Hands On Security
The issue is the newest passenger screening rules issued by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano earlier this month. The guidelines, in short, deal with airports equipped with body imaging scanners. In the wake of the underwear bomber last Christmas, these scanners were fast tracked into service. The procedure states that passengers selected for using the body scanners can opt out and instead receive an "enhanced" pat down (which may be related to "enhanced" interrogation).
The "enhanced" pat down involves an invasive examination whereby the passenger's areas of modesty (breasts, genitals, etc) are both examined by touch and manipulated. This examination applies to men, women and children.
TPP has commented about this airport security on several occasions. Our position is that while both the Obama and Bush Administrations have brought the fight to the terrorists overseas, both administrations treat security within the United States with band-aids that are largely ineffective. Policy has been reactive and stupid. Travelers are witness to this every time they remove their shoes at the airport and give up their bottle of Aquafina to the TSA screeners.
These new rules are another series of actions which appear as though the Administration is doing something while not actually doing anything effective. You can tweak policy all that you want, if it's a bad policy the results will remain unsatisfactory.
An explanation of the body scanner will shed some light. The scanner in question is the Rapiscan Body Scanner, currently being promoted by former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Not coincidentally, Rapiscan, a division of OSI Systems, Inc., is a major client of Chertoff's business venture since leaving the government. Ignoring the obvious conflict of interest complicit in lobbying for a client by appearing on news shows in his capacity as former head anti-terrorist guy, the technology would be next to useless for all but the most incompetent terrorists. The Rapiscan device scans through clothes and into the body about 1/10th of an inch (2mm). It provides a contour scan the surface of a person's body, and in theory reveals hidden weapons or contraband. In reality, it reports anomalies in body contour. While a gun or boxcutter carried under clothing would be detected (as it would by current metal detectors), the plastic explosive smuggled onto the plane on Christmas day would likely have not been detected. This is because where the explosives were hidden provided masking of them by the terrorists legs and genitalia. All that is required to defeat this device are to hide the contraband in folds of fat, underneath a sagging breast or between the lower cheeks. This would certainly change the profile for who might be a terrorist, but would not improve detection.
There is a risk associated with the radiation emitted from the scanner. It operates in the manner of a light duty X-Ray. The FDA has stated that the risks are minimal, but does not factor in frequent travelers who would be exposed to many more times the radiation than the occasional tourist. The Airline Pilot's Association is recommending that pilot's opt for the pat down in a private area out of public view on concern's for frequent exposure to the radiation emitted by the scanner.
In addition, the false positives would wreak havoc among the traveling public. "Anomalies" would be reported for ill-fitting clothing, scar tissue, skin warts or tumors, and even adult diapers.We do not hold to the arguments that this technology violates privacy. Air travel is not a right, it is a privilege, and the government may use what means that are deemed necessary to provide security. Our objection is that this technology is not effective as marketed, and easy to work around. TPP has long been a proponent of the use of technology to enhance security at airports and other areas subject to terrorist attack. The Rapiscan unit will not add to security. It is the high priced version of the X-Ray glasses advertised in comic books back in the 60s. This is not a solution - it is a farce.
People opting out of a Rapiscan body image will be subject to a rather intrusive pat down which will require the TSA screener to physically move and examine with his hands the breast and genital areas of the passenger. This we object to as a violation of the civil rights of law-abiding citizens. No citizen of the United States should be subject to what is effectively a strip search unless arrested for a crime, or under a warrant issued by a judge. This policy gives a green light for the Federal equivalent of a bouncer at the local nightspot to manhandle passengers with impunity.
In one of those world turning upside-down moments, CNN is reporting today that CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) has requested a waiver for Muslim women that is being considered by Secretary Napolitano. The request is under consideration because of the unique modesty attributed to these women. Non-Muslim women, who will remain bound by this rule, are then by definition exhibitionists and whores. Check Google and you will be able to upload a picture of a Catholic nun getting an "enhanced" pat down just 2 days ago. Not to be racially or culturally insensitive, but isn't the reason all of us submit to the indignities that we do at the airport in large part based on the actions of terrorists who are almost exclusively Muslim?
We look to Israel as an shining example of dealing with air terror. No country has a better record of foiling air-related terrorism. They base their system not on inconveniencing the thousands of tourists and business flyers using the country's airports on a daily basis. Instead they rely on intelligence, and threat assessment. They do not subject grandmothers with walkers or 5 year old girls to pat downs.
At the entrance to the airport, you are required to produce legal identification. As you make your way to the parking structure and check-in, your information is run through a myriad of police and intelligence service databases. By the time you arrive at check-in the Israelis know who you are and have assigned a risk assessment to you determining what screening you will receive.
Foreign arrivals are intensely questioned by trained security on the purpose of their visit, where they are staying, who they are visiting with and when they are leaving. This information is recorded.Anything that seems off in the interview period raises a series of red flags for followup. These are examples of effective security screening.
Unobtrusive technologies do exist that can aid in airport security. Electronic "sniffers" that can detect explosives with the sensitivity of a dog's nose are on the market and in common use. That would be an example of an effective use of technology. For that matter, the Israeli government makes wide use of bomb sniffing dogs at it's airports and secure facilities. There is no reason that we cannot implement dogs as a reliable solution for of the cost of the 450 Rapiscan units that have been put in place by the government, and with far more effective results.
Ultimately, no technology is as effective in interpreting threats and countering them as a trained security force. Once again, we call for the dissolution of the current TSA as structured, and it's replacement with a highly trained and motivated security force. Paying someone $12 per hour to rifle through people's underwear is not adding to anyone's security. It is not hard to teach recruits how to spot suspicious behavior or how to handle a potentially dangerous situation. It is taught every day at local police academies throughout the country. We at TPP envision a force based in all major airports structured as your local police. Security is enhanced by uniformed officers on patrol keeping an eye out for trouble and undercover officers scattered throughout passenger areas. A tactical and bomb squad should be included in this structure.
Technology can aid officers. A security hub monitoring cameras on everything throughout the facility is found in every casino in Las Vegas. This allows problems to be minimized by having their security people investigate at the first sign of trouble. Are airports any less in need of such forward-thinking? This hub can also receive data from other sensors and monitoring, allowing real-time updates to officers on patrol, as suggested in our previous articles.
Common Sense Dictates
More people are becoming aware that the security situation at airports and other "secure" facilities is cosmetic, reactive and a burden on most travelers. Resources are being allocated in a way that does nothing to improve security. Policies are constructed in a pool of political correctness, rather than by employing a strategy of effectiveness.
We have been getting by on luck and some completely inept terrorists. If even one had succeeded, the American public would be demanding for heads to roll. Terrorists will always evolve to meet a challenge, and nothing will be able to stop a truly committed lone nutjob. Still, we have set the bar way too low for the terrorists, and way too high for the traveling public.
It is time for the Obama Administration to stop adjusting the fig leaf that we are calling security at our airports, and replace it with armor. It is time for us to be serious about this. To not do so is to place ourselves in peril. The terrorists only need to be right once, we need to be right all the time. Every day that we do not, provides the terrorists with another opportunity to ruin many lives. Common Sense requires a call to action.
We further call the traveling public to action. Make your displeasure known. This is exactly what your Congressperson is in office for. Congressional oversight of runaway agencies is one of their most important jobs. We suggest that you write, phone, fax and email your Congressperson with all of the vigor that was used during the election cycle. The Constitution is not vacated because a citizen chooses to fly on an airplane. Make the case for effective security measures, and complain about the ineffective show being put on to make you think that you are safe.
You can find you Congressperson at the RepFinder at: The Thomas Paine Project
It's time to introduce some Common Sense.
RLB
Categories: National Security, Rights and Responsibilities, political leadership
Tags: national security Obama Administration terrorism
It's amazing to see the cluelessness of our government at work. I don't need to fly often, but if these rules remain in place, I won't fly at all. With the 2 hours standing around the airport waiting for your flight, it's just as easy to take the train. Just goes to show you that the further removed government is, the less effective it is.
Reply to this
I think the biggest indictment of the corruption is that this is Chertoff's client getting a payoff. I understand how the scanner could be a good tool to add into the screening process, but to go all or nothing like this is stupid policy. As to the pat downs, keep your hands off my wife and kids. End of conversation.
Reply to this
I agree that most of this security is cosmetic. I wasn't aware of all of the limits on the body scanners. I thought they were a good idea up until checking some other sources on the points that you make. The description on the OSI website doesn't even try to hide the limits on what the scanner can do. That being said, the only really effective way to screen for smuggled explosives is a full baggage check and that enhanced body search. I can see why people don't want to go along with that though. No one wants to be treated like a criminal just to board a plane. We probably should go for profiling.
Reply to this
Everybody wants to be protected from the terrorists, but everyone whines about anything the gvernment does to try to do anything. Maybe the body scanners aren't ideal, but they help. Maybe the government recognizes their limitations, so they are going with the pat downs. All that has to happen is one terroirst get through and everyone will complain about how they weren't checked for this or that. It's time to get real. If you want to fly, this is your world now.
Reply to this
Ya so they give a pass to Muslim women. Who is going to check to see if the Muslim woman that passed through, isn't carrying a bomb, or isn't a Muslim Man with weapons, or a bomb. Talk about closing the Barn door after the horse is gone. LOL Force all of the innocents to undergo invasion of privacy, or groping and let the terrorists slip right on through.
Reply to this
Letme get this right. The muslims are asking for an exemption and Napolitano is COSIDERING it. That cow needs to be fired. If I have to submit to this B.S. then the home team for the terrorists has to.
Reply to this
The stories going around are that the searches are being made extra intrusive to make the scanner the more palatable option. This is all about moving lots of people quickly. A body scan takes 30 seconds. An enhanced search will take a matter of minutes - several minutes if you want privacy. The choice isn't there for your convenience. It's to make the scanner the lesser evil.
Another issue is the amount of radiation. A professor out of Arizona who is an expert in this type of scanning says that the amount of radiation reported would provide almost useless data - not enough resolution to even see lumps or attached explosiives on the skin surface. He estimates that to get any sort of a usable scan the radiation level would be 20X what the TSA is reporting. No wonder they are resorting to bullying to get people in the booth.
Reply to this
If adult diapers are picked up, what about tampons or pads? Would the TSA want them removed for examination?
Reply to this
Hi Nan- I do a lot of traveling. As I understand it the items you are concerned about would show up on a scan. The pad in full, and at least the string on the tampon. I don't know what the procedure is when one is detected, but TSA doesn't seem likely to take anyone's word for what it is - otherwise we wouldn't have to toss our water bottle going in. If they want to examine it, I'd love to see the agent's face when you hand it to him. A little paybackat least.
Reply to this
We checked with a contact within the Air Marshall's service. Largelife is correct in the detection capabilities of the body scanners. Though our contact cannot say how it will be put into practice, the current recommendations are that any "anomaly" is to be fully investigated. We can't get a better determination on what that means.
As a means of arming yourself you should be aware that the official policy of DHS/TSA has been changed so that children under 12 years of age are not to be subject to "enhanced" pat downs. This information is rolling out a little too slowly to the inspectors.
Also, there is serious movement to exempt pilots from body scanners or body searches.
Suits have been filed in federal court challenging the searches as unconstitutional by violation of the 4th amendment. Additionally the scanners are being challenged as medically dangerous (for the x-ray) and ineffective (for millimeter wave) by a group of scientists knowledgeable in such technologies.
This is a rapidly developing situation, and we continue to urge you to contact your congressperson and press them for action.
RLB
Reply to this
Just so you have full information, there are two types of scanners, millimeter wave and backscatter X-ray. The millimeter wave is the Rapiscan scanner with all of the limitations that you cite, but no radiation risk. The backscatter X-ray has much better detection capability, but much higher radiation risk. Both are in use, and both in most airports that have imaging technology. Accuracy is a good thing.
Reply to this
I had to fly last week and I opted for the box, rather than having some stranger put his hands all over me. I was not aware of the radiation issues at the time, so now I don't see a good option. I can say for sure that no one who I saw getting enhanced screening looked anything like a terrorist. That's sort of funny because every terrorist caught, looks the same - middle eastern male, 18 - 35. It just seems like such a waste of time. I know it doesn't sound polite, but profiling is not bad if the terroists are always the same type of person.
Reply to this
So a terrorist who is not an American citizen, and who was picked up on the field of battle, gets the full protection of the US Constitution in his trial in NY. He gets acquitted of 284 murders and is found guilty of conspiracy.
On the other hand, I who have never even gotten a traffic ticket, and have served my country in the military, have to submit to having my balls fondled at the airport. WTF? The terroists have won.
Reply to this
I just fired off a letter to my congressman. I included a copy of this article. This cannot stand.
Reply to this
The San Mateo County DA is going to investigate any TSA agent who has a complaint lodged against him bya passenger. If innappropriate behavior is found, they will be prsecuted for sexual battery. Finally some common sense.
Reply to this
Hate to break some bad news but I called my Rep's office and I was the first call to complain about the screening. The aide that I spoke to was very courteous and took detailed notes on my concerns. I framed it as a violation of the 4th amendment, and the medical concerns on the radiation levels of the scanners. She said that she would make sure that my concerns were brought to the congressman's attention, but there is no action currently planned on the hill. She didn't rueout action though. I guess he is testing the waters. We need to make more noise people.
Reply to this
One more horror story. A flight attendant employed by US Air for 28 years, and a breast cancer survivor, was forced to allow TSA agents to examine her prosthesis in Charlotte, NC. This was after both doing the body scan, and being mauled by 2 TSA agents in a hands on search. This has to stop.
Reply to this
Napolitano says the new procedures are no big deal. She did it. It's probably the first time anyone ever offered to take a naked picture of her or to grope her.
Reply to this
Yeah, the Dems aren't too big on good-looking women. All the hotties are with the GOP...
Reply to this
I'm glad that you clowns find this so funny. This is one time that I agree with the conservatives. Keep your hands off my body.
Reply to this
Why is bipartisanship only possible when government policy is horrible?
Reply to this
Because bad policy is SO obvious. I called my Congressman's office yesterday, and he's getting an earful. I get the feeling it will be worse after Thanksgiving when the flying public in general finds out about this first hand. Up to now it's just been business travelers. Come Wednesday, it's the infrequent flyers as well. The phones will be ringing off the hook when these people get pissed off.
Reply to this
Now you know what it's like to drive around southern Arizona if you are Latino. Doesn't feel good, does it?
Reply to this
There's a protest trying to get organized. On Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving)they want everyone to request a pat down so that everything slows to a crawl. It would probably get a lot of attention, but I don't like the idea of messing with families trying to get together for the holidays. For a lot of them, it's the only time that they get together. But the only way for action to happen is to get large amounts of people angry as hell.
Reply to this
I just canceled my flight for my family for this Thanksgiving. Between the new TSA rules and the prospect of being held up even further by protesters opting for the grope, I just didn't want the hassle. Amtrak isn't any more time, and way less of a headache. I hope the airlines survive this stupidity.
Reply to this
The Goons at the San Diego airport are at it again. One more arrest of a guy in bike shorts. They confiscated his iPhone that he was recording with, as well as some unrelated woman recording the incident as well. When will they start wearing jackboots?
http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/tsa-airport-screeners-gone-wild-san-diego-again
Reply to this
You only have to watch the news to know that something is way wrong with these new procedures. I don't fly much, and I will not fly again until I don't have to be accosted like a criminal. The Bill of Rights has to stand for something.
Reply to this
They have to do something with people smuggling bombs in their underwear. I don't see the big deal with the body scanners. The only way you get a pat down is if you opt out. I'd rather be safe than dead.
Reply to this
Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) is sponsoring the Travelers Dignity Act to counter the new TSA procedures. We suggest calling, emailing or faxing your member of Congress to support this measure. It can be acted on this week with enough support
Reply to this
The underwear bomber was on 2 no-fly lists and was barred from entering Great Britain as a layover to the US. His father tried to turn him in at the local US Embassy. How about we use some of what's in place for a change and leave innocent Americans alone.
Reply to this
I dida round trip between JFK and O'Hare, and it all looked orderly. The only people that I saw sent to the machines had set off the metal detectors, or had something in their luggage that violated the rules. Most complied but a few opted for the pat downs. No one was trying to make a statement - just getting to where they wanted to go. I don't know how it went anywhere else, but it was no better or no worse than normal.
Reply to this
I did a BWI to DFW, and was not selected forany additional screening. There were people going through the scanners and getting patted down, but no trouble as far as I could tell. TSA seemed more intersted in moving people through than in hassling travelers.
Reply to this
We don't have the scanners, but I was pulled out at random for a pat down. I objected asking why, and they just said I was selected randomly, and it was just procedure. I tried to make the point that it was a violation of my 4th amendment rights, and was told to undergo the search, or leave, but that I wasn't getting past TSA without a search.
It was extremely uncomfortable, and very thorough. The screener was in places that only my husband is allowed access to. I was mortified. I have already contacted my lawyer. I will never fly again.
Reply to this
We had some yahoos making point by slowing things up with the body searches. Most people just went throught he scanners. I just did the regular security. If you travel at all you know what to do and what not to bring to avoid selection for secondary searches. Educate yourself people.
Reply to this
I was randomly selected, so don't say that you can cover all of the bases. I have a medical condition that required me to opt out of the scanner, so I had the pleasure of a grope from a perfect stranger. I am not a terrorist, I fly all of the time. I am not the problem. This is wrong on so many levels I am surprised that there isn'tmore hell being raised. When did we become such sheep?
Reply to this
There are just so many things that we aren't doing that are smart. Our travel histories are on file at the airport. Our IDs link us to our homes and phone numbers. All of our info is out there so that anyone with a computer can get it. How hard would it be to start the verification process at ticket purchase and have the whole file come up at when your boarding pass is handed out. Any flags when your ID is checked gets you further screening. If not, normal security procedures apply. We need to stop inconveniencing innocent people and start focusing on the actual problem.
Reply to this
I wonder if all those on this thread who are advocating the governments and airlines have access to social security, driver's license and other identification, and so that they can better interrogate each passenger are the same people decrying the increase in government power in the tarp and stimulus economics of the Obama administration; it seems that there is a lot of tunnel vision here that screams out to me "leave me alone, go bother someone else" a limited viewpoint that complete ignore the cost of increased security; do we want to pay TSA agents 80-100K a year and provide each of them with real interrogation training, and add enough of them to prevent airline traffic from slowing down even more?
Reply to this
Hi Jerry-
Yeah, I can support that. I have to produce ID for just about everything that I do in this country - using a credit card, buying some Sudafed, entering a building in a lot of cases. I f the info is out there, and for $19.95 I can access a full profile on anyone, it doesn't matter if the government does it. I would rather have my info run than my "junk" touched.
Reply to this
The TSA as currently structured is not effective. I would support losing all of the baggage inspectors and trade them in for a real airport police force, or expanding the air marshal service, even if the individual employees cost more. The Israeli model works. As a frequent flyer, the airlines know my habits already. The current system is like examining every piece of straw in a haystack to find one needle. It's a hassle and not effective.
Reply to this
I don't see what all of the fuss is about. I would rather get scanned than searched, so I do that. We need to keep people from blowing up planes, and there's really no way to tell who is a bad guy.
Reply to this
I just returned from my own indignity at the airport. As one who has experienced racism first hand, I sympathize with those of the Muslim religion who feel singled out. As a native born American, I am appalled that I need to have a stranger's hands on my body.
The words of Rev. Martin Niemoller come to mind:
"When Hitler attacked the Jews
I was not a Jew, therefore I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the Catholics,
I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists,
I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned.
Then Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church --
and there was nobody left to be concerned."
It feels as though they are coming for us all.
Reply to this
There's a lot of drama about this, but I can understand it. If you don't fly a lot, it's a scary scenario. I can't even count the amount of times that someone in front of me at screening brought something with them that they didn't know was banned. Usually a nail clipper or a bottle of something. Most of the time the traveler doesn't understand and gets flustered or angry. That's a sure invite to more screening. Know before you go is a good rule.
That said, the extra measures are a pain in the behind, and I don't like them. Frequent travelers should be able to get a "pass" or something to speed things up. Either that or I wouldn't mind that Israeli model. I'm a law abiding citizen - I would consent to a background check to skip the TSA hassle. It's not like what they are doing is keeping dedicated terrorists from smuggling stuff on. This is going to fail in a big way some day.
Reply to this
interesting article. i for one will gladly remove my belt and shoes to fly. it seems that there is a bit of a conundrum. we want to be protected yet don't want to be patted down. then drive. isreal has a nice program but it seems gesta...po(ish). tsa is a waste of resources. perhaps in order to fly they should offer something akin to a passport where as you have been scrutinized insuring that you are not a risk. verify said documentation to said person and you board uninhibited... no documentation, you strip. On the muslim women, well, being american airports they should be treated the same as everyone else. Or they can walk. usa should throw all idealism aside, you want to fly, you fulfill the requirements. even the elite capitalist machine. there is only one ultimate answer, and everybody won't like it, but do you want to fly safe?
Reply to this
Mike of all the choices you listed you see the ISRAELI system as gestapo-ish??? Give out passports (papers) to fly??? Being felt up is better than profiling??? I think you might need to look back at the way the gestapo operated, my friend.
Reply to this
I much prefer the European system with a bunch of badass military specialists carrying Uzis walking around and eyeing people. Get slightly out of line and they take you down quick. My 88 y.o. mother flys out several times each year to visit us. She always gets some kind of TSA special attention even though she's in a wheelchair with her little dog. Real threat!
Reply to this
You should be upset that the TSA exists at all.. and angry at Republicans for establishing it in november 2001, and Obama et amicae for continuing its arrogance & criminal conduct
Reply to this
Spot on!!!! I am sharing this. Since they were unionized, I don't think that anything will be done to dissolve the TSA, however. Trying to communicate with our Oregon non-reps is worthless. BTW, I laughed at your thanks to the TSA for the wonderful and romantic 5 minutes that you had with them.
Reply to this
Absolutely. The groping, especially of women and children, is over the top. Profilers looking for suspicious behavior, ID checks from parking lot to ticket line, bomb-sniffing technologies and dogs...
all better answers than "enhanced pat-downs" and the pornographic radiation scan.
Reply to this
Unbelievable, in-your-face arrogance of these charlatans! <<"The scanner in question is the Rapiscan Body Scanner, currently being promoted by former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.... a major client of Chertoff's business venture since leaving the government. Ignoring the obvious conflict of interest complicit in lobbying for a client by ...former head anti-terrorist guy, the technology would be next to useless for all but the most incompetent terrorists.">>
Reply to this