TSA- "watch that attitude"

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Isn't "Attitude" "Free Speech"?


Jeff....
There is a whole lot of the world that is inaccessable to me now.

I've been thinking that that is part of the point of the abuse. Keep the serfs from traveling by making it a big hassle and thus make 'em easier to corral and tax. That sort of thing.
 
The only fun part of my job involving commercial travel was bringing an M16A2 on board. Aside from that, I always get pulled aside for "random" searches. I swear, travelling on military ID and orders is a sure way to get pulled aside for extra screening.

The only time I wasn't given the treatment was when I flew as a civvie to Las Vegas to attend the Defcon conference. It's a big hacker convention. So, I had tons of electronics, hacking related documents and a number of counterterrorism materials I was working on. I was working on a speech regarding using HERF/EMP as a weapon. Didn't get delayed, searched or pulled aside for extra screening. :confused:
 
I have resolved never to fly commercial again , even though my job requires it. If I can't drive (on my own time for the extra travel time), I will not go. They can fire me--I don't care. So far, my boss has indulged me.

Let the airlines go out of business--I don't care. No government of the people, by the people, and for the people has the right to abuse citizens this way. :cuss:

TC
TFL Survivor
 
buzz_knox:
That happens to my friends and I all the time, we're all 21-25yo, mostly white, govt ID and govt ticket, but we're the ones that get searched. Morons. :rolleyes:

RevDisk:
I've had worse happen, govt ID and orders, we get pulled for extra checks and I'm carrying some documents & users manuals for a couple little toys. Dude just flips through them, I guess he was looking for a pop-up or a giant picture or something, cause there's no way he could have even read the cover pages at the speed he went through. And if he'd read the cover pages, there would have been issues. :eek:

Kharn
 
bradvanhorn said:
Oh yeah, I have another entertaining fact, although this is about the NCIC vice TSA. I've had a Top Secret security clearance ever since I joined the Corps. What no one realized is that if you have or had a TS clearance, and maybe other types as well, you are coded with something or another in the NCIC database. So, whenever I go to purchase a gun, the store calls the NCIC and asks for the authorization. I am delayed every single time. Why? Because the people at NCIC see the code, they don't know what it means, so I get delayed until they figure it out. Oh well, at least it's a better system than having to go to the court house to wait for a purchase permit (as under the old system).

That may explain why my "instant" purchase background checks take an hour where my fiance's take two minutes, many thanks. :)

And on-topic, I wonder if politely requesting that the TSA airport ninjas treat me politely counts as "bad attitude"?
 
I haven't flown commercial since 9/11. Not because I'm concerned about terrorism (I'm much more likely to be killed in a MVA driving to the airport than by a terrorist), I simply don't want the hassle of the extra "security". The TSA can KMA! :cuss:


nero
 
Hey, even the Congressional Medal of Honor doesn't work...

I'm glad no other persons from the military were there. Otherwise, the place would have gotten trashed. Or at least I'd hope so....

I believe trying to steal a MoH is a felony?
 
What no one realized is that if you have or had a TS clearance, and maybe other types as well, you are coded with something or another in the NCIC database. So, whenever I go to purchase a gun, the store calls the NCIC and asks for the authorization. I am delayed every single time. Why? Because the people at NCIC see the code, they don't know what it means, so I get delayed until they figure it out.

Odd. Ever since my TS was completed, my background checks went from 45 minutes to near instant. Though, I didn't make the connection until I read your post...

Chris
 
I'm with Leatherneck-I will NEVER take another commercial flight in this country. Sorry to the airlines, but I am not about to be pawed at in that manner to get on what amounts to a high speed bus. I am glad I was not there for the infamous search suffered by Joe Foss, a REAL american-unlike the hollywood flavor, John Wayne included.
 
bradvanhorn said:
Clearly I must be an undercover Al-Qaeda operative...
My guess is you have been pegged as far more likely to have something much better to palm on you than the cake serving sets and toenail clippers they steal from average citizens.

I have not had to fly since 9/11, and with all these stories about TSA, I am not sure if I ever want to again.
 
I'm driving my whole family (7 of us) to Orlando on New Years day even though I can afford to fly,

I haven't flown since 9/11 and I will not until this crap changes.

Eff the airlines, Eff the TSA goons.
 
Attitude can go into being a hate crime after they pile on. Then life as you know it will be trashed forever.


"(BTW, no one has answered the "What if you don't pay the TSA fine?" question yet... )"

If you don't pay the fine, it will more than likely be turned over to another government collection agency. That agencies personnel will be "Just doing my job sir" as your life crumbles around you.

You can "appeal" all you want to. Ask for L.A. and you get Baltimore. Question the authority used and get further intimidation. Disagree with their tactics and you are singled out for "attitude enhancement" actions where you'll say the wrong thing or impart the wrong body language and then they gotcha.
Even if you win, you lose.

The airlines appear to be ready to drop offline like dominoes, starting with I think USAIR announcing bankruptcy filing today. Start writing your congresscritters now demanding they don't give a dime to the airlines. Let the mis-managed monstrosities disappear from the American landscape. Someone somewhere will do it better and cheaper without my tax dollars.

TSA = totally stupid actions
Vick
 
I still want to know what would happen if someone just didn't pay the fine. The TSA can not legally do this, so people just shouldn't pay.
 
Combat-Wombat:
I would assume a federal warrant for your arrest would be issued, just like if you didnt pay a speeding ticket on a military installation. That's not a good thing.

Kharn
 
Wouldn't it be interesting if a few thousand people across the country used a morning of their vacation to purchase a ticket for cash at the airport of their choice? When the TSA goons started their crap, they could politely state that they do not need to put up with Nazi's in America and return to the counter and demand a refund. No cost and point made loud and clear.
 
Nothing will happen if you don't pay the fine. You'll get billed for a while, then it will stop and you'll think they have given up. And if you never cross swords with FedGov again you'll never have to worry about it. But raise their notice over some other event 20 years from now and the fine will resurface...complete with $55000 in accrued interest and additional fines.

You'll get out of jail when you pay it.

Or they'll claim everything you own under some convoluted aspect of Asset Forfeiture and you can go to court and fight them over it. Of course, since you have nothing left to fight with...
 
I will no longer fly on the airlines, i will drive thank you. If i can not drive i will take a boat if i cant do that then wherever it is wasnt worth seeing anyhow and ill stay home.

I dont fly commercial because.

the TSA wont let me have my survival tools.

like my gun for starters
and my knife
and my lighter
and my flashlight

the last 3 things being nice to have in the "unlikley event" of a plane crash and im unlucky enough to survive it.

a TSA agent who also does my hair :scrutiny: told me "but you can check those in your luggage" my response "well thats just lovley, tell me, what part of the plane hits earth first and were exactly is my luggage stowed!?"

for cryin out loud!! have you ever seen an air crash? i have! ive seen a lot of em, up close and personal, mostly while sifting through the wreck looking for the ELT (emergency locator transmitter) you usually cant find anything left the size OF a suitcase let alone MY suitcase.

If i survive the crash, i want my stuff, on me, were it belongs. Cause that might be all i can get my hands on to keep me alive and if i cant be at my destination unharmed then alive is just as good a place to be. :banghead:
 
Been there, done that.

The TSA fine thing, that is.

Wife PLANNED to pack a present for her mother - a paring knife - in the CHECKED luggage, where it would not be a problem. For space reasons, she foolishly put the fully gift-wrapped little knife in our carry-on luggage. :uhoh:

Flash-forward to the security line. TSA guards ask us if there is any contraband, yadda yadda yadda. We say "No."

Guard REPEATS question, very specifically asking if there are any weapons, "anything that could harm us," etc. Again, we say no.

Party begins. Bag is opened, gift-wrapped box taken out, we are asked about the contents thereof. Wife has an "Aha! - Oh NO!" moment.

Now all the Defender of the Airways had to do was peel off one taped-down end of the gift wrap, but no, she has to put on a Demonstration of Seizing Dangerous Contraband. Confetti rains down as she shreds the gift wrap, opens the Pampered Chef box and triumphantly reveals the deadly 3" paring knife.

Now Wife is interrogated about the knife, state cop demands her SS# (which I told her he did not need, she did not have to provide, and which she did anyway.). She's taken off for questionning, ALL our luggage - which had already been opened when we checked it - is pulled, and the fun continues.

In all fairness, I must state that the TSA people were pretty nice about what was clearly OUR error. The TSA guard knew how much Pampered Chef stuff costs and let us KEEP the knife. Hence, pulling our checked bags off was useful, as Wife could put the Killer Blade therein, allowing it to still be given as a Mothers' Day gift AND become a Family Legend. ;)

About 2 months later, we get a letter from the TSA, demanding a $300 (might have been $500) fine IF WE PAY IMMEDIATELY. The letter further advises that there is a right to appeal, BUT doing so would make us liable for the FULL penalty of $5,000 if convicted. In other words, you can plead out for very short money, or roll the dice for serious stakes - your choice.

We decide a mere call to the TSA attorney will not be deemed a rejection of the offer and will, therefore, be worth a shot. Wife calls and speaks briefly to a very nice woman, the local TSA attorney. They make an appointment for her to call Wife back, after the attorney can pull the file and review the complaint.

At the stroke of the appointed hour, the TSA attorney calls back. Now understand that this is a slam-dunk case. We:

1. Had a weapon in our carry-on luggage;

2. Denied its existence when asked; and

3. STILL denied its existence when given a SECOND opportunity to declare it.

How do YOU spell "stupid?" They had us cold.

Notwithstanding our collective anal-cranial inversion, the TSA attorney REDUCED the fine significantly. I could not write the check fast enough.

As for the TSA creeps groping woman, doing public strip-searches and filming these molestations - no quarter should be given. But fair is fair, and the TSA treated us surprisingly well for our clueless error. :rolleyes:
 
To the guys and gals who are in the military and are on military orders I believe that you are not supposed to be pulled aside for extra screeing. I know a couple of years ago when I flew that I was on orders and was told by someone that I would not have to worry about any extra screening due to being on said orders. But then again that was in Jan of 03 so TSA probably figured out that with all the military moving about on leave and stuff why not harass us some.
 
What law grants the TSA the authority to assess fines?

Thats a very good point.If all they are trying to do
is make it safe for the sheep,then either confiscate
or arrest.Somebody somewhere went "Hmmmm, We
can make this whole fiasco pay for itself with fines"
Sorry,I won't fly because of this foolishness!

QuickDraw
 
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