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Airport Security vs. Your Privacy


A man who refused a body scan and pat-down search at a San Diego airport has become an Internet sensation in the debate weighing fliers’ security versus their privacy.

On his blog, John Tyner wrote about and posted a cell phone audio recording of his half-hour encounter Saturday at Lindbergh Field.

He refused a full-body scan and wouldn’t allow a Transportation Security Administration worker to conduct a groin check. Tyner tells the worker, “If you touch my private parts (ed), I’m gonna have you arrested.”

The dispute that followed included police escorting him from the screening area and a supervisor saying he could face a civil lawsuit.

“Advanced imaging technology screening is optional for all passengers,” TSA said in a statement released Monday. “Passengers who opt out of [advanced imaging] screening will receive alternative screening, including a physical pat-down.”

But anyone who refuses to complete the screening process will be denied access to airport secure areas and could be subject to civil penalties, the administration said, citing a federal appeals court ruling in support of the rule.

What do you think of airport security?  Does it go too far or does it go far enough?

[These events took place roughly between 5:30 and 6:30 AM, November 13th in Terminal 2 of the San Diego International Airport. I’m writing this approximately 2 1/2 hours after the events transpired, and they are correct to the best of my recollection. I will admit to being particularly fuzzy on the exact order of events when dealing with the agents after getting my ticket refunded; however, all of the events described did occur.

I had my phone recording audio and video of much of these events. It can be viewed below.

Please spread this story as far and wide as possible. I will make no claims to copyright or otherwise.]

This morning, I tried to fly out of San Diego International Airport but was refused by the TSA. I had been somewhat prepared for this eventuality. I have been reading about the millimeter wave and backscatter x-ray machines and the possible harm to health as well as the vivid pictures they create of people’s naked bodies. Not wanting to go through them, I had done my  research on the TSA’s website prior to traveling to see if SAN had them. From all indications, they did not. When I arrived at the security line, I found that the TSA’s website was out of date. SAN does in fact utilize backscatter x-ray machines.

I made my way through the line toward the first line of “defense”: the TSA ID checker. This agent looked over my boarding pass, looked over my ID, looked at me and then back at my ID. After that, he waved me through. SAN is still operating metal detectors, so I walked over to one of the lines for them. After removing my shoes and making my way toward the metal detector, the person in front of me in line was pulled out to go through the backscatter machine. After asking what it was and being told, he opted out. This left the machine free, and before I could go through the metal detector, I was pulled out of line to go through the backscatter machine. When asked, I half-chuckled and said, “I don’t think so.” At this point, I was informed that I would be subject to a pat down, and I waited for another agent.

A male agent (it was a female who had directed me to the backscatter machine in the first place), came and waited for me to get my bags and then directed me over to the far corner of the area for screening. After setting my things on a table, he turned to me and began to explain that he was going to do a “standard” pat down. (I thought to myself, “great, not one of those gropings like I’ve been reading about”.) After he described, the pat down, I realized that he intended to touch my groin. After he finished his description but before he started the pat down, I looked him straight in the eye and said, “if you touch my “private parts” (YWN), I’ll have you arrested.” He, a bit taken aback, informed me that he would have to involve his supervisor because of my comment.

We both stood there for no more than probably two minutes before a female TSA agent (apparently, the supervisor) arrived. She described to me that because I had opted out of the backscatter screening, I would now be patted down, and that involved running hands up the inside of my legs until they felt my groin. I stated that I would not allow myself to be subject to a molestation as a condition of getting on my flight. The supervisor informed me that it was a standard administrative security check and that they were authorized to do it. I repeated that I felt what they were doing was a sexual assault, and that if they were anyone but the government, the act would be illegal. I believe that I was then informed that if I did not submit to the inspection, I would not be getting on my flight. I again stated that I thought the search was illegal. I told her that I would be willing to submit to a walk through the metal detector as over 80% of the rest of the people were doing, but I would not be groped. The supervisor, then offered to go get her supervisor.

I took a seat in a tiny metal chair next to the table with my belongings and waited. While waiting, I asked the original agent (who was supposed to do the pat down) if he had many people opt out to which he replied, none (or almost none, I don’t remember exactly). He said that I gave up a lot of rights when I bought my ticket. I replied that the government took them away after September 11th. There was silence until the next supervisor arrived. A few minutes later, the female agent/supervisor arrived with a man in a suit (not a uniform). He gave me a business card identifying him as David Silva, Transportation Security Manager, San Diego International Airport. At this point, more TSA agents as well as what I assume was a local police officer arrived on the scene and surrounded the area where I was being detained. The female supervisor explained the situation to Mr. Silva. After some quick back and forth (that I didn’t understand/hear), I could overhear Mr. Silva say something to the effect of, “then escort him from the airport.” I again offered to submit to the metal detector, and my father-in-law, who was near by also tried to plead for some reasonableness on the TSA’s part.

The female supervisor took my ID at this point and began taking some kind of report with which I cooperated. Once she had finished, I asked if I could put my shoes back on. I was allowed to put my shoes back on and gather my belongs. I asked, “are we done here” (it was clear at this point that I was going to be escorted out), and the local police officer said, “follow me”. I followed him around the side of the screening area and back out to the ticketing area. I said apologized to him for the hassle, to which he replied that it was not a problem.

I made my way over to the American Airlines counter, explained the situation, and asked if my ticket could be refunded. The woman behind the counter furiously typed away for about 30 seconds before letting me know that she would need a supervisor. She went to the other end of the counter. When she returned, she informed me that the ticket was non-refundable, but that she was still trying to find a supervisor. After a few more minutes, she was able to refund my ticket. I told her that I had previously had a bad experience with American Airlines and had sworn never to fly with them again (I rationalized this trip since my father-in-law had paid for the ticket), but that after her helpfulness, I would once again be willing to use their carrier again.

At this point, I thought it was all over. I began to make my way to the stairs to exit the airport, when I was approached by another man in slacks and a sport coat. He was accompanied by the officer that had escorted me to the ticketing area and Mr. Silva. He informed me that I could not leave the airport. He said that once I start the screening in the secure area, I could not leave until it was completed. Having left the area, he stated, I would be subject to a civil suit and a $10,000 fine. I asked him if he was also going to fine the 6 TSA agents and the local police officer who escorted me from the secure area. After all, I did exactly what I was told. He said that they didn’t know the rules, and that he would deal with them later. They would not be subject to civil penalties. I then pointed to Mr. Silva and asked if he would be subject to any penalties. He is the agents’ supervisor, and he directed them to escort me out. The man informed me that Mr. Silva was new and he would not be subject to penalties, either. He again asserted the necessity that I return to the screening area. When I asked why, he explained that I may have an incendiary device and whether or not that was true needed to be determined. I told him that I would submit to a walk through the metal detector, but that was it; I would not be groped. He told me that their procedures are on their website, and therefore, I was fully informed before I entered the airport; I had implicitly agreed to whatever screening they deemed appropriate. I told him that San Diego was not listed on the TSA’s website as an airport using Advanced Imaging Technology, and I believed that I would only be subject to the metal detector. He replied that he was not a webmaster, and I asked then why he was referring me to the TSA’s website if he didn’t know anything about it. I again refused to re-enter the screening area.

The man asked me to stay put while he walked off to confer with the officer and Mr. Silva. They went about 20 feet away and began talking amongst themselves while I waited. I couldn’t over hear anything, but I got the impression that the police officer was recounting his version of the events that had transpired in the screening area (my initial refusal to be patted down). After a few minutes, I asked loudly across the distance if I was free to leave. The man dismissively held up a finger and said, “hold on”. I waited. After another minute or so, he returned and asked for my name. I asked why he needed it, and reminded him that the female supervisor/agent had already taken a report. He said that he was trying to be friendly and help me out. I asked to what end. He reminded me that I could be sued civilly and face a $10,000 fine and that my cooperation could help mitigate the penalties I was facing. I replied that he already had my information in the report that was taken and I asked if I was free to leave. I reminded him that he was now illegally detaining me and that I would not be subject to screening as a condition of leaving the airport. He told me that he was only trying to help (I should note that his demeanor never suggested that he was trying to help. I was clearly being interrogated.), and that no one was forcing me to stay. I asked if tried to leave if he would have the officer arrest me. He again said that no one was forcing me to stay. I looked him in the eye, and said, “then I’m leaving”. He replied, “then we’ll bring a civil suit against you”, to which I said, “you bring that suit” and walked out of the airport.

This video starts with my bag and belongings going through the x-ray machine.They’re kind of long, and they don’t show much, but the audio is really good.

 

I was in the middle of telling someone that if I was going to be felt up, I wanted it done in public so that everyone could see what it is that the TSA does. Here is the rest of that video.

After I was escorted out to the ticketing area, I went to have my ticket refunded. I didn’t have the opportunity or the presence of mind to turn the camera back on until everyone walked away from me.



9 Responses

  1. Granted it isn’t the best feeling when they uhhhhh get close & there should be something better such as PROFILING, however I am not too sure this individual wasn’t looking for ‘trouble’ so he wouldn’t have to travel.

  2. Profiling is the only sane way to protect passengers and not inconvenience everyone. When I fly El Al the security for me is smooth and quick, no trouble. I’m sorry, but it’s not so for the Arabs and pro-Palestinian activists.
    Apparently this conflicts with “fundamental American values,” (in the words of a TSA official) but the facts are the facts. Potential terrorists, such as Islamic extremists, generally have an ethnic identity or past record, such as conversion to Islam, which bears investigation.
    Israel begins the investigation when the ticket is purchased, before they even arrive at the airport. In short, you have to find the terrorist, not screen for weapons. Anything, such as dental floss or, speaking of 9/11, plastic box cutters, can be used as a lethal weapon in the right hands.

  3. NU!nu! A Psak from the rabbonim?? a kol korie?? no frumy is allowed to fly, nu nu I’m waiting ti find out the Yeshivehe way about this, Oh i got burn all TSA screeners, no TSA sheitels!!!

  4. First of all, this particular move is NOT for flight security. If it were, they would use an Israel-type approach, as suggested above. The true objective is to demean Americans, get them used to being pushed around, humiliated and treated like cattle, and finally – – – !
    Profiling – which is really getting an understanding of what sort of person/threat the passenger might be, requires intelligence and the ability to look a person in the eye and to discern significant characteristics from his/her responses. This includes “body language” and in general the way a person presents him/herself. And of course, pre-flight information checking. But, to fill these jobs, you can’t recruit from the 7-11 and you can’t recruit to fill ethnic quotas.
    I repeat what I said above, the purpose is NOT airline security; it is to condition Americans to be demeaned and pushed around.
    It is the Obama philosophy: “WE are the rulers and YOU are our subjects”.

  5. The Israelis are developing an airport security device that eliminates the privacy concerns that come with full-body scanners at the airports.

    It’s an armored booth you step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on your person. They see this as a win-win situation for everyone, with none of this crap about racial profiling. It also would eliminate the costs of a long and expensive trial. Justice would be swift. Case closed!

    You’re in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter an announcement comes over the PA system .

    “Attention standby passengers — we now have a seat available on flight Number 6709. Shalom!”

  6. After listening to the video, I didn’t hear the part about him refusing the super x-ray. I did hear some beeps of what was someone going to the metal detector and not making it. I assumed this was the gentleman in question which would explain the more detailed security. I also think he was really looking not to go on the trip.

    I must say, some of what we hear from the almighty TSA sound quite scary. If only the govt would realize that RACIAL PROFILING is the ONLY way to go!

  7. FINALLY � A great alternative to body scanners at airports . . The Israelis are developing an airport security device that eliminates the privacy concerns that come with full-body scanners at the airports. It’s a booth you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on you. They see this as a win-win for everyone, with none of this ….. about racial profiling. It also would eliminate the costs of a long and expensive trial. Justice would be swift. Case closed! You’re in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter an announcement comes over the PA system . . . “Attention standby passengers we now have a seat available on flight number XXXX. Shalom!”

    Hats off to the Israelis!

  8. I recently flew from Sacramento to Newark and was told that “because you are wearing a skirt” I needed to be patted down. (This was after I walked through the metal detector without a beep.) I was patted down in that glass-walled area they have after the metal detectors (in full view of other passengers), and the pat-down was far more intrusive than any I have ever had before. In the past, they have wanded me and patted down my shaitel (which is where it usually beeps). This time there was no wand, and the pat down included my ENTIRE legs and torso. It was not pleasant.

  9. Any woman who has not flown in the past few years should also know that if you are wearing a suit, you will be required to remove the jacket, which can pose a problem if you are wearing only a shell or a dickey underneath. I have learned to always wear a long-sleeved blouse under my suit jacket when flying.

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