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$10K fine for not going through TSA screening?

applecorped

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applecorped
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http://johnnyedge.blogspot.com/2010/11/these-events-took-place-roughly-between.html

"He said that once I start the screening in the secure area, I could not leave until it was completed. Having left the area, he stated, I would be subject to a civil suit and a $10,000 fine. I asked him if he was also going to fine the 6 TSA agents and the local police officer who escorted me from the secure area. After all, I did exactly what I was told. He said that they didn't know the rules, and that he would deal with them later. They would not be subject to civil penalties. I then pointed to Mr. Silva and asked if he would be subject to any penalties. He is the agents' supervisor, and he directed them to escort me out. The man informed me that Mr. Silva was new and he would not be subject to penalties, either."


After reading the article I somewhat sympathize with the man but he was pushing to see how far this would go. Now he knows.
 
I can't sympathise. From reading his blog it sounds like this is exactly what he was aiming for right from the start.
 
I've only scanned the article but it sounds like the person would not allow TSA to put them through the scanner and would not allow the security personnel to pat them down in the event that the metal detector showed something.

In other words, he wanted to get on an aeroplane without being properly searched.

Now you can argue whether the current security regimen is actually effective but doing less than the current minimum doesn't inspire confidence.


edited to add.....

and if I'd been stuck behind this ****wit having his little panties in a wad tantrum, I may have caused him actual physical harm.
 
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The Don said:
I've only scanned the article but it sounds like the person would not allow TSA to put them through the scanner and would not allow the security personnel to pat them down in the event that the metal detector showed something.

In other words, he wanted to get on an aeroplane without being properly searched.

Now you can argue whether the current security regimen is actually effective but doing less than the current minimum doesn't inspire confidence.


edited to add.....

and if I'd been stuck behind this ****wit having his little panties in a wad tantrum, I may have caused him actual physical harm.
Click to expand...

He's been whinging about backscatter machines for at least a couple weeks now in his blog. But he claims his motivation wasn't to cause a confrontation with TSA people.
 
Good on him. On his blog he states he chose that airport based on it not having backscatter machines.

"If you enjoy being touched by other people that's fine, but I only like my wife or maybe my doctor to touch me there" :D
 
The Don said:
I've only scanned the article but it sounds like the person would not allow TSA to put them through the scanner and would not allow the security personnel to pat them down in the event that the metal detector showed something.

In other words, he wanted to get on an aeroplane without being properly searched.
Click to expand...

No. He was in line for the metal detector and was pulled out of line for the backscatter X-ray machine. He refused the X-ray and said he would gladly go through the metal detector as 80ish % of the people were doing. TSA assumed the position that refusal of X-ray requires pat down and that pat down requires touching someone's crotch. During the argument over crotch patting, he again offered to go through the metal detector.

However, even if you are right and the whole thing was a set up, the TSA manager's final threats of a $10,000 fine were inappropriate in this case.
 
I might have done the exact same thing. He was polite (or at least claims he was) and didn't want to be assaulted sexually or have pictures of his junk taken. That's not an unreasonable desire.
 
The Don said:
I've only scanned the article but it sounds like the person would not allow TSA to put them through the scanner and would not allow the security personnel to pat them down in the event that the metal detector showed something.
Click to expand...
That's not how it works any more. You don't get the metal detector if you refuse the backscatter machine, you get the new enhanced pat-down, where they grope your genitals.

I see a real backlash coming from this new rule, you get the choice of a virtual strip search or to be groped by a stranger. Neither of which will make us any safer.
 
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If I were using my scrotum to smuggle stuff, I'd rather take incendiaries.
 
I think he could be prosecuted in the UK for using a camera in the security area.

Apart from this, it's hard to see what he did wrong. He refused the xray and the pat-down, but offered to follow the same procedure as 80% of other passengers.
Refused permission to do so and refused permission to board the flight, he left the security area and attempted to get a refund and go home.
Up to there, the whole affair seems straightforward, if a bit silly on both sides.

After that, it gets extremely silly on the security side. He was leaving the airport. Assuming he had no checked baggage, it's hard to see what further interest airport security had in him.

I've only seen one of these xray gadgets. In Moscow. I went through it, because
a) I really don't care who sees my underwear.
b)I don't speak enough Russian to start an argument with Russian police.

If he really feels this strongly about it, I applaud his stand on principle, but hope next time I'm in line the 238 people ahead of me don't take the same approach.
 
Soapy Sam said:
If he really feels this strongly about it, I applaud his stand on principle, but hope next time I'm in line the 238 people ahead of me don't take the same approach.
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Well, then you should avoid flying on November 24th. A protester is calling for everyone to opt out of backscatter screening on the busiest travel day of the year. OptOut.Com has details.
 
Interesting to see the selection for a "random" check takes place at check-in and not (as I had supposed) in the security area.

Filming and photography is forbidden in the security areas of UK airports- so to any non Brits - caution if you get "selected" at a UK airport. Filming things might make your problem worse.
 
Ducky said:
TSA now employing Droit de seigneur, accosting our children: http://tinyurl.com/2at9uhc
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In addition to all the other issues in this video. I have a problem with the TSA agent saying that the search should involve a game. Teaching children that it's "fun" to have a strange adult do a full body rub, isn't going to sit well with most parents.
 
Ducky said:
TSA now employing Droit de seigneur, accosting our children: http://tinyurl.com/2at9uhc
Click to expand...

That's seriously messed up. I would not want to have to explain to a child that it's wrong for an adult to touch their private areas except for a doctor or a uniformed government employee.

I dread what will happen in our society when the terrorists' tactics for mass murder extend beyond hijacking airplanes- can we look forward to being treated like criminal suspects not only when we want to board an airplane, but also if we want to take a train, enter a mall, go to a sporting event...?
 
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