OUTRAGEOUS - My 9 year old grandson was THOROUGHLY SEARCHED

[Twig]

Please read the following letter I wrote to Senator Wyden, Congressman DeFazio, TSA, United Airlines, Eugene Register Guard, and maybe some of you can help me get this word out more as - I am on a Watch List:

This is the letter I sent out and Wyden and DeFazio are filing
a joint complaint with me to the TSA and United Airlines.

January 4, 2005

Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Attn: Tasha
Phone: [phone]

Congressman Peter DeFazio Attn: Phillis Wagoner
151 West 7th Avenue #400 Eugene, Oregon 97401
Phone:
Fax: [phone]

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden
Attn: Erin James Fax: [phone] fax[phone] West 7th Ave
Suite 435
Eugene, OR 97401 [phone]

Register Guard
Attn: Diana Elliott
Tim Christy
P.O. Box 10188
Eugene, OR 97440-2188 Phone: [phone]

United Airlines (United)
Attn: Lynn Karr
Phone: [phone]
San Francisco Airport
Phone: [phone]
Fax support 1-877-406-1059

ATTENTION: All of The Above - Outrageous Search of a 9 year old at the
Eugene Airport


Dear Sirs & Mesdames:

My name is Nancy McLaughlin and I have been tagged by the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) and United Airlines for extreme searches. I am just a regular person, 51 years old, and have disabilities; so I either use a cane or a wheelchair everyday. I want my name taken off these lists.

My complaint: My grandson, Q. Ramerez, 9 years old, came from Reno during the holidays to Eugene. We had a ticket for Southwest, but that would have involved a lengthy car trip to the Portland airport. Instead, I bought a one way ticket from United Airlines. When my husband and I got to the Eugene Airport, they had tagged my name again and forced my grandson to endure a through search of his body, clothes and backpack which contained his lunch for the flight. They made him take off his outer clothes, his shoes and his belt, took everything out of his backpack, even opened up his sandwich! Since I was the one tagged, at first they were going to make me go through the search, then decided since I was not the one flying, that they had to search my grandson. All of the employees and the TSA guards were shaking their heads, they could not believe this was happening, to a 9 YEAR OLD BOY. They made him suffer the consequences of
my name being tagged. This is not "random". I am subjected to humiliating searches every single time I fly, with TSA's hands all over my body.

The TSA Guards told us that it "wasn't them", it was United Airlines. When I talked to United, they told me they didn't have any lists. Tasha, the supervisor at TSA asked me if there were four (4) "S"'s on the boarding pass. I told them I did not know, that the airline attendant took his pass. Evidently, United does have a list. If you have these "S";s, then you are subject to further humiliating searches. Tasha from TSA also told me that it was probably someone else with my name that had a warrant out for them. She said that she would send me some kind of form to fill out to try to get my name off their lists, that it would take at least two (2) weeks to receive it, then after I filled it out and sent it back, that it would take at least a month to try to get my name off their lists.

The supervisor from United Airlines, Lynn Karr, also told me that children are being subjected to searches because they are carrying drugs. I asked if they do body cavity searches and she told me that they aren't doing that, YET. That TSA also searched her 3 year old niece. She also told me that searches in Hawaii are extreme. But, to my knowledge, they haven't had a drug problem at the Eugene Airport.

I really don't care who is to blame, I want this to stop!!!

This whole thing is just insane. To search my 9 year old grandson, who did not have a clue to what was going on, because my name is on a government list for what ever reason, to subject him to this humiliation is extreme. Whatever happened to common sense? I also cannot believe they were going to search ME, WHEN I WAS NOT EVEN THE PERSON FLYING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please help!

(ticket information snipped)

And this is an article on me that our local newspaper put out. I didn't realize that when a reporter called me, that he was actually doing an interview for the paper. I only learned after the photographer made an appointment with me that I had _already_ been interviewed. The article was supposed to be about my grandson being searched, not me! They didn't mention that Wyden & DeFazio are filing a joint complaint with me to the TSA and United Airlines:

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/01/06/d1.cr.watchlists.0106.html

If anyone can help me file complaints or if anyone has advice, I'd sure like to hear about it.

Thank you for listening.

TWIG

[Downtown Hound]

1. It seems that DU'ers are being tagged

There was another thread on one of us that had an article that appeared in the paper, and the only thing she could think of as to why her name would be on a list is that she was a DU'er. I haven't flown since I joined DU, so I don't know if I'm on any lists. Pure retribution on the part of Bush's compassionate conservatism.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. I was the one that started that thread. I got hit 6 out of the last 7 x's

All I want to know is that they're doing the same thing to white males and I'm fine with it. I don't mind if they search my children as long as they search the children of anglos as well.

I admit that the experience leaves me testy afterwards. For example, some white male that tried to cut me off in line got a word from me, and maybe I was quicker in temper than I should have been. In the end, even though he shouldn't have tried to cut me off, I was the one that was in the wrong line and I ended up apologizing.

As I said before, as long as anglos are being inconvenienced in the same ratios as minorities, I'm fine with this.

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. You did remind me of one time I got a little peeved at security...

They made me take off my suit jacket and send it through the x-ray machines leaving me walking through the metal detector in a thin almost transparent sleeveless shell. I noticed the male travelers were allowed to keep their suit jackets on.

[formernaderite]

43. my wife and her assistant get searched 2 out of 3 flights....

...and she's a bottle blonde and he's a red haired balding white male. She actually travels with the impression that only white professionals seem to get searched. Of course this is all anecdotal, your story and hers.

[The Backlash Cometh]

45. Well, I can vouch for my story. But yours is hearsay.

;-)

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. I'm amazed I fly so freely.

My name is extremely common so I would have a higher possibility of duplicating someone else's name.

I am an outspoken critic of the Bush administration both on-line and in public speakaing.

I am a DUer.

Maybe I just jinxed it.

[valis]

2. What's a "Mesdame" ???

[ArkDem]

7. It's French...why do you think I have this outrageous accenta...

Ma·dame ( P ) Pronunciation Key (m-dm, mdm)
n. pl. Mes·dames (m-dm, -däm) Abbr. Mme.
Used as a courtesy title before the surname or full name of a woman, especially a married woman, in a French-speaking area: Madame Cartier; Madame Jacqueline Cartier.
madame Used as a form of polite address for a woman in a French-speaking area.

[sybylla]

9. It is plural of Madam/Madame n/t.

[Hapameli]

3. www.aclu.org n/t

[prole_for_peace]

4. This is outrageous!

I have not been searched yet but I am sure it is coming.
Our security forces are trying to close the barn after the cows escaped. Do they really think any group would use the same methods as 9/11? I believe it would be something totally different. And have these intrusive searches found ANYTHING? If so, I haven't heard about it.

[tx_dem41]

14. Yes, these searches have found things numerous times.

Living near DFW, a large airport, there have been severalstories reported of loaded guns being discovered. Usually, the owner of the gun says that he/she forgot they had it in their carry-on. Oh well.

On what do you base your assertion:

"Do they really think any group would use the same methods as 9/11? I believe it would be something totally different. "

I question you on that, since it seems they have been using car/truck bombs for years and years and years.

[prole_for_peace]

33. But I am sure there were guns before and such before.

I was wondering if they have found anything that they can prove was going to be used on the plane.

I don't know that car/truck bombs have been used here that often. Oklahoma City and the first trade tower incident but that is all that comes to mind. I know that they are used frequently overseas.

I would just think that knowing that everyone is watching the planes that a group would choose to use something else. I wouldn't think they would do what everyone expects them to do either. Unsuspected means seems to be a big thing.

[tx_dem41]

37. You said:

"I would just think that knowing that everyone is watching the planes that a group would choose to use something else."

Yes....and the only way they'll know that is if the passengers keep getting searched.

[CoffeeCat]

54. I totally agree with you...

...terrorists will never attempt the same scenario as 9/11.

The people on the initial flights didn't know exactly what was going on. The people on Flt 93 knew, because they had more information. We all saw how they reportedly thwarted the terrorists actions.

Any future flights would ensure a re-enactment of Flt 93. We would all get up and fight like hell.

I agree that 9/11 won't repeat. They'll hit us from the left as we're looking to the right. Scary to say that, but it's true.

[tx_dem41]

58. Just because they might hit us from the left, doesn't mean we ..

...shouldn't look to the right as well. Why can't we look to the right and the left.

They might not hijack a plane.....they just might decide to blow one (or 12 as they tried in 1995) up.

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. No advice, but that is absolutely insane!

[Quakerfriend]

10. Yeah, all DUers should expect this treatment

Well I am traveling with my kids next Spring and since I've taken anti * books out at my local library, and am also a Quaker- in addition to being a big, bad, DUer I'm quite certain that I shall be on the list as well.

I've even warned my hubbie to expect this.

Does anyone know how to determine whether or not you are already on the list?? I would love to know.

[Downtown Hound]

12. It's impossible to find out because

officially, "There are no lists."

[Twig]

20. "There are no lists.."

That's right. TSA said they would take me off their "no list", that it would probably take 2 weeks to just get the non-form - although United Airlines and Wyden's offices didn't know there was a non-form - then it would take a month or more after they receive this Non-form to get me off their "no list".

TWIG

[Mojorabbit]

13. If you are flying one way

you more than likely will be searched. This happened to me three times in Oct and they told me it was because I had one way tickets.

[Red State Rebel]

31. You're right, I've encountered the same thing.

I've toured with a group during the summer and when I go off tour and go back, I get searched every time because they are one way tickets. It's frustrating.

[Twig]

17. Selectee List

Next time you travel, check out your boarding pass. If the pass has "S"'s on it, then you are a Selectee and are subject to the more through search.

A lot of travelers are only wearing PJ's and socks to the airport, no shoes, no pockets. BUT, best make those form fitting !!!!

But kids? And I loved the part of TSA saying they don't do cavity searches, YET.

TWIG:mad: :mad: :mad: :scared: :scared: :mad:

[WolverineDG]

15. how do you pay for your tickets?

if you are paying by check or cash, then you're tagged as a potential terrorist. i used to get the "special treatment" each time i flew because, being financially responsible somewhat, i feel that if i don't have the cash for the ticket, i shouldn't take the trip. well, after the FIFTH time of being told to "stand over there" and talking to a couple of my fellow "tsa hostages," we discovered that we all paid for our tickets by cash or check. then someone overheard us (a charter pilot flying somewhere to meet his plane & flying on a one-way ticket who was also standing in the "special" line), & explained that paying cash or by check triggers the tsa profile. so terrorists who pay cash or with check will get stopped; those who pay with a credit card get on the plane. like that loophole hasn't been figured out yet. yeah, i feel safer already.

so after that flight, i've paid for each ticket by plastic & haven't been invited to "stand over there" since.

dg

[Tracer]

16. The "One-Way-Ticket" tag might have been useful in the past ...

... but I fail to see how it can possibly apply today.

Anyone wanting to do harm can just buy a round-trip ticket.

[tx_dem41]

18. Hey.....even terrorist organizations have the right to...

be cheap!

[Twig]

19. I certainly fail to see why either

But the Bush administration wants it that way. We're only the poor dummies that think we can just go anywhere in our free country, or check out books to read without Big Brother standing over our shoulder...

Makes me wonder if the stores won't be next. Although now that we have a new Homeland Security person, it should get worse...

TWIG

[tx_dem41]

21. Are you saying that no searches should be conducted on passengers?n/t

[Twig]

25. No, I'm not saying that

I _do_ think we need security, but searching a 9 yr old because they couldn't search me is much different. They actually pulled me out of line to do a thorough search, but then decided since _I_ wasn't the one flying, they searched my grandson. GAWD, give these people some common sense!

I mean, I don't mind being searched on a random basis, but every single time????? I'm disabled and use a wheelchair when flying - so I have to try and stand up and spread my feet and arms - I cannot do that - so another person has to try to hold onto me while I'm being manhandled...EVERY SINGLE TIME!

TWIG

[tx_dem41]

39. I know one reason I have been told for searches of young and

...old (not saying you are, btw, so please don't be offended) is that they are the most likely to be distracted and have some contraband put on their person without them knowing about it. It makes sense to me. If you are running a security system, you cannot advertise that certain groups of people get a "free walk". That's inviting those groups to be used as deliverers, knowingly or unknowingly.

[rinsd]

22. The one way ticket did you in....

...3 guys on my flight home from the holidays had the same issue.

One way ticket = thorough search of person, checked baggage and carry-ons.

[BanzaiBonnie]

23. Those heading to DC next week

We'll see how we're treated when we fly on the 18th to DC. I have only flown anywhere about four time in my life.

[F.Gordon]

24. How did you get to go through security?

Since I was the one tagged, at first they were going to make me go through the search, then decided since I was not the one flying, that they had to search my grandson.

You would have had to gotten a special pass from United Airlines to go through security without an airline ticket. This has always been a big red flag with airlines. This, and the one-way ticket. Big red flags.

I say good for the TSA. They did their job.

Did you say anything to TSA when they pulled the 9 year old aside? If you did then you essentially guaranteed that he would be searched. Also, you not flying wouldn't have made any difference as to whether or not you were searched. You are contradicting yourself. If you are "tagged" as you say, they wouldn't want a "tagged" person getting through security and going to the gate.

I made the mistake of leaving a pack of cigs in my pocket before going through the metal detector once. They searched me. Put their hands in the front of my pants to check for a gun. Didn't bother me in the least. My wife has had breast touching searches when she didn't wear a sports bra, before they changed the breast touching rules. Didn't bother her in the least.

When we fly I carry a wireless laptop, 2 PDA's, and a portable GPS. I expect my bag to be "bomb sniffed" and they usually do.

I'm GLAD they do this shit. I always thank TSA. They have to put up with bullshit all day from people pissed because they have to take their shoes off and other crap....like bogus "horror stories" like yours.

Before you fly next time, watch one of the videos of the jets going into the WTC's. I find it ironic that people are still horrified by those images but are equally "horrified" when the Airlines do their best from preventing something like that from happening again.

Peace.

[Twig]

26. You have misunderstood

My grandson was the one flying - an unaccompanied minor - the purchaser of the ticket is the person that has to accompany the minor to the gate, so yes, I received a security pass. They didn't just pull him aside, they pulled both of us.

When my husband started to protest them searching my grandson, one of the TSA guards came up to us and said "it's not us, it's the airline", well, the airline blames it on TSA. The airline has a Selectee list which I am on. TSA also has a list that I am on.

I'm not contradicting myself. Best read my original post. I'm sure glad this sort of thing doesn't bother your wife - but it does me.

Mine is NOT a "bogus horror story". Get a grip on Peace, maybe you spell it f o o l.

TWIG

[F.Gordon]

28. Did TSA hurt your grandson?

Like I said. Two big red flags. And your husband did protest? Did he have a security pass too? If he protested.... guaranteed search.

Maybe you should take the train or bus from now on seein' how you're "tagged" and everything. :eyes:

[Twig]

29. My husband protested and was NOT searched

and yes, he had a security pass also, I could not go alone to get my grandson to the boarding area, so they issued both of us one.

All I can say is, I hope this doesn't happen to you or your small children, and if it does - hopefully you'll be able to straighten out your rolling eyes.

TWIG

[F.Gordon]

38. Your husband protested your grandson's search

Yet again. A guaranteed search. And again, you had two red flags against you. The protest made it three red flags. And yes, I have been searched. I accept this, and what was done to your grandson. It's just the way things are today. What was done to your grandson wasn't much of a "search". I've had more than that done to me BEFORE 9-11.

Are we only to profile dark skinned guys named Abdul? I don't care who TSA decides to search. A 6 month year old infant or a 100 year old man. It makes great "press" when they search someone who isn't part of the "forest" (see post by NYMass below), but it doesn't bother me.

This "discussion" isn't going anywhere. You are outraged that a child would have to take off their coat/sweater/sweatshirt and have their backpack searched. I see nothing wrong with it. I understand, given all the red flags, why they did it.

[Twig]

62. I take it you can't read well

Laugh and shaking head - we protested _while/during_ they were doing the search. What is it about it you just don't get???? The flags against us(me) were there when we _got_ there! Not after!!!...

You still have no idea of how he was searched. I'm glad this doesn't bother you and I'm glad you think this discussion is going "nowhere", maybe you'll just stop.

I am outraged that they had their hands ALL OVER HIS BODY - And Clothes, and lunch and backpack. This was NOT a SIMPLE search.

I feel sorry for your family.

TWIG

[Twig]

30. Yes, they hurt my grandson

Just because they didn't _physically_ damage him, does not mean he was not hurt by this.

TWIG

[NewYorkerfromMass]

27. Plane never going to fly into a bldg. again. Not by hijackers anyways

A pilot may go insane or have a sudden fit of jihad and do it... but nobody is getting into those cockpits ever again. Anywhere.

and I resent your attitude that people objecting to the searches are somehow "not getting it". I live in NYC and 9/11 rocked me to my very soul, but I know where to draw the line in what the appropriate response should be. There is still some basic dignity and decorum that people would like to maintain, and in so many ways the terrorists have won.
Who the hell knows what they are searching for- bombs? (shoebomber) It is fucking outrageous that they did this to this kid. In fact it is scary- becasue they are obviously missing the forest for the trees in the WOT.

[tx_dem41]

40. Well....maybe not a hijacking...but surely a plane can be blown

out of the sky (it's happened a few times before...including the U.S. stopping a plot to blow 12 out of the sky simultaneously over the Pacific...read the 9/11 Commission Report).

As for the policy of searching young and old. It would be insane for a policy to "profile" and only search men of a certain ethnicity. For one thing, women did the bombing in Russia in April, and we already have incidents of terrorists being all sorts of ethnicities. Second, if you "advertise" that you are not searching young and old, then you are begging them to be conduits of contraband, knowingly or unknowingly. Security personnel that I have talked to said that the young and old are much more susceptible to being distracted in a busy terminal and having something slipped into their baggage.

As a frequent flyer, I say thank goodness the TSA tries to do a good job of checking passengers. I don't understand the people that get all out of sorts by a simple search (this is not to discount the recent incidents of women being "groped"...and I'm glad that the TSA has changed that policy..hopefully those incidents will not happen again).

[NewYorkerfromMass]

41. Explain how a 9 y.o. kid becomes a human bomb..... eom

[tx_dem41]

42. I saw an interview on the news where a security officer was pointing

that lots of kids have backpacks and most aren't great at closing it correctly. It wouldn't take much to distract the kid, and slip something right in.

[ebayfool]

47. They can search his backback (& sammich) w/out doing the full ...

patdown & body search. TWIG is (I would suspect) more upset @ the treatment (removing articles of clothing, etc) than his backpack being searched. Bags & the like are routinely checked, 9 yr. olds should not be subjected to that kind of treatment because they happen to be w/someone on their non-existant list. IMO

[tx_dem41]

48. Thats pretty much what they did if you read the post.....

"They made him take off his outer clothes, his shoes and his belt, took everything out of his backpack, even opened up his sandwich!"

So they made him take off a jacket and his shoes and a belt. Doesn't sound that scarring to me.

[ebayfool]

56. "if you read the post..." I did, & if you read my post you would see -

that was what I was objecting to. In your quote you left out the part about doing the body search - "... endure a through search of his body". It wasn't just taking off his coat, belt & shoes. I DO think that sounds scarring to a child. My grandkids would be terrified if some stranger in an airport touched their bodies. I see the reasons you point out for searching backpacks, but I see no justification for institutionalizing molestation (yes, that's what strangers touching a child's body against their will is) of a child. Adults get freaked out by the pat downs, you think children won't be scared by it? I find it hard to believe that feeling up kids is going to make airflight any safer!

[tx_dem41]

59. I fly probably 5 to 8 times a month (for at least the last 5 years)....

I have NEVER seen or talked to fellow passengers that got "freaked out" at having a pat down done (this is not discounting the incidents that women were complaining about earlier...since we are talking about a 9 yo boy here that is what I am referring to). The "pat down" is extremely non-invasive physically...no touching except along your sides. If that "freaks people out", possibly they shouldn't be flying and just let the "adults" do it. I couldn't imagine what else such people must "freak out" about.

[Twig]

64. Yes, thank you

You've nailed it. I believe it's appropriate to examine backpacks & purses, any carry-on's, and I don't mind my belongings being searched. I _do_ mind being on a list and having them take it out on a 9 yr old.

TWIG

[Twig]

63. Thank you!

[DELUSIONAL]

35. ------------------------------------------------

Blah blah blah blah blah


This is directed at people who don't think it is a big deal when women (and men and children) are sexually molested and claim it is no big deal.

The reason this is being done is a FRAUD -- and people who passively accept this fraud are likely to believe that just about any scare tactic invented by the bushies or his other dictator buddies.

These creeps are largely untrained and many abuse their authority.

United Airlines should be allowed to go belly up. (Even if my dad is retired from UA.) This is not a dog friendly airline.

If there are any terrorists (other than friends of the bushes) planing a new attack -- they have different targets in mind.

The reason I doubt that there are terrorists planning any new attacks is because of the mis-appropriations of Homeland Security funds to red states with few potential targets. Also the phony color codes warning system -- where are the warnings.

[StatGirl]

32. This "drug search" excuse pisses me off

Security should *not* be there to intercept drug dealers or carriers. They are there to prevent planes from being blown up or hijacked, period. I don't give a damn if another passenger is walking through with a pound of cocaine in their carry-on bag, and neither should the airlines.

I am so sorry about what happened to your grandson! This deserves national press.

[Massacure]

34. Screw the airlines, take a train.

[Jackie97]

36. That is insane.

First of all, how the hell does somebody end up on those lists?

Second, they're going to start doing body cavity searches on children just because the adult they're with is on the list? No warrant? Nothing to justify this?

THIS IS CHILD ABUSE!

This has little to nothing to do with security and everything to do with trashing civil liberties. Leave our children alone!

Sorry, I guess I have no advice. I just had to vent that.

[clarisse1956]

44. i'm pretty sure i'm on the list

in december flying back from vegas...my ticket was stamped with "SSSS"...i could not check my bags curbside...and was given the thorough pat down..i have not been on DU for very long and don't post too much...

[tx_dem41]

46. There are numerous reasons one might get this stamped on their

...ticket, and none of them are because you are a member of DU.

A few include, one-way ticket, buying the ticket within 24 hours of flying, paying in cash, and changing your itinerary shortly before the flight takes off.

[clarisse1956]

52. none of the above

I purchased my round trip ticket in October for a December trip. I paid by credit card and did not change my ticket in any way.

[tx_dem41]

60. I said that these were a few of many reasons...

Another poster on this thread who talked to security personnel said that there were over 50.

[Nashyra]

53. The reason it is a pain in the ass is because

you can miss your flight. IF you buy one-way ticket you have a 99%probable chance of being searched, if you pay cash or check same thing. If you have a common name like Johnson or Smith you probably have already been "tagged", not necessairly put on a "list" as a no fly but you can not check in by self service, at curbside, or at home on your own computer. My son whose last name is Johnson and he could not check in without going to the counter all during the holiday season, he almost missed our flight on Christmas Day because American has only one desk to take care of this and the agent was on the phone for over 1hour and I WORK for American and my son is listed on mine and my husbands travelers list, go figure. My husband has adopted my son we just have not changed his last name since he is over 18, we will be doing it soon. The people at American said that IT WILL HAPPEN EVERY TIME HE FLIES, so name change coming. TSA is a crock of shit, they should not be body searching anyone under the age of 18 in front of the general public, they are not trained sufficiently. TSA should be searching the CARGO.

[tx_dem41]

61. We agree on the cargo issue....

...and I certainly commiserate with the plight of your son. Being a frequent traveler, I get searched a lot just because of the odds (been "tagged" several times). It never has taken more than an extra 10 minutes....usually less than 5. TSA has always been extremely professional with me and the fellow passengers I have seen going through security with me. The physical search is absolutely nothing, if you don't freak out about having to take your shoes, jacket and belt off. Seasoned travellers know to do that before they have to go through the detector. If everyone was smart enough to do that, the time to get through would be cut in half.

In all the times since 9/11, I have been searched countless times. In all that time, I have never been touched in an inappropriate manner (or anywhere close to an inappropriate manner) during a "pat down". Anyone that would freak out about the searches I have gone through because of the "physicality" of the search, is going to have a lot more problems than just this throughout their lives.

[CoffeeCat]

49. I was told this by airport security last week.....

...that there are 50 triggers that automatically put you on a list for extensive security searches.

Obviously, the airport-security employee didn't tell me all 50 triggers. However, she said that if you do any of these things, you will be tagged for extensive security searches: Book your flight close to the date of departure, book a one-way ticket, change your flight close to departure time.

I was shocked that I was told "Please step aside Miss, you've been selected for a security search. I had to remove my shoes my sweater and I was searched all over. They used a wand all over me and when any metal (button on jeans, hooks on bra) beeped, they had to feel all over. Unfortunately, I wore a bra with metal hooks that closed in the front that day! They then searched my carry-on bag and purse--pulled everything out.

I also had those 4 S's on the corner of my boarding pass. I have no idea how those got there or what they mean.

The woman being searched next to me, was at least 120 years old.

I just kept thinking...gee, I doubt a terrorist would book their flight close to departure, or change it a few times the day before departing. Are we just doing this to appease the masses? It all seemed a bit silly to me.

[tx_dem41]

50. Not silly at all...

...passenger lists that are booked are run through FBI computers. Thus, if you book a flight at the very last moment, you might just seem to be avoiding that check.

[seabeyond]

51. wow, i dont do planes anymore. i always get pulled out

missed a plane one time lady making me sit there leg lifted as she walked off to talk to someone. another time, they stalled me and had a police stnad in face, and brought some man over to merely intimidate me. then they put my 6 and 8 year olds behind table and searched their bag a cop standing there. i asked why the cop was there and was told to protect employee from me, ........in front of my children. i gasped. what are you people doing treating us all like animals, better watch out, we just might become

i havent gotten on a plane for a couple years now. i dont want to go anywhere bad enough. after last time, i figure i will be taken down and thrown in jail. no rights, none. might as well walk into a prison system

[LibDemAlways]

55. They don't thoroughly screen cargo

and the airlines themselves provide plenty of objects that would be useful to a terrorist, so what's the point of systematically harassing the travelling public?

[Sugarbleus]

57. That is G.damned outrageous!!

They said kids carry drugs?????????? WHAT IN HELL DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH TERRORISM???? PATRIOT ACT 1 2 ad infinitum!!! MoFos!!

They aren't suppose to be searching anyone for anything EXCEPT WEAPONS.

I would be soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo pissed.

Welcome to the New American Fascism!

[Twig]

65. Again,thanks...That's why I posted here

We ARE outraged - it's why I posted this here in the first place, to see how people felt about it, to see if there were any organizations I haven't thought of yet, any ideas of other approaches, and to inform the public.

At first DeFazio's office blew me off - write us a letter they said. Great!! When I called them back after talking to Wydens office - who took immediate action by the way - I told them I thought I was getting a run-around from his office - I guess the word "run-around" is a buzz word there, as once I said that they put me in touch with someone immediately.

Both my grandson's parents are filing complaints with their state feds also.

TWIG

[Twig]

68. Children carrying drugs

Well, I'm not certain if the TSA is using the chance to search for weapons to search for drugs. Is that _not_ on their list? I mean, is it legal to do that? And, has anyone heard of reports where children/families are searched/detained due to carrying drugs?

TWIG

[Pirate Smile]

66. I read the article on this that someone posted here. Did you see the big

thread on it?

People were trying to figure out who you were because you said you were a member of DU in the article.

[Twig]

67. Another thread on this subject?

Sorry, I don't quite understand what you are saying. I _am_ the person in the article, and I _am_ a member here! I just don't post very often, I usually just read the discussion groups.

But when this came up, I turned here for help.

At the time, I had sent out the attached letter to various Feds and to our local newspaper & United. When the reporter called to discuss the situation, I didn't realize at the time that he was doing an interview. I would _not_ have put in my personal information if I had known. I only found out that that _was_ the interview when the paper photographer called to set up a time for a few pictures. I asked him when they were going to do the interview and he said he would have the reporter call me ASAP, well, he didn't call - and the next day there I was in the newspaper! I also would not have let them print that I was a member of DU - I had "jokingly" stated that perhaps since I was a member here that I had gotten on the Feds lists. The "article" was "supposed" to be about my grandson, not me.

I am a little surprised at some of the hostility here.:wow: I didn't expect to be called names and be told what happened to me and my family was "bogus" & a "bogus horror story". I also didn't expect that people would think that it's ok to throughly search a little boy, and that I'm "..clueless on life's expectations..". I guess this wasn't the best place to turn for help. :shrug:

TWIG