News Change The Tsa?

[Deleted member 487]

That's why I don't fly. Touch me like they have done to others in videos, and I'll get 20 to life.

 

[Gamereign555]

Every time I see this thread I am reminded of the elderly woman who was made to remove her diaper at the airport because it was the only way they said it could be searched. To my understanding she was flying home and was to live out her remaining life where she grew up with her family or something.

They had this to say; “While every person and item must be screened before entering the secure boarding area, TSA works with passengers to resolve security alarms in a respectful and sensitive manner,”

Well, way to go, you guys are real heroes and probably saved many lives on that fateful day. This viscous, heroin-smuggling, bomb trafficking 95 year old chair bound woman will no longer haunt my nightmares.

 

[Lina007]

I'm getting ready to fly soon, and the last time I flew was in 2005 or 2006, to Houston, TX. I didn't have any issues then, and recall my experience through the security checkpoint to have been quick and easy; however, the tales that have arisen since then petrify me. Obviously, being on this site means I have a history of PTSD which, as I recover from it, always gets downgraded to Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety as I move onward. I have recently moved into this area of improvement for myself, and am undertaking a new job and study program abroad. I am so worried that these procedures are going to cause me to have a panic attack in the airport, or that I'm going to be sexually assaulted and/or triggered while trying to fly. I'm so worried and scared because I have no idea what to expect anymore, just tales of horror and unprofessionalism, along with loss of rights and legalized sexual assault, while essentially being called a traitor in front of all your fellow citizens. The idea of public humiliation, along with the inference of such a despicable label (when I worked on 9/11 all day) makes me sick and scared. I've spent the day crying on and off wondering just how traumatized this experience is going to leave me, and how much it may affect my ability to move into a totally new situation abroad, while starting a new job and study program. The threat of the dehumanization, violation of physical and sexual space, after suffering sexual trauma is almost too much, but I already have a lot invested in this trip. I think it's really sad that We The People have to pay for the actions of foreigners who attacked us with our dignity, physical integrity, and the re-traumatization of people recovering from mental health issues in a time where mental health issues are at the fore of discussion under social problems. Don't they understand what they're doing to their own people psychologically? I don't suppose they care. I'll be utilizing my coping mechanisms when I fly, but unfortunately, I have a long history of anxiety, so I'll likely be flagged to be traumatized because they can't differentiate between guilt and anxiety.

 

[joeylittle]

Honestly, @Lina007 , I fly a lot - multiple times a month for the last 8 years - and I've seen security get tight and stressful, but it seems to be much more smooth again with the introduction of the new scanners - and, I swear, right after the TSA came under heavy fire for assholery, they really became much more professional and way less intrusive.

With the particle scanner, you basically never need a full pat-down. Which is awesome.

Here's what I do to make it easier:

• Wear clothes with no metal - no zippers, etc.
• no jewelry.
• Hair down, if long (otherwise they will check your head)
• Stuff organized so it goes smoothly into the bins - know where your computer and your liquids Baggie are.
• Clean out your luggage to make sure there's no stray metal.
• Do not accidentally leave water in your bag.
• Shoes really easy on/off

Seriously - doing all of the above makes a big difference.