Richard Engel's opinion of TSA measures when he just returned to the US:

[Are_grits_groceries]

Tweet -
richardengelnbc richard engel
Didn't realize how intrusive airport security has become in US, was angry, embarrassed. complained to the TSA rep this has gone too far

And he travels in some of the most dangerous parts of the world.
I guess all the screening didn't make him feel safer here.

[demmiblue]

1. Richard Engel's opinion on this carries a lot of weight, IMO.

K&R

:kick:

[RC]

2. Airport security is not as much about security, as it is about intimidation.

There should be no groping about in peoples undies. 97 year olds should be reasonably safe from diaper searches.

I have an idea. Whenever a TSA member comes on duty, the last 4 people through security get to subject them to their own security procedures - Right out in the open, groping and all, keeping in mind gender.

[Javaman]

3. I have to travel in July...

I'm so looking forward to my rectal exam, ah hem, excuse me, my TSA pat down.

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. Me too.

I'm feeling the beginnings of a panic attack whenever I think about it.

[damntexdem]

4. I try to avoid flying no matter what.

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. Would love to, but not an option in my case.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

7. I will be travelling to and from Israel in a few weeks

and I bet I will be less manhandled and more secure coming out of Tel Aviv than from my US point of departure.

sP

[Aerows]

8. It has gone way too far

and they are expanding it to trains, buses and other types of public transportation. It is not absurd whatsoever to realize that if we just keep letting this crap go on, it's going to get more and more invasive, to the point that we aren't going to be able to use any public transportation, or go to any public events without getting a pat down or a porn scan.

Richard Engel of all people understands security and risk. Life involves an element of risk, no matter what you do, and too many people forget that in a rush to support "security". These damn things won't do anything, anyway, if someone smuggles a bomb in a body cavity, that's why it's ridiculous. There have already been people who managed to get on the plane with all types of contraband despite the pat downs / rapiscan.

Why? Because it's ineffective, and the point isn't really "safety". It's intimidation and getting people comfortable with a police state.

[hfojvt]

9. I noticed that even in 2001 before 911

I went to Europe and when I went from Amsterdam to Stuttgart did not even have to show my passport. Got a little grief going into Switzerland, but then they just waved me through going from Switzerland to France. Then when I got back to America they pulled me aside and searched my bags. It was like "welcome back to America, home of the paranoid". Although in one respect, the woman who searched my bags was a very attractive blonde, I wouldn't have minded a little groping. I felt bad for her too, though, because my bag was mostly full of dirty laundry. Ewwww.