More incredulous insanity from the TSA
The TSA decided to send a commercial airline pilot through a full "body scanner" at the Memphis International Airport (the full story is extremely interesting and can be read here http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig11/roberts-m1.1.1.html ). Mr. Michael Roberts flies (as long as he still has a job) for Express Jet Airlines. He declined being virtually strip searched by a full body scanner and to be looked at by an unseen TSA agent. He was informed that he would be physically "patted down" for "opt-out" screening, a search that would include an agent touching Mr. Roberts in places that should make most uncomfortable. After declining a groping from TSA, he was informed that he would not be allowed to proceed to his aircraft.
Two thoughts come to mind: One, he is the PILOT! A virtual strip search does nothing to remove Mr. Roberts from the controls of an airliner, should he be a terrorist. Additionally, Mr. Roberts has gone through extensive background checks, and security screening to ensure that he isn't interested in pursuing terrorism. In fact, as many as 12,000 US airline pilots currently carry handguns with them under the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, and are supported on many flights by the Federal Air Marshal Program. Imagine how 9/11 would have unfolded with armed pilots and law enforcement on board. Box cutters vs. handguns? Two, this reminds me of Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage's (R-ID) stand against the TSA in 2004 ( http://articles.cnn.com/2004-12-23/travel/tsa.pat.downs_1_pat-downs-metal-detector-screeners?_s=PM:TRAVEL ). After females destroyed airlines with explosives in mid-air over Russia in 2004, the TSA secretly modified their screening procedures, and wouldn't reveal their authority to touch people in such an inappropriate fashion. After the story was picked up by the Wall Street Journal, the TSA changed their policy, and reversed course.
As a member of the aviation community, I realize that security is crucial. We have seen graphic demonstrations of the incredible destruction and devastation that an airliner can have when controlled by a terrorist. But, we cannot lose our basic freedoms, that are enumerated, but not bestowed by American law. TSA must be charged to secure our airports and airliners with common sense screening that does not include touching passenger's and flight crew's breasts and genitals, or conducting virtual strip searches.
Two thoughts come to mind: One, he is the PILOT! A virtual strip search does nothing to remove Mr. Roberts from the controls of an airliner, should he be a terrorist. Additionally, Mr. Roberts has gone through extensive background checks, and security screening to ensure that he isn't interested in pursuing terrorism. In fact, as many as 12,000 US airline pilots currently carry handguns with them under the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, and are supported on many flights by the Federal Air Marshal Program. Imagine how 9/11 would have unfolded with armed pilots and law enforcement on board. Box cutters vs. handguns? Two, this reminds me of Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage's (R-ID) stand against the TSA in 2004 ( http://articles.cnn.com/2004-12-23/travel/tsa.pat.downs_1_pat-downs-metal-detector-screeners?_s=PM:TRAVEL ). After females destroyed airlines with explosives in mid-air over Russia in 2004, the TSA secretly modified their screening procedures, and wouldn't reveal their authority to touch people in such an inappropriate fashion. After the story was picked up by the Wall Street Journal, the TSA changed their policy, and reversed course. 
As a member of the aviation community, I realize that security is crucial. We have seen graphic demonstrations of the incredible destruction and devastation that an airliner can have when controlled by a terrorist. But, we cannot lose our basic freedoms, that are enumerated, but not bestowed by American law. TSA must be charged to secure our airports and airliners with common sense screening that does not include touching passenger's and flight crew's breasts and genitals, or conducting virtual strip searches.
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Good post Dommy. Aren't pilots given a little badge to bypass security?? I'm wondering why he was searched at all!
ReplyDeleteNice, Dom! I would have been furious if I was supposed to be a passenger on that plane! Really? He's a pilot. He has a pretty big weapon right there.
ReplyDeleteArticulate statement to say that our freedoms are enumerated but not bestowed by American law. This is the fundamental error of modern philosophy and law is to abandon the understanding where law and rights come from. Nice job.
ReplyDelete