Woman: TSA agent patted my genitals

[spookyturtle 9,466]

the rules ARE what is at issue and HOW they are being enforced. they do NOT allow you to leave the "security area", this is another issue. you cannot refuse search, they threaten you with 10k fine or imprisonment... they can actually now (by the rules) fine you is it 11 or 12k? but the standard threat is 10k

Sooner or later some brave soul will refuse and let's see what happens. If you change your mind and don't get on the plane, see what happens.

[Amby 490]

The other solution for those who have to fly is choose to fly out of one of the 400 or so airports that don't have scanners

[nab 74]

I'm not really bothered by the scanners or the pat downs because the people are just doing their job. I think some people are seriously overreacting when it comes to the pat downs, but I also think this new system isn't the answer to making our skies safer.

I understand some people are really uncomfortable with people touching them but I had a pat down and I didn't think it the person was going too far. Yes she did pat my vadge and cup my breasts but I didn't feel like it was weird or sexual.

Part of me feels like people need to chill the f$@& out about "don't touch my junk" and then the other part thinks it's a total invasion and tsa needs to get a damn brain and realize this is not going to stop people.

I usually fly a few times each month

you say you're not bothered, but have you done the research regarding what these scanners can do to frequent travelers?

on the pat downs, do you know your rights when it comes to what they are/are not allowed to do?

if they break the rules do you know what you can/cannot do in that situation?

i.e. in a situation where you are blatantly being sexually harrassed and you feel very humiliated and embarrassed, you are threatened that if you move you could be imprisoned are warned not to call out to anyone.

Do you take risk being arrested after they warned you of crazy threats of being locked up for 2yrs without contact with family/friends?

do you even know what to do or what your rights are at this point?

if this were happening to YOU would you feel that you would just need to "chill out"?

i can see youre on the fence on this... i'm glad you travel a lot because i know you WILL see this happening now... start watching, usually more up past where you would get your shoes up away from people, where people can still see but not really. you have to be getting your shoes and stuff from bins etc so most people dont notice cause thats exactly what theyre doing = getting their stuff

so they are also blocking these people from being seen by people who still have their cameras and phones

[spookyturtle 9,466]

How often do you fly?

[Amby 490]

Nab - I will reply to you in full tomorrow because I've already turned my computer off and it's too much to type on my phone. I have done a bit of research but I also know not a passengers are selected to go through these things. since this started ive went through security 6 times and was picked once. As for someone going too far with the pat down I think there's a time and a place to flip out and the security line while getting a pat down is not the right place to flip.

[nab 74]

Sooner or later some brave soul will refuse and let's see what happens. If you change your mind and don't get on the plane, see what happens.

i wont be flying any time soon. after i was assaulted i never stepped foot in an airport again. i used to fly at least once a month up to then!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

i wont be flying any time soon. after i was assaulted i never stepped foot in an airport again. i used to fly at least once a month up to then!

Did you file a complaint for the being inappropriately searched? How about making some phone calls and writing some letters? Call your local news station, they usually jump on things like this. If you feel you were violated then make some noise about it. If enough people complain and boycott, it will probably change.

[nab 74]

Did you file a complaint for the being inappropriately searched? How about making some phone calls and writing some letters? Call your local news station, they usually jump on things like this. If you feel you were violated then make some noise about it. If enough people complain and boycott, it will probably change.

yes

yes and yes (and even at that time spoke to other agents who seemed to think it was quite humorous, but i was trying to get help immediately AFTER if happened... it felt like a frat boy party where you get raped and there's no help becasue no one wants to look like the odd man out)

yes and at that time this wasnt even newsworthy (wonder if now someone is going "hey wasnt there someone a few years back who called about being searched like this?"). and just for the record, no, they usually dont "jump on things like this". i used to think news stations actually used to do investigative stuff before, but really watch your "help the citizen" spots... it's "go after the roof scammer" or some #######. they dont go after the politicians, or the businesses with deep pockets, or ANYTHING related to govt....

i've made noise, and will continue to make noise, even if some people say "oh that could never happen here in my america" cause i'm here to tell you "it can, it does, and it already has been happening for many years but no one was listening".

ok so after couple hours sleep i've come up with something i'm wondering how they deal with someone who would wear adult diapers for their pat down i do know they WILL go inside your bra, but would they DARE go inside a pair of Depends, hmmmmmmm? i think i might have to become a customer next time if i am ever florced to fly

Edited November 21, 2010 by nab

[spookyturtle 9,466]

How long ago did this happen? How about contacting your congressman and US Senator? If it's going to change, everyone who feels abused needs to speak up. A few isolated complaints won't change anything but if enough step forward it may be enough to get the ball rolling. Personally I wouldn't like it, but if it helps to keep my flight safe, so be it. Of course I don't fly very often so it's easy for me to say. At this time, anyone who flys knows what they are in for so if one feels strongly against it they have to explore their options.

[nab 74]

How long ago did this happen? How about contacting your congressman and US Senator? If it's going to change, everyone who feels abused needs to speak up. A few isolated complaints won't change anything but if enough step forward it may be enough to get the ball rolling. Personally I wouldn't like it, but if it helps to keep my flight safe, so be it. Of course I don't fly very often so it's easy for me to say. At this time, anyone who flys knows what they are in for so if one feels strongly against it they have to explore their options.

again i dont think so... some may know but i believe the majority do NOT, i believe that's why there is all this "oh whats the big deal?" attitude.

the woman who sparked this thread thought she would walk thru a scanner and be done. she was forced into a pat down.

you cannot refuse to be patted down.

if you DO, you face up to a $3,000 fine

they threaten $10k but it's like up to 11k or 12kg if they find grenades on you, not normally something you carry in your bra and panties

it's 1,000-3,000 just for walking away.

ps

i wonder if they would consider "i have a full bladder and i'm very ticklish" as a threat of assault on TSA if they tried going inside the Depends?

Edited November 21, 2010 by nab

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The new pat down techniques have been shown on the news here a few times and in the paper, not to mention all over the internet. I don't travel often and I knew about it. So you CAN refuse the pat down if it really bothers you, but there will be consequences. If you are facing that situation, you have to decide what's more important to you, your principles or your wallet. As I have said before, someone who wants to make a stand on the issue will make a scene and get arrested and it will be all over the news. Perhaps a lawyer will get involved and take it from there. I think that the majority of people won't like being felt up but will do nothing but accept it as an evil of air travel.

[mawilson 2,133]

we have Israelis in the US Government

We do?

Edited November 21, 2010 by mawilson

[Amby 490]

Nab - I will reply to you in full tomorrow because I've already turned my computer off and it's too much to type on my phone. I have done a bit of research but I also know not a passengers are selected to go through these things. since this started ive went through security 6 times and was picked once. As for someone going too far with the pat down I think there's a time and a place to flip out and the security line while getting a pat down is not the right place to flip.

I don't think I have anything else to add. Since I'm on the fence on this issue I don't think I care enough either way to really put much effort into it. I think I would understand the outrage more if everyone had to go through the new security but it's just people chosen at random.

[Boiler 45,913]

Chosen at random - exactly

[Geode 3]

Right - chosen at random because TSA is on a power trip.