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TSA pulls pants off of elderly man during search
It always never fails to amaze us what sort of crazy screening the TSA is doing on everyday passengers. You've probably seen the pictures of the security officer frisking the nun at Detroit's airport and were thinking what we were thinking -- what is a nun going to sneak into an airport? But the TSA can't discriminate against anyone based on their race, color, creed or age, so they have search even the most innocent looking people just like everyone else.
A 71 year old man was recently searched because he had a prosthetic knee, and the TSA officer went so far as to remove the man's pants in plain sight of the checkpoint to insure that he wasn't hiding anything. Check out the news coverage of the incident below -- we'd be angry too!
A 71 year old man was recently searched because he had a prosthetic knee, and the TSA officer went so far as to remove the man's pants in plain sight of the checkpoint to insure that he wasn't hiding anything. Check out the news coverage of the incident below -- we'd be angry too!
10 tips for smarter flying
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 13)
bob Jul 28th 2008 3:21PM
TSA IS A JOKE !!!!!!!
"C" Jul 28th 2008 3:21PM
There are right ways and wrong ways to do things. If the TSA has a good reason then by all means check, but in a closed room. However Sherry, what you said happened to your neice? 13 yrs old ALONE in the room? Over my dead body! I would go to the media over that one and have their (TSA workers) a$$es in a sling.
LNeunz Jul 28th 2008 3:23PM
Do as I do and you will never be bothered by TSA workers. Don't fly---anywhere---ever.
Steven Ungles Jul 28th 2008 3:29PM
I think it's funny, but no doubt, he'll sue and win a small lottery from the TSA (AKA: The taxpayers.)
Steven Ungles Jul 28th 2008 3:34PM
Oh Karin, settle down. Calling the TSA Screeners names, is childish and immature. It's a crappy job, that pays like crap, and you have no idea how much education they have. I'm not a Screener, I wouldn't do the job to have to put up with people like you, for such little pay!
Aaron Shutt Jul 28th 2008 3:36PM
While I DO NOT in any way advocate TSA abuses of power, I do take issue with those who claim that the TSA accomplishes nothing. Anyone who has five minutes can log on to the TSA website and see (right on the home page) a brief outline of the incidents of the past week. For instance, last week there were 22(!) firearms found at checkpoints. Does this justify the power trips of TSA inspectors, which by the way are the same power trips as many police officers, IRS agents, Immigration agents, public school employees, and building inspectors have? No, of course not. However, anyone who claims that the TSA accomplishes nothing is an idiot.
Joe in ATL Jul 28th 2008 7:41PM
But, The question is, how many were not found? The TSA web-site is very one sided and is nothing more than a PR campaign for a badly managed federal workfare program. If you recall the media reports from last fall, there were just as many, if not more reports of failed tests at many airports accross the country.
ShabbySherrie.com Jul 28th 2008 3:41PM
These 'idiots' are just that -- minimum wagers . . . with benefits. these m/w's are given huge amounts of power over ordinary citizens -- this job takes them out of the catagory of 'ordinary citizen' and makes them power hungry. everyone loves to have power over someone or something else. funny, we pay them $5+ an hour (with benefits) to do so. So you have a fully-insured wellfare [qualified] recipient, uneducated (or they would be working somewhere else -- this job is one step up from mcdonalds), power hungry idiot reining over the average joe, or the biggest vip, ready to SHOW them what they can, and are legally 'required,' to do. I have a port (and a 5-inch scar) in my shoulder from chemotherapy. I also have two valves -- one under my arm, the other in my left breast -- to fill 'tissue expanders.' i have documentation and a card (for the port). the first time one of them wants to see -- i'll give them an eye full. maybe it will give breast cancer PREVENTION a bigger name than running around for a CURE. I'm not sure how much more a supervisor makes but, rest assured, it was someone promoted from the bottom of the pot. what does that tell you -- next time scream for the police, not the idiot's boss.
Emma Leigh Jul 29th 2008 9:42AM
Maybe you should check your facts before you post things you know nothing about. First year screeners make approximate 42K per year and have full FERS benefits.
I was screener and yes, we had a couple of jerks. They were quickly weeded out. Since you like to think that the majority of screener are minimum wage idiots, I'd like to share the background of my former co-workers. I worked ORF home aiport and IAD as MSF
myself - BA in bus admin, 15 years management exp (and I was "just" a baggage screener)
retired Navy chief - there were over 20 on our shift
former policeman - 2
former state trooper - 1 (IAD)
former special ops - 2 (IAD)
former border patrol - 1
former military 4 to 6 years - at least 25 - probably more on both shifts
former VA natural gas executive - 1
former Air Forcer fighter pilot - 1 (he was the assistant security director)
former retail managers - 4
I went through a 12 hour application process that included a reading comprehension test, listening test and physical agility test; vision, hearing, blood and urine tests were also administered. There were then multiple interviews. I was then told I would have to take 2 weeks (80 hours) of classes and if I didn't pass the final test I didn't have a job. If McDonald's does all that then maybe I should consider letting my son work there.
What that screener did was wrong. He forgot that he was dealing with a person and not a thing. When you are screening thousands of people a day it is easy to stop seeing them as people. It is a re-training and management issue that needs to be dealt with.
I get really irritated when people start spouting jibberish they know nothing about.
ShabbySherrie.com Jul 31st 2008 12:06PM
i think the word (repeated over and over) FORMER says it all . . .
Ray Jul 28th 2008 10:13PM
I agree there should be some kind of security. I also think some thought process should be involved when these TSA people decide to pull someone to the side. Anyone can apply for these jobs. You have to pass a test but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to pass. Someone needs to teach discretion during training.
Dean Jul 28th 2008 3:42PM
The TSA people are from the lowest rung of life and for the most part are stupid creeps.They enjoy embarrassing people,its the way they get off.
LNeunz Jul 28th 2008 3:42PM
P.S. I have flown before, its just not worth the hassle anymore.
frank Jul 28th 2008 3:49PM
TSA agents are nothing but a bunch of wanna be Police Officers. Most are out of shape and couldn't stop a petty fistfight if it broke out at the airport.They have no common sense and 99% of them are on some sort of power trip. This outfit should be disbanded immediately by the Federal Government. The problem with this country is that it is run by a bunch of attorneys. The sooner they get rid of these people the better off everyone will be. One other thing, if we have to go back to profileing, then so be it.
Yogi Jul 28th 2008 3:53PM
I once worked for TSA, and you are offered a private screeening before any patdown and you can request one if for some reason you did not hear the offer of one. I do empathize with the man in Chicago, and do believe that supervisor was out of line. There are two sides to every story. And the IDIOT who stated Terrorists aren't anyone, they're darn skinned middle easterns--YOU ARE A FOOL. Have you taken some terrorists classes to make that determine. They are of all race and ethnic backgrounds, AMERICANS too. Please, don't speak on any information when you don't have the facts, and mislead someone. I've had the training and knowledge to know, you might be one so hopefully, you get Selected Screening when you fly, because you're an idiot. Educate yourself, don't be ignorant and assume!
H George Jul 28th 2008 3:53PM
I JUST GOT FINISHED TALKING TO SOMEONE ABOUT THIS KIND OF TREATMENT A HOUR AGO. THEY WERE WANTING TO KNOW IF THEY COULD SEND FOOD TO ANOTHER COUNTRY FOR A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT ON THEIR RETURN FLIGHT. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS AT LUBBOCK AIRPORT AND I HAD TO THROW AWAY MY NOT EVEN OPENED BOTTLE OF WATER, AND THEN THEY TRIED TO CONFISCATE MY MAKEUP RIGHT OUT OF MY PURSE! I WAS SO PISSED. I HAD TO TAKE IT ALL OUT AND GIVE IT TO MY IN LAWS SO THEY COULD MAIL IT TO ME! THEY MADE A HORRIBLE 'SHOW' LIKE I WAS SMUGGLING DRUGS ONTO THE PLANE AND KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. WHAT THE ABSURD THING IS-I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE WATER BEFORE I WENT THROUGH THE GATE WITH THE RECEIPT IN HAND AND THEY STILL SAID THROW IT AWAY AND SEARCHED EVERYTHING I HAD ON MY PERSON. THEY EVEN EXAMINED MY CELL PHONE! IT RANG WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH (MY MOTHER IN LAW WAS WONDERING WHAT THE HELL THEY WERE DOING TO ME-SHE COULD SEE FROM A DISTANCE AND SHE WAS FREAKING OUT) AND THEY WOULDN'T LET ME ANSWER THE THING BECAUSE MY MAKEUP AND NEWLY PURCHASED WATER BOTTLE WERE CAUSE FOR SUSPENSION. THEY ARE CLEARLY ABUSING THEIR 'AUTHORITY' AND I WAS HORRIFIED BY THIS EXPERIENCE.
pbihomes Jul 28th 2008 3:53PM
fat lazy government workers
J. Skinner Jul 28th 2008 3:54PM
Sorry, but I think a lot of this stuff with TSA is helping to put the airlines out of business, because I'm one of those that will go out of my way to avoid flying. Tying to get shoes back on and things collected as you are having a body search gets on my nerve. I went through once with my sister and was shocked to realize they were going to get that girl fall after getting her out of the wheel chair and I'm surprised my reaction didn't get me laid out that day. And, on one trip they were searching my bag and the guy asked something and I just happened to put my hand on the barrier right in front of me and his reaction blew me away. Now, they've gotten so bad if you are going to be staying somewhere for a week or better it's best to mail most your stuff, because you can't take it with you anymore. I think TSA has made flying a miserable experience now and much of that could be solved just by using common sense.
Lanette Jul 28th 2008 3:56PM
this is a disgrace....i understand that security checks have to be done but flyers should have rights and they should not be stripped of their dignity.
this is an outright disgrace.
ann Jul 28th 2008 4:07PM
terrorist, or just plain looney people try and bring dangerous goods on the plane all the time. The person trying to hijack the plane does not have to fit the description of someone from the middle east. as a flight attendant of 20 years i can tell you i have had some very scary moments up there with people who are not middle eastern. A plane can be brought down by anybody. so even if you are a 100 year old nun with all your joints replaced i would still feel better if Tsa checked you out. I have a feeling that some of these stories about being victimized by the tsa are grossly exagerated and or they are a respone to someone who will not comply and start trouble.