Keep safe from the potential of robbing by the TSA!!! [Archive]

Operator

12th January 2013, 22:37

I traveled through Miami almost 2 weeks ago. What should have been an intermediate stop only traveling through
on December 31st became a small nightmare when we missed the connecting flight due to delay of American Airlines.

We had to stay a night in Miami (baddest new years eve ever) and were now forced to subject ourselves to TSA the
next day while checking in again. There were only 2 very overcrowded lines leading up to the TSA check.
They really treat people as a herd of cattle there.

Only the left body scanner was used infrequently. So my family and I were navigating as good as possible toward the
line not using the scanner to avoid the potential request to go through the scanner.
We ended up in the line with the scanner however and my wife and kids, as many many others, before me got through
without troubles. When I arrived there at last I got picked out and the TSA guy yelled at me "get in there".
I said "No way, I am opting out".

Since I was more or less expecting this I rehearsed the line in my head and it helped me to stay calm and react in a way
that you stay in control. And you should because then their staged play comes into action.

The guy looked at me as if he finally found his first terrorist in this job. I simply added "That thing is a health hazard".
Then he started jelling "Opt out, opt out !" which is relayed by several TSA guys because the pat-down guy has to come
from somewhere else (pretty far). They create an ambiance as if found a couple of armed guys on the airport and all
surrounding people (already pretty annoyed) are getting even more nervous.

He asked me if I wanted to be patted down in-private or just in public. I told him "Just do it here. Show the other people
what you are doing to humans. I don't mind". In hindsight I think it's also better NOT to have it done in-private because
they might get more brutal when less people are looking.

But here's the reason why I am posting this in relation to this thread. It was a really big mess over there (deliberately?).
While all this was happening carry on luggage was falling of the transport belt and a lady next to me saw her laptop just
falling on the ground etc. My wife came back and was worried I would get hot headed (as she knows my standpoint).
But I just asked her to get over there and get my stuff together. I am telling you, they will let you wait forever !!
It took at least 10 minutes before a guy arrived to start with the pat down. During all that time you are separated from all
the most important stuff which is in your carry on luggage for a good reason. If you are traveling alone opting out might
end up far worse than you think. Who knows what they (or someone else) will do with your luggage/laptop/phone etc. in the meantime.

After the very intense and long(!) pat down they needed my boarding pass and passport again. I wonder if they somehow
marked this event in or related to my passport .... Should I expect to get this treatment every time from now on?

While all this happened my wife talked with another TSA officer (probably kind of supervisor). He actually admitted that all of
this isn't really working and far from practical. Although it's not a very pleasant experience I think more and more people
should opt out till they reach the point where it is no longer doable and they have to make it easier.

One final advice that helped to keep me calm ... remember that the TSA guys have a job because you are the traveler
and in fact their employer. Don't be impressed by the overwhelming number of 'uniforms' etc. They don't have any authority
over you if you do not allow it. If you stay calm and act as a human you can insist that they do it too.