Pixiq

Well, the TSA is in charge of making it *look like something is being done* about airline safety.

Whether the TSA has *ever actually made air travel any safer* is extremely debatable.

Anyone with half a brain knows that these devices are purely to send a bunch of pork to a company somewhere, and to a lesser-extent provide excellent security theater.

That's fine because it happens all the time. What's insane about it is the pure intrusiveness of it. It should go without saying that living in a free society means...um...never having to be physically naked for the government. But we're willing to give that up so that a few folks can make a ton of cash, and because we're too cowardly to say that it's pointless.

Oh, I'm sure the SCOTUS would say "federal interest"...blah blah. But when he government takes up a huge percentage of the country, the FG is interested in everything.

I'd say write congress, but they're more cowardly than we are.

Fortunately either the gubmint will be bankrupt soon, or about 1000 nekkid TSA pics will end up on Wikileaks or a real terrorist will get throught with about 20 pounds of plastic explosives up his butt (the real kind, not hand sanitizer).

Then the sheer lunacy of these people will be revealed.

Very thorough story.

If the images are clear enough to make out a small penis, would that not constitute child pornography if children pass through the scanner? Especially if they save the images after the scan?

Last I checked, outside of collected evidence for a trial, possession of child pornography by anyone was a federal crime. I don't think the TSA has immunity here...

While I dislike the whole security theater aspect of TSA, I can understand why they get frustrated at "opt outs". These workers have to move huge numbers of people through the line at a decent pace. I'm sure there is huge pressure to keep the security lines from bogging down. These personal searches probably take time and people away from the main line and slows them down.

I think this movement for everyone to "opt out" is just going to backfire. If it slows things down too much, the TSA will just remove the option to "opt out" during busy times.

I'm surprised no one has commented on the irony that the company creating these invasive body scanners is called Rapiscan.

I always opt out. Some facilities take it better than others. I have had one low level TSA person claim it was up to them if I could do that. When I laughed at her and told her to get someone who knew what they were doing and/or her supervisor, she threw both the race and gender cards. I laughed a bit more and suggested she do as she was told. Supervisor was not happy, since a bunch of people started asking for opt out at that point, but followed procedures. However he denied me any venue to complain about his minion.

I fought and bled for our freedoms, I will not give them away lightly to high school dropout affirmative action hires.

I plan on opting out whenever I have the opportunity. During my pat-down I plan on pretending to enjoy it (oohing and ahhhing at all the right/wrong moments) or saying things to the effect of “Say my name B*TCH” or “Next time you have to buy me dinner first!”.

I was disappointed after viewing the TSA footage – you can tell the TSA folks behaved like goons, the one with the ticket yelling is clearly annoyed that she has no real authority, but the evidence here doesn’t really support her (Meg’s) version of events (granted it doesn’t fully dispute them either).

For those who think the negative stories you hear about TSA are all true, don't you have your own sense of observation or knowledge? The new technology is blessing and should have come years ago (9-11) TSA is using 70's technology in a 2010 world. The threat is not metel objects, it's explosives!!! a metal detector, shall I say... detects metal right??? plastic explosives are...huh plastic. I guess none of you have been horified or personally effected by 9-11. I'm from NYC and had family involved in the fall of the twin towers. I ask the million dollar question, how would you handle security??? Can you do a better job??? keep in mind this is the US, and everyone is ALWAYS offened about everything that slows them down or just plain day to day changes. Remember; this is the US of which I proudly and currently serve. Wake up!!! we need to do everything we can to deter the (bad guy) or leave the US. The US may not be perfect but, look around it's still the best out there.

Actually, in terms of airport security the US is not the best there is. We do things of little value and then act surprised when they do not work. Israel is the best and we should be following their model.

I give *some* of the TSA guys decent marks, but way to many are over egoed and under trained at best

I worked for the TSA from 2002-04. Back then, it seemed to be working fine (Not anymore inconvenient than it was when public sector security had the reigns), though I'm glad I quit when I did. Only a few weeks after I quit, Homeland Security started making changes in policy... Changes so idiotic, that if you thought about them for too long your nose would start bleeding...

After 9/11, I tried to re-enlist, though couldn't due to the injuries I had (no cartilage in my right knee). After getting denied, I decided the best way I could make a difference, and to defend my country, was to join the Dept. of Homeland Security TSA. I felt proud to be working for an organization whose mission was to ensure that something like 9/11 never happened again on U.S. soil. Sadly, the TSA, like all other government agencies, is just another bureaucracy that is destined for failure. Janet Napoli-tuh-uh-uh-uh-ano is so "eat up with the dumbass", that she is killing it even faster.

I'm proud of the work I did for the TSA. During my 2 years there, I recovered 7 guns, 1000+ knives, and 82,641 (give or take a couple) pairs of nail clippers. I am disgusted by what it has become.

I too had an experience with the TSA at New Orleans Amtrak Station. The dick as for my ticket stub after I got off the train and was finished arriving at my destination. I seems these idiots are under trained, collect a paycheck for doing nothing and protecting nobody. Why would they ask for a ticket stub when you finished traveling??

I just got the new scanner treatment. Shoes off, wallets, coins,keys, everything out of your pockets, hands up in the air. Just like a common criminal.

When are they gonna build some high-speed trains?

I flew today from a SoCal airport. As I entered the line they were running everyone through the visual scanner. I told the first TSA minion that I wanted to opt out. He acted like he did not know what I was saying. I raised my voice and repeated that I choosing to opt out of the visual scanner. He said just a second and went to get his supervisor. While we were waiting, no one got processed and several people asked me what was going on. I told them they had a choice, but would be hand searched instead. I also pointed out radiation and privacy issues. By the time the boss got there, there were three of us opting out. Boss argued with me but I said that he had to follow the national policy. We were directed around the visual scanner and told to wait. We had still had our carry ons with us. When no one showed up I went back to him and said since no one was checking us, could be just proceed. I got a mild expletive and he sent two people over to search us. We each got wanded and were let through. No bag scan, no feel up. Clearly they were not prepared for objectors opting out. Have to see what it is like on the return flight.

NO BAG SCAN!?! That is scary.

I think the terrorists have won.