Are we losing our rights in the name of safety?

[vicupstate]

If what TSA is doing is molestation, then Doctors are the biggest class of molesters around.  They are doing their job, just as a Doctor is.  Cops and correctional officers would be next in that category.

How many men have died of Prostate Cancer because they refuse to have a routine exam performed by a professional doing his job?  They have every right to decline one, but they don't need to complain about having an undetected Cancer before it is to late to do anything about it either.

If you allow the groin area to be completely unchecked, you can bet your last dollar that is exactly where/how the next weapon will get onboard.  Thousands of lives are at stake and we know for a fact that bring weapons onboard a plane is the Al Queda's M.O.    

These 'pictures' everyone is so concerned about are actually infared images that are merely outlines of the body contours.  They are no more lust-inducing than an x-ray.  Sure, you can tell the sex of the person scanned, but did you really need an infared image to know that?  The person viewing the image nevers sees the person scanned either.  

I can understand the objective to pat downs, but they are not required unless something suspicious is shown in the scan.      

[KenFSU]

Your characterization of the TSA employees as a bunch of Perverts getting off Looking at anonymous pictures of passengers and gleefully copping feels is way off base.  I know a manager at the Jacksonville TSA and none of the employees wants to work the pat down line.  The pat downs are not molestations and you are free to not have them.

BTW I have come to believe that most of the enhanced security we have invested in is a big waste of money. The best upgrades we have made are secure cockpits and passengers who will resist.

On your second point, I most definitely agree.

And listen, I have no personal problem with the individual TSA screeners. They are simply following the orders that are handed down to them from above and doing what it takes to put food on their family's table. I never characterized them as gleeful perverts.

[duvaldude08]

After what Ive been seeing I am so glad I dont fly. Havent been a plane and definately dont plan on it now. From what Im seeing, people dont have a problem with the screenings, but how they have been conducted. For crying out loud, this old guy had a piss pouch on him (for his bladder), after being ruffed up by TSA he had to get on the plane with piss going down his leg! He said he tried to tell them but they were so aggressive and would not listen to him.

I think they simple need to stop being so aggressive and remember that we are human beings and the majority are citizens of this country. I feel that the screenings are a good thing, but are being done wayyyyy wrong. They might as well tell you to get naked. I dont see how TSA does not see that they need to re-evaluate the process.

Boy I tell you good ole America! 

[Burn to Shine]

The pat downs are not molestations and you are free to not have them.

We are free to not have them?  Really? 

[BridgeTroll]

Just a select few of the overly dramatic hyperbole...

but this seems to be an excuse to touch and fondle breasts.

to be patted down and fondled?

these guys feel empowered to feel up women

When you are pulled to the side and a man fondles your breasts

the absolute losers TSA seems to attract.

and have some disgusting dood pull you to the side, wand your boobs for five minutes,then reach out and pat them,

but not because TSA is hassling people and grabbing dicks.

and are not targeting terrorist, just women with large breasts and dry hands.

It would have been interesting to see what Thomas Jefferson thought of a rectal exam while he was trying to cross from Virginia to Pennsylvania.

The dick grabbings aren't accomplishing anything

These molestation pat downs

the TSA is instructed to grab your crotch

the TSA fondling your nuts in the name of security

that I should be groped by a TSA goon.

[JeffreyS]

The pat downs are not molestations and you are free to not have them.

We are free to not have them?  Really? 

You can be scanned or not walk past the little sign that states passing this point is consenting to be searched.

[urbanlibertarian]

Here's a good opinion piece on this subject:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/safety/TSA-security-scanners-and-the-public

[uptowngirl]

At least one of those comments was mine and YES the disgusting fat dood wanded my boobs for fie minutes and then grabbed them aggressively. It was awful, intrusive, and he smiled the WHOLE time. FELT like I was being molested. Now do most of these TSA agent NOT want to grope you? Probably.... but the issue is not with whether they want to or not, the issue is they ARE and it is not acceptable. If you pulled up to McDonalds and order a Big Mac, would you mind if the greasy, sweaty cook in the back grabbed your crotch before giving you your burger?

[BridgeTroll]

They are doing their JOB!  They are NOT molesting, fondling, grabbing, giving rectal exams, etc.  Nor are they goons, thugs, or getting their jollies.  There are specific procedures on what and how they can touch people.

Now... you AND I may FEEL like we are being molested... I and MOST people understand that, but that is nothing more than an emotional reaction to what is an unpleasant experience and as an adult you should be able to see the difference.

These are just people doing what they are told and collecting a paycheck doing a job that on an ordinary day everybody hates them... but on that extraordinary day that "disgusting fat dood" may save many lives.

[uptowngirl]

so were the Germans soldiers BT!  I tell you right now, if one of these people "just doing their job" grabbed my daughter this way all hell is going to break loose. Doctors to not cup little girls  whoo hoos.... it is sick and disgusting. But it must be OK, cause it is a job and they are being paid to do it, just like those Nazi soldiers....oh and that was all for a "better world" too right?

[BridgeTroll]

Ah... I see... now they are just like nazi's...

[ChriswUfGator]

Well if your only valid defense is that they were "just following orders" then that does sort of beg the comparison, no?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Well if your only valid defense is that they were "just following orders" then that does sort of beg the comparison, no?

Following orders, taking orders - the TSA guy/girl doing the screening isn't much higher up the employment food scale than the guy/girl handing you your McBiscuit in the morning.  They aren't there to pick and choose how and when they're supposed to do the job assigned, they are just gettting through the day - like most of us.

Just like when your Sausage McGriddle is F'd up, it's usually no more the guy in the window's fault than it is the guy in the car behind you - direct your anger in the proper direction - the person in charge and quit shooting the messenger.

[ChriswUfGator]

Well if your only valid defense is that they were "just following orders" then that does sort of beg the comparison, no?

Following orders, taking orders - the TSA guy/girl doing the screening isn't much higher up the employment food scale than the guy/girl handing you your McBiscuit in the morning.  They aren't there to pick and choose how and when they're supposed to do the job assigned, they are just gettting through the day - like most of us.

Just like when your Sausage McGriddle is F'd up, it's usually no more the guy in the window's fault than it is the guy in the car behind you - direct your anger in the proper direction - the person in charge and quit shooting the messenger.

Everyone here was shooting the message, not the messenger, from the beginning. Not sure where you got lost?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Calling the agents goons, doods (sic) and losers kinda sounds like an attack on the messenger to me. 

I'll have to check my Garmin and make sure I'm not too lost.