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TSA Insists That It Doesn't Pick Hot Women Out For Extra Scrutiny
from the no-really dept
The TSA apparently has heard enough of various claims that its agents have been giving... um... "special attention" to attractive women making their way through airport security, and has issued a clear denial that the TSA ever focuses on looks, rather than security. In the specific case they're discussing, in which a woman claimed that she was forced to go through a body scanner three times, the TSA says that it happened so long ago that there aren't any specifics to go on. However, it does note that the machines at that airport are not the infamous "nudie scanners" but rather the newer machines that don't show a person's direct scan (and that these images are viewable by the person being scanned):
It does seem likely that the TSA is correct that the claims of this woman being put through a scanner for prurient purposes may have been exaggerated, but that doesn't mean that attractive people aren't necessarily called out for extra attention. The TSA categorically denies this possibility, but how would it know? It's not like TSA agents have a particularly good track record in obeying the law. Could there have been a situation where someone sent a woman through the scanner multiple times not to see the scan, but to keep paying her special attention? That seems much harder to rule out, and nothing in the TSA's post even acknowledges that possibility.
Either way, the blog post also notes that the woman did not file a complaint at the time, and suggests that if you have a problem, you should do so. Perhaps the TSA's Blogger Bob has never traveled like us "normal" people, but the whole process of getting through security is often such a hassle, the last thing you want to do after finally being allowed into the gate area is to continue dealing with the TSA and/or to provoke further scrutiny. As we've seen in the past, the TSA also does not have the best record when it comes to responding to those who complain about its activities.
I'm sure Blogger Bob believes that the TSA doesn't give special attention to attractive passengers, but perhaps it's time to acknowledge that the entire security theater setup is open to such charges because of how poorly designed it is?
Either way, the blog post also notes that the woman did not file a complaint at the time, and suggests that if you have a problem, you should do so. Perhaps the TSA's Blogger Bob has never traveled like us "normal" people, but the whole process of getting through security is often such a hassle, the last thing you want to do after finally being allowed into the gate area is to continue dealing with the TSA and/or to provoke further scrutiny. As we've seen in the past, the TSA also does not have the best record when it comes to responding to those who complain about its activities.
I'm sure Blogger Bob believes that the TSA doesn't give special attention to attractive passengers, but perhaps it's time to acknowledge that the entire security theater setup is open to such charges because of how poorly designed it is?
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TSA is watching!
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Hehehehe
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Try a few times
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She did not file a report at the time
> file a complaint at the time, and suggests that
> if you have a problem, you should do so.
Two things:
1. How many women who are assaulted file a report at the time, or sometimes ever?
2. If you complain about the TSA, at the time, they are going to GUARANTEE that you do not make your flight -- just out of spite.
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Not convinced
I normally agree how TSA agents abuse their authority, but this seems like insubstantial vilification.
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I seem to recall...
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You want to know what is sad?
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Re:
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Proof? Just because you say it doesn't make it true, unless there is evidence to back it up.
"...TSA uses the latest technology to adapt and keep up with the threat."
Yet, they are always looking at the last "threat", not being proactive and using the advice of non-government security experts to anticipate future threats.
"You can complain all you want but there hasn't been another 9/11 since TSA has taken over security at the airports."
Yes, but correlation does not mean causation. Just because the TSA is in charge of security doesn't mean it is solely responsible for preventing another 9/11. If you consider the shoe bomber and others, airport security didn't stop them from getting on the plane. It was the passengers that prevented them from doing any damage. Personally, I think the reason another 9/11 hasn't happened is because passengers are more inclined to deal with threats themselves nowadays, not increased airport security.
Finally, if a terrorist really wanted to make a statement, he would be better off targetting the security chokepoints rather than the airplane itself. That would shutdown the entire airport, and possibly surrounding area, rather than taking out a single plane. And it would show that the security theater from the government is ineffective at protecting people.
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That settles it
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Re:
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Re: That settles it
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Is that why they steal your shit?
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Re: Not convinced
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As long as TSA is doing their job day in and day out correctly then we will prevent another terrible day like we had on 9/11.
Nope, we have far worse now - essentially a police state where everything we do is monitored. We have a semblance of privacy, and are guilty until proven innocent.
We live in fear of going outside, lest we anger the police and be tazed or pepper sprayed, and then hauled off to commercialized prison.
I don't know about you - but I felt a lot more secure knowing I still had freedoms - the terrorists have won.
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Too Easy
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Of course that meany you have to believe in that all-terrorists-wants-to-harm-us fairy tale.
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When your imagination is left to explain the actions of someone representing an organization which you don't like then of course the explanation will be negative.
It's not as if TSA understands what it is like to be on the receiving end of privacy invasions, so of course what I just explained very easily will be a foreign concept to them.
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TSA can't earn the reputation they have and then expect the public to just be the better people and comply without dissent.
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Response to: jason on Feb 16th, 2012 @ 4:50pm
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Re: Thank You, Jason - You can Board First
As you probably know, there has never been a female hijacker in the history of aviation, which can only mean one thing: we're overdue.
Therefore, it only makes sense that we should SLOWLY AND COMPLETELY check your girlfriend as she goes through our scanners. Yeah....that's it, reeeeaally slowly.....
I'd write more, but there is a whole group of college girls on spring break at the security checkpoint and I need to ensure that they don't have anything naughty hidden in their pants.
TSA Blogger Bob
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