TSA Experiences

[curlyredhead]

Ok so I have an interesting thing happening. As most people know I just recently had my lower surgery. One of the reasons I chose to stay local in Plano, TX was so I didn't have to deal with the TSA. I have heard horror stories about guys traveling after surgery and having all sorts of issues.

Now in the past I have done a pat down because I didn't want to reveal my gender and I don't know how much of it is actually visible through those scanners. I also don't know if it is safe for my $6,000 hearing aids to go through either.

In the future I am scheduled to fly to San Antonio in a couple of weeks. I really don't know if I want a pat down or if I want a scanner. Obviously I am still healing. Any suggestions would be great.

I have had issues in the past I am about to disclose that information here.

1) San Antonio
2) Metal Detector
3) Opt Out
4) At first I was nervous but it wasn't a bad thing.
5) I would have to say with my ex she didn't like the entire pat down I went through thought it was way too invasive and it takes FOREVER!
6) I understand why TSA is there and I am glad, but really get with the program and use the technology that is better suited for the airport, so we don't have to take off our shoes anymore.
7) One time, I was really caught off guard by this too and didn't know how to respond. TSA agent asked to see my wallet. I felt like this was a bit of invasion of privacy. I see him going through and he sees the money in my wallet. He's like you big spender. He shouldn't have commented it was inappropriate. But if I had told him no he can't go through it, it could have red flagged me right?


Still trying to figure out my next trip.... I might ask my surgeon what he thinks as well.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by curlyredhead

Ok so I have an interesting thing happening. As most people know I just recently had my lower surgery. One of the reasons I chose to stay local in Plano, TX was so I didn't have to deal with the TSA. I have heard horror stories about guys traveling after surgery and having all sorts of issues.

Now in the past I have done a pat down because I didn't want to reveal my gender and I don't know how much of it is actually visible through those scanners. I also don't know if it is safe for my $6,000 hearing aids to go through either.

In the future I am scheduled to fly to San Antonio in a couple of weeks. I really don't know if I want a pat down or if I want a scanner. Obviously I am still healing. Any suggestions would be great.

I have had issues in the past I am about to disclose that information here.

1) San Antonio
2) Metal Detector
3) Opt Out
4) At first I was nervous but it wasn't a bad thing.
5) I would have to say with my ex she didn't like the entire pat down I went through thought it was way too invasive and it takes FOREVER!
6) I understand why TSA is there and I am glad, but really get with the program and use the technology that is better suited for the airport, so we don't have to take off our shoes anymore.
7) One time, I was really caught off guard by this too and didn't know how to respond. TSA agent asked to see my wallet. I felt like this was a bit of invasion of privacy. I see him going through and he sees the money in my wallet. He's like you big spender. He shouldn't have commented it was inappropriate. But if I had told him no he can't go through it, it could have red flagged me right?


Still trying to figure out my next trip.... I might ask my surgeon what he thinks as well.

One of the problems with TSA is the lack of consistency. What occurs on your flight out will probably be different than your return flight. Each airport, TSA gate, and/or TSA clerk implement different rules, including made up rules.

Things to consider when choosing between the pat down and the scanner:

1) You can still be selected for a pat down even if you don’t trigger the scanner.

2) Men with large penises and large testicles have been flagged by the scanner for ‘abnormalities’ and subjected to the pat down.

3) Women with menstrual pads on have been flagged by the scanner for ‘abnormalities’ and subjected to the pat down.

4) Check with your hearing aid manufacturer about going through the scanner with them. TSA does NOT have the expertise to advise you and may tell you it is okay just to avoid giving you the pat down.

You state you understand why TSA is at our airports. Please expound on that. What do you believe is being accomplished by removing our shoes, taking no liquids into the secure area, and having TSA check our private parts?

You also mentioned your wallet was searched by a TSA clerk and your concern you may have been flagged if you said anything about it being inappropriate. In what way did you feel you might be flagged? Did you think you would receive a retaliatory search if you mentioned the TSA clerk had no need to open your wallet or did you think mentioning the wallet search would indicate you were a terrorist?

Not all TSA experiences are issues, other than ineffectual, time consuming, and fear mongering. I hope your experience is dull and ordinary.

One final note: you said one reason you stay in Plano, TX is to avoid TSA. See the posting directly above yours (and further back). TSA has expanded to searching trains, buses, and private cars.

[curlyredhead]

Originally Posted by Andrea

One of the problems with TSA is the lack of consistency. What occurs on your flight out will probably be different than your return flight. Each airport, TSA gate, and/or TSA clerk implement different rules, including made up rules.

Things to consider when choosing between the pat down and the scanner:

1) You can still be selected for a pat down even if you don’t trigger the scanner.

2) Men with large penises and large testicles have been flagged by the scanner for ‘abnormalities’ and subjected to the pat down.

3) Women with menstrual pads on have been flagged by the scanner for ‘abnormalities’ and subjected to the pat down.

4) Check with your hearing aid manufacturer about going through the scanner with them. TSA does NOT have the expertise to advise you and may tell you it is okay just to avoid giving you the pat down.

You state you understand why TSA is at our airports. Please expound on that. What do you believe is being accomplished by removing our shoes, taking no liquids into the secure area, and having TSA check our private parts?Well obviously they are here for our safety and preventing something like what happened on 9/11 again. Yes its annoying that we have to wait in line and have this inconvenience while traveling but I would rather be safe then dead.

You also mentioned your wallet was searched by a TSA clerk and your concern you may have been flagged if you said anything about it being inappropriate. In what way did you feel you might be flagged? Did you think you would receive a retaliatory search if you mentioned the TSA clerk had no need to open your wallet or did you think mentioning the wallet search would indicate you were a terrorist? If I had told him no he can't look I had a fear that it could stir up trouble that would be unnecessary. As for whether or not it would have indicated me as a terrorist I don't know since I really don't know what their protocols are.

Not all TSA experiences are issues, other than ineffectual, time consuming, and fear mongering. I hope your experience is dull and ordinary.

One final note: you said one reason you stay in Plano, TX is to avoid TSA. See the posting directly above yours (and further back). TSA has expanded to searching trains, buses, and private cars.

I wasn't aware of this but I think in this day and age bombs and terrorist are a huge problem.If this is what we need to do to keep places safe then its what we have to do.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by curlyredhead

I wasn't aware of this but I think in this day and age bombs and terrorist are a huge problem.If this is what we need to do to keep places safe then its what we have to do.

Thank you for the dialog. Can you tell me where you got the information that "bombs and terrorist are a huge problem"?

Previously I posted these stats:

Deaths from terrorism since 9/11 (10 years) - 3033
Deaths from breast cancer in 2011 - 39,520 (est)
Deaths from DUIs in 2010 - 32,885
Deaths from homicide in 2011 - 16,799

That is 89,204 deaths in one year compared to 3,033 over 10 years.

This doesn't include death by other cancers, working in unsafe conditions, starvation, lack of medical treatment for treatable illnesses, etc.

The 2012 TSA budget: $7.85 Billion

It seems to me breast cancer, DUIs and homicides are more dangerous and yet we spend $7.85 Billion a year for airport and other screening that has not stopped one terrorist.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Andrea]

TSA ends contract with Rapiscan, maker of full-body scanner

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-fullbody-scanner-contract-20130117,0,3525187.story

"But TSA officials said the agency has canceled its contract with the company because it had failed to deliver software to protect the privacy of passengers."

"The Rapiscan scanners have also be criticized by privacy advocates and some health officials, who question whether the machines expose passengers to too much radiation."

[Linus]

[Rockinonahigh]

I'm going to the reunion this year so my mode of travel will be Amtrak from Marshall Tex. to LIttle Rock Ark, I do hope I don't have to deal wit the t.s.a. on this trip...I garentee the pic on my drivers licence and my physical one are definatly NOT female by any stretch of the imagnation...I cant help the dam name on the D.L. it is what it is.