I've resisted chiming in on the TSA facebook posts because I feel like they don't give me enough room to state my position. What's my position? I'm not entirely sure, but I think talking it out might be the best way to come to a well-informed decision about the matter...like any decision we personally make counts for anything of course...it's not like we all get to vote on it!
Here are some facts:
1. Terrorism is a serious problem...there are people out there who want to kill us! I don't think I need to list some of their success stories.
2. People have used planes to accomplish their acts of terrorism.
3. People have tried unsuccessfully to use planes to accomplish their acts of terrorism.
4. Flying on an airplane is a privilege...it's not a right! If they start really preventing us from being able to travel across state line, for example each of us is subject to this kind of search driving across the river, we may start having some more grounds to make "rights" arguments.
5. Obviously security screening has failed several times in the past...sure the proportion of failures to the amount of people flying is small, but look at how tragic the consequences have been.
Here are some questions I have (with a few comments):
1. If the technology exists to make more of a cartoon impression on the full body scanners, why aren't we using them? I'm not convinced that some TSA agent isn't sitting in the room with his IPhone snapping pictures of less than fabulous looking bodies and posting them on facebook. (Turns out a no cell phone or camera in the room is a policy.)
2. Is it possible or realistic to find at least a few people in the medical profession per city who could use some extra money and have them as an option for those personal pat downs at airports? I don't love the idea of being groped, but my biggest concern is for people who really do feel a sense of violation over this. I'm also concerned about young children or people with sensitive medical issues being subjected to this kind of screening. It would probably ease the tension if there was an option to be searched by someone who is actually trained for all those scenarios.
3. Have any of us thought about what this is doing to TSA agents? The people in charge of making the decisions as to methodology are not the actual agents. I'm not sure what discretion they have when it comes to the profiling stuff, but with regard to the general rules of you set off a metal detector, you get this kind of pat down, it's not the person doing the checking who says I think today I'll basically molest someone without any real consequences he he he. I'm sure when "most" (have to account for the few inevitable crazies) of them applied for these jobs they did not think about bodies searches like this! I think your best bet is to be kind and respectful...if you feel it's going too far or you don't want to do it, you can back away and say "I've decided not to fly because this is too invasive" or something...nobody is forcing you to get on the plane. Yes there are exceptions where people aren't getting a chance to speak up, but I think you have to be prepared and ready and confident to speak up for yourself...that's hard to do! Just don't do it in a way that leads to a strip search!!!
4. It's unclear to me what people have the problem with...is it the scanner? Personally for me I fear the full pat down more than some person in another room seeing a less than flattering image of my body. I'm just not sure which people are saying is worse? The boycott doesn't make a lot of sense to me because I would feel more violated having some stranger touch me like that.
5. Is the outrage there because innocent people feel like they are being subjected to this? This brings in greater questions about profiling. Many seem to be upset about profiling, but then treating people equally doesn't seem to be working either. I'm not making an argument for profiling...my characteristics do not fit the "profile" of people who have in recent history been committing the terrorist acts impacting airport security. I think I could only have a non-biased opinion about profiling if it was going to become part of my reality. I'm just curious as to whether the people who are outraged are the same people who are against profiling? For all I know all the outraged people could be totally for it...so their reaction would make sense. For purposes of the argument, I'm only talking about the race and nationality based on the most recent terrorist attempts and attacks...I am perfectly well aware that there have been and are many people who are considered terrorists from all nationalities!
6. How important is security to you? Do you think that terrorism is a real threat?
7. What alternatives do you have for making this better? I'm tired of hearing people bash it without solutions! The bottom line is that we HAVE to have security measures in place that work. I've already suggested two things...those scanners with the more cartoon image, and possible medical people hired to do these pat downs...I'd even take a 4th year med student who needs some extra money!
8. This is kind of a question which will show some of my position- what is this real purpose of the boycott on the busiest travel day of the year???? I understand people are mad, but you are only potentially hurting other people and their families...even your own family! Times have been tough, and it's so important for families to have time together. Holding up the security lines can result in people missing their flights. Would you be happy if your spouse who had been gone a long time couldn't make it home to you? What if someone you love is in the military flying commercial, and they only get 36 hours at home (if you're against military then this won't convince you). What if you haven't seen your child or your mom or dad in a long time? What if someone's boss is trying to make it to an important meeting to make a big deal that will guarantee that their employees still have jobs next week? There are filter down consequences to this. I think we can make statements in a better way than potentially ruining the holidays for innocent people! Start facebook groups, write your representatives, get to be one of those people interviewed on the news!
So this was long...I just wanted to put some food for thought out there! I wasn't interested in some facebook fight with people who don't know each other. I'd love some thoughts and answers to these questions!
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