Is TSA Going Too Far With Air Security Measures?

By U.S. News Staff

December 17, 2010 RSS Feed Print

As the holiday travel season unfolded, a new regime of air security measures—including full-body scanners and intrusive pat-downs—drew howls of protest from some who worry they are excessive. Advocates argue that they are necessary to ensure safety.
Edited by Robert Schlesinger

Yes

Jena Baker McNeill
Homeland security policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with full-body scanners. In fact, the more we innovate and introduce new security technologies, the more we can stay one step ahead of terrorists.But there are major problems with the way the Department of Homeland Security, through the Transportation Security Administration...

No

Jeff Sural
Former official with the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security

The Transportation Security Administration's new airport screening procedures—body scanning machines and enhanced pat-downs—are justified in the context of our unfortunate reality. The reality is, bluntly, that bad people persist in trying to kill Americans en masse and in a way that captures...

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I am all for safety at our airports but I do think that the search procedures at the airport may have gone to far. Recently my 72 year old mother was taking the 1+hour flight from San Diego to Phoenix, Az; she has had hip replacement surgery are well as back surgery and has several metal rods in her back and a metal hip joint, she sets the metal detector off every time she passes through. She has medical documentation that she carries with her to support this, yet she is ALWAYS pulled aside for a "pat down." On her most recent flight the TSA officer in SD did a bit more "pat her down," the officer actually placed her hands inside my mothers pants and proceeded to "check her out" both in front, and in back. Now, I must say...this is going just a bit to far! We must draw a line between safety and human rights, and if we must profile to keep Us citizens protected then we must profile! I just don't see how fondling a 72 year old woman is keeping me safe? Sounds more like sexual assault if you ask me!

Anne of CA 2:22AM January 07, 2011

To everyone who is against TSA i give u two middle fingers!! First and foremost its called unpredictable screening, its not only "the middle easterners" u assume are terriost, terriost come in ALL SHAPES and COLORS and SIZES!!! Last time i checked we had alll american terriost and some of those took out our IRS building, killed innocent people, etc, so for the record you can hide ANYTHING anywhere on you. I guess all it takes is another mis-hap and u'll be blaming TSA for not doing their job to protect us. People grow up, thats why this world needs to be cleansed and the Mayans predicted what they did.

Anna of FL 4:40PM January 06, 2011

Are they going too far? Wrong question!
The correct question is, Are TSA's using all the information we know and using correct methods to stop terrorism? The answer to that is a loud and definite NO!!! What's the purpose of profiling?
The result of TSA actions is enraging the non-threatening ordinary fliers. Are we looking forward to not taking any suitcase and showing up in line nude? Should the flying public assume that attractive, "busty" ladies of all ages are fitting the profile? And should be patted down?
We do know what most terrorists look like! So, check everyone who fits the profile - THOROUGHLY! And shuttle them to a separate line immediately; Line 1, please! If they fit the profile - WALK this way! NOW! Scan and pat them down to your hearts content.
So what if it irks them, maybe they'll stop flying? Bingo!
Please, use some restraint in the excessive pat-downs and scans OR scan everyone without exception and equip every single airport in the world with enough gear to make it fast and easy to make your flights. Otherwise we are just protecting major airports.
How does a flying customer know that each airline is implementing procedures adequately and within required parameters? Establish ALL the TSA's as federal employees so the process is uniform, fair, and quick. I won't believe for a second the procedures are uniformly applied in every case. We are hearing daily about crude mis-application of pat-downs, strip searches and cavity invasions!
If you don't want a pat-down choose line 1-15 for a scan. IF YOU STILL BEEP after the metal and body scanner you just don't fly today! WALK TO THE NEAREST EXIT!
If someone declines a scan or pat-down, escort them to the property line of the airport and send them away! You don't need to "pat" them, strip and/or cavity search them, etc. unless they fit the PROFILE - go to line 1, please! (Let them carry their own luggage out with them.)
By the way, I'd like certification that ALL TSA's have experienced an aggresive pat-down, strip search, and cavity search as part of their training.
A little role-playing on how to properly handle people at the security checkpoints would help too. It sounds like mob control training should be required since many flyer patrons are witnessing the blatant mistakes in the TSA's application of protocols.
I'm also assuming that ALL TSA's are required to submit to a psychiatric evaluation prior to employment? And, it is man-man or female-female for the scans, pat-downs, and cavity searches, isn't it? Why, then, is the male TSA smirking? Is that passive/aggressive behavior or just pure power satisfaction?
Bottom line: If you don't like the security protocols don't fly until they change - vote with your feet!
If you're an American citizen you DO have the right to voice your disdain and log your complaints - even at the airport!
Do vote! And contact your congressmen - often!

RJ of WI 11:25AM January 03, 2011

Is TSA Going Too Far With Air Security Measures?

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Is TSA Going Too Far With Air Security Measures?

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