Flying tomorrow, ready for TSA sexual assault

[marynjoe]

How sad is it that I'm fully going in to the airport tomorrow expecting that I will not only get groped, but that a woman might possibly touch my labia?

The friendly skies my ass!

[iheartrice]

I hate TSA and I hate the body scanners. The bodyscanners and pat downs are unconstitutional. Good luck tomorrow!

[marynjoe]

It's sad that I even say words like "sexual assault", which aren't at all funny, but that's how some people have said they felt after getting a pat down, especially the "enhanced" pat down. it's sad and scary at the same time.

[Deleted]

I discovered yesterday if you start tearing up and tell the screener that you are an actual victim of assault they'll give you a free mpass.

[iheartrice]

Yup a couple times I opt'd out of the body scanner only to be violated by a female TSA agent. It is so awful! The bodyscanners and TSA's free pass to sexually violate any traveler they want needs to be banned.

[aurora]

You know, after the last discussion about this I actually had a TSA nightmare. Yuck - not looking forward to flying again in a week.

[katieh]

This is a joke, right? Sexual assault?

I'm opted for the pat-down every single time. It's NOT a big deal. I've never been groped, nor felt violated in any way. It's not exactly fun, but every person has been professional and half the time I jus stand there and make jokes and then the person is really nice. They explain everything before they do it, use the back of their hands on your underwire and butt, and yes they put their hands on your upper thigh, but they aren't grabbing your crotch. I'm pretty sure a tailor measuring your inseam gets more action there. I've never gotten the slightest impression that the person enjoyed it or had any desire to feel me up.

Obviously there may be exceptions, but that's what they are - rare exceptions. I'd guess the vast majority of people have had similar experiences to mine.

Anyone who compares it to a sexual assault has clearly never been sexually assaulted. When you get a breast exam at the doctor do you accuse them of groping you?

Yes. it's stupid. I hate the xrays and think they are idiotic and won't stop anyone determined enough to do something terrible. Neither will a pat down. But if I want to fly I have to choose one or the other, so I opt for the pat down, which I consider easier, less invasive, and possibly safer.

And if the person who said they told the agent they were a victim of a assault actually was, then of course I feel badly for you. But if you lied (or for anyone who decides to do that), that's pretty f-ing tacky, and it's insulting to anyone who has been through that. Let's compare being violently groped, raped, etc to having a professional agent of the same sex touch you with that back of their hands outside your clothes in a public space full of witnesses. Yeah, that sounds really similar.

[frlcb]

Jun 18, 2012 13:19:24 GMT -5 katieh said:

This is a joke, right? Sexual assault?

I'm opted for the pat-down every single time. It's NOT a big deal. I've never been groped, nor felt violated in any way. It's not exactly fun, but every person has been professional and half the time I jus stand there and make jokes and then the person is really nice. They explain everything before they do it, use the back of their hands on your underwire and butt, and yes they put their hands on your upper thigh, but they aren't grabbing your crotch. I'm pretty sure a tailor measuring your inseam gets more action there. I've never gotten the slightest impression that the person enjoyed it or had any desire to feel me up.

Obviously there may be exceptions, but that's what they are - rare exceptions. I'd guess the vast majority of people have had similar experiences to mine.

Anyone who compares it to a sexual assault has clearly never been sexually assaulted. When you get a breast exam at the doctor do you accuse them of groping you?

Yes. it's stupid. I hate the xrays and think they are idiotic and won't stop anyone determined enough to do something terrible. Neither will a pat down. But if I want to fly I have to choose one or the other, so I opt for the pat down, which I consider easier, less invasive, and possibly safer.

And if the person who said they told the agent they were a victim of a assault actually was, then of course I feel badly for you. But if you lied (or for anyone who decides to do that), that's pretty f-ing tacky, and it's insulting to anyone who has been through that. Let's compare being violently groped, raped, etc to having a professional agent of the same sex touch you with that back of their hands outside your clothes in a public space full of witnesses. Yeah, that sounds really similar.

While I generally agree with most of what is said here I will say that every time I have been patted down they have run their hand between my waistband and my skin, and that seems completely unnecessary to me - enough that I refused to allow them to pat down my 13 month old daughter last month when we beeped going through. Fortunately, after getting a manager involved, we got her through alone and she didn't beep, but I did. I don't enjoy the pat down, but actually have no issue with it or the full body scanners for adults.

[stumpy]

I have had the pat down once . . . it really wasn't a big deal. I was totally dreading it b/c I knew that it was coming. I refuse to go thru the body scanner b/c of the radiation. (I have a brain tumor and got radiation . . . so I don't need any more radiation from the scanner!)

Again, I thought it was going to be horrible -- it so wasn't. Maybe each person/patter is different? I got a great person and she explained everything along the way.

[ally]

Jun 18, 2012 13:19:24 GMT -5 katieh said:

This is a joke, right? Sexual assault?

I'm opted for the pat-down every single time. It's NOT a big deal. I've never been groped, nor felt violated in any way. It's not exactly fun, but every person has been professional and half the time I jus stand there and make jokes and then the person is really nice. They explain everything before they do it, use the back of their hands on your underwire and butt, and yes they put their hands on your upper thigh, but they aren't grabbing your crotch. I'm pretty sure a tailor measuring your inseam gets more action there. I've never gotten the slightest impression that the person enjoyed it or had any desire to feel me up.

Obviously there may be exceptions, but that's what they are - rare exceptions. I'd guess the vast majority of people have had similar experiences to mine.

Anyone who compares it to a sexual assault has clearly never been sexually assaulted. When you get a breast exam at the doctor do you accuse them of groping you?

Yes. it's stupid. I hate the xrays and think they are idiotic and won't stop anyone determined enough to do something terrible. Neither will a pat down. But if I want to fly I have to choose one or the other, so I opt for the pat down, which I consider easier, less invasive, and possibly safer.

And if the person who said they told the agent they were a victim of a assault actually was, then of course I feel badly for you. But if you lied (or for anyone who decides to do that), that's pretty f-ing tacky, and it's insulting to anyone who has been through that. Let's compare being violently groped, raped, etc to having a professional agent of the same sex touch you with that back of their hands outside your clothes in a public space full of witnesses. Yeah, that sounds really similar.

:Y:

It is a reality of flying in the world we live in these days. You choose your attitude to and response to any situation, finding a way to view this more positively can only improve your travel experience.

[iluvmytxrgr]

I have actually been sexually assaulted. Having a pat down done by the TSA doesn't even come close.

[GilliC]

Just think of it as a massage. I'm waiting for the "shoulder bomber" so they have to start really getting in there and working out some of those knots!

[shorty20]

Jun 18, 2012 17:43:23 GMT -5 ally said:

Jun 18, 2012 13:19:24 GMT -5 katieh said:

This is a joke, right? Sexual assault?

I'm opted for the pat-down every single time. It's NOT a big deal. I've never been groped, nor felt violated in any way. It's not exactly fun, but every person has been professional and half the time I jus stand there and make jokes and then the person is really nice. They explain everything before they do it, use the back of their hands on your underwire and butt, and yes they put their hands on your upper thigh, but they aren't grabbing your crotch. I'm pretty sure a tailor measuring your inseam gets more action there. I've never gotten the slightest impression that the person enjoyed it or had any desire to feel me up.

Obviously there may be exceptions, but that's what they are - rare exceptions. I'd guess the vast majority of people have had similar experiences to mine.

Anyone who compares it to a sexual assault has clearly never been sexually assaulted. When you get a breast exam at the doctor do you accuse them of groping you?

Yes. it's stupid. I hate the xrays and think they are idiotic and won't stop anyone determined enough to do something terrible. Neither will a pat down. But if I want to fly I have to choose one or the other, so I opt for the pat down, which I consider easier, less invasive, and possibly safer.

And if the person who said they told the agent they were a victim of a assault actually was, then of course I feel badly for you. But if you lied (or for anyone who decides to do that), that's pretty f-ing tacky, and it's insulting to anyone who has been through that. Let's compare being violently groped, raped, etc to having a professional agent of the same sex touch you with that back of their hands outside your clothes in a public space full of witnesses. Yeah, that sounds really similar.

It is a reality of flying in the world we live in these days. You choose your attitude to and response to any situation, finding a way to view this more positively can only improve your travel experience.

Totally agree. The moment they don't pat someone down and they sneak a bomb on a plane, then all of a sudden it'll be "oh my God, why didn't they pat her down, blah blah blah" If you have nothing to hide, I do not understand the big deal at all.

[iammalcolmx]

Jun 19, 2012 12:02:48 GMT -5 shorty20 said:

Totally agree. The moment they don't pat someone down and they sneak a bomb on a plane, then all of a sudden it'll be "oh my God, why didn't they pat her down, blah blah blah" If you have nothing to hide, I do not understand the big deal at all.

Because the government abiding by the constitution of this country specifically the 4th amendment is not optional. The pat downs are not even effective, people have still been able to sneak things through security even if they travel through the xray scanner.

[Ramz-ee]

Jun 19, 2012 13:32:33 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jun 19, 2012 12:02:48 GMT -5 shorty20 said:

Totally agree. The moment they don't pat someone down and they sneak a bomb on a plane, then all of a sudden it'll be "oh my God, why didn't they pat her down, blah blah blah" If you have nothing to hide, I do not understand the big deal at all.

Because the government abiding by the constitution of this country specifically the 4th amendment is not optional. The pat downs are not even effective, people have still been able to sneak things through security even if they travel through the xray scanner.

Did you really just throw the 4th amendment out there related to a TSA pat down? Are you kidding me? That is a ridiculous statement.

If it's an issue to you, why don't you use your freedom as an American and make the choice to take another form of transportation?

[iammalcolmx]

Jun 19, 2012 15:53:46 GMT -5 Ramz-ee said:

Jun 19, 2012 13:32:33 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Because the government abiding by the constitution of this country specifically the 4th amendment is not optional. The pat downs are not even effective, people have still been able to sneak things through security even if they travel through the xray scanner.

Did you really just throw the 4th amendment out there related to a TSA pat down? Are you kidding me? That is a ridiculous statement.

If it's an issue to you, why don't you use your freedom as an American and make the choice to take another form of transportation?

You think it's cool for the Fed's to violate our rights and I am the one making ridiculous statements? No I am NOT kidding. We make a shitload of choices in life just as I make the choice when visiting my family overseas to fly. I don't see how that absolves the government of having to follow the constitution.

[bronxgirl]

Jun 19, 2012 15:53:46 GMT -5 Ramz-ee said:

Jun 19, 2012 13:32:33 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Because the government abiding by the constitution of this country specifically the 4th amendment is not optional. The pat downs are not even effective, people have still been able to sneak things through security even if they travel through the xray scanner.

Did you really just throw the 4th amendment out there related to a TSA pat down? Are you kidding me? That is a ridiculous statement.

If it's an issue to you, why don't you use your freedom as an American and make the choice to take another form of transportation?

It's a ridiculous statement to be knowledgable about the constitution and expect your rights to be upheld??? Did you seriously just type that? That's even more ludicrous than the previous statement "if you have nothing to hide than what's the big deal". well... I guess both those statements are equally ludicrous.

[vampsterdam]

Jun 18, 2012 6:48:26 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I discovered yesterday if you start tearing up and tell the screener that you are an actual victim of assault they'll give you a free mpass.

Yikes.

I'm not saying I'm for the pat down, but this is a terrible thing to lie about. Especially since there are plenty of women who have no voice as victims, but hey, feel free to make something like that up so traveling is easier for you!

[babygirlpriest]

Dude! What effed up airports are you guys going through? I go through 8-10 screenings a month and while annoying (and I'm not at all convinced effective), I have never felt violated.

[GilliC]

Jun 19, 2012 15:53:46 GMT -5 Ramz-ee said:

If it's an issue to you, why don't you use your freedom as an American and make the choice to take another form of transportation?

Because unfortunately being an American citizen doesn't come with the choice to not have your tax money spent on ineffectual security theater.

The scanners are a ridiculous waste of money, especially considering up until this year, any ninny with half a brain could have boarded a domestic flight even if she was on the no-fly list. Heck, you still can in most places. Plus, everyone now knows that you can carry metallic objects right through the full-body scanners. (I hope they're at least working on that one.)

And there's still the option to legally carry a quart of the liquid of your choice through security without even running it through the x-ray.

I have no problem with invasive security procedures as long as they're effective. The scans and pat downs simply aren't.

[Deleted]

I think I am going to bust out a loud fart the nest time a TSA agent tries to pat me down.

[Deleted]

Jun 18, 2012 19:06:52 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

I have actually been sexually assaulted. Having a pat down done by the TSA doesn't even come close.

Ditto. I disagree with how the TSA conducts themselves, and I wont defend r,. But I've been raped and I will take the TSA patdown any day.

[iheartrice]

Jun 20, 2012 15:36:27 GMT -5 vigurl said:

I think I am going to bust out a loud fart the nest time a TSA agent tries to pat me down.

LOL!

[iheartrice]

"Those who choose security over freedom deserve neither" -Benjamin Franklin

[marynjoe]

Amen to iheartrice!

It has been proven that TSA is totally ineffective and while they're groping and seeing nudie pics of innocent people and exposing them to unnecessary radiation, it's not doing a damn thing except for making people feel as if they're safer.

If you don't know why I said "sexual assault", then you haven't been keeping up on what's going on with the TSA. Making people remove their clothes, sqeezing bare breasts, pulling down tops so bare breasts are exposed, grabbing labia, pulling out catheters, making people remove their adult diapers, touching testicles and penises..... It is out of control for no reason. Well, except for the guy who pushed for scanners when it was later discovered that he owned stock in the company that made them and stood to gain millions of dollars. But I digress.

I got gropped on my flight out and my flight home. Both times my posessions were out of my eyesight and I turned around to see them and wouldn't stand in the groping area until I had them near me. TSA didn't like that, as I was supposed to be a stupid sheep and do whatever they said regardless of my concern over theft.

I had hands inside my pants. I had hands in my crotch and under my breasts. Gee, I guess we're all safer now.

On a side note, it used to be that if you beeped in the metal detector, you went through again. If still beeping, you were wanded. Well, our lovely TSA did away with the wand, so if you beep in the metal detector, you're sent straight through the EZ Porn Oven or a pat down. Over kill a bit?

[emilyj]

Jun 19, 2012 15:53:46 GMT -5 Ramz-ee said:

If it's an issue to you, why don't you use your freedom as an American and make the choice to take another form of transportation?

This is an excellent idea. Tomorrow I'm going to go tell my boss that rather than fly to Scotland for the two conferences I need to go to in July, I'm going to exercise my right as an American and demand to take a boat and trains instead. And then I'll tell her that instead of flying to conferences domestically from now on, I'll be needing to rent cars and/or take trains, and double/triple the travel time to/from the conferences and away from my job.

Would you like me to video her laughing at me when I do this?

Do you know how unrealistic that is for some people? I shouldn't have to take alternate forms of transportation to protect my constitutional rights.

[marynjoe]

:Y: EmilyJ!

[GilliC]

Hmmm... Something must have changed. Last time I took my clothes off at a TSA checkpoint they got pissed off and told me to put them back on. They wouldn't pat me down until I did!

I guess the trick is to wait until they tell you to take them off.

PS - If you insist that your belongings stay in sight, they have to let you. Sure they get grumpypants about it, but they still have to comply. Unfortunately, this isn't one that I can toy with, because I travel with a few hundred thousand dollars' of company data with me, and if I lose that laptop, I am in serious trouble. We've actually had company laptops stolen at airport security before, so I take this very seriously. By policy, I am not allowed to let my laptop go through the x-ray until I have a clear path through the scanner or metal detector, because if I get held up, someone on the other side can just walk off with it. A few years ago there was a problem with teams working together where one person would go through, wait for the laptop, and the guy behind him (but in front of you) would walk through with something metal to hold up the line and give the first guy a chance to grab the computer. Clever.

[Deleted]

Am I the only person who doesn't feel like it's a sexual thing when they pat you down? I would guarantee the woman patting me down isn't getting her jollies any more than I am.

[GilliC]

Jun 25, 2012 12:30:39 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

Am I the only person who doesn't feel like it's a sexual thing when they pat you down? I would guarantee the woman patting me down isn't getting her jollies any more than I am.

Nope. They always just seem tired and/or annoyed to me. More "Oh, no, not again" than "Yeah, baby! Bring it on!"