Need TSA pat-down guidelines and Passengers BoR

[marynjoe]

We're flying out very soon and I will NOT go through the EZ Porn Scanner. I'm trying to find a copy of the TSA's guidelines that I can print out, that says I'm allowed to opt-out, I'm allowed to be patted down in private, I'm allowed a same gender screener, etc.

Also, I'm trying to find the Passenger's Bill of Rights for air travel, which includes reimbursement for being bumped, max hours on the tarmac, etc.

Can anyone give me a direct link to these? I've searched all over the internet and even the TSA site, but am coming up with nothing.

Thanks!

[GilliC]

I would love to see the regulations on this, because I explicitly don't want to be screened in private, even if it means lifting up my skirt to check my waistline.

I opt-out, because I don't trust a bunch of poorly-trained TSA agents to know if the machine is operating at normal "safe" conditions or if it's malfunctioning and potentially dangerous. And, I think that ridiculous budget could have been put to better use anyway.

I'd also be curious to know what the rules are regarding being asked to put clothes on for the pat-down. I was once asked to put my sweater back on for the pat-down, because I guess the skimpy top I was wearing underneath didn't give them enough to pat!

[mrs.jacinthe]

Are these what you're looking for?

flyersrights.org/legislation.php

[frlcb]

I have been patted down numerous times, because I travel with children, and they always do a same sex screener. That is not going to be an issue. I always get asked as well if I want to do it in private but never say yes.

[marynjoe]

Jun 8, 2012 18:12:01 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Are these what you're looking for?

flyersrights.org/legislation.php

No, that's not it. I think I'm going to call that organization and see if they can give me something. I looked on TSA's website but that page is "down". yeah, right...

It's got to be out there somewhere.

[frlcb]

Do you normally have a lot of problems when you fly?

[jena]

This TSA page mentions opting out, same gender, and option for privacy.

www.tsa.gov/travelers/pat_downs.shtm

Personally, I would never opt for a pat-down in private. I want witnesses.

[marynjoe]

Thanks jena. frlcb, no I don't normally have a lot of problems, but I don't fly very often. I'm going with my mom that has a few implanted devices, so there will be some problems there.

My issue is that I refuse to go through the Porn Scanner, and sometimes that triggers the TSA to become very aggressive. I'm just big on being away of the regulations as well as my rights before I enter a situation that is often problematic for others.

[monkeygirl18]

I just went through one in Miami this past March. Honestly, I personally don't see what the big deal is. This method is so much faster than the metal detector/wand method and I for one sure as hell dont want some stranger groping me( especially the nether regions and my boobs).
Here's a good artical to educate ones self on on what can and can't be seen and by whom. As for the question of implants: the artical does mention that.

[marynjoe]

Jun 9, 2012 12:35:32 GMT -5 monkeygirl18 said:

I just went through one in Miami this past March. Honestly, I personally don't see what the big deal is. This method is so much faster than the metal detector/wand method and I for one sure as hell dont want some stranger groping me( especially the nether regions and my boobs).
Here's a good artical to educate ones self on on what can and can't be seen and by whom. As for the question of implants: the artical does mention that.

Link?

[monkeygirl18]

www.creators.com/opinion/connie-schultz/airport-s-full-body-imaging-isn-t-porn-but-it-ain-t-pretty.html

[monkeygirl18]

Just as an FYI: here is what the pat downs consist of The TSA's "standard pat-down procedure" is now a more invasive form of the pat-down search that you might have experienced in the past. During the new standard pat-down, a screener of the same sex will examine your head, shirt collar area, and waistband, and may use either the front or back of his or her hands to feel your body, including buttocks, around breasts, and between the legs, feeling up to the top of the thigh. Women in tight skirts that don't allow an agent to feel the thigh area may be asked to remove the skirt in a private screening area and will be given a gown or towel to put on.

Option: Let TSA know about sensitive areas
Tell TSA agents about things such as injuries or conditions that could cause you pain if certain parts of your body are touched or pressed, as well as any medical devices that could be dislodged by a search, or any other reason that TSA agents should be careful when touching your body.

Option: Ask to be patted down in a private location
If you are uncomfortable being patted down in front of other passengers, you can request that TSA agents take you to a private area.

THE "RESOLUTION PAT-DOWN"
If an "anomaly" is detected during the pat-down--or when you go through the AIT scanner-- you will be subjected to a "resolution pat-down." TSA agents will take you to a private area and do a more intense pat-down, which includes using the front of the agent's hands for a more thorough search, including the groin area.

Option: Ask to take a witness with you.
If you are taken to a private area for a "resolution pat-down" search, you can ask to bring a witness with you, or ask TSA to provide a witness for you. This search should also be conducted by a person of the same gender.

This is why I say personally I'd rather take 15 seconds and go through the scanner. To me the pat down procedure is way more invasive than the scanner.

[marynjoe]

Thanks for the info. The article you posted is opinion and there are some facts that are not accurate. I do appreciate the pat down info you posted above. Where did you find that?

It definitely will be a pat down for my mom, as she can't get X-rayed or wanded.

[monkeygirl18]

www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/know-your-rights-when-traveling

[marynjoe]

Thank you!!

[monkeygirl18]

Your welcome.

[sillygoosegirl]

All you have to do is say you want to opt out. Occasionally you will get somebody rude who feels the need to explain to you that the scanner is safe or wants to know why, but normally they are very professional about it. It is always a same gender pat down whether you want/ask for it to be or not (personally, I'd like whoever can be available fastest, but that doesn't seem to be an option). I opt out at least 6 times per month, so I expect they recognize me by now, but no one has ever failed to offer me a private screening, and give me the whole monologue about what they are going to do.

[katieh]

Jun 9, 2012 16:59:17 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

All you have to do is say you want to opt out. Occasionally you will get somebody rude who feels the need to explain to you that the scanner is safe or wants to know why, but normally they are very professional about it. It is always a same gender pat down whether you want/ask for it to be or not (personally, I'd like whoever can be available fastest, but that doesn't seem to be an option). I opt out at least 6 times per month, so I expect they recognize me by now, but no one has ever failed to offer me a private screening, and give me the whole monologue about what they are going to do.

Ditto. I opt out every time. It's no big deal. If it looks like I'm being pointed to the xray machine, I politely say I'd like to opt out please. Every person (except one, who just looked annoyed) has been so polite, thoroughly explained what they were going to do, asked about sensitive areas, offered a private screening. It has never felt even the slightest bit invasive or creepy (even with the one rude person). I highly doubt any of the TSA agents like doing it any more than I like having it done, they just want to get it over with too.

[lolo]

I opt out frequently and all of the pat downs have been professional. Occasionally, I have reminded the agent of something--like having my bags in my sight line during the pat down--but the past several times, they have basically read from a script--similar to what katieh says above.

Sometimes the TSA person directing you to the scanner might be sarcastic or rude. One recently said to me, 'You know that's going to take longer, right?' No big deal, I just reminded him that it was something I had the option to choose over the scanner, and then had the pat down.

Obviously this won't apply since your mom has a medical reason to be patted down (or that person is beyond rude). Is she going to bring documentation of the medical condition/device? It might make it a bit easier for her, just to confirm that all is well.

[GilliC]

Jun 9, 2012 19:42:03 GMT -5 lolo said:

I opt out frequently and all of the pat downs have been professional. Occasionally, I have reminded the agent of something--like having my bags in my sight line during the pat down--but the past several times, they have basically read from a script--similar to what katieh says above.

Sometimes the TSA person directing you to the scanner might be sarcastic or rude. One recently said to me, 'You know that's going to take longer, right?' No big deal, I just reminded him that it was something I had the option to choose over the scanner, and then had the pat down.

This mirrors my experiences as well. The people directing you into the scanner are the ones who sometimes make the exasperated sigh and then roll their eyes when they call for the screener. The women doing the pat-down have pretty much all been polite and professional. Like lolo, the only issues I've had are a few times they were slow gathering my stuff, and I wanted to wait around to keep my eye on it because I was carrying sensitive information for work. (You have to identify all your carry-on belongings from the x-ray, and the TSA agents carry it to the screening desk, because you're not allowed to touch them until after the pat-down, since you might slip something from your person into the tray.)

I actually got tired of the eye-rolling before the scanner, so now I say, "I'd like to opt for the shoulder rub instead?" It really cuts down on the eye rolling because it takes a moment to register, and sometimes they actually chuckle.