Return to Article: TSA report: Lawmaker erupted in flap over airport screening
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92495
RY you are probably right I really dont think it went down that way however I did travel through LAX and went through all the screening and was standing with my buddy next to a very odd looking TSA agent I say odd because the make-up and nails where worth a fortune and the hair do WOW besides this gal would have never passed a physical as she could not run 2 feet without tripping over her belly someone worked on that hair for hours. Well my right foot was 1 inch and this is no exageration over the red tape on the floor and this gal told me I had to walk all the way out and go through the screening process all over again maybe and hours worth of delay at least that is what I made out as she attempted speaking english I think! I asked her if she was kidding and she went off on me told me with her hand on her hip of course I must not want to get on my plane to badly said if I didnt do as she asked I would be arrested her supervisor came over because she was being loud not me, heck I was freaking out thinking she might put me in a head lock or something this gal was out of control. And I had not moved my foot yet, I explained and so did my buddy that we had been standing there for 10 min waiting for the line to move and that is where my foot landed 1" over the tape because we where kinda crowded. And to my surprize she told me I had to go all the out and go back through screening. So we do have some TSA folks that have no business dealing with the public they are not all efficeint proffesionals as they want you to beleive I also had a similar experience in Ohare and Atlanta where the TSA personel gave up big attitude almost in a manner of racial profiling maybe its my body make up or the color of my skin or something or maybe we have created a monster that has no leash and has the right to violate every right you have. I do beleive that is the case simple people with no formal training asked to have ultimate authority over the public. Is this 1939 Germany or what!
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92120
JFB, I'm sure that it really happened just the way you said it. How TSA screened the grandma and her family, also making the soldier strip down to his pants and t-shirt while some Middle eastern types went through without a 2nd look. I'm sure it happened just the way you say it. You must work for one of the major news outlets because you have the same reporting skills as those reporters. You take a little fact and make up the rest. Tell me this what is the face of the terrorist? what does he or she or look like?
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91966
TSA, in too many instances, appears to overlook the obvious. On a flight out of Phoenix a few years ago, they physically pulled a very elderly woman (looked like she was in her late 80's) out of her wheelchair and made her stand (she had to be help up by family members and a TSA person) while they ran the wand all over the wheelchair. Her small grandson (about 8 or 9) became very agitated because "they were hurting grandma". Then the TSA personnel made the entire family step aside and be "inspected" by the wand. Also, a U.S. Army soldier had to remove his jacket, belt and shoes to pass through. In the meantime, several very Arabic looking men snickered and went through the gates without even a second look from the TSA personnel. I'm very happy that I was not the same flight as these men. After these incidents, I am definitely a believer in "profiling".
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91928
I heard TSA had a video clip of the incident that they plan on releasing.
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91811
Perhaps someone from TSA out there can correct me if I'm wrong: I understand passengers are offered the opportunity to volunteer for the x-ray scan in lieu of a pat down if they set off the metal detector. Is that correct?
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91795
Congress and the Senate should be on the profile list for TSA. They are in the news constantly for crimes and ethics violations. A recent testimony by FBI interpreter Sibel Edmonds implicated quite a few of them for illegal weapons sales. Scan them, their bags, their offices, their homes, and the people they talk to.
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91791
This is a very interesting debate here. Working on the inside, I can tell you a few truths. "Experts say terrorists are no longer trying to take explosives onto airplanes." Of course not, it has become too difficult. Let me assure you, if it was easy, they would do it. They are still testing the system to see what they can get through, I can vouch for that. The mentality that we would wrestle these terrorists to the ground should they board our aircraft is a feel nice idea, Richard Reed was just unlucky, but they tend to be trained in military tactics and hand to hand combat. They know they are going to die, so why would they just not blow the bomb, or drop the granade the second they see, untrained mind you, passengers rushing them. We all know the second TSA would relax the regulations, or be disbanded totally, something would occur that would have everyone asking why didn't the government have a plan to prevent it from happening and blaming them for allowing it to happen. After 9/11 we all looked to the government for protection to prevent this from ever happening again. So here we are. Anything less would leave us vulnerable.
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91751
Wonder if the chuckleheaded congressman considered that the screener was just doing his/her job. they are supposed to stop because he doesn't like it? Do YOU know who you are sir? Do YOU get it? Save your profanity for the floor of congress. Don't waste your ingorant words on someone doing their job.
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91653
Typical Congressman - the rules/laws don't apply to them in their minds. Personally, I would like these machines if they speed up the screening process. If the TSA person wants to look at my body, then s/he needs to get a life and let me get on my flight.
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91618
What's good for the goose apparently isn't good for the gander. Our legislators in Congress have made Reagan Airport a Congress friendly airport so they don't have to deal with TSA like the rest of the citizens
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91611
Ok, so "do you know who I am" comes off pretty haughty, except that he IS sponsoring legislation specifically about the machine in question. And he has a point: we're letting the terrorists win! Remember how much less invasive and more convenient it was to fly 10 years ago? We should be trying to get back to that level of freedom (we gave up), and not by being more invasive to the general public. Rather our government should act more vigorously to isolate the ciminals that brought us the crisis. I'm tired of giving up freedoms because it's easier to control the good folks than it is to punish the bad ones. Rep. Chaffetz isn't the one I hear whining. Between the lines of this story I detect the strident cacophony of political correctness run amuck. Please stop protecting the criminals and start protecting the innocent!
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91596
While phrased and executed poorly, I completely understand the frustration. TSO inspections at airport terminals are a plecebo. Serious threats won't be bringing their weapon of choice through the gates. Need to focus precious resources where they will do the most good. Frustrating and delaying passengers and adding security fees to the price of the ticket isn't making us safer.
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91578
Very unprofessional and he knew what he was going to encounter by booking a flight and going to the airport. It is a shame that elected officials seem to think they are above the law and act in such a manner in a public place. I would think that being patted down is a bit more invasive than a body scan. The x-ray equipment is in place simply for security measures.
Jennifer Schaus Jennifer Schaus & Associates Washington, DC
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91575
Yeah, we do know who you are; you are just another one of those from Washington, DC where EVERYBODY "thinks" they are important. Want some cheese to go with that WHINE! Grow up dude!!! Chuck
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91573
Why are we letting TSA spend billions when the experts say that terrorists will no longer use commercial airlines to perform terrorist attacks. The passengers will simply fight back as the heroes of flight # 93 did, but only more quickly knowing the eventual end result.
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91570
Well Congressman Chaffetz welcome to the real world! "Us" everyday travelers go through this screening, in one way or another, everytime we travel. Do you know who I am... I am an American taxpayer and I insist every Congressman and Senator go through the same screening process "Us" everyday travelers go through. Then, perhaps some changes need to be made in the so-called security screening.
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91568
While I do not condone Mr. Chaffetz language nor do I appreciate his attitude, I hope he does manage to get rid of that x-ray equipment and most of the so-called security procedures. I don't mind having my bags x-rayed but I don't want my body subjected to that procedure and many of the other obsessive searches to which we must submit. Trying to get on an airplane has become stressful enough without worrying about x-rays and abusive congressmen.
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91565
If a Congressman opposes how TSA does things, then he should present a bill to be voted on. He obviously ought to take anger control classes and abusing low-level workers is not a mark of a decent person. Flying in a commercial airliner is not a civil right but a commercial previledge. He should take a train.
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91553
I say right in Mr. Chaffetz. Our country is turning into a police state. There is no evidence that the machines will protect us form terrorists. They will expose innocent people - including unborn people to radiation. If we accept this degradation from our government, the Terrorist have won.
Listen Airlines, as scanners go in, I stop flying!!!
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91551
This is just one more reason why the TSOs need to have the ability to organize and bargain collectively. It will allow them to protect themselves from idiots, like this.
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91550
I'm reminded of a situation I read about in the airline industry that is similar. A customer, demanding to be served, pushed to the head of the line, and in a very high voice asked the same question; "Do you know who I am?" The level headed service rep calmly pushed the intercom button and said to the waiting crowd that "there is a man at the desk that does not know who he is." "If anyone recognizes him, please step forward and tell him so we can continue boarding this flight!" The now contrite customer returned to the queue and waited his turn. Mr. Chaffetz should learn such humility.
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91536
He's a freshman, just elected, and full of himself.
According to his House bio, he was a placekicker in college, then in business for 16 years.
Maybe he hasn't learned that he has to change the law before he can exempt himself!
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91528
I cant believe the few bloggers think this is a good thing I will have to agree with the Congressman. This is a violation of your rights actually everything the TSA does violates your rights. We need to back off the American public abit I would trust the folks next to me on the plane before I trust some government program that is just sucking tax dollars we dont have. I had said before look at the size of this monster TSA and its growing! It would be much cheaper to put an armed air marshall on every flight. Or just let Americans do what they do best and that is to help eachother when it all falls apart and we have to step up and maybe sacrifice ourselves so others may survive thats the Americans I know. We need to get realistic as to what this cost us and whether statistically this would ever happen again. They snuck in on us that Sept day we where not prepared but we are today you can say with certainty a terrorist once found out you will need a body bag when the plane lands. One guy tries to light his shoe and you see how your leadership reacted everyone gets there shoes sniffed for bomb material these people are just nuts. And as far as profiling goes if you insist on publically dispaying your faith and you are a Muslum you will be tore down thats just how it should be. Heck if some crazy dude from America crashed planes into Moscow I would totally understand if the Russian authorities tore me down because I am American which by the way they would do in a heartbeat I dont think they would be worying about PC. Political correctness is costing the tax payers billions today at a time when we can not afford it. Stop trying to cater to everyones sensitivity and remember the enemy wants to die that is the goal they have no regard for life even there own especially yours or your families.
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91526
As a previous poster noted, though in different terms and not stating the general case as I am, the US has already lost, all of our elected officials have done everything they can to ensure they are not subject to the same laws as we are, this is merely one example of the type of treatment they expect for themselves, but would never approve for you or I.
Just as the "Queen of Nice" Rosy O'Donnel hires armed bodyguards for her protection, but then campaigns to make it illegal for anyone else to own weapons, our elected officials pass numerous laws removing freedom after freedom for us, while ensuring loopholes exist for them.
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91524
I can't say what really want to say because it will be sanitized. I love his "do you know who I am" comment. Yes, we realize you think that you are a deity but guess what, you are nothing close to a deity. TSA should have shown you the door, had you arrested, tarred and feathered, ran out of town on a rail, and anything else that would belittle and demean you - what a pompus A$$!
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91521
Note that Chaffetz doesn't consider himself in a different class to you guys, he's one of the very few in government who are fighting for your rights: He tabled HR 2027 to make it possible for you to elect to have a pat-down rather than an x-ray, and he has had amendments to the same effect added to HR 2200, which is a larger bill relating to aviation security.
So rather than hubris or elitism, you might consider that his anger was rage at the system on yours and mine behalf. The quote "do you know who I am" means "do you know I'm the guy trying to make this violation of civil rights illegal". I'm sure they did know, and they specifically targeted him because of that.
Sincerely, Your man on the ground.
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91519
I took this differently, that TSA was insisting (almost like they "recommend" you take off your shoes) that he go through this body scanner when he has been a vocal opponent of using these. I think he took it almost like they were trying to force the issue with him to make a point, although I assume that the officers at TSA didn't know who he was. Federal agencies are really losing sight of the fact that they work for the public through their elected representatives as opposed to the public working for them and being subject to whatever they (the agency) decides is right. Does anyone really feel safer flying after the billions of dollars that have been spent, along with the inconveniences of flying. I avoid flying in the States as much as possible, just too much trouble.
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91509
"Do you know who I am?" - that's a phrase often employed by those who falsly and usually arrogantly believe allows them special privileges not provided to the 'little people'. Some laws do need change, however until they are changed they should be followed even by those who falsely and arrogantly believe they have a position of power and privilege.
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91463
HA, that's the sort of stupid response that I would expect from those arrogant, superior, control freak, socialist, democrat congressmen, but it just goes to show you that we can have bad attitudes in anyone & anywhere for any stupid reason. If I were a congressman I would love to go through the machine in front of everyone else so that the terrorists could see that we are looking for them & our TSA officers are ever vigilant. I have a real hard time tolerating fools like that. I have the greatest respect for the public safety & military personnel who risk everything in harms way to protect me & others in the name of freedom & truth. Stay alert, be safe/healty & have fun. Don - John 8:32, De Oppresso Liber!!
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91459
Mr. Chaffetz should understand that no one is above the law, and that all passengers, including airline / airport employees have to be screened. This also includes all government officials, which also means you as well. The screening process is for everyones benefit including yours. Its to keep the traveling public safe. So don't fight it!
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91432
What a crybaby. Let's pass some legislation to get rid of him. That's the elite mentality all those nuts in Congress have. OK for us but not OK for them.
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91411
Funny. Mr. Chaffetz is way too important to be searched like the rest of us in "steerage" class. A sense of monumental hubris meeting reality is priceless.
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