US Airport Security Checks-Too far? Or necessary

[JacDeathly]

Earlier this year Air Ports in the US beefed up their security.  TSA employees give more thorough pat downs and bringing in new technology.  The new "Full body scanners" have been the subject of much controversy.  To the small doses of X-rays that everyone (including pilots and staff) must go through to board the plane to the idea of people looking at you completely naked and having the ability to store the image on a personal computer.  The federal government claims these new security steps are necessary to keep the public safe from terrorism.  These new procedures are so far only in select air ports with random checking and testing.  The procedures that are in question is the enhanced pat downs & clothing penetrating x-rays with a mandatory cavity search if refusal of the previous two.  Claims have been made that the x-rays violate rights of privacy by showing would be passengers in the ****.  TSA claims the images are no more provocative than your doctor visit x-rays.  The rest is up to you.

Not to mention now the "Strip Searches." TSA can now strip you down to nothing or your skivvies right in front of everyone if they feel like you are a "threat."


What do you guys think? I for one think it is a little too far. We can see a hell of a lot with all the scanners they use so why begin to arguably violate people? You may have picked up on some sarcasm in my post that gave away my position on this matter. Thoughts from the forums?

[hipmofasa]

I for one think that we've sacrificed a little too much freedom in the name of security.  Since 9/11 I've flown probably about 20 times, maybe even more, on flights in-state, national, and international, and have never felt unsafe.  I have, however, felt harassed.  I've been pulled aside for pat-downs, and it is violating and embarrassing.  These kind of pat-downs are what we do to criminals - why should we be treated as criminals just because we want to fly?  As as far as the x-rays being non-invasive, just the other day they got a TSA x-ray operator jacking-off as he watched the x-ray screens.  Sounds like it's a little more revealing than your doctor's x-rays...

[nickotiger]

I think this searches violate the privacy of people, but keeps us all safe. I rather get seen naked than being in a plane with a bomb onboard. That is of course only my personal opinion. The strip searches really make you get totally naked but they dont do them if you just seem suspicious. They are given to people who refuse to go under the x-rays and are administered in private rooms so they dont have to get naked in front of everyone. I dont really have much of an argument. I just wanted to give my opinion and some information on this issue.

[xRisk--]

I go through security in like 5 seconds... It isn't really a hassle... security checks = means to protect air-goers from threats = common people. Police officers = protectors of the people (well mostly)... So in a general sense they both do the same thing... If we reduce security in the airport, we reduce maximum protection = reducing measures taken by police officers in ensuring our protection. To do the latter would be dumb... so too would be to eradicate or reduce the first. 

[JacDeathly]

They are given to people who refuse to go under the x-rays and are administered in private rooms so they dont have to get naked in front of everyone.

That is not the case now.

They can do it wherever if they feel like it. Granted this doesn't happen everytime but it has happened a lot recently and this woman is only one case out of many.

I am aware that we need security and it it totally necessary for our safety as travelers but at some point a line must be drawn.

xRisk I never said that we should reduce security in the airports I am opening debate on the subject of TSA's new policies and tools they are using. Those are what I think are violating people and going too far not the security as a whole. It is the methodology I have a problem with.

[failed_factor]

As someone who is a frequent flier I believe this new "enhanced" patdown procedure and the full scanners are going too far. Back when there was only one or two scanners per airport it was okay because you only had to go in it if you refused to comply with TSA. This obviously has changed. I for one dont see how this is making America safer.

Ive never felt unsafe flying once, yet Ive been pulled aside a few times, even by customs. By TSA's new standards I can get slapped with a new pat down because of a quarter in my pocket. Way too far guys. Focus on people making a scene and who actually look suspicious. Not on me and my elderly grandparents. The whole reasoning behind this new procedure is to stop people like the "underwear" bomber from last Christmas. Maybe TSA should just hire people to do their jobs correctly for once.