There seems to be growing public concern about the TSA's recent decision to use these full-body image detectors and to do "more thorough pat-downs" of people boarding planes. Last week my response was I will fly less, and maybe even stop flying until the TSA changes their stance.
John Taylor, a software engineer in San Diego, researched the issue and was told that his airport didn't use the full-body image detectors, so he decided to take a family trip. But the online TSA report was outdated. When he arrived he was told to do the full-body scan, he objected. (There are several reasons, one is the radiation seems to be a faily high level.) Then the TSA wanted to do a full body pat down, which includes groping around the gential area.
Here is his full account of the incident. This goes to one of the key issues:
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I stated that I would not allow myself to be subject to a molestation as a condition of getting on my flight. The supervisor informed me that it was a standard administrative security check and that they were authorized to do it. I repeated that I felt what they were doing was a sexual assault, and that if they were anyone but the government, the act would be illegal.
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So I'm wondering, how to do we fight this invasive account by the TSA? I'm thinking about writing the airlines that we use and tell them we won't be flying until this gets resolved. Would it be worthwhile to contact our politicians? Do you think anyone at the TSA will listen?
2 comments:
I've been trying to think through what to do as well... especially since my wife and I will be flying in the next month or so.
But I don't know what to do. There isn't enough public outcry yet. There isn't enough solid information. But I feel like this could end up turning into one of those cases where a few brave people fight against the evil empire with all the money and control and eventually win--but only after losing everything and facing death threats. I'm reminded of Erin Brockovich and The Insider...
~Luke
Luke - have you figured out what you are going to do about TSA and flying?
For the next six months or so I don't see any need to fly. It might be convient, but I don't need to fly. I am hoping that as more and more people are gropped that the public outrage will become a tidal wave.
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