vagabond
doldrums
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Guys, what's your preference: body scan or pat-down? How's this pat-down different from SSSS screening ? Has anyone experienced it ?
I was reading this NY Times blog ( http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/share-your-security-screening-story/ ) where loads of fliers have shared their airport security stories. The following one was pretty disturbing to me but it could be just an internet story (comment #51, page 3)
I was flying to Tel-Aviv (Israel) from JFK. Yes, I was flying El-Al, and I am not Jewish or Israeli, which most likely triggered the profiling.
I had already passed TSA security two times (Miami and JFK). As I boarded the plane, Israeli security pulled me off the line and started questioning me. They took my passport, checked it and asked me questions about my trip (business). I put my back-bag down and took out the "security letter" my company (which is Israeli) had provided me with as a means to facilitate travel. I also took out my business card. That was the last time I touched my bag, until after I arrived in Tel-Aviv.
After they questioned me, they told me I couldn't go in that plane, unless I subjected myself to a "detailed" security screening. They also told me I could not take my carry-on (back-bag) with me. They also explained that if I didn't comply with their requirements, I would not be allowed in that flight, and would have to wait for the next one, which for scheduling conflicts, I just couldn't take.
I agreed, and asked them to let me take out of my bag my inhaler (I have asthma), iPod and sleeping pills. They said NO and asked me to not touch my bag anymore. As my bag went off for inspection, I was taken by two security agents to a "secret" place.
The ladies were very courteous, but they had to do their job, and I cooperated the best way I could. We took an elevator. I was pulled into a conference room, where I was asked to take off all my clothes. Yes, I was naked, literally. However, even naked, the lady continued her screening with the detector. The other officer walked into the room and took my jacket, clothes and my shoes. They were off to their own inspection.
At this point I admit I was getting irritated, but didn't demonstrate my annoyance at all: just breathed.
My clothes, except my jacket and shoes, were giving back to me 4 to 5 minutes later. I was pulled to another room with lying detectors. Sat in the chair, and was asked more questions. Jacket and shoes came back later. Lady asked her supervisor if she had to cut the jacket. At that point I was quite upset and told them they could cut my jacket as long as they paid the X amount of money I had paid for it. The price kind of scared them (I guess), they stopped right there. I had been patient enough until then.
I was escorted back to the plane 10 to 15 minutes later. At the door, I was giving back my jacket, passport and cell-phone (the only things I had on me prior to inspection).
Many people, from the comments I read in blogs praise Israeli security. Indeed, it is the best. Israel is a country that is constantly threatened, and whose enemies don't mind at all bombing themselves or things up in the name of religion and/or hate.
Well, dear Americans, those people are also a threat to our nation. They don't like us and they don't respect us, and if we give them a chance, they would strike again. Stop living in La La land and face reality.
TSA is for the greater good. Yes, I am sure there might be some rude officials, but hey, there are rude people everywhere. Just thinking how many people, with their own prima donna attitudes passed daily through security, make me wonder if a couple of sporadic cases, are really worth generalizing the whole "security screening" experience as harassment or whatever.
I was reading this NY Times blog ( http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/share-your-security-screening-story/ ) where loads of fliers have shared their airport security stories. The following one was pretty disturbing to me but it could be just an internet story (comment #51, page 3)
I was flying to Tel-Aviv (Israel) from JFK. Yes, I was flying El-Al, and I am not Jewish or Israeli, which most likely triggered the profiling.
I had already passed TSA security two times (Miami and JFK). As I boarded the plane, Israeli security pulled me off the line and started questioning me. They took my passport, checked it and asked me questions about my trip (business). I put my back-bag down and took out the "security letter" my company (which is Israeli) had provided me with as a means to facilitate travel. I also took out my business card. That was the last time I touched my bag, until after I arrived in Tel-Aviv.
After they questioned me, they told me I couldn't go in that plane, unless I subjected myself to a "detailed" security screening. They also told me I could not take my carry-on (back-bag) with me. They also explained that if I didn't comply with their requirements, I would not be allowed in that flight, and would have to wait for the next one, which for scheduling conflicts, I just couldn't take.
I agreed, and asked them to let me take out of my bag my inhaler (I have asthma), iPod and sleeping pills. They said NO and asked me to not touch my bag anymore. As my bag went off for inspection, I was taken by two security agents to a "secret" place.
The ladies were very courteous, but they had to do their job, and I cooperated the best way I could. We took an elevator. I was pulled into a conference room, where I was asked to take off all my clothes. Yes, I was naked, literally. However, even naked, the lady continued her screening with the detector. The other officer walked into the room and took my jacket, clothes and my shoes. They were off to their own inspection.
At this point I admit I was getting irritated, but didn't demonstrate my annoyance at all: just breathed.
My clothes, except my jacket and shoes, were giving back to me 4 to 5 minutes later. I was pulled to another room with lying detectors. Sat in the chair, and was asked more questions. Jacket and shoes came back later. Lady asked her supervisor if she had to cut the jacket. At that point I was quite upset and told them they could cut my jacket as long as they paid the X amount of money I had paid for it. The price kind of scared them (I guess), they stopped right there. I had been patient enough until then.
I was escorted back to the plane 10 to 15 minutes later. At the door, I was giving back my jacket, passport and cell-phone (the only things I had on me prior to inspection).
Many people, from the comments I read in blogs praise Israeli security. Indeed, it is the best. Israel is a country that is constantly threatened, and whose enemies don't mind at all bombing themselves or things up in the name of religion and/or hate.
Well, dear Americans, those people are also a threat to our nation. They don't like us and they don't respect us, and if we give them a chance, they would strike again. Stop living in La La land and face reality.
TSA is for the greater good. Yes, I am sure there might be some rude officials, but hey, there are rude people everywhere. Just thinking how many people, with their own prima donna attitudes passed daily through security, make me wonder if a couple of sporadic cases, are really worth generalizing the whole "security screening" experience as harassment or whatever.
