Friday, July 22, 2011

If you want to know what to expect when flying and going through TSA security checkpoint you had better read this.

Incident occurred at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 4 Gate D July 13, 2011 at approximately 3:20 PM far right security line.

I entered the screening line and opted out of the full body scanner – for reasons why see below.  
  
After politely opting out of the Full Body Imaging the lady working the line told me to wait at the gate for a pat down. My wallet, shoes, belt and laptop was already through the imaging machine which was out of my sight and control for approximately 15 minutes. I watched several people leave the area with their belongings while mine (as I found out when the TSA agent finally collect them) was sitting in the open at the end of the conveyor belt with no TSA agents in plain view of my items. I told the lady at the gate that my wallet and laptop was sitting there with no one watching and unsecured. Yes I was worried about my laptop, and wallet with personal Identification, money and enough credit cards with limits to make the most discerning thief very happy.  She stated that they have cameras watching; I told her that I wanted my belongings secured which she refused to take action. The only thing the female agent had to say was that there were cameras in the area – each time she stated that "this is your fault for refusing the body scanner". I finally demanded to speak to a supervisor, at this point the TSA agent sitting at the carry on screening machine spoke up and in a very annoyed tone and loud voice said the supervisor was already called. This agent, a stocky balding man whose name was later identified as Detras will enter this series of events a little further down. 

The supervisor who finally showed up (later identified as Schmidt) can be described as light completed with freckles about 5’9” with large stretched holes in his ear lobes from what appears to be gauging; they were large enough that light was passing through the holes. Officer Schmidt took me to get my belongings (again which were un-secure and out of my sight and control for 15 minutes) which he picked up and had to carry them as if they were now somehow secure. It is totally incompetent to allow my belongings to be accessible to strangers for 15 minutes than all the sudden they are somehow secure and I cant touch them. I was led to the open area downstream from the scanners. He explained that he was going to do a pat down which he did. This person with the freaky earlobes touched my scrotum 4 times and continued to run his hands all over my body. After the search he did a test on his gloves which he said came back as positive for something. The TSA agent with the freaky earlobes collected a printout from the testing machine and attached them to a book which appeared to be kept near the machine. I asked to see the results.  He said that that I could not see them and they were only for the TSA to see. He then said that they had to do a more thorough pat down. The supervisor got the TSA agent sitting at the far right (Detras from before) and started whispering to him, then I heard this agent Detras say “I can do that” smiling and happily volunteering as if there was something in it for him. At this point I couldn’t help but think this was payback for refusing the Full Body Scanner. Given the fact that Detras was annoyed before and Schmidt who would not show me the results lead me to believe this was definitely payback. 

At this point Detras led me to the area which was at the far left (as an entering passenger would view it) and taken behind a cube that was made of white frosty glass. The officer described that he was going to do an enhanced pat down which would be even more intrusive than before. I asked again to see the report that came back from the first pat down which was suppose to be positive, he said that was classified and then corrected that it was not classified but for TSA only. Detras described the enhanced pat down and mentioned he was going to feel my groin with the back of his hand. Apparently there is an enhanced pat down for refusing the scanner and another more enhanced pat down when the gloves fail the test.  I then asked if he was going to touch my penis, he got very angry and ordered me to sit down in the chair and said that he was not going to put up with this and was going to call an officer and threatened that I would be physically removed from airport property, arrested  and I would miss my flight. At this point I told him that they were violating my rights, he stated that I gave up my rights when I bought a ticket. My comment was "I never gave up any rights".  At this point I felt that the only way to end the ordeal was to allow this person to “feel my groin area”. Then the pat down started. With my arms extended (as was demanded) I stood there, Detras dropped to his knees and felt and rubbed my penis 5 times as part of the pat down. This was extremely humiliating and a sense that something was totally wrong rushed through my mind (and later that night and still today).  How is it that in order to get on an airplane to make my business trip I have to let a stranger touch my penis?  Why is it that anyone else doing something like this is considered sexual assault? After they tested my items (which strangers has access to for 15 minutes) and checked their gloves again which were good I was allowed to leave. The gloves tested positive at first now they test good. How could this be?  
 
The only difference between the first enhanced pat down (because of the supposed glove test failure) and the 2nd more intense pat down was 1) this one was conducted out of public view, 2) the pat down now included specifically touching my penis 5 times.  All other body areas were handled exactly the same.  And for a definition of “touch your groin”; this means for males (including little boys) that they are going to feel your inside buttocks and penis and for females (including little girls) they are going to feel your inside buttocks, vagina and breasts. Why couldn’t the re-testing be done on the same exact areas that supposedly failed the first time?  If those areas failed the first time they were obviously the areas of concern. Why was my penis the only body part added to the enhanced, enhanced pat down?  For me the answer is clear, they were using this as a means of intimidation for refusing the full body scanner.

UPDATE: on 7/26/2011 I was finally able to contact a Police Officer with the Phoenix PD to file a report. I was told by the Phoenix PD that they do not take sexual assault reports from incidents with TSA. With that in mind think of the free for all given to TSA agents. This opens the door for them to do anything they want to anyone they want including kids. The TSA is the perfect job for a sexual deviant / pedophile. There are a endless supply of children that can be picked out for enhanced pat downs which include "touching the groin area" see above for the real definition of "touching your groin".

Comment on 7/27/2011: I bet word is spreading about this windfall throughout the NAMBLA (North American Man Boy Love Association).. Hope this scares the hell out US citizens! By the way this group really does exist and is even on the web - google it.. 

And the perverts really do exist at TSA full body imaging and grouping sites. Here is a Federal Indictment of a TSA agent that worked at the security checkpoint. http://www.justice.gov/usao/pae/News/2011/Apr/gordon_indictment.pdf

Here is another recent TSA agent that is a child molester:  http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/flyer.do?personId=71608 and the full story is here: http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/orange_news/013110_TSA_agent_arrested_for_molestation-
These are the people that can touch you and your children's private parts and view nude images. Ever hear of the magnification mode on Full Body Scanners? They have this function. When our goverment allows this kind of abuse nothing but bad things will happen.

Here is the sworn statement I sent to the Phoenix PD on 7/27/2011. It was sent even they do not want it as stated before.






Update on 8/2/2011: My next business trip is to Chicago. I had the flight, hotel and rental car booked. After weighing all my options: Take a 45 minute flight and get sexually assaulted or drive 6 hours and not get sexually assaulted. I canceled my flight and rental car and drove the 6 hours.



About me: 40ish professional male, well groomed, blond hair, dress business casual - even on this day. Love this country. I regularly fly the American flag. Rode my motorcycle in the Run to the Wall ride honoring all Veterans. Served in the military. Disgusted with politicians and the erosion of our rights - getting tired of TSA and other agencies pissing on the graves of veterans that gave their lives in the name of freedom.


Why I opted out of the Full Body Scanner:
There are many reasons I have for refusing the extra dose of radiation and violation of privacy. Being a very frequent flier (on the A list)  I do not want dose, after dose, after dose of radiation. The ionizing effect of back-scatter radiation has been classified as a carcinogenic. There have been testing on live biological species (mice and rats) which have been determined to cause cancer. I have never heard of this so called “low dose” back-scatter testing on live biological studies – I have not heard of event one reference to this type of testing or the results and I have looked extensively. I have heard reports where it was never done. Post up if there is any info on this. I certainly do not want to be the quinine pig only to find out that I have lymph node, testicular or skin cancer.

What is absolutely comical and a total lie to the public is the chalky white images that are shown on TSA press releases some of which feature Janet Napolitano standing next to the image. Many of the companies selling Back-scatter X ray machines report “photo like quality images” on most of their equipment but their Full Body Imaging machine statements avoid any statements about image quality all together, nothing about a chalky white image only and nothing about “photo like images”. For the cost of these machines and the available technology being used it only makes sense that they can take photo like images. Common sense should dictate here..

The next time you accept the full body scan think of what that little girl or boy that will have a pornographic picture taken of them. Think your rights are not being violated? On 7/19/2011 as a result of a lawsuit brought by EPIC, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the TSA violated federal law when it installed body scanners in airports for primary screening across the country without first soliciting public comment. The list of violations goes on.

The next time you go voluntarily go through a full body scanner or are exposed to the enhanced pat down think about those little girls and boys out there that have to be exposed to this. You are doing a dis-service to the rest of Americans - young, old and disabled. Think about that.

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for taking the time to post your story.

    And thank you for opting out. If we everyone opted out, the Blue Shirted terrorist would be forced to abandon the cancer causing whole body x-ray chambers.

    Do you part to keep America safe everyone - OPT OUT

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  2. Sad story. It's a damn shame it's going to take a lot more just like yours before the system changes.

    Poe Lou Chan

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  3. Thanks for sharing your story. I've had enough and am planning to drive a 4000-mile round trip rather than support the airlines doing this and subjecting myself to it.

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  4. My 13 year old daughter recently made a trip on her own to spend some time with my parrents (her grandparents) in Florida. She was picked out for the extra screening and given a patdown. She called he mother and was hysterically cying because of the tramatizing event. When she could finally talk about it calmly she described how TSA groped her genitals and breast. The return trip was a long drive.

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  5. Please consider sharing your story here:

    http://tinyurl.com/AbusedByTSA

    There is an active community dedicated to fighting TSA abuses that would love to have you as a part of it.

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  6. This is an outrageous -- and common -- tale.

    This abuse is going on all over the country, every day, to thousands of people. Most of them tell their stories only to family and friends. Most don't have access to a reporter, or a blog. Most of these stories we never hear about.

    This is and always has been about POWER. CONTROL. That's it. The fact that a few sadists get off on it, which clearly happened to you, is just icing on the cake.

    Click my name. I've bee compiling evidence of TSA abuse for over 18 months. You can read about them there.

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  7. The strangest thing is that in the Yukari Miyamae case, Yukari is saying that a police officer prompted, and almost insisted, that the TSA Agent press charges for sexual assault.

    I think refusing to take your report against a screener, but practically demanding that a report be given against a passenger, is unequal enforcement of the law. Have you contacted the ACLU?

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  8. Thanks for sharing! And thanks to the commenters for sharing their stories too.

    Hoping we can get back to a point where genital contact or display is not a prerequisite to traveling :(

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  9. I curse the tsa...daily!!

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  10. Get ready for more harassment, more bullying, more abuse, more assaults, and more arrests:

    http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0711/TSA_readying_new_behavior_detection_plan_for_airport_checkpoints.html

    Also, re the ACLU -- some local branches have been helpful, but the national hq has been worthless. They have completely dropped the ball on this. After collecting stories of TSA abuse last November, when the molestation regime was rolled out nationally, they've ignored it. EPIC is the only major civil liberties organization trying to do anything, with its lawsuit still making its way through the courts. God knows how long that will take.

    The only solution to this is going to be political -- meaning ordinary people standing up and demanding a change. Refusing to fly. Refusing to go through the scanners. Refusing to be groped. Refusing to go quietly. Refusing to submit. Acts of civil disobedience.

    But as long as people continue to put up with it, it will keep happening.

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  11. I'm sorry but I've lost absolutely all faith in my country, just look at the politics where neither party can find any common ground on anything and you think this will change? It's only getting worse (i.e. BART in SF disabling cell service). Bush put this stupid organization into place and Obama is letting it continue.

    So....just get in line, do as your told and learn to live with the fact that the government will do whatever they want whenever they want to you and you will like it (or go to jail)!! You are a terrorist, you are guilty because you want to fly or rather just the fact that you exist. Just like the cops in Fullerton, that is the mentality of your new rulers, "paid administrative leave" is about all old loopy and the detras are going to get. Just wait for the cavity searches and pretty soon you'll be stuck with the same stuff at rail stations, because, you know, someone somewhere may or may not do soemthing that is against the law so to prevent that we need more laws and less freedoms. Next up, lets ban walking across the street or going outside, we wouldn't want any slaves..errr...citizens to get struck by a car or lightning.

    Texas of all places I had to most confidence in them setting law to prevent these absues and they wussied out. (so much for "don't mess with Texas, I guess they lost some of their guts over there).


    Its just wrong to treat our citzens this way, our founding fathers would be appalled at what we've become because these similiar situations is what lead to the origianl revolution (i.e. the british stopping colonist, asking for papers, you know, gustapo stuff). Orson Welles, what prophet!

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing your story, for standing up for your rights and registering your protest loud and clear through multiple channels. You rock! I will be fighting with you every step of the way.

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  13. You want it to end. Vote for RON PAUL. He will end it, as President. If you don't think he can, vote him in and see. He is the only one who is saying he will. He's a 12 term Representative. He says he can.

    You got a better idea? ANY IDEA?
    Get out and VOTE this coming presidential election.

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  14. I had this exact same scenario happen to me at MCO back in August, and I didn't decline the body scanner.

    My flight the night before had been cancelled so had to stay off-the-airport and get back there for a 6am flight the next morning. I had been in Northern Florida camping out at a music fest for a few days so god know what kind of "residue" I had on my unwashed clothing. I passed thru security the night before with NO problems.

    I get there the next morning and there is a massive line, and I'm already strapped for time because the airline never re-ticketed my friend for some reason.

    I get whisked aside by a TSA agent who says they have to examine my luggage further and subject me to a back-of-the-hand glove-swab as you mentioned. They tear apart my carry-on bag and question me about every item, "why do you have underwear" "what is this lighter for" "why are some of your clothes wet" etc. Then they asked why I was tired, and explained I slept for 2 hours because I had to get back to the airport. Also, they looked and saw my flight was departing in 20 minutes and joked "well, looks like you won't be making this flight haha". Like, really?!

    Anyway, they re-pack my carry-on (horribly) and tell me the swab-test came back "positive" for an unknown substance. So they take me to a frosted-glass room as you described. My personal items sitting next to me. I watch as the main agent and 3 others follow me into this room. I thought it was a weirdly voyeuristic situation to have 3 adult males watch as the other explains that the "enhanced" pat down will be conducted using the front of the hand as opposed to the back. After feeling my junk and buttocks, the agent leaves for 5 minutes. I make some jokes because its the only way I can cope with an uncomfortable situation. The agent comes back in and says the test came back negative this time and I am free to leave.

    I tried to ask for the results or what kind of substance suddenly comes back negative, but was told they could not tell me why I was pulled aside. I'm just happy they didn't submit me to a cavity search, because when I saw the room I was in, and a gigantic box of blue rubber gloves, I thought I would be limping out of that room. Very weird situation and I'm glad I found your post, cheers.

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  15. If you fly these days, you have only two options: you can expose yourself to a significant dose of radiation and to having pornographic pictures taken of yourself (dangerous and immoral), or you can allow yourself to be sexually molested by TSA agents (immoral).

    I conclude that it is completely immoral to buy and use an airline ticket and there is no justification (not work, or a funeral, or anything) for it. The executive order that enabled all this was put into effect in early November, 2010.

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  16. The sexual and degrading assault by TSA agents is so traumatizing that the muslim brotherhood demanded TSA agents not touch their women and children. As a result muslim women get a free pass through airport security. The very people who are responsible for TSA are getting FREE PASSES because its to demeaning for them! What does that tell you? American citizens have become the enemy of our current administration. We have not decided this..our govrnement has!

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