Backscatter

Glenn · 11-30-2010, 12:06 PM

Testing what?

Who chooses the radiation lane or the molestation lane?

EnderD_503 · 11-30-2010, 12:32 PM

It's more about control over the population than passenger safety, and an example of how terrorist threats and western governments benefit each other. The more afraid of "the enemy" a government renders its population, the more the general population is willing to overlook the boots stomping all over their rights. The more western governments invade foreign nations and propagate discrimination, the easier it is for religious extremists to recruit people to their cause.

Right now in Canada these are only in place for flights destined for the United States as far as I know, and not to the EU...which I'm personally thankful for. Just hope it stays that way into next summer, because I would be ready to give up my ticket in order to avoid these things.

Linus · 12-11-2010, 11:36 AM

It's interesting. I've had to go through the backscatter twice in the past four weeks as part of travels and they were pretty quick and non-invasive. TSA is generally professional.

That said, however, because my plane ticket was still under my previous name I had to bring my name change document with me along with my new passport. It wasn't an issue for TSA until I was leaving IAD (Dulles in DC) to go to LAX. I got pulled out of line and queried on this.

IAD has to have the WORST setup for security screening I've ever seen. Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) goes through a single TSA screening point (rather than having different ones for different terminals). I didn't have to go through the backscatter but to be pulled aside, asked why my name change was done in 2009 and the ticket reflective of now, blah blah, was humiliating and completely uncalled for. Basically, it nearly outed me and I swear, if I had been asked why I did the name change I would have filed a suit shortly afterwards.

I did notice when I was leaving LAX a few weeks ago they had changed their patdown procedure and were randomly (truly randomly) checking people and describing better what they were doing. I think they did listen and heard what people have said. Not every flight and not everyone will be backscattered. And I have seen that the room is separate (and it is an enclosed room with no windows -- they communicate via radio to the person in the room).

I wish they would do a proper external audit of the security behind them and the procedure of how images are stored but all-in-all, they are not that bad.

Waldo · 12-16-2010, 06:46 PM

Friends and neighbors... this is why it's "Security Theatre" and not security:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/loaded...qkw=&tqshow=WN

Corkey · 12-19-2010, 04:54 PM

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qdb6wC0Iz4"]YouTube - Grandma Got Molested At The Airport[/nomedia]

Speaking of political theater, Happy Holidays!

Andrea · 12-23-2010, 08:17 AM

The National Center for Transgender Equality sent the linked letter to the TSA citing some unpleasant TSA experiences for transgender passengers.

This type of harassment does not make me feel any safer.

NCTE letter to TSA

Andrea

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

11-30-2010, 12:06 PM	#1
Glenn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Ol butch bones. Preferred Pronoun?: Old thing Relationship Status: Too old to play. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: :rolleyes: Posts: 1,547 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,602 Thanked 3,729 Times in 1,095 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Testing what? Who chooses the radiation lane or the molestation lane? __________________ 1 Kings 19:12

12-11-2010, 11:36 AM	#3
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,726 Times in 3,172 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	It's interesting. I've had to go through the backscatter twice in the past four weeks as part of travels and they were pretty quick and non-invasive. TSA is generally professional. That said, however, because my plane ticket was still under my previous name I had to bring my name change document with me along with my new passport. It wasn't an issue for TSA until I was leaving IAD (Dulles in DC) to go to LAX. I got pulled out of line and queried on this. IAD has to have the WORST setup for security screening I've ever seen. Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) goes through a single TSA screening point (rather than having different ones for different terminals). I didn't have to go through the backscatter but to be pulled aside, asked why my name change was done in 2009 and the ticket reflective of now, blah blah, was humiliating and completely uncalled for. Basically, it nearly outed me and I swear, if I had been asked why I did the name change I would have filed a suit shortly afterwards. I did notice when I was leaving LAX a few weeks ago they had changed their patdown procedure and were randomly (truly randomly) checking people and describing better what they were doing. I think they did listen and heard what people have said. Not every flight and not everyone will be backscattered. And I have seen that the room is separate (and it is an enclosed room with no windows -- they communicate via radio to the person in the room). I wish they would do a proper external audit of the security behind them and the procedure of how images are stored but all-in-all, they are not that bad. __________________ Personal Blog \|\| [] \|\| Cigar Blog "We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings." -- Ram Dass

12-16-2010, 06:46 PM	#4
Waldo Member How Do You Identify?: Special Snowflake Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wine Country, Oregon Posts: 470 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 22 Thanked 792 Times in 238 Posts Rep Power: 1006289	Friends and neighbors... this is why it's "Security Theatre" and not security: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/loaded...qkw=&tqshow=WN __________________ Perved lately? \| My website \| NEW: lez.org

12-19-2010, 04:54 PM	#5
Corkey Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Human Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Very Married Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Where I want to be Posts: 8,155 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 47,491 Thanked 29,268 Times in 6,637 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qdb6wC0Iz4"]YouTube - Grandma Got Molested At The Airport[/nomedia] Speaking of political theater, Happy Holidays! __________________ "Many proposals have been made to us to adopt your laws, your religion, your manners and your customs. We would be better pleased with beholding the good effects of these doctrines in your own practices, than with hearing you talk about them". ~Old Tassel, Chief of the Tsalagi (Cherokee)

11-30-2010, 12:32 PM	#2
EnderD_503 Member How Do You Identify?: Queer, trans guy, butch Preferred Pronoun?: Male pronouns Relationship Status: Relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,329 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,090 Thanked 3,879 Times in 1,023 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	It's more about control over the population than passenger safety, and an example of how terrorist threats and western governments benefit each other. The more afraid of "the enemy" a government renders its population, the more the general population is willing to overlook the boots stomping all over their rights. The more western governments invade foreign nations and propagate discrimination, the easier it is for religious extremists to recruit people to their cause. Right now in Canada these are only in place for flights destined for the United States as far as I know, and not to the EU...which I'm personally thankful for. Just hope it stays that way into next summer, because I would be ready to give up my ticket in order to avoid these things.

12-23-2010, 08:17 AM	#6
Andrea Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Mature Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Her/She Relationship Status: I heart Rene Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 3,755 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15,427 Thanked 14,918 Times in 3,020 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	The National Center for Transgender Equality sent the linked letter to the TSA citing some unpleasant TSA experiences for transgender passengers. This type of harassment does not make me feel any safer. NCTE letter to TSA Andrea __________________ I am very spoiled! What we think about and thank about, we bring about! Today I will treat my body with love and respect.