All hands - enhanced patdown

Now this:

Logan airport security just got more up close and personal as federal screeners launched a more aggressive palms-first, slide-down body search technique that has renewed the debate over privacy vs. safety.

The new procedure - already being questioned by the ACLU - replaces the Transportation Security Administration’s former back-of-the-hand patdown.

Boston is one of only two cities in which the new touchy-feely frisking is being implemented as a test before a planned national rollout. The other is Las Vegas. - Boston Herald

Update on August 24, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Big Sister Janet is still very proud of the girls and boys in blue:

Secretary Napolitano Announces Second Major Aviation Security Milestone this Month

Press Release

June 24, 2010

DHS now performs 100 percent watchlist matching for all flights by all U.S. air carriers

Washington, D.C.—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced that 100 percent of passengers flying domestically and internationally on U.S. airlines are now being checked against government watch lists through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program—the second major step in fulfilling a key 9/11 Commission recommendation achieved this month.

Today’s announcement comes less than three weeks after TSA reached 100 percent watchlist checking for all passengers traveling within the United States and its territories through Secure Flight. Before TSA began implementing Secure Flight, airlines held responsibility for checking passengers against terrorist watchlists. - DHS

Comments

[Buzz]

This is nothing more than retaliation for those who refuse to act like sheep and go through the nude-o-scope. They want to make the pat downs so uncomfortable that no one will object to them.

They don't like it if you don't cooperate with the people in uniform. Don't you realize how important their job is to protect your "freedom?"

[AC]

Nude-o-scope. I love it! I'm stealing that word from you.

[Monte]

My wife said she had no problem with the pat down -- as long as she could pick the guy.

[Mark]

Reading through the replies to the article posted at the Boston Herald site, I can't believe how many folks actually believe such procedures are making us safer. I can't fathom how it isn't plainly obvious to all that the vast majority of TSA policies are about security theater, and do absolutely nothing to make air travel safer or prevent future terrorist incidents.

I certainly understand complying with these silly regs because it just makes life easier to follow their rules when flying and not rock the boat. But I can't understand why some folks actually buy that they are truly necessary.

[Till]

Mark, it all help you understand what my father-in-law, a Frenchman, always says: "On est cerne par des cons." Translated loosely as: We are surrounded by idiots. There are those who get it and those who don't. The problem is that those who get it are in the minority. ;)

[Laurie]

Touchy-feely frisking and nude-o-scopes will fit right in with the whole Las Vegas vibe- but who'd a thunk that a trip through local airport security would be more intimate than a lap dance?

[Till]

If I get a female screener with a stripper body I'll tell her to search and she will find. ;) But they can keep their dirty hands to themselves if it's the usual male or female TSA type. Mean side question: Have you ever seen somebody above average good looking work for TSA? I haven't.

[Maria]

Sadly, the majority believe the propaganda, George Orwell's "1984" comes to mind. Ms. Janet will always revise what happened to render this (and herself!) omniscient and always correct, and if it weren't for the rules - none of us would be safe in our beds. People want to believe that they are safe - so like a bunch of sheep - they will believe (obviously without thinking!). Listening to her on the news - I am amazed at some of the things that come out of her mouth!

On a happier note - Welcome back TIll!

[Dan]

Welcome to the --" Petting Zoo"---LOL..

[Monte]

Till, I agree with your "mean side question". During the last half of my career I was quite involved with hiring faculty and staff, and am very sensitive to affirmative action guidelines. However, there is something to be said about "image". and TSA needs to do a lot of work on image. I'll not dwell on body shapes but some don't compliment their uniforms at all. And when that is coupled with sterness and grouchiness a certain lack of confidence is produced.

The only very interesting person working The Machine I've seen was in Hyderabad, India. Very, very, very, interesting. She was carrying a Browning in a cross draw holster whick made one tend to not get fresh and to pay attention to business.

Nevertheless, Thousands Standing Around need to do a lot of work on image and not so much on creating paranoia.