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Texasgal

(17,142 posts)
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 06:32 PM Feb 2012

Female passengers say they are targeted:

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/02/03/female-passengers-say-theyre-targeted-by-tsa/



DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Women passengers complain that TSA agents are targeting them for extra screening.

The Transportation Security Administration has a policy to randomly select people for extra screening, but some female passengers are complaining. They believe there is nothing “random” about the way they were picked.

A Dallas woman says TSA agents repeatedly asked her to step back into a body scanning machine at DFW International Airport. “I feel like I was totally exposed,” said Ellen Terrell, who is a wife and mother. “They wanted a nice good look.”

When Ellen Terrell and her husband, Charlie, flew out of DFW Airport several months ago, Terrell says she was surprised by a question a female TSA agent asked her. “She says to me, ‘Do you play tennis?’ And I said, ‘Why?’ She said, ‘You just have such a cute figure.’”



GRRRR!

ETA: Link
19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Female passengers say they are targeted: (Original Post) Texasgal Feb 2012 OP
Ugh. redqueen Feb 2012 #1
People wonder Texasgal Feb 2012 #7
Ineresting. Ms. Toad Feb 2012 #2
eeew seabeyond Feb 2012 #4
this would be a female that we would say, helps the misogyny in this nation. seabeyond Feb 2012 #3
I find this troubling for two reasons: obvious sexism, and the safety concerns re: these machines. BlueIris Feb 2012 #5
Disband the TSA. Dawson Leery Feb 2012 #6
And the number of people who are shocked that this happened Aerows Feb 2012 #8
isnt that so true. the obvious that people argued the absurdity to even suggest. seabeyond Feb 2012 #9
Good seeing you, too Aerows Feb 2012 #12
hey... seabeyond Feb 2012 #13
Hey Sea Aerows Feb 2012 #15
My sister's ex worked with airport security Nikia Feb 2012 #10
The irritating thing is Aerows Feb 2012 #14
As if we're surprised by this. Gormy Cuss Feb 2012 #11
Exactly. Aerows Feb 2012 #16
I've noticed this myself. My local airport was one of the first to implement the scanning machines yardwork Feb 2012 #17
I have to fly to fix servers sometimes Aerows Feb 2012 #18
I'm convinced DFW is the 9th circle of hell. Starry Messenger Feb 2012 #19

redqueen

(115,164 posts)
1. Ugh.
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 06:48 PM
Feb 2012

Just another lovely side effect of the constant reminders that women's bodies are sex objects first and foremost, and that any time women are out in public, their bodies are considered to be on display for public comment (if not worse) at all times.

Oh and all such "compliments" are always welcomed, and any woman who doesn't accept such horrible nonsense is just 'uptight'.

Texasgal

(17,142 posts)
7. People wonder
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 10:06 PM
Feb 2012

why Women in general are pissed off!?

Ummm hello! This kinda crap happens every day!

It's bullshit!

Ms. Toad

(35,384 posts)
2. Ineresting.
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 07:30 PM
Feb 2012

I got a super-duper special pat down last time I went through.

I've been doing pat downs, rather than the virtual strip search, since I've had too many medical radiological studies the last couple of years - and given the questions about regulation of both CT scans and thee machines - I figure better safe than sorry.

The first full pat down was very respectful - intrusive, but respectful. Full explanation before she touched me, touching only with the back of her hands.

The last one I had very brusque, no explanation, no warning, and hands run, palm toward me, from shoulder to waist straight across my breasts. Ugh.

Don't know I'm getting extra screening, but I did get special, unwanted attention.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
4. eeew
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 08:11 PM
Feb 2012

i stopped flying. i have family members pissed. but the advantages. my hubby has to take a longer vacation to drive. freedom. see the country. have kids and hubby with me in a car for days adn we have a blast....

so i kinda like that they did this so i can just. say. no.

i feel we should have the right to be.... clothed.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
3. this would be a female that we would say, helps the misogyny in this nation.
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 08:09 PM
Feb 2012

to be one of the boys. i am more bothered with her, the enabler, then the fuckers, just being fuckers.

copy and paste from reply on thread in GD

BlueIris

(29,135 posts)
5. I find this troubling for two reasons: obvious sexism, and the safety concerns re: these machines.
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 08:48 PM
Feb 2012

Many are concerned about prolonged exposure to the body scanners. Having to go through more than once, especially if there is no valid reason, as in, TSA felt like getting a better look at the body of a woman it deemed attractive, is vile.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
8. And the number of people who are shocked that this happened
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 11:18 PM
Feb 2012

Is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of zero.

Everyone said this would happen because anyone with a grain of sense knew that it would. You aren't going to hear from a single one of the TSA defenders who vociferously denied that this could come to pass when it was first discussed.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
9. isnt that so true. the obvious that people argued the absurdity to even suggest.
Wed Feb 15, 2012, 11:51 PM
Feb 2012

Good seeing you.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
13. hey...
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 01:58 PM
Feb 2012

Last edited Thu Feb 16, 2012, 02:42 PM - Edit history (1)

i enjoyed you. you were a treat for me. helped me to look beyond. that is always a thank you.

take care of you

and give that self that needs it so, the hug it deserve.

good seeing you, too

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
15. Hey Sea
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 02:04 PM
Feb 2012

But hey, a simple hello is fine.

And frankly, yes, I do need a hug sometimes. Sometimes I need to give one, too

Nikia

(11,411 posts)
10. My sister's ex worked with airport security
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 11:52 AM
Feb 2012

And told her that this was the case, that most of his coworkers did this.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
14. The irritating thing is
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 02:01 PM
Feb 2012

That everyone back when this was being pushed through clearly articulated that this would happen.

We got shouted down, no matter what forum we were on (at the time I was on HuffPo, but have since completely cut ties with that place), as though we were idiots.

Well, here we have evidence that we aren't idiots, and that our resistance was grounded in reality.

I see no one stepping up to the plate because there is no ground between them and the outfield.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
11. As if we're surprised by this.
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 01:26 PM
Feb 2012

TSA agents should NEVER comment on a passenger's body. That's just asking for trouble.

According to the updated link, Chuck Schumer has proposed the following in a Senate bill:

The RIGHTS act would specifically:

-- Require the TSA to establish an “Office for Passenger Support”
-- Require every airport where TSA operates to have at least one TSA Passenger Advocate on duty at all times
-- Mandate every airport where TSA operates to have clearly visible signage explaining that a TSA passenger advocate can be summoned
-- Establish best practices to resolve frequent public complaints and conduct training of TSA officers to resolve frequently occurring passenger complaints
-- And field advance notification calls from individuals with medical conditions or disabilities to pre-arrange for a screening process at the airport that ensures the safety of the flight without causing undue hardship for the disabled passenger.



That's a start. Once the TSA is forced to advertise that passengers can complain I predict the complaint level will soar.




yardwork

(63,810 posts)
17. I've noticed this myself. My local airport was one of the first to implement the scanning machines
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 02:20 PM
Feb 2012

years ago, before the general roll-out. I was often asked to go into the plexiglass box and "assume the position." I saw the TSA employees grinning behind their little console. It's annoying.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
18. I have to fly to fix servers sometimes
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 04:05 PM
Feb 2012

And this pisses me off. So what if I run. Does that give you an excuse while I'm flying to nowhere to ogle me?

I don't think it does.

Starry Messenger

(32,375 posts)
19. I'm convinced DFW is the 9th circle of hell.
Thu Feb 16, 2012, 04:18 PM
Feb 2012

Thank the gods you can get a frozen margarita near the gate. I actually didn't get the body screen, but swabbed, which was nerve-wracking. Mexico City airport has a great way to select for screening. Everyone presses a button as they approach security and if a red light lights up, you get screened. If not, you're cool. It's totally random.

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