Revere
Rookie
- Banned
- #1
Yes, it's time.
<Insert title here>: TSA encounter at SAN
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7txGwoITSj4&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RaFZ1CElU8&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RaFZ1CElU8&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwFh8HQttTQ&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
<Insert title here>: TSA encounter at SAN
We both stood there for no more than probably two minutes before a female TSA agent (apparently, the supervisor) arrived. She described to me that because I had opted out of the backscatter screening, I would now be patted down, and that involved running hands up the inside of my legs until they felt my groin. I stated that I would not allow myself to be subject to a molestation as a condition of getting on my flight. The supervisor informed me that it was a standard administrative security check and that they were authorized to do it. I repeated that I felt what they were doing was a sexual assault, and that if they were anyone but the government, the act would be illegal. I believe that I was then informed that if I did not submit to the inspection, I would not be getting on my flight. I again stated that I thought the search was illegal. I told her that I would be willing to submit to a walk through the metal detector as over 80% of the rest of the people were doing, but I would not be groped. The supervisor, then offered to go get her supervisor.
I took a seat in a tiny metal chair next to the table with my belongings and waited. While waiting, I asked the original agent (who was supposed to do the pat down) if he had many people opt out to which he replied, none (or almost none, I don't remember exactly). He said that I gave up a lot of rights when I bought my ticket. I replied that the government took them away after September 11th. There was silence until the next supervisor arrived. A few minutes later, the female agent/supervisor arrived with a man in a suit (not a uniform). He gave me a business card identifying him as David Silva, Transportation Security Manager, San Diego International Airport. At this point, more TSA agents as well as what I assume was a local police officer arrived on the scene and surrounded the area where I was being detained. The female supervisor explained the situation to Mr. Silva. After some quick back and forth (that I didn't understand/hear), I could overhear Mr. Silva say something to the effect of, "then escort him from the airport." I again offered to submit to the metal detector, and my father-in-law, who was near by also tried to plead for some reasonableness on the TSA's part.
The female supervisor took my ID at this point and began taking some kind of report with which I cooperated. Once she had finished, I asked if I could put my shoes back on. I was allowed to put my shoes back on and gather my belongs. I asked, "are we done here" (it was clear at this point that I was going to be escorted out), and the local police officer said, "follow me". I followed him around the side of the screening area and back out to the ticketing area. I said apologized to him for the hassle, to which he replied that it was not a problem.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7txGwoITSj4&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RaFZ1CElU8&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RaFZ1CElU8&feature=player_embedded[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwFh8HQttTQ&feature=player_embedded[/ame]