If You Don't Like The TSA, Don't Fly -- Or Take The Train, Or...
That's what people sneer to me with some regularity:
"If you don't like the TSA process, don't fly!"
Well, first of all, it is my right to travel within these United States without being sexually groped or otherwise searched sans probable cause. If United Airlines makes that a condition of travel on their airline, I would not fly United.
The government, pointlessly, at great expense ($60-plus billion dollars, and not a terrorist found), violating our rights in the name of security?
NO.
Well, for all of you who've sneered that at me, guess where the TSA will next be creeping around your genitals?
Wendy Thompson blogs at TSANewsBlog about Amtrak and the TSA:
TSA News recently received an email from a Philadelphia reader commenting that he saw TSA agents at a train station:I was on a train from NY Penn Station to Philly today. Three uniformed TSA agents were waiting at the top of the stairs to randomly screen passengers before boarding. This is the equivalent of the final random witch-hunt gate search at the airport.What gives?
1. I thought TSA had been banned from Amtrak?
2. I wasn't selected, but Amtrak is running videos in the station that say passengers are subject to random search. Does that mean a TSA search or an Amtrak search?
3. According to the video, anyone who refuses a random search will not be allowed on a train. I thought I could say "I do not consent" and get on board. Can someone clarify?
If they're at the train stations, it's an ominous sign.
Wendy posts Amtrak's policy at the link -- "Passengers failing to consent to security procedures will be denied access to trains and refused carriage, and a refund will be offered" -- but adds:
Train stations, however, unlike airports, have not agreed to designate "sterile areas." That means that a TSA agent cannot deny you entry to any area anywhere other than at an airport.I read a blog entry a few months ago that described a man encountering a TSA agent at a train station. The man didn't want to deal with the TSA agent, so the agent called for the local police. The man explained to the policeman that he was in a public area, and if the policeman was intent upon detaining him, he asked exactly which local/state law or statute the policeman was attempting to enforce. He was allowed to proceed without further incident.
The best defense against TSA assault is knowledge. Understanding the TSA's jurisdiction, its limitations, and the definition of which laws apply to which venues is critical in successfully asserting your rights.
Here's an interesting idea.
Leave Your Laptop In Your Bag.
http://lewrockwell.com/orig13/burns-d1.1.1.html
I've only ever flown on a plane two times in my whole life. But if I ever need to fly maybe I'll pick up an old, dysfunctional laptop from Craigslist or a garage sale and take it with me.
Ken R at June 25, 2012 12:41 AM
I suggest a coordinated flash mob in numerous airports, simultaneously overwhelming, nonviolently, the TSA apparatus and clearing the way, literally, for all the gathered travellers to move toward their departure gates.
Sadly, I predict that, like sheep, the travellers would wait for their pen to be reclosed rather than risk freedom. The TSA relies on that herd instinct.
Is this airport theatre even legal under the 4th amendment?
DaveG at June 25, 2012 6:02 AM
I have no love for TSA, but ideas about gumming up the works won't help the cause. In fact, I think it might turn people against those who are creating the disruption. There a lot people flying who have to get where they are going and to make those people victims to your political standoff is wrong. I think the continued highlighting of TSA offenses is way more effective than acting like a jerk at the scanner. I have already noticed a difference. We flew out of Houston last week and TSA was fast and courteous. On our way home, out of MO there were new signs saying children 12 and under don't have to take off their shoes. My dd was going to take hers off anyway, but the lady said nope don't worry a out it she doesn't have to. Again, fast and courteous. I think the black eyes they are getting in the press are staring to work.
Sheep mommy at June 25, 2012 6:21 AM
"I think the continued highlighting of TSA offenses is way more effective..."
It really depends on what your goal is. If your goal is for a streamlined security theater that processes passengers quickly and pleasantly, then yes, you are correct. It is more effective to not be an obstructive asshole.
But that's not *my* goal for TSA. My goal is to have the entire thing seen for the invasive, make-work, bloated monstrosity that it is. Complete with TSA employees dreading going to work in the morning and looking forward to starting their new job at Taco Bell. Being an obstructive asshole is much more effective in this case.
I am actually a very nice, patient person. I go out of my way to help people, pick up litter, and always assume that customer service reps genuinely want to help me. But TSA makes me rage.
Elle at June 25, 2012 12:24 PM
Sheep mommy: "...ideas about gumming up the works won't help the cause... it might turn people against those who are creating the disruption. There a lot people flying who have to get where they are going and to make those people victims to your political standoff is wrong."
Bull. "Those people" are the victims of the totalitarian yearnings of unethical government officials. Just because they're happy being TSA's bitch doesn't mean everyone else should be too. It appalls me how many people are so willing to pleasantly prostitute themselves and their children to the indignities inflicted by low-lifes and creeps masquerading as government "officials", just to avoid a little inconvenience.
It's a good idea to gum up the works of a corrupt, totalitarian system until it becomes unworkable. It's shameful to sweetly submit to the TSA thug monkeys who molest you and your daughter just so they'll be more courteous to you while they're doing it. Despicable.
But hey, if you fly a lot, by the time your little girl is 14 or 15 she'll be used to being handled in undignified ways by "security officers". By then she won't mind if some "security officer", at her school or at the mall, decides to pull her aside for a little "enhanced screening" - for her own safety, of course.
I hope more people think up ways to gum up that disgraceful system. I rarely fly, but the next time I do I think there'll be a laptop in my bag. It'll slow down the process. If someone behind me in line doesn't like it, well...
"If you don't like the TSA process, don't fly!"
Ken R at June 25, 2012 4:18 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/06/25/if_you_dont_lik.html#comment-3244221">comment from Ken RI get to the airport hours in advance in anticipation of thuggery, and because I am not just going to go through like a blinking sheep. That may mean a delay -- and I allow for it. It's just part of the deal.
I still have to write up my Albuquerque experience -- I will. And name names.
Amy Alkon at June 25, 2012 4:44 PM
Amy,
Hope you don't mind. For all you regular readers of the Goddess' blog you can skip past this post. I'm going to post my regular rant about not needing the TSA. For all you new readers, please read it carefully and refute any statement or misstatement. ;-)
=================================================
The TSA was not needed one hour and one minute after Tower II was hit!
The paradigm, the norm, the expected, what everyone was taught to do was to sit down, shut up and wait for the plane to land and the negotiations happen. That was the model from Entebbe onward.
The passengers on board did not really know what was about to happen on September 11, 2001 at 8:46:30 when Flight 11 struck Tower I.
Even the passengers on Flight 175 probably didn't realize what was about to happen when they struck Tower II at 9:03:02.
The Pentagon crash of Flight 77 at 9:37:46 may have been still a matter of ignorance.
At 10:03:11 on September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after the brave souls counter-attacked and caused the hijackers to crash the plane.
The time difference is 60 minutes and 9 seconds from Tower II being struck to the crash of Flight 93. The shoe bomber and panty bomber were taken down by fellow passengers as well. Recently, JetBlue's Flight 191 pilot was taken down by the passengers once he was out of the cockpit. Additionally how many times have you heard of passengers' concerns and diverted flights?
The TSA is and has always been a joke, no make that a total stupidity, that has wasted our country's fortune going down a rabbit hole.
If you don't believe me look at the 9/11 timeline.
There will never be another 9/11 style attack unless the attackers can arrange planes full of geriatrics, and even then it would be doubtful.
Jim P. at June 25, 2012 8:22 PM
Practical advice:
If you are ever stopped by anyone and asked "Do you know why I'm stopping you?" the answer is "No."
If the question is "Are you carrying any drugs or weapons?" the response is "Why are you asking that question?" or "Why am I being stopped?" If they can't articulate an answer, the next question is "Am I free to go?"
This does not apply to CCW/CHL holders. They need to have their CCW/CHL license available with their ID. But the rules above semi-apply.
Jim P. at June 25, 2012 8:39 PM
Fear and intimidation seem to be commonly used tactics when passengers try to speak up for their rights.
People should be aware that answers rendered "under duress" are worthless in a court of law. That said, we could tell the TSA manager "Your mother sucks cocks in hell" and be immune to retaliation.
jefe at June 25, 2012 10:30 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/06/25/if_you_dont_lik.html#comment-3244522">comment from jefeActually, no. They retaliate all the time. You pay the court costs, etc.
Amy Alkon at June 25, 2012 10:33 PM
Oh, crap. Yet another fool who thinks that if the TSA agent is quick enough, then their daughter wasn't really groped for wanting to ride on a plane to see Grandma or Mickey Mouse.
HOW CAN YOU BE SO DAMNED STUPID?
Radwaste at June 26, 2012 9:20 AM
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