TSA Modifies Security Search Guidelines (re: breast searches)

[quaoar]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20026-2004Dec22.html

By Sara Kehaulani Goo
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 22, 2004; 4:47 PM

Airport security screeners this week will be instructed not to touch women passengers between their breasts as part of the new pat-down procedures, the Transportation Security Administration said today.

The agency said it is making a modification to its new searching methods that began in September after more than 400 passengers -- mostly women -- formally complained that the experience was invasive, humiliating and even akin to being molested.

Screeners had been instructed to use their hands to touch women in between and underneath their breasts to inspect for explosives that might be hidden beneath clothing. Now, the agency said more than 45,000 security screeners will be directed this week to only pat down the "chest perimeter" of females and not to touch women between their breasts unless they set off a hand-held metal detector in the chest area. Female screeners perform the procedure on female passengers.

TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield said officials decided to change the procedure this week to respond to passengers who have complained. Screeners will continue to conduct routine pat-downs on passengers because the agency remains concerned that the nation's air system is vulnerable to terrorists who smuggle explosives onto airplanes by hiding them on their bodies. Such methods are believed to be the cause of what brought down two Russian airliners in August.

[merwin]

1. How long until the first boob bomb? n/t

[RoeBear]

2. I got a pat down recently

it was very 'thorough' but still not a big deal.

Then again I'm a guy.

[mr_hat]

3. Were you packing? (Boobs or bomb?)

[MuseRider]

4. First one who tries that

on me will get a groin check, even if it is a woman. What is the "chest perimeter"? I have a feeling my chest perimeter is off limit to strangers as well.

[RoeBear]

5. I hope you'll reconsider...

...if you do that you will be arrested for assault. The screeners tell you what they are going to do before they do it.

[VegasWolf]

6. Wait till terrorists start using those new fake penis bombs. n/t

[DELUSIONAL]

7. I wrote my congressional Rep about this

as have other women -- he said.

The myth that Russian women had boob bombs was probably created by the KGB to cover the fact that it was the KGB that planted the bombs in the cargo in a specific location that would knock out communication and take down the planes.

It is highly unlikely that boob bomb could be located in 3 planes that could knock out communication and take the planes down -- this according to Engineers etc. who remind us that the plane in Hawaii that suddenly became a topless plane -- the pilots section was intact -- only the top part of the passenger section came off. The plane was able to land, only one life was lost.

The idiot TSA are searching old women -- 76 -- in a wheel chair -- very invasive. They are wasting time -- and at the same time the cargo is NOT being subject to checks.

These boob checks (are the boobs real?) are for show -- that's why they are done in public. Rove decided that the fear factor needed to be pushed higher -- and how did the evil Rove do this -- intimidate women.

I hope that the women who have law suits against TSA will continue -- we need real security -- not sexual molestation of women.

Meanwhile women are being molested by the US Government and this is being VIDEO TAPED -- and Janet Jackson's breast on CBS gains a major fine for the network.

A woman at DU suggested wearing a Sports Bra -- and slacks or shorts with elastic -- no mental zipper or mental on the bra. This works -- no mental anywhere to set of the mental detectors.

My guess based on the Russian experience the next plane blown up will be via a bomb in the cargo hole -- placed by someone in the bush crime family. Dictators learn from each other. An Islamic passenger/victim will probbly be blamed.

[MSgt213]

8. Do they have plans for rectal bombs. Just asking.

[MindPilot]

9. Most US airports have a Taco Bell

Sorry, it was there.

[Ian David]

10. My grandma had a bra with a fake boob in it

I don't know how a screener would tell a real boob from a boob-bra filled with explosives.

Or find explosives hidden in a body cavity.

Or swallowed the same was as condoms filled with heroin.

This is all just a pretty pointless exercise that at best can stop the lone crazy, but in no way can it protect us from a determined terrorist organization.

Whatever the solution is, it must have something to do with nail clippers.

[quaoar]

11. I was once slapped by a date

who said I got too close to her chest perimeter.

At the time I didn't know what that meant. Now I do. Thanks, TSA.

[JMS825]

12. People Complain about TSA

All you ever hear is about how TSA mad mistakes or that they are taking things too far......Why is it when TSA catches bombs or razor blades or guns with live amo you dont hear jack but when they miss something it is all over the news (which is bad cause then is shows a weakness and makes everyone think they can get through) Also people bitch about waiting in line and the searches yet complain that they want things to be done to ensure the safety.....People get a life you cant have everything and you cant please everyone.....I know people who work for TSA and have caught many things that would have made it on the plane (i.e. loaded guns, knifes, grenades) if you feel your not safe cause TSA searched then let TSA go and feel the safety of loaded guns, knifes, grenades on your plane