"Just a minute. The pat downs done by TSA agents are not "law". These are policies and procedures. Therefore legislation by the States can indeed prohibit such actions by the TSA within the boundaries of that State. In order for the federal government to "over ride" these State laws, legislation on the federal level is required to be passed and signed into law by the President." The transportation and security act of 2001 signed into law by the president on Nov. 19,2001 paves the way for the administrator of Homeland security and/or the administrator of TSA to estabilish policies and proecdures under the law for aviation and transportation security so these TSA policies are covered under Federal Law.

(Written on 23/05/2011)(Permalink)

I only wish people would do their homework before going off. True, other countries don't use such invasive practices but their security carry weapons, big ones, and they profile(it's not the governments fault we don't profile you can blame our American freedom and civil liberties for that). If you argue with security personell you most certiantly miss at least your scheduled flight and maybe more. If you disagree with their screening policies either don't fly or shut up. I don't believe our security policies are the best but there not the worst by any means. I read and hear people bitch but I'm not hearing any solutions put out there so until then I want to be as safe as possible so I'll deal with it, if you don't want to don't fly after all flying is not a given right it's a privledge.

(Written on 21/05/2011)(Permalink)

Private companies will have to adhere to the same policies as TSA. The company will need to make a profit which means lower pay and lower hiring standards. At some level TSA will have to be overseeing the private company which means the upper level of management who is mostly to blame for each airport employee attitudes will still be in control. So as I see it those who hate TSA will just have another company to hate.

(Written on 10/01/2011)(Permalink)

I am not a frequent flier but as I watch terrorist activities I have to ask where do we draw the line on trying to prevent them from blowing up airplanes? They've hidden explosive devices in shoes, underware, bras, prostectic devices, wheelchairs and any other place they think might not get checked. So as I don't agree or disagree with the processes used I just ask where do we feel safe stopping? Go back to no security? X-ray bags only? take shoes off or not? Let anyone with a card from the Dr. go unscreened? The bottom line is I know I'm not a danger but I don't know any of the other millions of travelers or if they are a danger so I would ask that I not be screened but make sure you screen everyone else.

(Written on 18/12/2010)(Permalink)

At least two U.S. circuit courts of appeal have beaten back challenges to airport security measures. In 2006, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals -- Justice Samuel Alito's old stomping grounds -- ruled a suspicionless, unwarranted search during airport screening was allowable under the "administrative search doctrine." The doctrine, an exception to searches requiring court warrants, was developed by the courts over a number of years. In a 1971 ruling, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the doctrine meant "searches conducted as part of a general regulatory scheme in furtherance of an administrative purpose, rather than as part of a criminal investigation to secure evidence of a crime, may be permissible under the Fourth Amendment though not supported by a showing of probable cause directed to a particular place or person to be searched." In other words, if the main objective of the search is to prevent an act of terror instead of finding evidence to prosecute a suspect

(Written on 04/12/2010)(Permalink)

OK, I'm reading and hearing a lot about airport security and TSA. My question is what's the answer? Does TSA's policies violate our 4th amendment rights? Not according to the courts. In some countries any disruptive passenger would be hauled away by gun toating police for hours of questioning with no ticket refund or rebook. Some countries profile but that violates our civil liberties. Terrorists have used woman, children, persons with disabilities and their assistive devices, elderly people and so on for years. They will place explosives any where they think won't get checked. I'm not defending TSA or any form of airport security. I would just like to see some quality suggestions for possible improvement or do we just do away with security all together. How much or how little is acceptable?

(Written on 04/12/2010)(Permalink)

Police officers have been convicted of many crimes including rape and murder. Do we blame their hiring or training process,or say that every law enforcement officer is bad. NO. Military members including some high ranking officers have been convicted of such crimes also, Do we blame their recruiting or training,or say the entire military is bad. NO. It doesn't matter if you hate TSA or not, don't blame the hiring or training process or the thousands of employees because of a few bad apples. Some bad apples slip thru the cracks in every job interview and training process.

(Written on 26/11/2010)(Permalink)