We currently have to put up with this abuse at checkpoints - though we need to keep up the political pressure.

But past the checkpoint? Just say "no". Bored TSA types have been demanding to check people's drinks, to check their ID - yet none of this makes sense.

Just tell them "no" - if they insist, demand a supervisor.

Is that not redundant. Will it not get checked again? I can understand if a drug/fruit/bomb sniff dog reacted to my bag I would probably allow a check.

Sigh

Clearly the little girl has a bomb under her shirt. TSA are thugs. What have they ever found? Nothing!

Just tell them "no" - if they insist, demand a supervisor.

Can you say no and have that no stick? I would doubt that, vis a vis the TSA story that you can't say no once you're in the screening process.

Certainly you are entitled to demand a supervisor, if you disagree with how you are being treated.

I would expect you can make a "no" stick. I have read of other people who have done so, for example, when TSA wanted to "test" a drink they purchased past the security checkpoint.

I"m flying alone with all 4 kiddos tomorrow. I'll get arrested before I'll allow them to be scanned or searched.

>if they insist, demand a supervisor.

No, call a COP, and file a complaint for harassment.

-jcr

Can you say no and have that no stick?

Yes. Once you're no longer in the TSA zone, the rules change. TSA agent(s) could request police to come and enforce things but they don't actually have the power to make arrests, even in the TSA zone. And then the first words should be I invoke my right to consel followed with is this search becasue of probable cause or do you have a warrant?

@I R A
That's the phrase they teach in our carry permit class here in MN.
Specifically, "I need to speak with my attorney, and I do not consent to any search."
I haven't flown since 2006, mostly because of the increase in TSA aggression. I have friends in other states, and I'd rather drive 13 hours than fly when going to visit.
However, since my sister is getting married in Jamaica, I'll have to fly this fall. Not looking forward to the security checkpoints, but I'll be damned if anyone is going to search my things or person AFTER I've supposedly passed the "security" screening.

Thanks for keeping the pressure on, Amy. I've given up over at Cogitamus, since the heretofore-civil-liberties-loving gang have decided they don't give a shit anymore -- can't criticize Obama, and can't talk about the increasing abuses of the security state. Talismanic denial, I think it's called. Oh, well.

Jazzhands,

I was going to say -- maybe driving to Miami -- then getting a private pilot to fly you might be the way to go.

Then I googled it and ran into this load of BS. But it might still might be a thought.

"If any one of you who comments here wanted to take something on the plane to blow the thing up, couldn't you get it through security? Maybe in parts, maybe carried by a few people?"

It's not easy anymore. But with access to the right materials and facilities, yes, I can think of several ways it could be done without much risk (till the plane went down). That access, of course, is the hard part - the underwear bomber's problem seemed to be crappy chemistry, not a problem with the plan. Wouldn't bother with parts though, too much chance of getting caught on the plane.

Re private planes, they're brutally expensive and impossible for most people to do. But for those who can, there's a site that seeks to match up passengers with pilots. It's called Flyshare:

http://www.flyshare.com/FlyshareIndex.asp

Random searching of bags in airport but before security checks, would fill a hole that was noticed by some as soon as TSA started doing security. The idea being that a terrorist not go after the plane but after maximum number of people, which could be the long lines of unprotected people waiting to go through security.
I'm not saying that random searches are a good idea, just that there is some rationalization for it.

In no small part due to what I have read on this blog, on a recent flight I opted out of what would have been my first scan, and got groped instead (not quite as bad as expected, actually - but still...). I mentioned to the TSA agent that I was not comfortable that the science on the scanner raditation was conclusive; he said "It doesn't emit any radiation ... it's radio waves." To quote Charlie Sheen, "DUH!?" He further displayed his brialliance with the comment, "If it wasn't absolutely safe, they wouldn't let us agents stand next to it all day long, would they?" I was too stunned to laugh or cry.

So, no scanning or searches for me and the kids. Security was really nice and helpful to me, actually, when we flew monday. Good thing, I wasn't looking forward to being arrested....