TRI In The News

Lawmakers, Sully Criticize New Security Measures

From The Examiner
Original article available here.

Captain Sully Sullenberger and various lawmakers spoke out against the new TSA security measures over the past week, and New Jersey lawmakers are pushing to ban the scanners at Newark. If you've been living under a rock, these new measures are a full body x-ray or -- if you decline the x-ray -- a too-close-for-comfort full body patdown.

The Transportation Security Administration admitted that new procedures might challenge "social norms" and has stated previously that officials are permitted to use their discretion as to whether a passenger requires additional screening.

Both The Rutherford Institute and the Electronic Privacy Information Group have filed lawsuits against the TSA, calling them invasive. Passengers and pilots have complained, and several passengers have come forward with stories that will make you cringe. A San Diego man may never fly again after refusing the scanner and arguing with a TSA official over the patdown, saying it violated his rights (his actual words were "sexual assault"). Security denied him access and, he says, told him he wasn't allowed to leave the airport. He may be subject to an $11,000 fine.

TSA has stated that anyone refusing a scanning or a full-body pat down may be prohibited from entering secure airport areas and could potentially be subject to civil penalties.

At [Kansas City Iinternational], travelers embarking on Southwest Airlines (as of March 2010) had the chance to try out the full-body scanners or opt out and be subject to a pat-down.

If you are traveling on November 24th, be aware that civil rights groups and others across the country are dubbing it National Opt-Out Day, and are asking passengers flying that day to decline the scanner and instead be pat down in front of everyone. Plan on longer security lines.