TSA threatens: $11,000 fine, arrest possible for some who refuse airport scans and pat downs

[seafan]

$11,000 fine, arrest possible for some who refuse airport scans and pat downs

By John Lantigua
Palm Beach Post

November 20, 2010
8:59 a.m. EST

.....

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is warning that any would-be commercial airline passenger who enters an airport checkpoint and then refuses to undergo the method of inspection designated by TSA will not be allowed to fly and also will not be permitted to simply leave the airport.

That person will have to remain on the premises to be questioned by the TSA and possibly by local law enforcement. Anyone refusing faces fines up to $11,000 and possible arrest.

"Once a person submits to the screening process, they can not just decide to leave that process," says Sari Koshetz, regional TSA spokesperson, based in Miami.

.....

Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union was urging Americans to petition the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA, to change the new policies.

"All of us have a right to travel without such crude invasions of our privacy," the ACLU said in a statement. "Tell DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to put in place security measures that respect passengers' privacy rights. You shouldn't have to check your rights when you check your luggage."

The ACLU outlined ways for citizens to respond to TSA demands at checkpoints and also provided a form letter for filing complaints.

.....

Asked by U.S. Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) about groups that objected to all forms of bodily search on religious grounds, Pistole didn't waiver: "While we respect that person's beliefs, that person's not going to get on an airplane."

.....

Things are coming to a head, yes they are.

[customerserviceguy]

1. Not patdowns, gropedowns

Let's not let them steal the truth by twisting the language.

[LaurenG]

2. Wow. I'm glad I don't have to fly.

If a terrorist wants to blow things up they can still figure out ways around it. What a sad world we live in...

[Posteritatis]

3. I like how they redefine not submitting to the process as submitting to the process there.. ugh. nt

[woo me with science]

4. This is a pre-emptive strike to deter protests on Thanksgiving weekend.

Frankly, I am disgusted by the administration's tin ear on this.

If they have no regard for the human dignity of the people they represent, they should AT LEAST be aware of the political damage this is causing.

[walldude]

5. TSA is not a police force.

And this is illegal, immoral and fucking stupid.

[Poboy]

6. Force the tyranny to show itself. -nt

[Rex]

7. Class action lawsuit.

3 words.

[kentuck]

9. I agree.

Fuck them! Demand that the Congress take away their funding immediately.

[Rex]

11. Airports are already thinking about their bottom line impact

and kicking TSA to the curb...Congress should scrap the department and let capitalism do the job for them.

[FormerDittoHead]

8. You know the next steps? 1) they'll charge for groping you 2) they'll do it between states.

I can hear it now: You don't have the 'right' to use bridges...

[Taitertots]

10. Too late, I'll bet some of the screening is already wrapped up in the ticket price n/t

[FormerDittoHead]

13. :-( n/t

[soryang]

12. Did they publish this in the Federal Register?

And if so, why wasn't it reported in the media when it occured?