Tsa

[Abbey Marie]

Yesterday, I had my first experience with an "upper body" massage by a TSA agent. Apparently, my USO badge interfered with their body scan of my chest. She was professional about it, and it didn't last very long, but it is unnerving to have your body touched like that in view of all the other passengers. But here's the question: After she did the deed, she told me that I then had to have my fingers swabbed, and stand there until they dried. Huh? My fingers didn't do anything. Hers did.

Anyone have a clue why they do that?

[fj1200]

But here's the question: After she did the deed, she told me that I then had to have my fingers swabbed, and stand there until they dried. Huh? My fingers didn't do anything. Hers did.

Anyone have a clue why they do that?

Bomb chemical detection?

[Abbey Marie]

Bomb chemical detection?

Ooooh, that sounds very likely! :eek:

[revelarts]

Washington (CNN) -- To the list of instructions you hear at airport checkpoints, add this: "Put your palms forward, please."
The Transportation Security Administration soon will begin randomly swabbing passengers'hands at checkpoints and airport gates to test them for traces of explosives.

Previously, screeners swabbed some carry-on luggage and other objects as they searched for the needle in the security haystack -- components of terrorist bombs in an endless stream of luggage.
But after the Christmas Day attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 over Detroit, Michigan, the TSA began a program of swabbing passengers' hands, which could be contaminated by explosive materials, experts say. The TSA will greatly expand the swabbing in the coming weeks, the agency said.

"The point is to make sure that the air environment is a safe environment," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told CNN. "We know that al Qaeda [and other] terrorists continue to think of aviation as a way to attack the United States. One way we keep it safe is by new technology [and] random use of different types of technology."



Airline Terrorism (http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/Airline_Terrorism)



Security (http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/transportation_security) experts consulted by CNN said swabbing hands is a good move, and privacy advocates said they support the new swabbing protocols, provided the agency tests only for security-related objects and does not discriminate when it selects people to be tested.
It's a "very good idea," said security expert Tony Fainberg. TSA (http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/transportation_security_administration) screeners currently swab luggage handles and parts of bags that are likely be contaminated by human hands, he said, and swabbing a person's hands increases the chances of finding explosive materials. "Looking at the hands means you will probably get a better dose," he said.
Under the new protocols, tests will be conducted at various locations -- including in checkpoint lines, during the screening process and at gates. Newer, more portable machines make it easier to conduct tests away from fixed locations such as the checkpoint.
The TSA has more than 7,000 explosive trace detection (ETD) machines and has purchased 400 additional units with $16 million in federal stimulus money. The president's fiscal 2011 budget calls for $60 million to purchase approximately 800 portable ETD machines.
Napolitano said the tests will not significantly increase wait times at airport checkpoints.
The American Civil Liberties Union has "always supported explosive detection as a good form of security that doesn't really invade privacy (http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/privacy_rights)," said Jay Stanley, an attorney and privacy expert with the organization.
Stanley said the ACLU is chiefly concerned that the TSA does not discriminate when selecting people for enhanced screening -- something the agency said it does not do -- and that it treat people with dignity.
"We would not want to see it implemented in a discriminatory fashion, for example, in a disproportionate way against Muslims and Arabs or, for example, people with red hair or anything else. Security experts from across the spectrum will tell you that that's not just unfair and unjust and not the American way, it's also a terrible way to do security," Stanley said.
Swabbing also should not be used to test for nonsecurity-related contraband, such as drugs, he said. "Under the Constitution, searches in airports are only for the purpose of protecting the security of airline transportation; they are not general law enforcement stops. And so it wouldn't be permissible for the government to use these trace portal detectors to look for drugs," Stanley said.
The TSA said the machines test only for explosives. It declined to specify which explosives, citing security reasons.

Because some legal substances -- such as fertilizers and heart medicines -- can result in "false positives," Stanley said the ACLU also wants to ensure that people who test positive be treated respectfully.

"It's important that the government treat people who do show up as a positive -- fairly and with dignity -- and not parade them off in handcuffs and treat them as terrorists (http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/airline_terrorism), but do rational things to investigate what the problem might be," he said.
But swabbing hands does not, by itself, raise civil liberty problems, Stanley said. "There's really not a big privacy interest at stake here," he said. "They are basically looking for particles of explosives, which is not something that people normally have."...


http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/17/tsa.hands.swabbing/





TSA detains sick girl because she tested positive for explosives, mother saysA 12-year-old girl who uses a wheelchair was detained for nearly an hour at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport by Transportation Security Administration agents who said they detected traces of bomb residue on her hands, according to her mother.
MyFoxDFW.com reports that Shelbi Walser, who suffers from a genetic bone disorder, was traveling with her mother from Texas to Florida for medical treatment Dec. 8 when she was prevented from proceeding through a security checkpoint.
When a screener swabbed Shelbi's hands and fingers, she tested positive for explosives, her mother, Tammy Daniels tells KHOU.com. The wheelchair, she said, was never tested.
Daniels said a bomb specialist showed up and TSA agents prevented her from getting close to her crying daughter, according to MyFoxDFW.com.
Other passengers reportedly spoke out in support of Shelbi, according to Daniels, who used her cell phone to record a video of the incident.
After nearly an hour, Daniels said agents suddenly told them they were free to leave, offering no explanation for the detention.
TSA responded in a statement to MyFoxDFW.com that reads in part, "TSA's mission is to safely, efficiently and respectfully screen nearly two million passengers each day at airports nationwide. We are sensitive to the concerns of passengers who were not satisfied with their screening experience and we invite those individuals to provide feedback to TSA through a variety of channels."


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/14/tsa-detains-sick-girl-on-grounds-tested-positive-for-bomb-residue/#ixzz2Un5Uo82l




everyone's phone recorded 24/7, frisked and swabbed to travel on planes. etc etc..
If you told someone 50 years ago America would be like this they'd think you were crazy.

[fj1200]

Ooooh, that sounds very likely! :eek:

This close to saying I "know" a terror suspect. Rats. Be careful or you'll be rendered to West Virginia.

[Thunderknuckles]

DNA sample to be stored in a government database somewhere deep inside a mountain.

[revelarts]

DNA sample to be stored in a government database somewhere deep inside a mountain.

that's next.
But they'll do those when they stop you for traffic violations or stop and frisk or kids for baseballs through the window.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10067856/Police-take-DNA-samples-from-children-every-ten-minutes.html
http://digitaljournal.com/article/350625

[Abbey Marie]

I have to go through security a few times a month due to the volunteering, and because I have a titanium rod in my upper arm, I set off the machines every time. It is a royal pain and seems to get worse each time. I am now thinking that it is only a matter of time before I get the full terrorist treatment. :(

[revelarts]

I have to go through security a few times a month due to the volunteering, and because I have a titanium rod in my upper arm, I set off the machines every time. It is a royal pain and seems to get worse each time. I am now thinking that it is only a matter of time before I get the full terrorist treatment. :(

sarcasm alert
will you stop your complaining. Don't you love America Abbey?:eek: They are keeping you safe just obey obey obey and the so called "terrorist treatment" won't be a problem. Even water boarding is NOT torture so have nothing at all to complain about.

And what if you ARE a terrorist and they just let you through HUH HUH?!!

[tailfins]

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/17/tsa.hands.swabbing/






everyone's phone recorded 24/7, frisked and swabbed to travel on planes. etc etc..
If you told someone 50 years ago America would be like this they'd think you were crazy.

Retiring in the Amazon seems like a better option all the time. Maybe the Indians have good reason to throw spears at outsiders. Being subjected to non-Indigenous society could be considered an act of aggression in and of itself. This is from a news story how some construction workers were greeted:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lsop_TitcPk/Tfh4ynaoPcI/AAAAAAAABAk/JDjjHZxfXQo/s1600/4.jpg

[fj1200]

Retiring in the Amazon seems like a better option all the time.

Have you gotten over your cuisine issues yet?

[tailfins]

Have you gotten over your cuisine issues yet?

I'll do what I have to.

[tailfins]

Back to the original topic: I expect my next flight to be from Halifax to St. John's to avoid that awful boat to Newfoundland. I hope it's a better security experience on the other side of the border.

[jimnyc]

Yesterday, I had my first experience with an "upper body" massage by a TSA agent. Apparently, my USO badge interfered with their body scan of my chest. She was professional about it, and it didn't last very long, but it is unnerving to have your body touched like that in view of all the other passengers. But here's the question: After she did the deed, she told me that I then had to have my fingers swabbed, and stand there until they dried. Huh? My fingers didn't do anything. Hers did.

Anyone have a clue why they do that?

So, what I'M getting out of this is, if I get a job with the TSA, there IS a chance I can come into contact with your boobies? :)

Don't worry gals, I'm confident I wouldn't pass a hefty background check and would be denied 'legal booby touching'. :(

On topic...

I used to side with the slight inconvenience and security, but I think scanners and detectors should be enough. I dunno. I've seen many. many videos of women getting their boobs lifted up and checked all around, and then of course the upper thighs. Use these fancy shmancy new scanners and metal detectors and other technology, but this feeling up of people has to stop. And it's always old ugly ladies and the gals getting violated. How come I never see stories of men complaining of similar? I wouldn't mind too terribly much if it were a gal doing the checking, but if it's a guy I am going to jail after I blacken his eye if he touches my junk!

[aboutime]

Yesterday, I had my first experience with an "upper body" massage by a TSA agent. Apparently, my USO badge interfered with their body scan of my chest. She was professional about it, and it didn't last very long, but it is unnerving to have your body touched like that in view of all the other passengers. But here's the question: After she did the deed, she told me that I then had to have my fingers swabbed, and stand there until they dried. Huh? My fingers didn't do anything. Hers did.

Anyone have a clue why they do that?


Abbey. I'm probably wrong on this. But. I suspect. They often do a Residual Gun Powder test like that to see if you have handled a weapon that had been fired recently.
We all know how crazy the TSA system seems to be after so many years. But, that's what you get when the Government hires generally unqualified people who get the JOLLIES from the POWER the government has given them.
You know...Like BARNEY and his ONE BULLET on the Andy Griffiths show?????

[tailfins]

So, what I'M getting out of this is, if I get a job with the TSA, there IS a chance I can come into contact with your boobies? :)

Don't worry gals, I'm confident I wouldn't pass a hefty background check and would be denied 'legal booby touching'. :(

On topic...

I used to side with the slight inconvenience and security, but I think scanners and detectors should be enough. I dunno. I've seen many. many videos of women getting their boobs lifted up and checked all around, and then of course the upper thighs. Use these fancy shmancy new scanners and metal detectors and other technology, but this feeling up of people has to stop. And it's always old ugly ladies and the gals getting violated. How come I never see stories of men complaining of similar? I wouldn't mind too terribly much if it were a gal doing the checking, but if it's a guy I am going to jail after I blacken his eye if he touches my junk!

I wouldn't go that far, but I would definitely ask. "Are you trying to get some kind of thrill, faggot?"

[jimnyc]

I wouldn't go that far, but I would definitely ask. "Are you trying to get some kind of thrill, faggot?"

I'm traveling in August and am hoping to just get by with the scanning stuff. Don't they only do the pat down if one refuses the scanner? I hope!

[Abbey Marie]

Thanks for all the replies. What's really amazing is I have one TSA agent shouting to everyone that I must be let ahead of the line because I am a USO volunteer. Then the next one is searching me for bombs and stuff. We volunteers come through that exact terminal security point 24/7, 365 days a year. We all have the same shirts and badges. They know us. Oh well, such is life in 2013 I guess.

Though I doubt the agents like doing it anymore than we like having it done.

Jim, if you are searched, it will most likely be by a man. :uhoh:

[Abbey Marie]

I'm traveling in August and am hoping to just get by with the scanning stuff. Don't they only do the pat down if one refuses the scanner? I hope!

I had the pat down after going through the scanner.

[jafar00]

So, what I'M getting out of this is, if I get a job with the TSA, there IS a chance I can come into contact with your boobies? :)

Don't worry gals, I'm confident I wouldn't pass a hefty background check and would be denied 'legal booby touching'. :(

On topic...

I used to side with the slight inconvenience and security, but I think scanners and detectors should be enough. I dunno. I've seen many. many videos of women getting their boobs lifted up and checked all around, and then of course the upper thighs. Use these fancy shmancy new scanners and metal detectors and other technology, but this feeling up of people has to stop. And it's always old ugly ladies and the gals getting violated. How come I never see stories of men complaining of similar? I wouldn't mind too terribly much if it were a gal doing the checking, but if it's a guy I am going to jail after I blacken his eye if he touches my junk!

I've been strip searched in London (Eurostar) and in Zurich Airport. Never been harassed anywhere else except for a bag search with way too many stupid questions while on transit through Helsinki once. I'm dreading the day I will ever need to fly to the US from all of these stories I've heard. I'm the type of traveller that gets annoyed when I have to dig my laptop out of my bag when going through the scanner. Thankfully that is only at a few airports in the world.

[Gaffer]

I've been strip searched in London (Eurostar) and in Zurich Airport. Never been harassed anywhere else except for a bag search with way too many stupid questions while on transit through Helsinki once. I'm dreading the day I will ever need to fly to the US from all of these stories I've heard. I'm the type of traveller that gets annoyed when I have to dig my laptop out of my bag when going through the scanner. Thankfully that is only at a few airports in the world.

Just tell em you're a mulsim and they will pass you right through. It's all just a dog and pony show.

[Marcus Aurelius]

Abbey. I'm probably wrong on this. But. I suspect. They often do a Residual Gun Powder test like that to see if you have handled a weapon that had been fired recently.
We all know how crazy the TSA system seems to be after so many years. But, that's what you get when the Government hires generally unqualified people who get the JOLLIES from the POWER the government has given them.
You know...Like BARNEY and his ONE BULLET on the Andy Griffiths show?????

Being a card carrying NRA member, I'm frequently at the range, shooting anything from my old Marlin 80 (circa mid 1930's) to a Russian made Mosin-Nagant (WWII model, circa 1940-ish) to my future son-in law's AR-15 (he has several nice ones of varying designs).

I would imagine that I'd be selected for 'additional screening', based solely on that test, should I decide to fly someplace. I know one guy who got 'dinged' on that test, after handling firecrackers on July 4th.

[Marcus Aurelius]

I've been strip searched in London (Eurostar) and in Zurich Airport. Never been harassed anywhere else except for a bag search with way too many stupid questions while on transit through Helsinki once. I'm dreading the day I will ever need to fly to the US from all of these stories I've heard. I'm the type of traveller that gets annoyed when I have to dig my laptop out of my bag when going through the scanner. Thankfully that is only at a few airports in the world.

Just shout 'Allahu Akbar!' a few times, That will fix things.

[tailfins]

Being a card carrying NRA member, I'm frequently at the range, shooting anything from my old Marlin 80 (circa mid 1930's) to a Russian made Mosin-Nagant (WWII model, circa 1940-ish) to my future son-in law's AR-15 (he has several nice ones of varying designs).

I would imagine that I'd be selected for 'additional screening', based solely on that test, should I decide to fly someplace. I know one guy who got 'dinged' on that test, after handling firecrackers on July 4th.

One way tickets draw suspicion. When I flew out to drive a parts car home, it drew TSA interest from as far back as 2003. When they saw jumper cables in my carry on it really made them suspicious. This might be one case where being an Aspie is a benefit. I have been told that I analyze where most people get intimidated.

[Marcus Aurelius]

One way tickets draw suspicion. When I flew out to drive a parts car home, it drew TSA interest from as far back as 2003. When they saw jumper cables in my carry on it really made them suspicious. This might be one case where being an Aspie is a benefit. I have been told that I analyze where most people get intimidated.

Jumper cables? man, I mean, it's not like you had one of these, right???

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31rzZcDILnL._SY300_.jpg

[Thunderknuckles]

Jumper cables? man, I mean, it's not like you had one of these, right???

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31rzZcDILnL._SY300_.jpg
I know 10 different ways to kill a man with toenail clippers.
There, now I've flagged myself in a number of government databases.

[revelarts]

http://www.debatepolicy.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2869&d=1324953939


"Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes" Deadly
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/03/14/irish-car-bomb-cupcakes/


TSA confiscates potentiality deadly cupcake. (above picture is only an example, not a real terrorist cupcake, not used in any events ever but potentially could be... maybe.. one day... so)

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/24/9676807-frightening-frosting-tsa-confiscates-cupcake

[WiccanLiberal]

They apply a chemical to your hands? I would want a complete MSDS on the chemical and a written disclaimer that it is harmless.

[aboutime]

A Bottle full of water is capable of KILLING any human being. It's called DROWNING.

The TSA has become more of a Joke, and a place for Power Hungry people to get their Jollies.

[Marcus Aurelius]

They apply a chemical to your hands? I would want a complete MSDS on the chemical and a written disclaimer that it is harmless.

good luck with that.