Backscatter

JustJo · 11-22-2010, 09:40 AM

I'm pretty sure I already posted in here somewhere that I'd really rather not have TSA folks looking at my stuff....

Having said that, I just got back from a business trip to AZ and, on the return flight, got shunted into that little roped in area for a search. For the record, I did not set off the metal detector.

When I asked the TSA rep why I was being searched when I didn't make it go beep, he said "voluminous skirts." I said "huh?" He said, "we're under orders to search anyone wearing voluminous skirts."

Okay, soooooooo..... I was wearing a normal, knee-length business style dress, with a normal skirt. Now, I get that not so many people wear dresses these days, but I do. It wasn't one of my big, hippie, floor-length, you-could-hide-a-trio-of-toddlers-under-there skirts (which I do own and wear). I couldn't have hidden my purse under my skirt, let alone anything else.

Anyway....step on the mat, spread my legs, and get patted down by a (female) TSA agent.

She was polite about it and, frankly, cursory. If I had wanted to smuggle something I certainly could have. So, I wonder how much good this actually does, first of all...and how this is impacting national security when the only other women in skirts (and therefore presumably subject to the same search) looked to be 70+ years old.

View Poll Results: How do you feel about backscatter xrays?
They are great! Whatever it takes to keep us safe.	14	14.89%
They are horrific! I would rather risk being blown up.	20	21.28%
Eh, necessary evil	45	47.87%
Other (see below)	15	15.96%
Voters: 94. You may not vote on this poll

11-22-2010, 09:40 AM	#18
JustJo Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: pushy broad Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Follow your heart; it knows things your mind cannot explain. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeast corner Posts: 5,633 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,417 Thanked 25,405 Times in 4,660 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I'm pretty sure I already posted in here somewhere that I'd really rather not have TSA folks looking at my stuff.... Having said that, I just got back from a business trip to AZ and, on the return flight, got shunted into that little roped in area for a search. For the record, I did not set off the metal detector. When I asked the TSA rep why I was being searched when I didn't make it go beep, he said "voluminous skirts." I said "huh?" He said, "we're under orders to search anyone wearing voluminous skirts." Okay, soooooooo..... I was wearing a normal, knee-length business style dress, with a normal skirt. Now, I get that not so many people wear dresses these days, but I do. It wasn't one of my big, hippie, floor-length, you-could-hide-a-trio-of-toddlers-under-there skirts (which I do own and wear). I couldn't have hidden my purse under my skirt, let alone anything else. Anyway....step on the mat, spread my legs, and get patted down by a (female) TSA agent. She was polite about it and, frankly, cursory. If I had wanted to smuggle something I certainly could have. So, I wonder how much good this actually does, first of all...and how this is impacting national security when the only other women in skirts (and therefore presumably subject to the same search) looked to be 70+ years old. __________________ I'm not tall enough to ride emotional roller coasters