saw in the video, I don't think she was mistreated. The Agent giving her paper towels to wipe her face off seemed to be nice to her, empathizing with her, perhaps explaining her position. Her interview seemed very exaggerated, at least as far as what these two videos showed.
The upper left corner of the screen shows curvature and is cut off a little bit. The other three corners do not. This suggests that this is 1/4 of the full image, and they are not releasing the remaining amount. I'm further inclined to believe this as I can't believe that TSA would take someone to an area to do the pat down with insufficient camera coverage, for their own legal protection. I think we are not getting the complete story from the TSA still.
Kevin said...
6. She wasn't escorted from the airport for "asking questions" she was escorted from the airport for refusing the body scan and the follow up secondary screening. Newsflash, airports are private institutions and they can implement any security measure they choose. Much like many large office buildings have xray scanners and metal detectors at their entrances.
While I agree with the rest of your well written and though out post,
This part is only partially true.
Airports are "special" private property, in that they are legally required to have TSA security, they have no choice in the matter.
As such, citizens get no choice in the matter.
Does the TSA's mandate strictly limit it to air travel (the name doesn't). When do we get the fancy new scanners and enhanced gropings forced at our bus/train/subway stations?
It's great how comments on the Youtube videos are blocked. Kind of like how the "moderated" comments go here, huh?
What crap. This will stop. The only questions is will it stop before it harms the economy further?
Whether or not TSA was in the right or wrong, it still doesn't change the fact that these practices are terribly demeaning and do nothing to increase the safety of travelers.
TSA is nothing but security theater. It's a show put on to make all of the wimps who are afraid of terrorists feel safer. By submitting yourselves to these practices, you're helping them to "win".
TSA and the contractors who make these overpriced Xray machines are desperate to nip the "opt-out" movement in the bud. That's why they're being so aggressive with people who choose the pat-down.
We need everybody who is able to opt out. If we swamp the checkpoints, they'll have to give up, just to keep traffic flowing. Please help us; yes, they will intimidate and harass you. But please take a stand now, to spare us from having no choice later on.
I feel much safer knowing that the TSA is keeping flyers safe. The video makes it obvious how professional and well-trained TSA agents are. It is clear that you undertand that you work for US, that we are innocent until proven guilty, and we deserve to be treated with respect. I am glad that you are allowed to selectively post videos of your activities to embarrass or shame citizens who do not toe your line. This is a great country, made greater by the Patriot Act, and I for one am glad to defer to the TSA because I have never witnessed such hard-working, dedicated employees who are clearly underpaid, overworked, and under-appreciated.
Her story looks at least partially confirmed to me. In the first video one TSO clearly loses her composure, and in the second the passenger is surrounded by a number of TSOs/and what appear to be police.
Have to agree with above comments, it seems consistant with her story, and there is no way to confirm what happened off camera. Sorry TSA, you fail again.
"How many lives are being saved every day by the TSA?"
Zero. Not a single one.
WAKE UP SHEEPLE! YOUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS ARE BEING STRIPPED FROM YOU ONE BY ONE! STOP GOING ALONG WITH IT!
TSA is one reason why I would never fly to America.
From the other part of the world, this litany of horror stories about abuse of power are just giving us the impression that you are living in a pre-fascist state.
Where's the footage from the chair to the exit area... The videos are irrelevant if it does not show the whole sequence from point A to Point B. I don't doubt her story. As i have worked at the airport for over 10 years now. I have heard horror stories, seen them and i have been part of them as well. Even though i have the proper ID to pass through I have to be subjected to them seeing me Naked through the ex-machine.
To bad we can't see her through the whole processes.
She stated that there were several police officers, and that she was detained in a separate area. The video confirms that. We can't see inside that area in the video. Why represent this as anything other than corroboration of her story?
The video disproved every single claim she made. And what it did prove is the she is an outright liar looking to create some drama so that she could play the victim role for her cause. I have the advantage of having knowledge of the procedures as I am a TSA employee. So I can laugh at all of you and take heart knowing that every one of these posts flaming the TSA are coming from a bunch of paranoid conspiracy theorists who haven't a clue what they are saying and how absolutely rediculous they are actually making themselves sound and look. It is a crying shame that there is all this unnecessary hate and discontent. Not to mention complete fabrications meant to do nothing but cause more hate and discontent. I feel truly sorry for all of you. What dark lonely miserable lives you must lead. I guess its just easier for some people to hate. Well, I wish you all well and hope to see you sometime on the light side where people focus on peace and happiness.
I still think the actions of TSA, and the new backscatter machines, which have NO testing as to safety and health effects (any other device like this would need FDA approval and trials, but you pushed this right through with fear mongering) are absolutely atrocious.
I hope TSA gets sued, fined and punished, except that you won't because you have been granted complete immunity by an incompetent government which has created your even more incompetent agency.
Now let me tell you something, I
"We’ll let you decide what really happened."
Where are the timestamps?
Watching these videos disgusts me. The TSA exists to PROTECT citizens of this country from threats to transportation security, not humiliate and demean us by unnecessary procedures performed by imperious personnel.
Furthermore, the TSA should be ashamed of themselves for posting this video without the consent of the passengers in the background. If I had just gone through the degrading experience of being "patted down" by a TSA agent, seeing the experience immortalized on youtube would prompt me to call my lawyer.
The security theater has reached appalling levels and it needs to be stopped.
I have read the following from many ordinary people and reporters alike. If you politely decline the AIT then TSA starts shouting, "OPT OUT! OPT OUT! WE HAVE AN OPT OUT!" I have yet to experience this personally so is this true or not? If it is true is there a better way this could be handled that is less intimidating for the traveller?
Whether intentional or not AIT policy is leaving TSO's scrambling on how to handle an opt out. Some believe this is intentional to initimdate the traveller. It's easier for me to believe this is incompetence rather then malicious mainly because of how TSA has been perceived almost from day one.
TSA's incompetence here is making an opt out a stressful situation for everyone involved. It's stressful for the TSO who can't let an opt out leave their sight. It's stressful for the traveller who now hears the TSO shouting and making the traveller fear they've created a scene. It would be far easier for everyone involved if the TSO used a radio to calmly state, "We have an opt out. Is someone is available for secondary screening?" The traveller would still have to wait in sight of the TSO in the secondary area. However the TSO is now available to answer the traveller questions and addres their concerns in a professional manner.
Maybe some would say well what's the difference? Surely that would still be stressful to some. Perhaps but the way things are now who's the first person to start shouting, the TSO or the traveller? If the TSO starts shouting first they are escalating the situation, intentional or not. It's a little hard to take any TSO seriously telling a traveller they need to remain calm or calm down after TSO's have been shouting. Simply put tempers are going to flare when the TSO does it first.
The holidays are coming up Bob and these complaints are going to increase and get worse unless changes are made. I strongly urge your organization to consider this basic change. TSA is already intimidating enough to the occasional traveller. Shouting won't make the situation better. There are a number of groups that will have concerns with AIT and enhanced pat down. Flight crews are already subjected to more radiation then any other profession. Cancer survivors will have been told not to subject themselves to more radiation. Victims of sexual abuse in the past will have concerns they may be reluctant to discuss, especially after shouting has begun. The TSO isn’t going to know this is in their past but they’re going to start shouting, “OPT OUT!” anyway. They aren’t going to take the time to listen to the traveller or address their concerns in a professional manner until after shouting has already started.
We need timestamps to prove you aren't trying to cover something up.
Let's face it, everything she says that makes this incident noteworthy was a lie. The video is clear on this. I'm glad she was escorted out. I suspect she has basic issues with honesty and a desire for celebrity at any cost. The enabling of the morons on the radio show doesn't help either.
There are serious policy issues about screening that should be discussed, but not using lies as the basis for that discussion.
I want an explanation for why neither of my posts was approved. They were on topic, and used no questionable language.
Is this because I noticed problems with the whole body imaging setup in this checkpoint?
It's been said before but there still hasn't been a sensible response;
No timestamps
No audio
Limited visibility
All this begs the question - what wasn't released? These videos count for nothing. The upside is that fewer people will chose to fly; could we see a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the air travel sector?
I also am shocked to see the video on here. I cannot imagine that the TSA attorneys gave permission for this to be released. Talk about a lawsuit.
I only found this site a few days ago, but I think one thing is clear. The American people do not trust TSA or their employees. It appears that comments on here calling passangers "whiners" and "liars" are made by agents themselves on this site.
Personally, I think much of the problem is that the people flying have very little in common with the TSA agents.
I fly about once or twice a year. Typically a large women with a walkie talkie yells at me and pushes me. Most of the time I cannot understand that the TSA people are saying. They do not look you in the eye and do not use clear or correct English.
I am sorry, TSA. But I felt safer and had more confidence in private security firms. Your agents could never find employment in the private sector. No one would hire someone for customer service who tapped their feet, swung their hands out, and spoke in such verbage.
This is a clearly a violation of fourth amendment. The story confirmed her story. I made me sick to think TSA is given this much power, to the point of violating abiding citizens.
Ok, third try on this post. Absolutely no idea why it did not make it through before.
What I see in the videos:
1. An obviously distraught woman who in the second video was surrounded by way too many people in an intimidating manner. We don´t know where these people took her.
2. Many, many passengers shuffling around with no shoes.
3. Many passengers struggling with pants falling down because they had to remove their belts.
4. People being coerced into "I surrender" poses inside whole body imagers.
5. Use of ionizing radiation without proper safety measures (no dosimeters visible).
5. People patted down after whole body imaging.
6. People taking a lot more than a few seconds to go through whole body imaging.
7. People are unable to view their possessions during the imaging process. They have their back to the belt and the machine has think black walls.
8. Overall, I saw security theater at its best.
TSA not guilty. She was never "Handcuffed to a chair" or "Grabbed by the arm and escorted out"
1) Clearly timestamps are needed. However, since there aren't any in the video I assume none exist.
2) I'm disappointed in her and the attention she's getting. I'm strongly opposed to what the TSA is doing to our country and our rights, and having people like her making up stories hurts those people who have real, legitimate stories to tell.
Another outstanding benefit to this incident: All of the entitled, self righteous boycotters, conspiracy theorists, complainers, mental-midgets and the like will still be crying about not geting special attention and will NOT be at the airports gumming up the works for the rest of the peaceful travelling public.
So, thank you. Enjoy your long drive to grandma's this holiday season and thanks again for staying clear of any airport. You will not be missed.
For those of you stating "I know TSA has hundreds of cameras covering every angle of every Cp.."
Let me clear something up.
I have worked in several airports. In MOST airports, the TSA came into an area that had already been set up and is not optimally designed for the types of large equipment now being deployed (newer, larger xray machines, private screening areas, AITs, ETD machines in large cabinets, etc.) and as such are in many cases forced to use odd sized spaces.
Since many of those spaces were not originally designed as screening areas, many of them do not have proper camera coverage. The airports own the facilities, not TSA. The airports in many cases, do not want to install more cameras (equals more money) or adjust existing cameras for better coverage (equals more work).
There are many reasons for this, one of which is simply that they have an adversarial relationship with TSA and just don't want to work with us. (territorial disputes, want more money for infrastructure, have antiquated cameras, etc).
So saying "I know....." is just not true without actually knowing all the realities of the situation.
Add to this the fact that we CANNOT have cameras in private screening areas (you'd certainly be screaming about that!!) even though IT PROTECTS OUR TSOs (read that as "We WANT the cameras there!" when we are accused of theft, groping, what have you and your assertion just doesn't hold water.
Also, in many cases, the airports will NOT even allow us to view or make copies of CCTV footage without mucho documentation and hoops jumped through.
Get the facts before you make the claims folks.
Seriously, this lady should be arrested.She sounds so unsure of herself and she is heard giggling in the interview. Is that really how you feel when you've been molested and manhandled. Is it a silly situation? I have no issue calling her out on this one. She is lying.
So TSA has video footage and eyewitness accounts. What does this poor, poor lady have on her side? Surely some of the other passengers witnessed this and immediately came to her aid, offered to write a statement on her behalf. I would do that much at the very least if I saw someone being treated in the manner that she described. C'mon. this is ridiculous. I truly hope that she is arrested. Then she will know what it feels like to be handcuffed.
Its because of people like her that when something really does happen, it is suspicious. With all the real issues we have in our society and this girl, with nothing better to do than make up an absolutely unbelievable story like this, I can only hope that she is prosecuted for her actions. We would demand the same if it was true, right?
"The TSA exists to PROTECT citizens of this country from threats to transportation security..."
Not at all. TSA is a government agency whose duty is to protect the government of the United States. If citizens are deemed a threat to the government TSA is able to neutralize the threat in the common air carrier arena. If scanning and pat down are deemed necessary to resolve a threat so be it.
Certainly disobedience is a threat to the government. In other parts of the world it has spilled over into protests and riots. We don't want that to happen here.
I support the efforts of TSA to establish firm rules and regulation in their area of responsibility and to enforce as they see fit.
Thank you TSA.
Just to clear up some issues. TSA can not make any airport utilize CCTV. It is a discretionary expense that even if TSA pays, the airport has the final say as to if there is, or is not CCTV at the checkpoint. The airport owns the facility, TSA leases the space, just like everyone else in the airport. If the airport approves CCTV, they will also determine to what extent the cameras will be used, and will only allow TSA to make suggestions. If there is no time stamp, it is probably because the system is old, and does not have that capability and the airport doesn't feel it is necessary to upgrade the system.
For a vast majority of airports, this is the case. In summation, it isn't just a case of TSA saying we have the footage, there is a legal hill to climb in some cases to get the footage and show it.
carp said...
Typical. The more absolutely pointless the job, the more seriously it is to be taken.
The cockpit doors are locked. We don't need the TSA anymore. Period. We never had to put up with this before the war on Bogeymen.
I was hoping someone would bring this up...
http://portal.aircraft-info.net/article6.html
"BUT ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO THE LOCKED COCKPIT DOOR!!!!" - carp
enjoy
Can you say LIAR, she was never handcuffed, ticket never ripped up and never dragged out. What was she hidding that she didn't want to get patted down?
How can you be taken seriously when this is a TSA joke?
This video doesn't contradict a single thing she said. It looks like the start of the ordeal, not the whole thing.
The TSA is going to have to do a lot better if they want any credibility.
The people who are commenting that nothing wrong has taken place worry me. You need to take a serious step back and really think things through. While we all may not agree on how invasive the virtual strip search and pat downs are, I think each and every person has a limit to how much they would be willing to put up with.
What would you say if it were you and they decided they needed you to come to the back room for a strip search because for whatever reason they suspected something after the pat down? What about an anal probe cause they suspected you hiding something? When you decided the invasiveness of their procedures is enough for YOU and you when you question or object you are detained, handcuffed, and escorted out of the airport by multiple (who cares if she exaggerated the numbers). You just as this woman should be furious that while you broke no laws you are treated like a criminal.
The line was crossed for myself when after opting out and not having a problem with secondary, they attempt to separate me from my valuable possessions that have just been xrayed. Lucky for myself the secondary agent was accommodating but the situation could have just as easily became much worse, just as it has for this young woman. It could have gotten very ugly if an agency without any police powers attempted to detain me and separate me from my possessions and not allow me to just leave the airport on my free will.
I hope many of the people standing up for the TSA in this situation will re-think this matter. Regardless of how exaggerated her original story was, there are great injustices being done. And if you do not fly and have to deal with the TSA you just need to keep your mouth shut. Offline too many people that don't fly have tried to debate these issues with myself (who flies quite regularly) and I assume some of the commenters here are the same.
This woman is an activist trying to start trouble. http://freekeene.com/2010/08/24/meg-for-sale/
TSA is just doing their job, usually people who opt out of security measures have something to hide. Im guessing drugs, due to her distorted sense of reality.
The youtube video of the cctv camera has like 90,000 something views and not comments. I'm guessing TSA is only getting negative comments and since they have the comment approval option on, they are refusing any anti TSA comments.
So Bob, do you censor messages because they contain the term "felt up" or is it just a question of sampling - one in every three makes it through?
The most egregious part of her claim is that her ticket was torn up. I have two questions:
1) Were any of her travel documents torn up by a TSA employee or agent?
2) It is TSA policy to tear up travel documents?
These are both yes or no questions, and entirely factual. There's no national security reason not to answer them.
Anonymous said...
"Let's ask this. How many terrorists have the TSA caught? 0. Zero. None."
It is not TSAs job to catch terrorists, that job belongs to the FBI, ICE, CIA, and other agencies. TSA does find about 10 guns per day at checkpoints across the nation (http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/08/guns-are-no-fun-at-checkpoint.html) and has found millions of other weapons that may or may not have been intended for criminal use or terrorist "dry runs".
Average number of aircraft hijackings world wide per year prior to 9/11: 41 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_hijacking)
Total number of hijackings of aircraft screened by TSA since agency inception: Zero.
One would be hard pressed to state that the complete absence of aircraft hijackings since TSA is only "coincidence". You can call it security or security theater, but it appears to be working.
TSA's policies and procedures need major overhaul. The screeners need more training. TSA needs to implement security procedures that make sense. Those statements are absolutely correct, but the conspicuous lack of hijackings and the millions of prohibited items that TSA has discovered shows me that the system is working. It needs to be fine tuned, but it is working.
Embellished story or not, security theater is ridiculous. You're no safer than you were before 9/11.
My dad had to throw out sealed pudding because the TSA has arbitrarily ruled pudding to be a danger to airline security. How ridiculous.
You're 11 times more likely to be struck by lightning than die in an airplane based terrorist attack, so why are we hassling people and spending billions of dollars on this crap?
The TSA is a joke.
Was this person a threat to the security of an aircraft and its passengers? Was she carrying weapons or explosives? If not, what's the point?
Congratulations -- you successfully intimidated someone who wasn't a threat to anyone or anything, and prevented her from flying.
The TSA has lost all connection to its mandate.
Bob. She's definitely handcuffed.
Bob? Are you there? Can we get any response?
Who cares how long it was? The agents had no evidence of wrongdoing and in the video this passenger did nothing illegal. So the virtual strip search wasn't authorized by the 4th Amendment. Period. End of story. The TSA is 100% wrong and the passenger is 100% right. No gray area, no second guessing.
The TSA should simply apologize and fire those responsible. Get a search warrant, form a judge next time. If the body scan shows no evidence of wrong doing, pay restitution.
TSA has gone too far in violating our civil rights. It has truly turned me off flying altogether. I too would have opted out of the scan. I hope the TSA realizes that people are going to stop flying over this.
Absolutely she is not telling the truth - no handcuffs - no groping - no yelling at her. One TSA officer even offers her a papertowel for her tears. She was escorted out by two officers because she refused to be screened. Little Miss Meg is not helping the cause at all by her hyperbolic explanation of the event.
Meg McClain followed up on-air yesterday (Thursday Nov. 11, 2010) on these videos saying they are only showing part of the interaction.
She was later moved to another chair which is not shown on these videos. This part of her encounter is not shown. She also clarifies that she meant other people were not secondarily screened in the area she was in during the time she was there.
The problems with the videos she claims they do not encompass the entire time frame and are also at angles that didn’t cover everything. The arm pulling is blocked by the imaging machine.
No time stamps seems very suspicious for footage in a multi-million dollar security operation, perhaps inconceivable. Even simple convenience stores and gas stations have them. Perhaps it was cropped out and part of the image was zoomed in.
You can listen to her response to questions about her story here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/ftl/FTL2010-11-11.mp3
(She starts at 1:23:30 into the audio)
She also refers to her website if you want to follow up with additional information from her:
http://freekeene.com/
WHERE IS THE TIME STAMP? Why would you believe you now TSA? You have repeatedly lied in the past.
Sure looks like she is handcuffed when she's led off in the second video, and she's clearly being detained by both TSOs and what I presume are local LEOs.
What happens after she's led off. Maybe you handcuffed her to a chair then? These videos prove absolutely nothing.
By the way, how do you decide which TSOs get the body armor, and do you really think it will do any good against explosives, or do you just like the intimidation factor?
It looks to me like several TSA agents ganged up on and terrified a young woman. It absolutely confirms her story.
Perhaps you should release the rest of the videos. Anyone who flys though that airport can see the multiple cameras positioned in the security area. Got something to hide TSA?
I do not respect TSA agents and the smoke and mirror job they are doing to make is feel safe. I hate flying and TSA is the sole reason.
Now, having said that.....this young woman appears to be quite a story teller.
She claims she was crying and had nothing to wiper face with. Clearly not true, TSA superviosr gave her a paper towel.
She claims 12 police officers. I counted 4 and they seemed very disinterested in what is going on.
I have studied the videos closely, no handcuffs are ever visable.
When she concocted her story, guess she didn't know about the cameras.
Those of you who keep whining "no time stamp"..her version accts for the time we see, not the 1 hr she claims. She probably thought she was there longer than she actually was and I can see why she felt intimidated....but she needs to tell the true story.
So did your agent tear up her ticket or not? Was she marched out of the airport or not? I don't have the ability to see footage that's off to the side of the camera. : (
I listened to the show where she described her ordeal.
Pretty interesting. After having heard her story, I figured there *HAD* to be another side of the story.
To my count, I saw at least 12 others go through the AIT. Some underwent secondary screening, others did not. At no point were there any 'poking, proding or twisting' of any upper body parts of the female passengers who were screened.
I counted at most maybe 4 Officers with the young lady, but they appeared only after she opted out of AIT Screening and then the Supervisor came over to answer her questions. I even saw at one point she was offered a paper towel to try and help he keep her composure.
I havn't seen the second video yet (net congestion).
Not exactly sure what happened to this woman but I do know that during an invasive opt-out pat-down that happened to me at the PHX airport in February, the male TSA agent conducting the pat-down did in fact touch my penis. You can say it was inadvertent or you can say it was part of the procedure - all I am saying is that it was highly offensive to me and as a result I no longer fly. I refuse to be subjected to this type of irrational and irresponsible conduct all in the name of air safety. More efforts should be placed on inspecting cargo than on American citizens traveling to see grandma.
At the time it all started, did not see any of the officers molesting her or dragged her for that matter. She was sitting down on the chair and her bag was brought to her and was placed in front of her so she can see them. She said she was handcuffed, didn't see any handcuffs there. She seemed to have been pampered coz one of the officers was giving her paper towels to wipe off her tears. She said she was the "only one" selected to go through the machine but if you watch the background, a lot of people were going through the machine. She was the only one attracting attention to herself. I did not see her ticket ripped off either. What does this say??? Too much attention from media, we used to have great news and great media... Now, it's more of a joke because they will just cover anything and about anything even things are not reliable... Can we even trust the media to deliver us reliable news?
I have attempted to post 4 times and not ne has been allowed. Why because I am saying I will never fly again or because I am saying I will stand up to the oppression if confronted by it. one has to wonder how many comments this thread would have if you were not so sensitive.
"Certainly disobedience is a threat to the government. In other parts of the world it has spilled over into protests and riots. We don't want that to happen here."
There's a huge protest against the TSA building as I type. Mr. Pistole says it's "irresponsible."
We say "Too bad, Mr. Pistole. We've had enough of the TSA and we have drawn our line in the sand."
i find it interesting that all of the other people going through this security queue during this video have their privacy violated by the release of the video on the internet, why not blotch out their faces before the release?
After watching both videos I failed to see where she said they handcuffed here to the chair in front of passengers.
In the second video was just a continuation of first. It was just a different angle. People who are so worried about the time stamp there didn't need to be one. Anyone who flies these days knows that at some airports the exit is right next to the where the screening is.
From what I could see I watch 3 times she was never handcuffed she was detained and it seems to me she started the problem. She was arguing with them. They gave her 2 options to be scanned or to be patted down she from the looks of it refused both.
Where did they tear up her boarding pass.
Next she was not escorted by 10 people out. As a matter of fact one of the gentleman still had her boarding pass in his hand in one piece when they escorted her out. They probably tore up her boarding pass after they left because her flight had left. 30 min she was fighting with them. How many people went through the scanner and got patted down. No questions asked.
If she (or anyone else for that matter) do not like getting patted down or scanned then maybe she/they should think about driving or catching a bus next time.
It seems like this went on for 25 minutes, which could certainly seem like an hour!
I want a clear statement from the TSA.
Does the TSA deny handcuffing her to the chair?
Does the TSA deny tearing up her ticket?
The video is really useless.
the tsa has set up a checkpoint for security before the airplanes, you chose to go through the screening when you get in line at the queing area. it is up to you to choice if you want to go through or not. you can make the negative blogs you want about what they are doing but it is YOUR choice to go through it or not, end of story. if you dont like what they are doing then dont go through.
TSA: Doing terrorists' work for them. Hope you're proud.
While I am not a fan of either the "enhanced" pat downs or the "naked" scanners this lady's story is total bunk.
She said she was handcuffed, she was not.
She said she was there for an hour, it was just over 10 minutes.
She said there is twisting of breasts, she was never inspected.
She said the TSA called in 12 police officers, there were only TSA officers there.
She said the TSA officer tore up her ticket, didn't happen.
She and the station alleged she was chosen because she was "hot", if you watch the video and the average person going through the scanner was male and well over 200 pounds.
Thanks for posting the videos.
Frequent Traveler
Gotta love the way the agents in the first video just happen to stand just outside of the view of the camera, and in the second she is led to chairs where you can't see her because there are signs in the way.
And of course there is zero video of where she was led to or what happened there.
When will people stop and realize that, as a government agency, what the TSA is doing is a clear violation of freedom from unreasonable searches?
Wow. Anyone else see a problem with the federal government using its power to target a private citizen. This is truly frightening.
In clip 1, she isn't cuffed. In clip two, it appears her hands are elevated to her chest as she walks into the frame, indicating that she is cuffed. The angle chosen makes it difficult to see anything in clip 2 suggesting they are trying to hide the fact she is cuffed.
Events clearly transpired between clip 1 and 2 but there's no way to determine what nor how much time transpired.
No doubt facts were omitted on both sides here, but TSA being accountable to the public has a greater burden of proof and hasn't provided it.
Dear TSA,
I don't need Uncle Sam to provide for every aspect of my safety. Arm the pilots, make their cockpit door strong, add some air marshals on certain flights, use metal detectors, sniff and swipe us for explosive residues if your want, do your best to make sure the plane works, and I'll be glad to take my chances against minuscule risks of Al-Qaida.
Looking under my kids' clothes and touching their private parts is not adding any additional security, and it's seriously degrading our remaining freedoms.
"People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both." - Ben Franklin
Thanks,
Jim Hoerner
This is my first comment here and probably my last. I'm just astounded by those who say that the videos disprove the woman's story. They obviously haven't downloaded and analyzed the videos in detail. Nor have they thought through what's obviously happening on the basic Youtube versions. The very poor video quality makes analysis challenging. The fact that the first video appears to have been processed before posting doesn't help.
First, there are no timestamps. We have no idea of the overall timeline without them. The low frame rate makes it difficult to detect gaps at times. The two videos taken together could plausibly be the actual timeline, but timestamps would give us a better idea.
Second, only half of the events shown take place on the first video. In that video, clearly the lady in the black vest takes an intimidating body stance and presentation toward the targeted individual. Only the woman dressed all in black who provides the paper towels seems remotely interested in the targeted individual's distressed state of mind. For those that asked, I believe that the woman in the white pants is the TSA manager for that airport. I base that on the fact that she's not in a uniform, has no comm device other than her cell phone, she stays mostly in the background, and others defer to her.
Third, very little can be said about what happens during the second video. The camera angle is next to useless. The targeted individual is out of sight almost the entire time. She could have been handcuffed to a chair, her ticket torn, etc., during this period with time to spare. The video certainly doesn't dispel her story. TSA hasn't explicitly denied her story, either.
Lastly, careful frame-by-frame analysis shows that the targeted individual is clearly in handcuffs as she's escorted out of the area at the end of the second video. That makes her story that she was handcuffed to a chair quite plausible. She could conceivably have been handcuffed during the entire second video while she's not visible. Again, there's certainly no way to disprove that from the video. Someone commented that the TSA was helpful by carrying her stuff. The targeted individual could NOT carry her own stuff while in handcuffs. No courtesy involved.
TSA Bob implies that these videos cover the entire period in question and therefore the targeted individual's timeline of an hour is wrong. Perhaps it is, but it's hard to say without timestamps. Even if the video record is complete, her ordeal would have been about 33 minutes. Given that she's clearly crying for a significant portion of the first video and could have been handcuffed during most if not all of the second video, it probably seemed like forever to her. We shouldn't be surprised that she may be off on the total elapsed time of the incident by a significant margin.
While I applaud TSA for releasing these videos, they don't come close to supporting the TSA, nor do they directly verify all aspects of the targeted woman's story. And I'm sure that her distressed state made it seem like more officials were present than we sitting in our comfortable living quarters can readily count. But, the fact that she is not visible for almost the entire second video but is clearly in handcuffs when escorted out at the end hints that at least much of her story remains plausible.
While its great that the TSA had video to refute this woman's claims. Why is it when an employee seriously screws up does the TSA get to hide behind privacy laws so we never know the outcome of the actions taken against the employee. We know the outcome of internal investigations that involve police officers, as a public agency the TSA should have the same level of public scrutiny.
Where are the time stamps? Why are her wrists together as she is being escorted out? If she was free to go, she would have carried her own stuff. I cannot believe TSA does not time stamp their videos. SOmehting very bogus on teh TSA end here.
this video obvious shows that she exaggerated the whole the thing because you see she is sitting there crying and her hands are moving around so not handcuffed. and as for the people saying the this isn't neccasary as soon as another 9/11 happens then you will be crying for things to happen they are trying to be proactive and not reactive. TSA innocent she should be charged with something if anything for wasting thier time one her!!!
So what you're saying is that we are to assume whatever happened within view of your frighfully inadequate security camera coverage must constitute the entirety of the incident. I think any reasonable person could construe that there is plenty that could have occured off camera.
Bob,
The TSA quickly released the video of the incident. In the interest of transparency and the truth, the TSA should release the written reports of the incident made by the TSO's who where involved.
A government that considers its citizens no better than cattle. Worse. Not even the children are respected.
Why has the government devolved to a "us against them" mentality? If a citizen did to the TSO what the TSO does to a citizen, could that citizen be charged with assault?
Here are a list of things that were clearly proven as lies from the video footage:
1. No TSA officer grabbed her arm when leading her to the screening area.
2. She was NOT the only random person asked to go through the AIT. People were going through it continually before and after she refused.
3. She was NOT cuffed to her chair in the screening area like she claimed.
4.Her possetions were with her through out the screening.
5. The pat down of a female does NOT involve any twisting or squeezing of the breasts...the old pat down or the new one.
6. She said there was no other screening done while she was there, but i saw several people patted down at the AIT machine, and no one else refused as she did so they didn't have to have the full pat down. The AIT machine puts a stop to many of the patdowns that had to be done before.
7. She claimed that she was sobbing and couldn't even wipe her eyes...and i saw an officer give her a paper towel just for that reason (she didn't have to..she was being nice)
8. I guess it can't be proven with out sound, but i would be willing to bet that there wasn't any "yelling" going on since i saw the original officer using a whisper radio to contact another officer about the refusal.
9. She claims there was a mob of TSA officers. I could see no more than 4 at one time, and that is for just an occation as this. When a passenger gets upset we need witnesses to protect us as we have learned in this event.
10. She said there were a dozen police officers. I saw 3!
11. The radio host seemed to think that she was chosen because she was an attractive female....but clearly the bulk of people who came through the AIT the whole video were men.
As i listened to the radio show on youtube i saw all of the "no fly" propaganda. If this is how the public feels then by all means, hop in the car and have an old fashioned road trip, or ride the bus instead of flying. Most of the complaints come from regular travelers who will continue to travel and continue to complain.
There are plenty of pleasant travelers every day that I enjoy having come through the airport, and they don't complain about the security. These people are the reason I come to work every day.
From what I've experienced and witnessed at checkpoints and during gate searches, the TSA personnel involved are just looking for an excuse to make a scene. Situations that could be handled with ordinary civility and just a smidgen of discretion get turned into public spectacles. The screeners act like they're trying to inflame the situation as much as possible.
The early days of this blog contain many accounts of passengers being surrounded (IOW, ganged up on) by multiple TSA workers. I seriously doubt the TSA would tolerate a bunch of passengers surrounding one of their "officers" and yelling at them. The whole lot would probably be arrested and charged with assault of a Federal "officer".
Currently, what should be a simple opt out can get turned into a production worthy of a warship going to battle stations. WE HAVE AN OPT OUT! WE HAVE AN OPT OUT! GENERAL QUARTERS. GENERAL QUARTERS. ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS. The only thing missing is the bong-bong-bong of the general alarm. (Apologies to my fellow Navy personnel, past and present -- a warship going to GQ operates with far more organization and professionalism.)
Stories like this one get so much traction because the passenger's account is consistent with what so many people have experienced and read about. If the TSA had a reputation for courtesy and efficiency instead of a reputation for being a bunch of ego-tripping, bureaucratic jerks, these stories would lack credibility.
I've invoked Master Yoda on this blog before -- "fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering". The TSA relies excessively on fear and intimidation in its dealings with the passengers, and is reaping what it has sown.
The passengers are not the enemy, but by treating them as such, the TSA has earned the enmity of the passengers. Also, with its inability to get its act together on the basics (valid forms of id, for example), why should we trust the TSA with its far more invasive aspects?
Mark
qui custodiet ipsos custodes
Totally confirms her story. Nothing inconsistent with what she said TSA did to her TSA is the bully. TSA guilty as charged. TSA is a joke abid waste of money and needs to be disbanded Let all of the TSA employees ex-pay go to reducing the federal spending
she may have lied but it doesn't mean that it still isn't a violation of your privacy AND those machines DO release radiation if exposed to multiple times on a daily basis like the pilots will create health problems. There will still be a boycott and the airlines will lose millions for it. Thank You TSA for the truth on this story but it doesn't resolve the other issues.
civil disobedience is the only way this stuff will be solved with the tsa. they think we are sheep good luck on that one.
Amazing footage, you can clearly see the girl wanting some answers and you can clearly see the attitude on the faces of the TSA agents. TSA you should not have posted this as it seems to confirm what we are already thinking.
Why do you still pretend we can opt our of your cancer machines and request a pat-down?
No comment on the man you arrested and fined $10,000 for trying to opt-out?
http://johnnyedge.blogspot.com/2010/11/these-events-took-place-roughly-between.html
More lies from Fatherland Security.
The video clearly contradicts her account of what happened. She is dishonest and all of those who are on here supporting her have their own agenda and will deny the obvious truth just to reinforce their own bogus opinions and beliefs.
To the people claiming that she was wearing handcuffs when being escorted out of the security checkpoint, if you go to when she enters the checkpoint around the 1:19-1:28 minute mark of the video, you will also see she holds her hands in the same manner as if she is handcuffed and is clearly wearing a silver bracelet of some sort on her right wrist but not on her left. Same as when she is leaving. This was a setup on her part for PR I guarantee it!!!!!!!!!
Nothing in the video confirms her (elaborate) story to any extent. Get a life people. She's as loony as the lady who claimed "TSA stole my son"...get real. Pssshh
'splain this one away Blogger Bob
This U.S. senate subcommittee ((http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=AviationOperationsSafetyandSecurity) holds a TSA Oversight hearing on November 17th. Contact your senator; make your voice heard.
"Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety , deserve neither liberty nor safety ." Benjamin Franklin ........so what you are trying to say was....good ole Benny was wrong ?
If I had to guess I would almost guarantee that the lady was probably hiding drugs on her. The hand gestures that she makes are not of a person who is upset about being pated down, she is an on air radio personality and probably not very shy. She is nervous that they are going to find something on her. She probably assumed that she would be able to sneak it through screening by placing it in her pocket and not setting off the metal detector, and then got scared when she was selected for the imaging. She wanted to get to her bags so she could put it in them before it was discovered.
Shame on all you people who still wanna believe her after those videos have been shown...The only thing she said true is that there were more than one officer there with her...She should be sued for slander of TSA...And TSA doesnt use handcuff by the way..
If you watch the first video closely, she walks into the screening area with her hands as though she is cuffed- just like when she is exiting. She is clearly not cuffed entering and clearly not cuffed exiting. When taken to the second screening area if you follow her closely- she never sits down. You see the top of her head the entire time. Unless cuffed while standing- she is a liar. Also, the TSA officers carry her items out for her because she was NEVER screened. Until you are screened and clear, you cannot touch your items. They were brought to her and placed in front of her throughout the process. At no time does anyone remove them. Again...Liar! Opting out was not the problem here- it was the fact that she didn't want ANY form of screening. That was how it became an issue.
I'm glad to know that video of myself getting a patdown might be posted to Youtube by the TSA if they think it helps their case in a matter of another passenger.
Does the woman getted patted down at 5:22 in the first video know you posted that to YouTube?
Great way to respect privacy.
Did you get her permission to put video of her online for the public to view? It seems like you're opening up yourself to a lawsuit...
PART 2/2
By this time, our little chat has attracted the attention of a supervisor. (We just call them supervisors, as they work for us. They don't get fancy acronyms and toy badges to play with).
The screener (see, just a screener, not some fake 'officer') asked the supervisor if he could show me the image, as I didn't want to go through the machine. No, he can't see the image says the supervisor.
So my man the screener tries a few efforts to tell me it's safe, and actually admitted that the IMAGES THE MACHINES ORIGINALLY DISPLAYED WERE TOO DETAILED and the MACHINEs HAVE BEEN ARTIFICIALLY REDUCED IN RESOLUTION. (At least here in Canada - god knows how much juice they are sending through you poor sods) So TSA, love to year your SPIN on that INCONVENIENT TRUTH
Anyway, Mr Screener kept trying to convince me to give it a whirl, and I kept politely insisting on the enhanced pat down. All the while Mr. Supervisor is saying "just give him the pat down" to no effect. All very polite and pleasant, and I was hoping that the innocent travelers behind me were taking note of this, and hopefully will begin to question our capitulation to our scared neighbours to the south themselves.
So, eventually I got my enhanced pat-down, politely and relatively noninvasive, all the while the screener was saying how he understood my objections and didn't personally agree with the security theater either. In fact, I don't think he was very happy having to touch my junk. But c'est la vie.
Wish I got to see the images though.
As far as people opting out, it is their right to. They can just leave. TSA wants to file a civil suit against people that dont want to be groped? What a crock. $10,000 fine? Are you serious? I do not remember when the government took over the airlines. This is public transportation, NOT GOVERNMENT transportation!! STEP OFF TSA.
What is going on in this video? Obviously the woman is lying, but once she refused the patdown at 1:30, she should have been sent back out the entrance. Why is she sitting around crying? Why are the police called over? Why are TSA agents carrying her luggage instead of her carrying her own luggage?
A passenger only needs to be told once, they can be screened or they can leave. These 3 TSA agents who talk to the woman for 15 minutes could have opened an additional lane to get the line moving. I bet the rest of the "hour" was the time the lady spent waiting in line with the other Thousands Standing Around.
Excellent work, TSA, showing some transparency in your operation by releasing camera footage. Now will you release the footage of the
the people assaulted and stripped by TSA people?
Oh, maybe it doesn't work both ways...
The entire issue is based upon whether we are free citizens under the constitution with right to travel freely without being treated like a criminal or terrorist. Clearly, TSA has proven that they have abused the constitutional rights of all Amerian citizens. This will be addressed by the new Congress when they take office in January. Meantime peaceful protest are in order.
Do Representatives and Senators and their families have to go through stripsearch/frisk process?
I have just one question for you. Why do you hate air travelers so much?
Bob,
I've been watching all the CCTV and You Tube videos (like this one with a sobbing, screaming child: http://youtu.be/2TCHSGvNwRY), and I think - the terrorist are winning. They are forcing us to expend an enormous amount of resources (both in terms of capital and also in terms of human emotion) with very little effort.
There must be a better way.
You should be ashamed of your agency and the actions they are taking to "protect" Americans. Why don't you respond to what authority you have to unreasonably touch passengers and look at them in the nude. I can't wait until congress starts acting on this.
It would be nice for people to understand that you are not going to cry your way past the security checkpoint. If you put your bags on the belt, you have just agreed to have them screened. If you don't like the screening process, you are not required to undergo a physical pat down or body scan. However, you will not be allowed to enter the airport beyond that point. This girl had an agenda and did not think that this video would come out.
Yet another case of TSA abuse. Any response / excuses for this one? http://bit.ly/tsa-abuse
Well one thing is clear there is no clear view of the area. I have seen better camera angles on Ghost hunters! I don't believe TSA for a second about the video. TSA is a joke with power over wether you fly commercial. I blame congress for this mess. If Pelosi had to submit to just one patdown you can bet that would be the end of it.
I drive and fly private until the government hacks figure out who the enemy is.
The TSA needs to be abolished. These so-called threats are ridiculous and very nearly laughable. I would rather live with the threat of terrorism than put up with these over-the-top, intrusive, and abusive actions by yet another bloated federal agency and it's stooges. What's worse is listening to the excuses thrown out in defense of these attacks on the traveling public by TSA's paid apologists in the media and their TSA media spokespoeple such as Blogger Bob. I won't be flying again anytime soon, and I hope the vast majority of the public will refuse to fly as well. Your more likely to be struck by lightning than becoming a victim of terrorism, with or without the TSA.
Chill out people. Smile a little.
Thank God TSA screwed up so badly in the past few weeks that they will undoubtedly be dismantled by the government in near future. Americans won't stand for this type of oppression. If a TSA person decided to do an "enhanced pat-down" and try to feel the crotch of my wife or daughters, I would probably be in jail after I defended my family.
I think one major improvement in privacy concerns is to put the person looking at the x-rays in a separate location (they don't even need to be at the airport) so they neither see the actual face/identity of the person they are scanning nor have any choice in who is chosen to get screened. If they find something they can communicate it to a person on site by a simple typed message or a VoIP/phone connection. This will go a great distance towards minimizing a person's embarrassment since the person seeing the x-ray has no idea who they are and has no possible ulterior motive for choosing them out of a crowd since they weren't involved in the process. It would work even better if you get a computer to make the random choice for "random" screenings. If they are at another location they don't even have to be aware of which airport the passenger is at, with that degree of separation between the person's identity and the image, it would go a long way towards fixing a lot of justifiable objections to people's privacy.
I fly all the time and I'm not comfortable with either procedure on top of all the other anxiety one goes through flying. I think we blow the security concerns way overboard when people are far more at risk driving to the airport, while I realize the TSA has a job to do, it needs to find a good balance between letting people keep their liberty to travel freely in side our borders without undue search or seizure and minimizing security risks. I sometimes wonder if what we sacrifice in the name of "safety" isn't just defeating the point since we are sacrificing what we fight to protect, the TSA doesn't seem to acknowledge this at all, they just find something new to do and do it with no regard for the free culture and privacy we value as Americans.
The sad thing is that TSA actually has a blog which allows all these anti-TSA people a forum to express their hatred for an agency that they really know nothing about. Does any other federal agency have such a blog? Of course not, because it is ridiculous. People, please understand, you DO NOT have the RIGHT to fly. You DO NOT have the RIGHT to dictate how you are screened. If you don't like it, shut up and don't fly. The anti-TSA people who routinely post on this blog are the epitome of what is wrong with our society. A bunch of spoiled, pampered, narrow-minded people who are not nearly as smart or well-informed as they think they are and who think they are actually owed something. Almost all of the anti-TSA people who post on this blog are completely ignorant of the Rights and Laws which govern our country and the people who live in it. Couple that with a clear lack of common sense and you've got a pretty unintelligent group of people. The TSA needs to develop a backbone and stop trying to appease these immature, negative people who falsely believe they are entitled to something they're not.
@8675309 said...
Average number of aircraft hijackings world wide per year prior to 9/11: 41 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_hijacking)
Total number of hijackings of aircraft screened by TSA since agency inception: Zero.
One would be hard pressed to state that the complete absence of aircraft hijackings since TSA is only "coincidence". You can call it security or security theater, but it appears to be working.
------
Talk about misleading. 41 was the average worldwide from 1968 and 1977 according to your link... Your own link later states that from 1988-1997 the average worldwide had since shrunk to 18... there's no post 1997 averages either.
Also that's WORLDWIDE, not a US Statistic which makes your other comments about TSA working silly.
Prior to 9/11 there hadn't been a hijacking of a commercial airliner that I can find since the 70's when an American hijacked United 696 I wouldn't say there's anymore evidence that TSA is working now than the whole period between 1980-2000 where it was "working".
Ignoring the content, why on earth would you post CCTV video to YouTube? Are you just completely insane?
I don't even know what her story is, but after seeing that you posted video here I'm inclined to believe her.
I want to know what I can do to protect myself from passengers who now refuse to go through scanning devices or pat-downs. I do not want to be on a flight with any of these people.
Napolitano avoided a question from CNS News today about whether or not Muslim women in hijabs would be subjected to "full body" pat downs. She did not answer yes or no. She only said that there would be "adjustments" and "more to come" on this issue. She appears to be caving to CAIR. My question is this - Should I stock up on hijabs for my family or should I expect that every stinking person boarding a plane will be treated the same?
I have never thought this, nor said this, but after what I have seen, heard, and read about you guys, I have come to the conclusion that I do not like your agency and want nothing to do with you. I do not believe in a 9/11 conspiracy theory. I do believe in the need for security. I was not rioting in the streets when we went into Afghanistan and Iraq. But I don't like you people. You are a disgrace to the American way. I can only hope that at some point in the future, some administration shuts you down or completely restructures your agency. Somehow, I don't think that will happen, so I'll just rest on the fact that I will never like your agency. Your credibility with the public has been severely damaged. Congratulations. I know you guys don't care anyway.
She steps out of the frame and it ends. How does this video prove anything???
It's amazing the TSA would think these videos make their case. She is pretty obviously wearing handcuffs at the end of the second video, which you can see even through the bad video quality.
It's an outrage that you would do such a thing to her, and perhaps more of an outrage that you think everyone is so stupid, you can post a video assuming that no one will watch it through to the end.
And I'm sorry, we're supposed to TRUST you to protect us? You can't even look at a video of your own people and see what is happening. My goodness.
Congratulations, you handcuffed and abused a nice young lady. We are all safer for your efforts. Or we're not. One of those two, for sure.
Wow, Bob, you haven't updated in awhile. You feeling all right? Is it because there's nothing to write about? I mean, it's not as if TSA has been in the news...
So now are we going to see your release of video to contradict John Tyner accusation of your threat of a $10k civil suit?
The problem with TSA is that their attitude to their job is to over react to any perceived deviation from 'expected behaviour', even when that behaviour is foreseeable- even if rare. Is is really so difficult to foresee that some people may react strongly to your new pat down / scanning procedures and to develop policies to deal with these cases in a a professional and consistent manner?
Take for example the videos you just released. Take away the subsequent accusations she made and just look at the videos on their own merit. Are the actions of the Agents you can see consistent with the actions of competent professionals carrying out a known and workable procedure firmly, calmly and effectively? Well I don’t , and it scares me that you thought that releasing this this video was an exoneration of your agents behaviour.
Do you seriously believe that this is a good example of TSA in action? Because if you do then we come to the core of the problem right there!
It does seem TSA is at risk of any organized terrorists to see this and know they could send one decoy in, and distract every Agent there and slip by unnoticed under all the commotion.
As for these new rules with body scans and pat downs, well I guess I won't be using any public transportation nor will any of my children or family ever again.
Blogger Bob and his TSA bosses are destroying what made this nation great by using their positions of authority to publicly ridicule citizens for standing up for their rights.
TSA is a disaster. The entire agency should be disbanded and replaced by a sensible organization that places security ahead of security theater, and privacy ahead of ridicule.
Care to explain this, Bob?
http://gizmodo.com/5690749/
One Hundred Naked Citizens: One Hundred Leaked Body Scans
Still going to keep up with the blatant LIE that your porno machines don't have the capability to store images for the later prurient enjoyment of TSA personnel?
I love this quote from THIS website.
"Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. They will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary."
I'm parying for the day the TSA is dissolved.
Useless money pit making noting safer and liberty no-existent.
so bob, is it an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars to investigate and fine John Tyner for standing up to your brown, I mean blue shirts?
just askin'.
say, how's your German?
Bloger Bob, the TSA does not get it, Americans hate tyranny of any type more than terrorism. Right now the TSA is the terror entity more threatening to security than Al Queda. Stop the Madness of the TSA and DHS.
Sincerely,
a citizen not a suspect
These videos are a joke. Get a clue, TSA.
Forget this story, the photo of the little old nun being intimately groped by the muslim TSA woman in a hi-jab was enough for me to change my flight plans and book with amtrak.
I'm also going to by stock in Amtrak, since I am very sure I'm not the only one to cancel flight plans at this point.
I will never fly again.
So let me get this straight.
So because she complained about the TSA, you publicly shame the woman?
This is the most immature response associated with a government agency I have ever seen. Hands down.
(PS: TSA is useless when it comes to scanning and security prior to getting on the plane - I'm sure there's more to it, but up to that point all you do is piss off americans who'd like to see the TSA and highschool education folks begone).
I laugh at all the posts that state "why only 15 minutes", "why the angle", why this and that. My question is why does TSA have to really prove anything???? They don’t. Clearly this lady just thought, like many others, that flying is a given right and not a privilege and that anyone and everyone should fly without being screened or questioned. You should fly out of many other airports outside the U.S. and this would make you appreciate what happens here. You get questioned for several hours and almost a strip search may occur and NO ONE says anything. Since the creation of TSA we have not have any aircraft blown up in the middle of the Pacific, Atlantic or over our nation's land because TSA is doing their job! If you do not want to get "harassed" or "molested" (cry, cry, cry) then you may choose a different form of transportation. Thanks TSA for what you do and keeping terrorists away and keeping our sky safe!
Weather or not this person exaggerated is, for me, beside the point. How far will these invasive security screenings go. Now it's backscatter or inappropriate genital contact.
Will you be adding full cavity searches? How about DNA testing? Or polygraph? How about sedating all the passengers?
Why does the forth amendment not apply? Was there probable cause? Was a warrant issued?
I have called my senator and left a message about how upset I am about these escalating searches. I have nothing to hide but apparently I have a lot to fear.
"The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. The amendment specifically also requires search and arrest warrants be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause. It was adopted as a response to the abuse of the writ of assistance, which is a type of general search warrant, in the American Revolution. Search and arrest should be limited in scope according to specific information supplied to the issuing court, usually by a law enforcement officer, who has sworn by it.
(Normally I'd identify myself but history has shown that even a mild protest like this can get you added to somebody's list. History repeats.)
Wow! Those dozen of my public employees should have stripped-searched and sexually groped the obvious terrorist. That'll make us all feel so much safer. Oh, they do that anyway? Then charge that up-ity terrorist $10,000. That'll make us all feel so much safer. Oh well... at least beat her to death so we'll feel much safer in the "security" our taxes by from the TSA. Replace the TSA monstrosity with trained dogs.
Bob, Bob, Bob, you didn't show the whole video. We know you're lying. You know we'll search for the truth. Silly, silly, Bobby
So is it standard issue for TSA to speed up the video to shorten the time, or did you just do that to try and discredit the woman? Gee I wonder. I havent heard or watched her story, but yours is already a skewed lie.
She was detained 20 minutes. I see nothing that contradicts her story. I can not see if she is handcuffed or not??? So she may have been?? What is contradicted her. I think the number of people surrounding her is actually more than she said. I would be terrified!
Everybody wants to have it easy and not have to follow the rules of security. When a plane blows up in the skies over a major city, killing your innocent children,then you will all be crying talking about why did TSA do more to stop this type of thing from happening. Its a different world were living in now.
I would like to see you all go to other countries where airport security carries machine guns and try to talk back to them. You would either be shot or thrown into jail before you can blink.
You all have it easy in the USA.
Wow. Blatant lies here--go to www.wewontfly.com, where you will see video of her handcuffed.
Anonymous said...
Did you get her permission to put video of her online for the public to view? It seems like you're opening up yourself to a lawsuit...
November 15, 2010 9:41 AM
....................
TSA and its employees seem to think they are above the law.
Constant Constitutional violations and violations of peoples civil rights only makes TSA happy.
Perhaps TSA is going to learn a lesson over the next few weeks on what happens when abusive actions finally tick the public off enough to take action.
Based on professional experience the US laws are very abusive. And this only ensures that I will never fly to or over the US (again). Business will be conducted in Canada if required.
TSA officers dont even carry handcuffs so how can she be handcuffed by TSA.
Its a lot of confusion out there by someone who just want to make a quick dollar and get free publicity.
Your average TSA officer are just doing what they were told to do by people higher up in government.
The politicians who make the laws.
TSA officers have a job to do and thats what they are going to do.
When your home with family enjoying your lives this holiday TSA is out there working day and night to keep you safe.
Anonymous said...
The sad thing is that TSA actually has a blog which allows all these anti-TSA people a forum to express their hatred for an agency that they really know nothing about. Does any other federal agency have such a blog? Of course not, because it is ridiculous.
************
I found these U.S. government agnecy blogs without even trying hard.
White House - http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog\
Office of Management & Budget - http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/blog
FBI - http://www.fbi.gov/news/news_blog
Southern Command - http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/Blog.php
State Department - http://blogs.state.gov/
Department of Energy - http://blog.energy.gov/
Agriculture Department - http://blogs.usda.gov/
Army - http://armylive.dodlive.mil/
Navy - http://navylive.dodlive.mil/
First time here, I find this blog to be pure propaganda. It seems as if the supporters of TSA are plants.
"Then don't fly"????
Have you people not watched the recent elections? The public is finished with gubmit forcing things we don't want down their throats.
We don't want naked pictures of us taken and we don't want to be groped. What is it about that, you don't get. We are not going to stand for this. The machines are destined for the scrap heap and TSA will be privatized and groping will be forbidden.
I'm wondering if any of these people claiming how much worse it is to deal with security in other countries have ever actually done it. I have, and have found them to at worst be the same as the TSA. They are generally polite to indifferent, while the TSA is generally indifferent to surly or flat out rude.
What I saw is a very professional group of officers who did nothing except what they should have. This young lady apparently feels special and doesnt need to go through aditional screening. I saw no handcuffs, I saw no abuse, I saw no swarming police officers. When will the public stop using lies in order to present their point of view. If the truth isn't enough, then maybe your side isn't the correct one.
Folks, those of you concentrating on the details and calling her a liar are forgetting how memory works, especially memory of a stressful and frightening event. Of course it seemed longer to her. Of course some details weren't right. She probably retold that story a few times before the radio show, and we all know how that goes. Without the benefit of video hindsight, any one of us in her position would have made many mistakes and inaccuracies too.
Also, the "singled out because she was hot" thing seemed like it came from the other guy in the show, not her.
Anyway, what I saw was a very intimidated woman who wanted neither to be photographed essentially in the nude (or close enough for her tastes), or have her private areas touched - she alluded that she already had a bad experience already. She left in tears, barefoot, and handcuffed. And you know? That really sucks, that's all I have to say.
Things I noted after watching both videos and listening to her account several times each. The camera angle in the first video shows little of the "opt out" but it seems the TSA employee questioning her became a little pushy to me. At the same time the woman handing her paper towels seems to show some empathy. The second video really doesn't show much until the very end when you can see her (the opt out) walking out surrounded by officers, in her socks, and clearly handcuffed. If you watch the video closely you can see the her hands handcuffed to the front.
In the woman's on-air account of the incident I believe that she inadvertently leaves out the part where she is moved to the are out of view in the video before she is handcuffed.
It is also a little disconcerting to me that you, Bob, make no attempt to explain the incident other than to offer non-timestamped obscure videos as explanation and rebuttal.
You guys are nuts. The videos you posted clearly show that you escorted somebody who was not a threat out of the airport. Nothing in the videos show that she wasn't handcuffed. Nothing in the videos show that her boarding pass wasn't ripped up. So you're calling her a liar and have no evidence. Whats's on the rest of the videos that you didn't post?
And while you had a half dozen agents engrossed in this insignificant affair, who knows what was being snuck onto an airplane in the background? And this is security?
I cannot believe that anyone thinks the videos do not disprove the women’s claims. I weep over the collective ignorance which abounds in this country. Firstly for all you arm chair security experts, how on earth do you even know what you’re looking at. It is clear the she was never cuffed. TSA Officers do not carry cuffs. She was never abused, never grabbed as claimed. I see a steady stream of AIT use during the video. You write about the intrusiveness of the scanners and then cry because you want more camera’s in the screening area. She was in the private area with local PD, those are probably the guys in white. She is escorted out by only 2 TSO’s who are carrying here items, not 7 TSO’s and Dozens of PD’s as her and her radio partners claimed.
Bottom line this is a “crock” under-taken by a small market radio talk show in hopes of boosting ratings. Is the TSA perfect? No, but they try very hard. They take abuse because they are working to keep you safe. As a firefighter I know of 343 firefighters in NYC who wish there was better screening procedures in place in 2001.
The critics of the TSA have the luxury of time to forget what happened to us then. These brave souls, their families and the 2700+ others that died on 9/11 are not as fortunate as you critics.
You ask how many terrorists has the TSA caught? I don’t know the answer, do you? I am certain that there has not been a repeat of 9/11 since the TSA was expanded, reformed and empowered to protect us. Maybe, just maybe there haven’t been any caught because we are no longer easy targets???
The TSA's privacy policy is excellent. Thank you for the doctored videos!!!1
Oh man this story is horrible! This girl is such a liar, I don't even know where to begin. This makes me so mad that people actually listen to these make believe stories.
First of all the girl thinks that she was asked to enter the AIT because she is hot. Ha, I don't think so. She also says that no one else was randomly pulled to go through them, but in the video there is one person after another walking through it. Not to mention the chubby middle aged men who walked through right after her. Were they chosen because they were hot too?
Then when she said that she was being brought into the screening area that they forcefully grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the area and she had to pull her arm from theirs. Really?! I did not see anything of the sort in the video. Then she said that her belongings were no where to be found and that they took them down to her gate. Well as soon as she is pulled into the screening area they walk her belongings over and set them in front of her. And everytime that she walks somewhere new they walk her things right along with her.
She said that people were "screaming opt out at the top of their lungs". Really, because as far as I could tell no one really cared and one woman walked over calmly and walked with her into the area.
Then when she is whining to the TSA and crying she is looking around to see if people are watching her cry. She really wanted some attention and she was not getting it. Then one nice TSA agent walks over with paper towels and is giving them to her to wipe her tears. And you can tell by the ladies body language that she is in no way mean and being sympathetic with this cry baby.
She said that there were 12 police officers. I saw three. She says that there were like seven TSA with her. I think I saw like three or four at a time at the most. Oh and where did they handcuff her to the chair at? Oh yeah and they ripped up her ticket right?!
I would be ashamed to be the radio program that let this girl tell these horrible lies. I am embarrassed for her.
Give me a break! If I was this girl I would be completely humiliated because she lied on public radio and when the TSA posted the footage on youtube every one of her lies was shown.
Ridiculous! Thats all I have to say!
Oh yeah....
And she said that she had this process done before and TSA gropes people with the front of their hands and they grab and twist womens chests. Ha!
You people are all idiots if you believe this garbage!!!!
2 words 'Implied Consent'
Weather or not this person exaggerated is, for me, beside the point. How far will these invasive security screenings go. Now it's backscatter or inappropriate genital contact.
Will you be adding full cavity searches? How about DNA testing? Or polygraph? How about sedating all the passengers?
Why does the forth amendment not apply? Was there probable cause? Was a warrant issued?
I have called my senator and left a message about how upset I am about these escalating searches. I have nothing to hide but apparently I have a lot to fear.
"The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. The amendment specifically also requires search and arrest warrants be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause. It was adopted as a response to the abuse of the writ of assistance, which is a type of general search warrant, in the American Revolution. Search and arrest should be limited in scope according to specific information supplied to the issuing court, usually by a law enforcement officer, who has sworn by it.
(Normally I'd identify myself but history has shown that even a mild protest like this can get you added to somebody's list. History repeats
___________________________________
You people are so uneducated I laugh! The fourth amendment has nothing to do with security screening. Ha! You are making a choice to fly knowing that security is part of the process. You are agreeing to the process when you submitt yourself and your property into the screening process. There are no rights being violated. Educate yourself people!
It's amazing the TSA would think these videos make their case. She is pretty obviously wearing handcuffs at the end of the second video, which you can see even through the bad video quality.
It's an outrage that you would do such a thing to her, and perhaps more of an outrage that you think everyone is so stupid, you can post a video assuming that no one will watch it through to the end.
And I'm sorry, we're supposed to TRUST you to protect us? You can't even look at a video of your own people and see what is happening. My goodness.
Congratulations, you handcuffed and abused a nice young lady. We are all safer for your efforts. Or we're not. One of those two, for sure.
__________________________________
Get a clue people! TSA does not carry handcuffs. If she was handcuffed (which it is unclear but looks as if she may be) the police did it. HELLO!
As far as people opting out, it is their right to. They can just leave. TSA wants to file a civil suit against people that dont want to be groped? What a crock. $10,000 fine? Are you serious? I do not remember when the government took over the airlines. This is public transportation, NOT GOVERNMENT transportation!! STEP OFF TSA.
__________________________________
Once you start the screening process you can not just decide to stop in the middle of it. That is not your choice. You willingly submitted your things and if you want to back out after the process has started that is not how it works. Someone can not carry their own things because the things have been screened, but the person has not. Anyways, don't talk about things you know nothing about!
This girl has not been handcuffed. From the beginning of the video she is walking with her hands together and in the beginning it shows that she has something dark around her right wrist. This bracelet or whatever it may be is the same thing in view at the end of the video. There are no handcuffs people! And she said she was handcuffed to a chair. Why would she be handcuffed to a chair? And she is standing in the second video so she is not even standing in a chair. Eww!
I find it funny (not in a good way) that if a "REAL" Law Enforcement officer Performed an first contact open handed "pat down" like TSA "AGENTS" are now performing, that officer would be arrested for sexual battery.
Why should we trust an organization that hires sex offenders (Massachusetts & Florida), pedophiles(Massachusetts & Florida), and illegal immigrants (New York) to perform these invasive procedures. Please learn how to perform a pre-employment background check first.
The TSA has deleted almost 4,000 comments on this blog post alone. Tell me again who hates our freedoms?
Her claims were that she was taken to a private room, handcuffed, had her tickets ripped up, the ordeal lasting over an hour.
The video the TSA has provided conveniently lacks timestamps, which if you didn't know, are completely standard in these areas. Remember the timestamps from the 9/11 hijacker videos? Well your not seeing a timestamp for a reason, because if you had one you would know about the time she spent in the private room, which they provide no footage of.
Your new policies are extremely intrusive and absolutely disgusting. It sickens me to know that all Americans must give up their civil liberties and succumb to, what I believe to be, not only sexual assault, but also an illegal search and seizure, for the actions of a few extremists. How ridiculous is it that in response to combating terrorism, we have formed an organization that terrorizes United States citizens on a daily basis? I am a an Iraq war veteran who gave up 6 years of his life to fight for this country and the values and beliefs that we hold dear, but today I am ashamed of what this nation has become. We are a nation so full of fear and terror that we are willing to act as if our wrongful actions are somehow justified; they are not! Benjamin Franklin once said the following words: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” I believe it is at these crossroads that we find ourselves today, and the policies that your institution has chosen to implement are not only stealing our liberty, but also failing to keep us safe.
I request that you immediately discontinue the advanced body scanners and enhanced pat-down procedures. Please find another way to enhance security without jeopardizing our health and rights.
2 words 'Implied Consent'
You forgot the six words that go with it: "can be revoked at any time."
You people are so uneducated I laugh! The fourth amendment has nothing to do with security screening. Ha! You are making a choice to fly knowing that security is part of the process. You are agreeing to the process when you submitt yourself and your property into the screening process. There are no rights being violated. Educate yourself people!
Education, huh? Let's look at what it actually says: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..."
You can't agree to anything that you don't know the terms to. Since the TSA changes the policies seemingly at random and without choice, and refuses to release substantial parts of its policies and procedures, no one can ever agree to anything in advance, since you don't know will be happening in advance. In any event, any consent can, of course, be revoked at any time.
Okay, so I just listened to the interview with her you posted a link to... I watched the video you posted. She said she was handcuffed *in* a chair, I can't even tell if you are disputing that. What I do know, is that the video shows her walking away with a small army of uniformed escorts *clearly* handcuffed. I actually assumed that she was fabricating this story when the TSA denied it and posted video.
Is the TSA assuming people won't actually watch the video? I hate to say this but I have absolutely zero confidence in anything the TSA says anymore. This is a patently obvious attempt to mislead people who are looking into the story. Thank you to the other people posting comments, as I probably would have foolishly trusted the TSA's account without watching the video if people hadn't been posting that the video confirmed her account. This is a remarkable situation of obvious wrongdoing on the TSA's part and of a clear attempt to obscure and mislead the public in its wake.
Anonymous said...
Your new policies are extremely intrusive and absolutely disgusting. It sickens me to know that all Americans must give up their civil liberties and succumb to, what I believe to be, not only sexual assault, but also an illegal search and seizure, for the actions of a few extremists. How ridiculous is it that in response to combating terrorism, we have formed an organization that terrorizes United States citizens on a daily basis? I am a an Iraq war veteran who gave up 6 years of his life to fight for this country and the values and beliefs that we hold dear, but today I am ashamed of what this nation has become. We are a nation so full of fear and terror that we are willing to act as if our wrongful actions are somehow justified; they are not! Benjamin Franklin once said the following words: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” I believe it is at these crossroads that we find ourselves today, and the policies that your institution has chosen to implement are not only stealing our liberty, but also failing to keep us safe.
I request that you immediately discontinue the advanced body scanners and enhanced pat-down procedures. Please find another way to enhance security without jeopardizing our health and rights.
___________________________________
Tell me what exactly it is that you think the new pat down consists of. Because it is not that big of a deal or that different from what has been done for years. And I love the 4th amendments complaints. This is not and never will be an illegal search or seizure. You are choosing to come to an airport and fly and you know when you purchase the ticket that you must go through security.
Get over it!
Education, huh? Let's look at what it actually says: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..."
You can't agree to anything that you don't know the terms to. Since the TSA changes the policies seemingly at random and without choice, and refuses to release substantial parts of its policies and procedures, no one can ever agree to anything in advance, since you don't know will be happening in advance. In any event, any consent can, of course, be revoked at any time.
___________________________________
Oh Mr. Phelps thank you for the reminder of the amendment. Once again I can say it over and over, but you people will never listen. You purchased the ticket and you submitted yourself and property for screening. I'm not sure what it is you don't understand.
The very fact the TSA has to provide "proof" that it is not in the wrong is EXTREMELY TROUBLING. Don't you find it a bit "suspicious" the TSA has to do this?
A few thoughts:
1) Most surveillance video doesn't have audio. To have an audio feed in an airport setting would be useless-ambient noise and such.
2) There's a lot of talk about this persons body language, the way this persons standing etc. My question is: How many of you have any knowledge of human behaviors?
Heard the radio statements and watched the video. This girl made much ado about nothing. Safety on our airlines is important and I for one will opt for the pat down since I do not want the radiation from the scans. Being a TSA has to be a difficult job as it is. I saw no inappropriate behavior from any of them. JJ
Oh Mr. Phelps thank you for the reminder of the amendment. Once again I can say it over and over, but you people will never listen. You purchased the ticket and you submitted yourself and property for screening. I'm not sure what it is you don't understand.
I'm not sure what you don't understand. You don't give up your 4th amendment rights when you buy a car. You don't give up your 1st amendment rights when you buy a printer. You don't have to give up one right (no unreasonable searches) to execute another right (travel between states as a welcome visitor.)
Is it just me or do all the Anonymous posts praising the TSA sound like they are coming from just a few people?
And why do so many of those speaking in favor of the TSA use the same example of how mad we would be if a plane did blow up over our cities and kill our children?
Is Blogger Bob recruiting other agents to salt the mine of this conversation with TSA Positive view points?
what i find interesting about the video is the process of selecting who gets scanned, who gets patted down and who gets to walk right on through.
THere is no proper procedure. Some guys with dreads got a pat down. The guy in line after got a pass. Then a lady got a full blown search. Looks like if you have a badge to work at the airport, no scanner for you.
I wonder if the TSA agents all get scanned prior to coming on board. I am suprised they are allowed to go back and forth from a secured area to a non secured area with relative ease.
And to all of you contributing to the conversation about Flying is not a Right and to just shut up and step in the machine already.....
Your wrong. (That goes for you too, Blogger Bob)
The lady reporter referenced in this topic was standing up for her individual Rights guaranteed to each of us in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
What is it going to take for you to draw the proverbial line in the sand and say enough is enough? Scanners in airports and being treated like a criminal seems OK for you. Of course, your not a terrorist so what objection could you possibly have to being xrayed and/or physically and inappropriately touched.
Well, Trains go through some pretty interesting areas so lets put scanners on each platform and scan everyone before they board (but not the luggage, just the passengers). Still OK with that?
You know, a whole bunch of people have pointed out that subways run right under these 'targets' so we should probably put a scanner at every subway entrance. Still good with the scanners and everything that makes them go?
Well, lots of people go to the shopping mall and congregate by the Mrs Fields, that is just so ripe a target for terrorism we need to do something about it. Lets put scanners at the entrance of the mall.
Lets put scanners at the entrance of the local market.
How far do I need to take this example before you say enough is enough?
Thank you Blogger Bob for letting the public contribute in this manner. I know its not easy for you in the face of so much opposition, including what I give, to keep doing what you do. Keep the faith. We'll keep the civil unrest to a minimum if you keep the TSO's on track.
Does anyone really believe that the TSA cares what you write here?
No matter what complaints you receive I am glad you search our bags, our children/carry-ons and our person. I live in NY and will never forget 911. Security is not the way it used to be as when we were young. You are doing a fine job- as humans we all have the same parts... so those who complain about searches or scanners need a psychologist to work through it with them. SAFETY is my concern and you are providing it! Happy Thanksgiving and thank you all - GREAT JOB!
The very fact the TSA has to provide "proof" that it is not in the wrong is EXTREMELY TROUBLING. Don't you find it a bit "suspicious" the TSA has to do this?
No more suspicious than that all the people defending the TSA are doing it anonymously while most of the people critical have profile links, no.
In our American system of government, the government always carries the burden of proof. Since we live in a country, of, by, and for the People, rather than for the State, the People always have the benefit of doubt. That is the origin of presumed innocence in criminal trials, due process, the Bill of Rights, etc.
Our system was designed to work against the exercise of power by the state, allowing it only after the state has shown that this exercise is absolutely essential. The TSA has failed horribly at this burden.
As far as flying being a privilege, look at 49 USC 40103:
- - - - -
(a) Sovereignty and Public Right of Transit.—
(1) The United States Government has exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States.
(2) A citizen of the United States has a public right of transit through the navigable airspace. To further that right, the Secretary of Transportation shall consult with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board established under section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 792) before prescribing a regulation or issuing an order or procedure that will have a significant impact on the accessibility of commercial airports or commercial air transportation for handicapped individuals.
- - - - -
It's a right. That's the law of the land, straight from Congress.
Sadly I think what TSA has missed in this incident is the expectation that people be treated with respect. Regardless of what actions the girl chose, they should have clearly and respectfully outlined her options and the consequences of each option.
TSA's policies should be aimed at diffusing travelers concerns with searches, which includes respecting their person and their right to privacy (to the extent possible). They are the experts here and they should have bent over to the nth degree to help this girl feel more comfortable with the process and have a clear understanding of choices within the process. I would argue those choices should even be posted in multiple locations, including a private screening area.
Never should a decision within the process bring attention and public humiliation to the traveler, and there should never be any surprise when there is a consequence from a choice within the process.
Additionally, I would argue that the process should be explained in writing and acknowledged by the traveler in writing, especially when there is any discomfort or question about the fairness of the process by the traveler. This person should have walked away with a written account of exactly what choices she made and why she was treated accordingly.
Regardless of whether the girl's story was embellished, the video shows enough corroboration of her account to lead me to believe that TSA missed an opportunity to show true professionalism in this case.
To the TSA, I understand that it is a tough job, but why not do it with more dignity and less "Make My Day" bravado?
jb: "Doesn't TSA have a procedure for a usecase of this nature?
i.e. Passenger declines backscatter scan, passenger declines enhanced pat down. What now?
Don't tell me no-one has thought this through to a conclusion"
Of course they have. If you decline the scan, you go to enhanced patdown. If you decline the patdown, you are escorted from the terminal. This is the policy and this is what happened.
i have the same timecode plug-in on my After Effects program too ;)
also, if you would please listen to the audio... i never said i was handcuffed TO a chair, you idiots. that was a media distortion that i had no control over.
i'm not suing you guys or anything (cause the "justice system" is a failure in america). the more you fight me on this, the worse you look. cause all i'm trying to do is inform people about the horrible way you treat innocent people, not just me.
you've lost in the court of public opinion.
meg mclain said... i have the same timecode plug-in on my After Effects program too ;)
also, if you would please listen to the audio... i never said i was handcuffed TO a chair, you idiots. that was a media distortion that i had no control over.
i'm not suing you guys or anything (cause the "justice system" is a failure in america). the more you fight me on this, the worse you look. cause all i'm trying to do is inform people about the horrible way you treat innocent people, not just me.
you've lost in the court of public opinion.
December 2, 2010 11:48 AM
----------------------------
Meg,
I have no way of knowing if this is really you. So my appologies to the real Meg if I'm responding to an impersonator.
If it is you, you have just cleared up the issue of whether or not you were cuffed to a chair. :)
Also, the media didn't make up the cuff story. In the radio interview that is linked to in this post, you clearly state at 4:16 that you were cuffed to the chair.
Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team
Blogger Bob Said:
Meg,
I have no way of knowing if this is really you. So my appologies to the real Meg if I'm responding to an impersonator.
If it is you, you have just cleared up the issue of whether or not you were cuffed to a chair. :)
Also, the media didn't make up the cuff story. In the radio interview that is linked to in this post, you clearly state at 4:16 that you were cuffed to the chair.
Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team
---------------
You clearly didn't listen to the radio interview because it is as CLEAR AS DAY that she says "and finally they cuffed me IN the chair."
Nice try. Fail again.
I'm retired military - served my country for over 20 years, and I don't agree with the Orwellian invasion of privacy and disregard of our dignity caused by the new security procedures. I have felt quite safe flying all these years, and see no need for these procedures.
Kudos to the TSA for releasing the videos of this incident, but I agree with the other comments as well: this doesn't show the entire incident from start to stop, and the body language of the security personnel reminds me too much of schoolyard bullies using peer pressure and intimidation; I would have expected to see a professional discussion and no overt show of force until the situation called for it. Keep the additional personnel waiting at a distance unless the subject is hostile.
I just flew round trip across the country with my wife, and I am thankful that I did not encounter the new prcedures. If I had been asked to go thru the body scanner I would have asked for a pat-down instead, having read about the risks of millimeter-wave xray full-body scanners. I have had quite enough radiation from x-rays already, thank you - no need to tempt the fates with bumping my risk for cancer up a few notches.
As a husband, if my wife had been asked to go thru either the scanner or the pat-down, I would have been quite upset. While I myself would only be slightly embarassed by a pat-down, I would feel outraged if my wife had to go through one. My wife has other conditions which shorten her life expectancy, so if she chose to go thru the scanner I would let her make that choice - against my wishes.
You want to X-ray my bags? Fine. Scan me with thermal scanners? No problem. Use an advanced explosive sniffer? Go right ahead. Even a gentle pat-down by a same-sex officer in a private room is acceptable to me. No cameras though - just a microphone and speaker to record what went on in the room to avoid any hanky panky. Heck, even a hands-off strip down would be kosher with me - in a room as stated above.
Just a bump from a Nov 12 post:
"This woman is an activist trying to start trouble. http://freekeene.com/2010/08/24/meg-for-sale/"
She knows exactly what she's doing, this is not the first time she has been detained. "Non-compliance" is one of this group's tactics to draw attention to their cause. They film much of their planned activities (usually in some sort of police or courtroom confrontation) in an effort to keep all parties accountable, but in my opinion ultimately do themselves a great disservice.
I think this type of public information and open response is valuable.
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