Originally Posted by aishah (Post 576396)

i thought i might have answered these questions in my earlier posts in this thread, but maybe i didn't. personally, the security practices of tsa don't make me feel safe - they often make me feel explicitly unsafe, actually, because i've been exposed to different kinds of discrimination by tsa due to being disabled and muslim. (i have similar mistrustful feelings towards tsa agents as towards police, though perhaps not as strong.) i worry more about feeling unsafe around tsa agents than i do around fellow passengers, to be honest. even if i were seriously concerned about being harmed by another passenger, i don't believe the current security practices are very effective to prevent that from happening.

as long as i can physically withstand the security and boarding processes, i would fly no matter what security procedures are in place because i need to for work. although it can be painful and aggravating to travel this way, it's nowhere near as painful and aggravating (not to mention time-consuming) as the alternative methods of travel.

not to mention aside from security practices and some of the hardship i go through trying to board/de-plane as a disabled person, i actually really enjoy flying and spending time in airports.

when i say "so-so" or "good" experiences with tsa, i mean that i got through the security checkpoint with a minimum of discrimination and aggravation/pain/suffering. (i.e. i made it through without getting patted down multiple times or in intrusive ways, having my mobility aids and luggage taken from me, or being questioned.) not that i actually think the policies or procedures were terribly good or effective.

Originally Posted by Andrea (Post 576517)

Thank you, aishah. You did previously reply to similar questions. I was asking about your more recent travels and should have been more specific.

Originally Posted by Scuba (Post 578661)

I have to get on a plane or two this coming Saturday...I loathe the checkpoints. I'm bringing one backpack and a carry on...some clothes and my laptop. Never a dull moment when they look at my name and then look at me :|

Originally Posted by Andrea (Post 593927)

TSA’s $1 billion program to ‘read’ fliers’ expressions comes under fire after failing to catch any bad guys

http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/05/27/052712-news-tsa-behavior-detection-1-3/

Originally Posted by Toughy (Post 594340)

Why oh why don't we just go talk to the Israeli folks and do what they do????

Originally Posted by Hollylane (Post 596153)

Originally Posted by Andrea (Post 596347)

Thank you for telling your experience.

I would also like to know if you have any concerns, or if you have looked into, the medical issues the backscatter machine might cause. The backscatter machines were banned in Europe due to the health concerns. Link

The other question I have is if you are aware that items can pass unseen through the backscatter machine? http://tsaoutofourpants.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/1b-of-nude-body-scanners-made-worthless-by-blog-how-anyone-can-get-anything-past-the-tsas-nude-body-scanners/

Would you feel less secure, possibly even no longer flying, if passengers were able to bring water and other liquids on the plane, wear shoes through screening, and only pass through the metal detector?

Again, thank you for contributing to the conversation.

Originally Posted by Toughy (Post 594340)

Why oh why don't we just go talk to the Israeli folks and do what they do????

Originally Posted by Andrea (Post 596347)

Would you feel less secure, possibly even no longer flying, if passengers were able to bring water and other liquids on the plane, wear shoes through screening, and only pass through the metal detector?