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Thanks very much! When the time comes, I'll certainly take your advice as it seems sound. It's not even travelling from Saskatoon I worry about - it's coming back through Edmonton, which is a much bigger airport. I suspect I'll have all the time in the world to sort it out both ways, though. My brother is pretty trusting. If I say it's okay, he'll submit to a pat-down. I just don't want them abusing him or anything, because he can't tell me, so I want to supervise. This isn't to say that I think they will... it's to say that anything could happen. I'll keep watching this thread... thanks! |
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Then there is the man who has had his colostomy bag accidentally opened two times by TSA so that he ended up with urine all down his pants. AND this was at the same airport. Or the people with artificial limbs being forced to remove them so they can be run through the x-ray machine. Just two days ago, a mother attempted to bring her breast pump through security and was told she couldn't because the bottles were empty. She was told to go to the ladies room and pump. Then she would allowed to pass security with her breast pump. AND this is not even considering those people that have been sexually abused and must tolerate being touch by someone they don't know. NO, having someone from the same sex doing it does not make it better. Thank you for your response. |
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definitely talk to the airline - they can sometimes provide someone to go with you through security (which in my experience tends to take some of the pressure off in terms of advocating for yourself/your brother).
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it costs extra money and may not be cheap but some airports have greeter services and that might help get through security easier. The greeters themselves have clearance. They may also be able to answer some of your concerns.
I personally will do what I can do to avoid pat downs. People were respective of me to the degree of privacy however they were pretty rough physically the two times i've had them use a wand on me. Granted my body at that time was real sensitive. But it was to the point that if I am ever in a wheel chair a gain if I can take the 10 steps to get through the screener i'll do that over the pat down. |
I get pulled out of the line for additional security checks nearly every time I fly. Even when I didn't set off the metal detector, I have often been asked to step out of the line to be wanded. One male TSA agent started to wand me before getting a better look at me, and called out, "Need a wand check for a female over here!" Another male TSA never noticed, or didn't bother to get a female TSA agent.
Even with the backscatter scans, I get pulled out and patted down. I've never felt inappropriately touched or treated less than professionally. But the frequency of searches does suggest that it's not entirely random. My ex-gf and I traveled together a lot, and since she never got pulled, it was all the more obvious that it was specific to me. It made her angry that the TSA is targeting butches as if we're terrorists, but it kind of amuses me. I'll admit here that I'm usually the last to notice homophobia directed at me, and when I do, I see it as their problem, not mine. Oh, and I've had my palms swiped with a piece of paper that was fed into a machine that checks for trace explosives. On three different trips. :| The irony here is that I'm a U.S. federal employee (Health and Human Services, not Homeland Security). I've been thoroughly documented and verified by dozens of government checks as a routine part of my job, and use radio-chip card keys and biometric readers (fingerprint scans) just to access my office. I'm used to government scrutiny and as long as it's done professionally, I take it in stride. |
Im flying out of sherveport to go to the reunion this year,I do hope I dont have a prob with the tsa folks,I wear short hair,my voice is deeper than most men's are and I shure wont be dressed in anything that resembles womens clothes.I do know that the tsa folks use a walk thrue scaner and have a wand,beond that I have no clue since its been several years since ive been to the ariport.I will be bringing my pro air inhaler with me on my persons the rest of my meds can go in my checked bag,I hope they dont get lost cause I must take them 2X a day.I will also be bringing pain paches for my back and if needed be wearing one.I wish I didnt have to fly but it will work out best for me.
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I have never had any problems in regard to my gender identity and have never been pulled out for any special screening, my id is female and i don't match that gender id at all ... all my pat downs were when i was in a wheel chair and the one time i made a mistake and wore overalls and the metal set off the detector. I had a cane and the person actually was hitting me with the wand in my back.
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I'm not sure why but the new bodyscanners have thrown up particular problems for me. Anytime I need to go through one of these machines, I'm invariably pulled aside. Twice in the past six months I've had what I would perceive to be rather intrusive "pat down" of my buttocks region .. I may appreciate this in other circumstances but not at an airport. No doubt I don't make things easy for myself - I don't do small talk with most folk, let alone TSA officials, I don't smile or act in a deferential manner and I wouldn't attempt to joke or be sarcastic with them as they'd likely not understand. All-in-all, I'm not a fan. On my trips to the US, it's another reason for me to regret the lack of good rail travel ! |
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E and I will be flying together for the first time, Thursday.
I shall post about the experience, after. :) |
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Here is an interesting prospective from a retired FBI agent regarding TSA:
http://gmancasefile.blogspot.com/2012/01/tsa-fail.html |
When I fly to LR I may well be useing my cane to walk with,its a metal one with a silver handle,it's a hollow metal rod and has a heavy duity rubber tip for good floor grip.The handle is solidly fixed but the rubber tip is on tightly but with enough pulling can be gotten off.What should I do about that issue or will there be an issue?
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I have no personal experience with TSA and a cane but I have read of others experience on another forum. The postings indicated TSA would ask you to walk through the WTMD or the Backscatter without your cane, while they run it through the x-ray machine. Someone did say one airport had a loner wood cane for her to get through the machines.
Hopefully the airports you will be using have a procedure that works for you. |
Good work TSA! /end sarcasm
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/new_jfk_security_breach_PB8L58gzpwjmyqktLHRssN#ixz z1oBpt6RBZ |
How to get anything through TSA nude body scanners
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Suggestions to improve TSA. I don't agree with the entire article but an improvement is an improvement....
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-03-06/tsa-airport-security-screening/53388320/1 |
when working security metal detectors recently I had to chuckle at people coming up to leave metal objects in the tray on the belt and walk through the detector when they looked confused at what they should be doing. .
After checking bags and purses they would try to proceed with the bag through the screener when it should be left on the belt. Others would leave jewelry on and some cell phones in pocket. I realized not all jewelry and belts would set the detector off and some were safe walking through with it on. Some would leave me everything in their pockets after I notified them just metal. I got gum, candy, papers.. hehe. |
Camera air puffers too dangerous to bring on a plane.
http://gizmodo.com/5892099/add-the-giottos-rocket-to-your-list-of-silly-things-banned-by-the-tsa |
I had never had any problems in any of the flights I have been on since 9/11, and had never been patted down until my flight last week from Little Rock. I had gone through the hands-on-my-head body scan (another first for me), and was directed over for a pat down. I was asked if I wanted a private pat down but I just figured there was nothing to worry about so I just had it out in the open. The woman was very polite, told me everything she was going to do. I did ask her why I was flagged for a pat down, she said I had tripped several alarms. (???) Anyway, everything went smoothly, and since I was there so early anyway (I am flying standby on this trip), it really wasn't an inconvenience to me at all. It was kinda interesting, actually!
As for my feelings about the TSA, I agree that they are simply trying to do their job, in keeping us safe. I appreciate them in that aspect completely. I have to fly a couple of times a year, and while not freaked about flying (the only thing I HATE about it is the turbulence!), things that put my mind at ease for safety are certainly appreciated! |
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What is it about TSA that helps you feel safer? |
Fun TSA statistics
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This is a link to TSA's blog immaturely refuting the viral video on how to get anything through the see you nude machines (previously posted):
http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/03/viral-video-about-body-scanners.html |
Just flew to Oregon from New Brunswick, Canada.
So flew SJ to Montreal, Montreal to LAX, LAX to Oregon. Went through the detector just fine, in Montreal i did sound the alarm and my bag went to the side for them to go through, i forgot i had bought a bottle of water once i was through security in Saint John.. He merely took out the bottle of water, gave me a wink of the eye and said "be good" and handed me my bag. i always worried i would set the alarms off with my piercing, but i didn't.. i got a pat down in LAX ...Honestly, i have had no real issues with any agents in any airports.. i flew to Oregon and back again in October with my 15 year old daughter, and very pleasant each time, got through quickly.. Personally i feel if they pat me down, search my bags, ask me questions, whatever it takes, i'm good with it.. Helps me know they're doing what is necessary to keep it safe, and i see them do the same with others and that makes me feel safe.. |
I sincerely want to know why I have to show my passport a min. of six times; after I have passed the initial security. It's all in the same freaking area. It is my pet peeve. Seriously. Why?? why??? If I can fly over the US and not have to travel through there, I avoid it. Even if it means paying a bit more for my ticket. Bonkers, it drives me Bonkers. :seeingstars:
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On Sunday, I had to release a small, unopened cup of nonfat yogurt and I am still pretty irritated--The TSA agent was gleeful when she grabbed it away from me.
This is why people take shits on drink carts, I'm sure of it. |
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A nice TSA guy said he liked my Margaret Cho t-shirt.
But the gal that took away apretty's yogurt was kinda gleeful about it. :sushi: |
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Was your scary yogurt placed inside a container that would protect others if it went off or was it placed in an open garbage can, thereby endangering everyone? |
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It is a tricky thing to question 'the authority' in a situation like that. I do not know the ins and outs of what makes a person a 'fly risk'. Or what makes a person suspicious. Or even how far can a bad attitude be taken, can an agents poor mood affect my ability to fly that day? Is there a process to realistically appeal within the time frame of being stopped and your flight leaving? Sometimes I think it is easier to get frustrated than risk the flight. :canadian: |
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It was the first time my son had flown unaccompanied, and I was nervous as can be. He was just barely 13. I got a gate pass to meet him at the gate, at Orlando....which can have annoying and ridiculous security lines at times and then be empty at others. I planned for plenty of time (I'm always early at the airport), but hit bad traffic and rain on the way, then a long line at the counter to get my gate pass, and then a gigantic line at security. Then, I see the arrivals board....my son's flight got a tail wind evidently, and is arriving half an hour early. I have visions of him wandering off the plane, me not there to meet him, and him on his own at the age of 13 in a very large airport. Naturally, I was anxious and stressed. I'm sure I exhibited all the signs of a potential problem....impatient, antsy, muttering to myself, visibly agitated. In fact, a female TSA agent approached me and asked me what was wrong. Clearly, this wasn't casual conversation....at this point I was a potential security risk. I explained my dilemma. She nodded, and said if I would agree to the backscatter she would get me through quickly so I could meet him at the gate. I agreed. She was good to her word - pulling me from the line and sending me through an employee line with a detour to the backscatter machine. I ran from the other side....arriving just in time to meet him. I think we need to remember that TSA agents are human...good and bad. If we approach them the way we'd like to be approached, with respect, it generally turns out better. |
My only tip is avoid wearing underwire bras or clothing with metal on it. I've flown quite a bit in the couple years for work (TUL, OKC, SFO, BWI, NWA, ATL, LIT, MSP, etc etc etc...)
I've never had a bad experience as long as I've remembered to pull my liquids out, pull out my computer, wear a sports bra and slip on shoes. If you're bringing any kind of food, just pull it out and put it in its own bin because they're probably going to check it. (If it's in its own bin, it saves them from having to search your whole bag.) Prepare yourself for an extra 5 minutes or so. Remember, TSA agents (here at least) start around $10 an hour. They're not getting paid enough to deal with all this bullshit, so be nice. |
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i'm always the last to know. |
We travel somewhat frequently, and I'm happy to report that I've never had a negative experience with TSA. I know some people have, and it sucks, but I would advise anyone traveling to not go into it thinking negatively, and not to assume all TSA agents are assholes.
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Possibly triggering
South Park's take on the TSA.
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