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Get your daily dose of TSA patdown pictures at thedailypatdown
Every once in a while it's fun to take a step back from the whole TSA security discussion and take a look at how far we've come as a society in the past ten years. We really to have our entire bodies patted down to fly on an airplane? The bamboo sandals that I had to take off at the checkpoint are really a security threat? Venti caramel macchiatos are actual beverages that can be purchased at Starbucks? What a world that we live in.As far as we at Gadling Labs can tell, that disbelief is what's behind the site thedailypatdown, a collection of awkward TSA patdown photos and where the only blogged text on the entire site so far is "Your Daily Dose of Security Theater". Each day, another picture of some poor soul being searched by an equally uncomfortable security officer is posted to the tumblr blog, and so far they have a pretty slick collection. Check them out here.
Filed under: Business, Blogs, Airlines, Airports, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
basiclysimple1 Dec 17th 2010 8:37PM
Quick to touch you, but can't see the monitor. They will play with your ass, but can't see weapons and explosives in front of them ... imagine that. This is what we get for allowing the government to outsorce another vital part of our country's security.
joe c Dec 18th 2010 2:22AM
simple 1,
you are a short sighted moron, private screeners were on duty when 9/11 ocurred, when box cutters and other weapons were allowed on planes. The TSA is not Out-sourced (look up the meaning!!)
george Dec 17th 2010 9:44PM
I'm flying next Monday and dread going through security to board the plane. Don't know if the IQ level of about 10 is attributed to the agents or TSA regulations, but it is a sorry state of affairs either way. Sure, some reasonable level of security is necessary, but our government is stupid (as always) when it comes to logic. The surly, arrogant attitudes of most (not all) agents is a black eye to the US gov't TSA program. They get their union pay and have a free pass to abuse any and all citizens of America whether it is warranted of not. Airport security should be handled by a private security based company, not the TSA arm of federal government. It would be more efficient, less taxpayer cost, more customer friendly, and more professional. If a private firm did not perform up to par, they would be fired and replaced. Of course, I guess that is too logical for the US government to figure out or they don't want to give up the controlling power over the citizens.
Mo Dec 17th 2010 10:15PM
I get we need to be as safe as possible and there are so many variables in threats everywhere and airports are one of those places. The airports are full of people, loaded with jet fuels, a plane crash not only has mass causalities in the air but can harm on the ground. It's not just a terrorist but it could be anyone take the guy from Florida this week in the news at the school board meeting or the stressed out flight attendant who made his dramatic exit what if he had been a different kind of stressed. Looking at those photos I don't look forward at all to flying. The picture shows just what we have had to give up and over to. The looks on the faces of the people. I don't want to be touched like that at all let alone in the open.Why isn't that done privately behind a screen or something? I I doubt the TSA people are all too thrilled either doing the searches touching another person's goodie box or kneeling down in front or behind them can't be too pleasant. Wonder if they find it degrading and demeaning too that this is their job now? I kind of feel like if you are pulled to the side and searched that way they owe you a drink coupon on your flight or at the airport bar or starbucks and personal and intimate details about your searcher so the whole experience isn't cheapened. The idea of it all makes me cringe especially for my kids.
John Dec 17th 2010 10:24PM
I will be flying from Los Angeles to Sydney next week. About six hours before I have to be groped by TSA I am going to eat five large bean burritos. When that dude is on his knees inspecting my butt I am going to cut a quiet monster. I doubt he will spend much time fondling my junk.
Paul Dec 18th 2010 8:40AM
As an airline pilot I am not subject to this gross violation. Nonetheless, I am infuriated by the willingness of the American public to stand like sheep while their 4th amendment rights are violated. The TSA/HS is a gov't. funded PAC hell-bent to keep their jobs and increase expenditures of American tax dollars. The enemy is laughing while they watch us submit to unwarranted and illegal intrusions compounded by the sexual battery offered as an alternative to entering the porn machines. We do not need the TSA. Passengers have been the 100% effective arrest of every attempt to do violence in an airplane since 9/2001. Remember the 4th - the amendment! Stop letting the enemy win by whimping acquiescence to the self-serving mob known as the TSA.
Michael Dec 17th 2010 10:48PM
First of all, you only get patted down if you trigger an alarm. If you follow instructions and don't set of any scanner alarms by removing jewelry, cellphones, coins, pens, etc out of your pockets you won't get patted down.
Removing your shoes is necessary because weapons can be hidden.
If you follow instructions, it's really a painless process. I fly on a regular basis and I have yet to be patted down once. Key word(s) here being FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
There really isn't any compromise for good airline security. The alternative is far to costly to consider.
John S. Mournian Dec 17th 2010 11:20PM
I have to laugh at the guy threatening to eat a monster bean fest and then letting go when the TSA person is behind him, but this is not the person to direct your perfume at; blame it on
the uneducated majority of our country that behaves like sheep going over the cliff. The latest POWER person is an ex-FBI man and he is swinging a heavy club with the approval
of Washington. Write a letter to your Congress person or Senator, or even to Pres OBAMA.
We need to stop the flow of Middle East immigrants entering the USA! Develop more efficient detectors and junk the Xray. Make everybody go through the line and remember
that even if you pass the standard detector, you still have to decide on the Xray or the
pat down____NO ESCAPE!
Smokescreen
queenglo40 Dec 17th 2010 11:31PM
After viewing these pat down photos I will never fly again. I can not believe
how they took an older lady out of a wheelchair for a pat down. Not to mention
the obvious fondling with hands flat out on a womans breasts. So much for back of hand, Why did they keep the lady in underwear sitting there so long? I feel for both the men and, women that have to submit to this. I understand the need for security
but, when is enough......enough? Please Mr. President lets get back to profiling.
As much as I miss my family I will not fly. I never thought I would live to see this.
What galls me is more is the fact that Senators, Congressmen do NOT have to
submit to this. I am a safe American Senior as they are. When will more Americans
complain or stop flying....Maybe if we all do that this indignity will end.
computrick Dec 18th 2010 12:40AM
Those pat-dows should be classified as "pornography".
A shame for a country that claims to be so christian and so blessed by god.
john Dec 18th 2010 12:43AM
What about the muslim extremist or do they allow them to go right thru because they are afraid of profiling.
Homer Simpson Dec 18th 2010 12:50AM
If TSA agents touch me between my legs, I'm gonna pop a woody.
John Dec 18th 2010 10:56AM
ok, what numbskull hired the aging stripper to buy a cheap plane itcket and then try to go through security in her bra and panties with her dog? Come on, folks, this is theater to titllate you !
joe c Dec 18th 2010 2:11AM
Im a TSA screener and Im tired about all your winey complaints. Yes explosives can be packed in flip flops, yes old men and old women can be used to carry explosives. Liquid explosives are REAL !!!!! Wake up people!! This is our world we helped to create. Everybody forgets Timothy McVeigh, did he look like a terrioist????.... Thank God nothing has happened in the past 8 yrs....Flying is not a Constitutional right......The Terrorist are still out there, still trying... we are doing our best to stay 1 step ahead.......and prevent another 9/11.... I know people will still found joy in criticizing us, its what makes America great...placing blame where it doesn't belong, and failing to blame those responsible........
JohnK Dec 18th 2010 4:58AM
Yeah great job. You catch no one and offend everyone. A couple of days ago a middle eastern gentleman accidently made it through your great security with a loade handgun in his carry on. He called the TSA from his hotel room later asking how you missed it. Keep up the good work.
David S. Dec 18th 2010 5:27AM
Recently flew overseas, and was only patted down once when I was leaving the country (UAE). Didn't bother me a bit. Had to show the guy my wallet and keys. It took two minutes. Much ado about nothing. People believe anything the media tells them -- I find that far more pathetic than any pat down.