Outraged by TSA

No. I haven't had to fly anywhere since the Breast cancer or the Gastric electric stimulator. 

I've never had an issue with flying.  I've never been humiliated in any way.  I'm sorry some have, and maybe I'm too Pollyanna, but based on my own experiences and the observations of those around me and talks I've had with others who fly frequently -- I think the bad experiences are the exception and not the rule.

As pointed out, some TSA employees will get a charge out of the power.  But I can't see that being the rule.

I flew this past week, 2200 miles each way, and enjoyed it.  I was sure I would be given great grief over some of the things I was carrying but I breezed through security. 

If you have a medical card explaining whatever medical device you have, you should be fine. I've no doubt it varies by airport, but my father had a pacemaker and couldn't go through scanners. Had hand-held body scans.  Never a big issue.  My mother had metal knees and hip.  Again, simple hand-held body scan.

If you chose, yes, you can boycott flying.  I certainly don't mind personally if you do.  But:  that may put the airlines in greater financial stress than they already are, and  cause more layoffs, and as with  the way the economy has gone the last 8 or so years, the spiral downward will impact many people on many levels. Not that you should care about that, but realize that it's not a solution that necessarily has a positive result.

My suggestion is to quit complaining -- and do something positive.  Do you have a better way to provide security?  Great -- give it to the people who can impact that -- don't give references, give the details.  I'm really sorry, but I get so tired of people who complain and suggest nothing positive.  Be part of the solution.   I have no doubt there are better ways to handle things as they are right now -- so take those ways to the legistators.  But do something positive, instead of just complaining.

Carol:  With all due respect I take offense at your suggestion that anyone here is complaining.  Perhaps with this discourse individuals on this thread are "part of the solution".. don't you think that concerns being aired are the first step to change?   X-Rays are or can be dangerous to any person with cancer AND these "pat downs" that border on assault can cause individuals to have a more difficult time with their recovery, therefore that makes this conversation relevant.

Madalyn - Yes, we are given instructions how to handle people with medical issues. As far as having a letter/card from dr doesnt do any good becuz TSA will still screen you. Alot of people with medical implants have letters/cards etc. but that doesnt matter, they still get screened as well. 

As far as being screened in private, we were trained to always ask passenger if they wanted a private screening . . .(which should be you (the passenger) and two (2) TSA agents of the same gender) Plus there should be signs posted about the offering of a private screening . . . . . Yeah I know who really reads all those signs posted . . . LOL . I know I am guilty of this myself. !!!!!

 As far as the gloves go, yes I changed my gloves often.  Did I change my gloves with every single passenger?? No !!!!!!!!!!!!! If you thinking why not  (not making excuses . . . just giving reasons . . .) ie. very busy, passenger impatient etc.  

However if I came into contact with someone with special medical needs/devices I changed my gloves every time dont wanna cross-contaminate . .(ie. medicine, medical equipment/ supplies) or if the passenger asked me to change my gloves. 

Nor, have I ever touched a person's bare skin because clearly I could visually inspect their skin.

Joviangle-  Tell the TSA agent that you are unable to go through the body scanner for medical reasons . . . (you dont have to be specific unless YOU want to) . Ask them for a pat down instead.  Also, if you are not comfortable with it being done in "public" ask for a private screening (which should be you & two other TSA agents of the same gender somewhere out of public view.

I flew this past week, 2200 miles each way, and enjoyed it.  I was sure I would be given great grief over some of the things I was carrying but I breezed through security. 

If you have a medical card explaining whatever medical device you have, you should be fine.

Medical cards/doctor letters are not accepted, as they can be copied.  This has been the case for at least the past 3 years, during which I've traveled with a total knee replacement.

I've no doubt it varies by airport, but my father had a pacemaker and couldn't go through scanners. Had hand-held body scans.  Never a big issue.  My mother had metal knees and hip.  Again, simple hand-held body scan.

I'm a veteran of the hand held body scan, due to my metal knee.  Those are history.  Now everyone gets a vigorous hands on full body grope.  'Totally different from the old "simple hand-held body scan."

Carol, do you wear a prosthesis?  Please share with us how it was handled.   I do wear a prosthesis, along with my total knee replacement, and I'd like to "breeze through security" too!

I think I have become convinced that the best thing for me is to take out my

prosthesis, put it in my carryon, and walk through and see what happens...

Even in Istanbul in 1986 we at least had privacy for the obligatory pat down.And armed militia standing nearby, too. We just dealt with it. Their airlines, their country, their rules. Back in the day before as much terrorism, but always a hijacking threat. You even had to point out your luggage on the tarmac before they'd load it on the plane, in some of the smaller cities. Not sure that's still done.

I hate the screenings. I hate taking off my shoes. So, if someone blows themselves (and everyone else up) with a device that looks like a FemRing, will women all be subject to vaginal exams? I'm being only a little facetious here.

There are plenty of TSA agents who do their job professionally, and I'm sure hate to be patted down when theyfly, too. Just like I may do pelvic exams for a living, but I still laothe getting one done on me. But I never think about what anyone looks like or smells like once I'm done with what I professionally had to do to that person.

To change the subject just a tad, there's talk about contracting all this out to private companies, and get rid of the TSA. Would that make anyone feel better? Doubtful. The same rules would still apply. I think there are certainly a few bad apples as in any profession, but as a whole, TSA agents do the best they can with the often limited training and people skills they may have.

So how do we change anything? Will it take a senator's wife having an unusually bad experience to get a law changed? Pilots' union got it changed. I would imagine the flight attendants' union is working on the same. Who's going to work on it for the rest of us?

Security is a big, big issue. There's no arguing that. But 3 ounces of liquids, shoes off, body scans, and pat downs don't really make me feel more secure. Someone, somehow, will think up something that we'll have another knee-jerk reaction to, and we'll just put up with it--again. Boy, that sounds pessimistic, but it's sure been the trend.

In the meantime, I'll fly. I'll be scanned and patted down. And if it truly becomes a groping, I'll be getting the name of the agent and hold my ground until I can speak with a supervisor. And that may be futile, but it's what I'd do in any unprofessional situation if I'm able.

In the meantime, our ports, cargo, borders, etc continue to be at risk. Our political involvements are doing nothing to really promote good will and get to the root of why there's the terrorism in the first place. And since that's more of a rhetorical or philosophical subject, I can only advocate that our huge country try to learn from how Isreal and other small countries screen for "types" and tone and reasons for traveling. And still, something can happen...Like a white guy driving a UHaul of fertilizer bombs into a federal building.

Enough of the rant. I'll blame the prednisone I'm on.

Anne

They're gonna think I'm a Martian after my DBS surgery.  My implants can be mistaken for antennas.  That's gonna be interesting.Talk about "Close Encounters".  hehe!

Bravo Otter!!!  Couldn't have said it better!

Thoughtful and insightful post Otter. I have to fly for a business trip on 12/1 and I am dreading it. As I mentioned on the other TSA thread, I fly 3-4 times per month. I have been through the wave scanner 7-8 times. So far I have not been 'chosen' for the scatter scanner. I have had more than my quota of radiation and I will need more over the rest of my life( CT's, PET's, etc) so I am going to have to get groped when the inevitable selection occurs.

I think I must have terrorist characteristics: WASPy looking blond/blue, 108 lbs, 58 YO. I wonder how the women in burqas are treated?

And remember, you can take a lighter and matches on a plane, but your snowglobe will be confiscated!

Wait, maybe I am missing something here.  The TSA has put into place a policy that strip searches everyone and  profiles anyone with a medical device and requires that they have an invasive pat-down (since the scanner will show their device).  But they cannot ask questions to isolate suspicious individuals, as is done in Israel,  because that violates those individual's rights. 

While we are going through these hoops, the true terrorists have likely come up with a different system that these scanners will not detect. I am afraid that looking at and questioning individuals and yes, to some extent profiling them, will be the only security that will work.   It really is not any different in terms of rights than what has already been done, which is to  profile everyone with a prosthetic breast and deciding such persons will require enhanced screening and pat-downs.

I have already written to both of my senators and suggest that others might consider doing the same.

Oh, Sherri, I wish I had that option but my travel is work-related and work pays for my health insurance so off I fly. Well, maybe having even more radiation is OK since I am almost 60. Cancer usually takes 10-15 years to develop after massive radiation exposure so I would probably not get cancer again until I was 70-75.

ARGHHH!

Isn't it time we as Americans let the TSA know that we are not stupid, we know these extra "security" measures do absolutely no good to ensure our safety and they need to find a reasonable solution that doesn't involve the rampant humiliation of innocent people?  This is outrageous and I cannot believe we are letting them get away with it.