No More Baby Pat-Downs? TSA Announces Changes to Kid Screenings
- Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:44pm by
Billy Hallowell
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been under scrutiny for some time now over what are said to be intrusive airport search techniques and policies. Likely responding to public complaints and outrage, the TSA announced earlier today that it will be revising its policies when it comes to screening young children. TSA chief John Pistole made the pronouncement in a Senate committee hearing.
Consumerist has more:
Speaking to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, TSA chief John Pistole said screeners have been told to make repeated attempts to screen young children instead of resorting to a pat-down. [Emphasis added]
The change seems to hinge on the word “repeated.” Before, screeners were able to resort to a pat-down almost immediately.
Still, despite the change and while child pat downs have been immensely unpopular, Pistole attempted to explain why they were implemented. Additionally, he discussed the importance of finding alternatives. According to AOL Travel:
Pistole cited foreign terrorism as one reason the agency is working on a new method, saying that terrorists outside the U.S. have used children as young as 10 as suicide bombers in the past.
Critics claim that children and the elderly should be immune from these searches, as they generally pose the least serious security threats. Back in April, there was outrage when video surfaced of a 6-year-old girl getting a pat-down in New Orleans’ airport and an 8-year-old boy getting similar treatment in Portland.
Then, last month, the picture of a baby being patted down went viral.
In the case of the 6-year-old, the parents requested the girl be re-scanned, but that request was denied. Under the new guidelines, however, the girl could now be scanned again.
During today’s hearing, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul critiqued the “invasive” pat-downs and regulations, saying he was “unhappy” and that the TSA had gone “overboard.” You can watch that below:
(h/t The Consumerist)
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Comments (96)
Monica2
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:24pmHere’s a novel idea, go after Muslim men and women. No that’s not racists, they’re the ones blowing up stuff and killing innocents globally not the non-Muslim Baby or the Jewish Oma. Honestly the only thing thicker than a liberal is “Their” waist lines.
Report Post »Texas woman56
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:22pmTexas is hopefully going to vote on this issue.
Report Post »Glenn is my hero
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:17pmThey must be tired of getting baby poo on their gloves! Ha ha.
Report Post »Eyeball
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:59pmThis is NOT going to make the pedophile screener happy.
Report Post »temple62
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:57pmParents should change the kids diapers until they get them through the scans and screening, this crap is what the TSA deserve. If it weren’t for this gig they would be unemployment as they have absolutely no salable skills. Both Obama and Bush have used these “fake jobs” to reduce the high unemployment rates.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:40pmI hear that the TSA likes to steal things from our luggage. What law is preventing us from patting THEM down, looking for stolen goods?
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:12pm“I hear…Blah blah Blah,,,)
I HEAR that guilty souls are overly suspicious souls – for life! I think you disrespect TSA because you would be dishonorable if YOU were in their place!
This country was built upon the ideals of courage, trust, integrity and duty.
You are demonstrating Fear, Loathing, and Mistrust. You are a hollow man.
Report Post »G
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:47pmHow about shutting up M?
Knocking someone that ‘hears’..mm..Talking snidely about the VFW…
There have been incidents of stealing and drug charges etc against these screeners in various states. I think you may be out of a job sooner than later. Obviously you are a screener.
And are definitely and idiot.
Report Post »Well-Paid Troll
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:01pmOh! G!
Report Post »Kiss my A!
Brooke Lorren
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:30pmI had a laptop computer stolen from my luggage. It wasn’t by the TSA (it was on a flight from Britain to Italy, about 8 years ago), but it was pretty annoying. They broke my luggage and everything to get into it. I don’t trust anybody in the airlines any more.
The only way I’ll consider flying until the TSA invasive screenings end is by private jet… considering that my family earns below the poverty level (for now, both me and dh own growing businesses), it’s not going to happen any time soon. It’s against my religion both to pose for porn or to be touched by someone (at least the way that the TSA is doing) that I’m not married to.
Report Post »dirthead1986
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:37pmTSA and Homeland Insecurity need to go! wonder how they’d like it if we put them in the microwave and sexually assualted them?
Report Post »calebgs83
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:35pmRand Paul is a hero. The TSA are NAZIS!
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:15pmThe TSA are Bush Cheney Nazis that need to go away.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:34pmNo more child molesting baby patdowns by the TSA? Wow! What a bold re-election move by the Obama Administration!
Good thing the Obama administration wasn’t the one to give us TSA patdowns…Wait….nevermind.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:08pmHave there been any arrests or even reports of actual criminal “child molestation” that I may have missed, or are you spouting polemic invective.
It would be interesting if you could be held accountable for your acrid statements.
Didn’t you ever have to do guard duty (if you were really in the military)? -and do you remember the sentry duty commands you had to memorize? How can you then criticize TSA?
The more you talk, the less you seem legit to us hot war vets.
Report Post »miles from nowhere
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:30pmNo more flying!
Report Post »fixer
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:27pmthe TSA is nothing more that Obummer’s civilian army,as well supplied as the military.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:17pmALL this trouble has been caused by Muslims. ALL the 9/11 terrorists were Arabs, I believe most or all from Saudi Arabia.
Imagine if you will, a world where every Arab was replaced by a Jew, where every square inch of Arab land was instead Jewish land. It would be a world a million times better than the world as it is today.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:36pm@ MOSSBRAIN
Controversial statement, but still very TRUE!
Report Post »michaelmoron
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:15pmI say we need more Pat downs of the elderly and infants. We need to Address to growing danger from the Infantiles and the radicalized, gray haired, suicide bombers. This is one of the biggest issues facing the Security of America and it’s citizens. Let the Muslim men go through, because Islam is a religion of Pieces…er…Peace.
Report Post »Da Kingfish
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:19pmIf you had been humping camels and goats, i wouldn’t touch the males either.
Report Post »Dont-hate-on-me-2
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:07pmThey will if the American people demand it. But the people are willing to give up more of there freedom every hour so why bother. Plain and simple i wont fly and I send letters to my congress women and senator monthly in regards to my grivences with our libertys being sacked.
Report Post »tbl10
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:05pmUnder Obama Care, the TSA will be conducting your annual sports physicals for our children and also be conducting prostate screens on us men and finally they will check for lumps in women’s breast for early signs of breast cancer.
Report Post »thinkinghuman
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:04pmThe man has no shame. He was clearly ROUTED by Senator Paul and glossed over everything in his response.
Report Post »Da Kingfish
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:15pmWell did you really expect a Obamabot to answer a question truthfully, it would be too difficult for the low IQ employee’s to check for a moozlim kid with 10 pounds of poop in his diaper.
Report Post »frustratedwithgovt
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:27pmObamabot – I gotta remember that one :)
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:01pmLOL – wonder if this is bc a bill in our state (TX – thanks to Rick Perry) —- has placed an anti-TSA pat down bill on the agenda for the special session of the Texas Legislature at the urging of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Texas tea party activists. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110621/us_ac/8675589_bill_prohibiting_tsa_enhanced_pat_downs_back_on_the_texas_legislative_agenda
Report Post »This shows WE the PEOPLE can make a difference folks — contact & push your Reps. to do the same. This stuff is an outrage and is NOT effective at all for preventing terrorists from getting on our planes. We need to do what Israel does….and it’s NOT this way. George Soros/Socialists are involved & want us to get used to this stuff – then spread everywhere we go.
MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:00pmOnce again, The Lone Star State continues to improve upon the world’s best counter terror systems to gain happier constituents. This unpopular agency and their extremely important mission are electoral treasure for cynical political opportunists who do not play well on teams.
Report Post »frustratedwithgovt
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:59pmRand Paul summed up my issue with the TSA very well. We need to stop with the political correctness and focus on those that want to do us harm.
Report Post »HumbleCitizen
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 11:42am@ nzkiwi
Report Post »Rand Paul isn’t running for president, but his father, Ron Paul is. Ron Paul never receives media attention because he doesn’t walk in lock-step with the rest of the pack. For those that have never heard of him, he is a true “tea-partier” (unlike that rino Perry who mouths he is supported by the T-party, he’s not). Ron Paul wants smaller federal governemnt, get rid of the fed (he is responsible for the partial audit that showed the fed stole 27 trillion of YOUR money and is unaccounted for) and return power back to the states to find solutions to their own issues. Ron Paul is the man to vote for to turn this ship America back around to liberty.
Cold War Vet
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:58pmGreat. I’m still not satisfied. I’ll be happy when the TSA is disbanded altogether, and they institute a much more intelligent approach, like the Israelis use. Until then, kid or adult, they have absolutely no right whatsoever to lay a finger on me without probable cause. We do not need the TSA, and do not accept them.
TSA patdowns are a violation of the Fourth Amendment, and should never be tolerated. Don’t allow this to become acceptable. Fight it until it is gone. There are better ways to do airport security. This is just a totalitarian move by a wanna-be totalitarian government.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:10pmI know. Is it really worth the loss of liberty just to prevent a terrorist attack on an airliner? To me, it is not worth it. So, if one flight in a million goes down, so what? It is not worth it to me. Sorry.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:50pmHi! Mr. ColdWarVet!
Do you please care to explain the Israeli approach and compare its pros/cons (and its cost) to the TSA system (who has a better record)?
Are you for small government or Israeli socialist Government with Draft, High Tax, and Foreign Subsidy?
((Hey BTW it’s great you are back! Were you down at the VFW imbibing yesterday? LOL))
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:21am@ MONICNE
Let’s try this ….When was the last time (or anytime) there was downed Israeli Airplane? The TSA efforts haven’t prevented anything. In spite of there “best” efforts, individuals bent on taking out a US flight have still gotten on the plane (underwear bomber ring any bells??) Only because the device was faulty and the efforts of quick thinking passengers that the attempt thwarted.
When more than 17,000 terrorist actions since 9/11 are perpetrated by a group of individuals that all have a striking list of similarities…muslim males between the ages of 18-35 with ties to travel or habitation in known terror supporting areas of the world, a reasonable person would think it prudent to first target for scrutiny those individuals who fit that pattern.
When multiple attempts are perpetrated by Anglos, Asians, Hindus, Eskimos, Sioux, Nuns, 6 month old babies or 85 year old grandmas, then it might make sense to add those people groups to the target mix.
Please show me where on the airline ticket purchase “form” it says, I, as an American Citizen, by prurchasing said ticket forfeit my 4th Amendment rights?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:57pm.
Report Post »TSA perverts acting badly
Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:57pmBeing touched in any manner by a stranger is to some people, extremely traumatic. We should bow down to these sensitives rather than bow down to people who are offended over the word “God”.
Report Post »LastAmerican
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:56pmyou know they have dogs that can sniff for anything. why not use them? everybody likes dogs. guaranteed to find any hidden explosive. you wouldn’t need to worry about profiling at all everybody gets sniffed. if you decline or are alerted on you get the 2nd degree. 4 or 5 dogs at every airport or even 10. much cheaper and they won’t unionize.
Report Post »ginpa
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:05pmMuslims do not like dogs. Therefore none will be used. Sad.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:13pmWe pot smokers frown on dogs sniffing our stash, stifle that dog idea pronto.
MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:42pmDogs are being used in the baggage areas, they get fatigued in one hour in public areas, and we would need hundreds at each airport.The Federal TSA Costs would be triple what is paid now.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:36amGinpa…. all the more reason, no? :)
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:37amMossbrain.. how about you simply light up in your basement and keep it out of your travel bag, moron. Dope will probably legalized soon enough anyway and you’ll have nothing to worry about except more frikkin moss on on your brain.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:38amMonicne: triple? Yeah, I guess those dogs get paid WAY too much, huh?
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:53pmI’ll believe it when I see it. And note: they said they would “TRY” to use less intrusive means.
Report Post »fixer
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:53pmso instead of molesting them,they’re gonna radiate them?
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:40pmThe Israelis have found children as young as 10 with explosive vests and belts. They have had to deal with corpse bombs too.
SgtB
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:16pm@Monicne, Is there a case that you can point to in the USA, where a white family used their own child as an incendiary device? If so, please post the link and I will think about supporting the TSA in their efforts to irradiate and molest children. Unless I’m mistaken in my intuition, I would be willing to bet money that the 10 year old suicide bombers in Israel were not white, christian, atheist, mormon, asian, or hindu. I bet they are all muslim. If I’m wrong, again, let me know and post some news articles that show it.
Report Post »Well-Paid Troll
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:58pmHay, My SGBT, think about Counter Terror instead of popular rants, Grow a pair. Join the USA team against Terror.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:49pmThey are not getting getting rid of the pat downs completely so nothing will change.
Report Post »EnoughBS
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:56pmRed herring… follow the money, watch the other hand!
Report Post »Ducky 1
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:11pmSen. Rand Paul had great questions. I do not believe they addressed them very well. They refuse to profile the real terrorist. I think is the hand of God that has protected us not he hand of the TSA!
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:24pmWhat excellent questions. I don’t think they know what to make of the “common sense” questions. I believe common sense is so forien to thier way of thinking. I think I’m in love with Ron Paul Jr.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:27pmThe TSA is a hard working group started under the Bush Administration when we were being endlessly inundated by Fear, which was the primary tool for giving up our freedoms. They caused Growth in Federal employees that has added to the Debt Profile.
It’s time to disband the TSA. Just enable us to travel armed, and after a while tt would be easy and cheap to fight terror case by case, and we could relax in America enough to be free thinking again.
It used to be enjoyable flying, if not fun.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:30pmAgree with you BOOGER71; they will find some other excuse and means for the pat downs and ongoing molestation of children under the name of increased security.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:45pmSnowleopard,
The minute you “guarantee” a group will not be searched, that will be the next method used by the adversary.
A counter terrorism rule is not to telegraph your moves.
Report Post »joe3
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 7:54pmthe amount of abuse the government will push is exactly the amount that we will allow them to push.
Report Post »searching americans all over the streets, stores, airports ect does nothing to prevent terror, it is only to
let you know that you are a slave and freedom is dead. do not put up with this and put the federal government back in its hole.
V-MAN MACE
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:36pmNo More Patdowns, period.
We’re innocent until proven guilty. “Until proven guilty” doesn’t mean that everyone is automatically under investigation and subject to unlawful search and seizure!
We’re not on probation!
We’re not under community controlled sanctions!
We have done no crime!
Under these facts, they’re breaking the law every single time they search or scan anyone!
Report Post »Well-Paid Troll
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:08pmI am sorry to announce that I just received information that some of the participants on this thread are active Homosexuals with links to abusing children within our communities. Thankfully, I am dispatching regional Law Enforcement assets and resources as we speak, please be assured all is well.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:12pmMust have finally realized that only the radical islamists use their children for terrorist gains.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 2:16am@MONICNE
The TSA is a group of Rejects who answered the ad on the bottom of Pizza Boxes, They are not “Hard Working” nor would I trust any of them to guard a paper bag, let along an airport.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 2:22amI’m very impressed with Senator Paul. Is he running?
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:17amTSA is only doing this because State Legislatures are passing laws making what TSA does a felony. Congress is on notice to end the TSA Groper Corp which has extended its activities to buses, trains, and even highways. Now pedophiles have a place where they can get jobs.
Report Post »Sound The Trumpet In Zion
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:53am@booger71 & EnoughBS
Report Post »Well said both of you!
Dale
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 10:22am…Except, I won’t fly with any babies. Who knows now that the terrorists know that kids are safe!
Report Post »