Did you assume that once you got to the airport, if the TSA was doing something you didn’t like, you could just opt-out and decide not to fly? The answer is — nope. According to CNN and the TSA, a ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals compels all passengers to be screened, whether they fly or not. Refusing screening will result in being denied access to secure airport areas and may result in civil penalties.
“Advanced imaging technology screening is optional for all passengers,” TSA said in a statement released Monday. “Passengers who opt out of [advanced imaging] screening will receive alternative screening, including a physical pat-down.”
But anyone who refuses to complete the screening process will be denied access to airport secure areas and could be subject to civil penalties, the administration said, citing a federal appeals court ruling in support of the rule.
The ruling, from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, says that “requiring that a potential passenger be allowed to revoke consent to an ongoing airport security search makes little sense in a post-9/11 world. Such a rule would afford terrorists multiple opportunities to attempt to penetrate airport security by ‘electing not to fly’ on the cusp of detection until a vulnerable portal is found.”
Meanwhile, backlash against the new scanners is growing. A “We Won’t Fly” day of protest has been established and the issue now has its own website.
Are you ready to stop flying over this?
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I wear a kilt (properly) and refuse the scanners. They don’t actually want to check me beyond it at that point.
Not only has airline prices gone up while service has plummeted, but I also hate the security theater. My wife and I have now driven twice halfway across the country when we could have flown. Not only did it cost about the same, but we could enjoy the trip more and got to see a lot on the way.
Back 20-30 years when business air travel was nice, it must have been cool to have to do it for work, assuming you didn’t mind being away from family and so on, but today it must be horrible to fly economy class and go through all the crap just to be able to work.
This is why I’m happy my family is opting to drive all the way from Florida to Colorado instead of flying. (I do have to wonder what they would do if the scanner could pick up all of the metal in my mom’s head. She’s got a bunch of plates and screws in there from a surgery.)
Oh, and because we can’t trust that the presents we’re bringing along for my brother (electronics) will still be in our baggage when we collect it.
Most of you are incensed at the tragic failure of the TSA’s logic, systems and procedures. Many of you have said that you are not or will not fly because of that, just as I have, and I applaud you for it. But, like me, you must go one step further if you really want to add some weight to your silent protest.
The next time you drive, take a train, or board a boat for your alternate travel, you need to write to the airline you WOULD HAVE USED, and explain that you are not flying with them because of the insane, fascist policies of Homeland Security and the TSA to limit or negate your liberties.
Right now they are guessing how much business they may be losing over this, but they have no real facts. Speak up! Let them know what they are losing.
And, while you’re at it, send a copy to your congressional delegation so THEY know what damage the government is causing.