Airline Pilot Rejects TSA

[Morav]

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig11/roberts-m1.1.1.html

Enemies Domestic




by Michael Roberts




My name is Michael Roberts, and I am a pilot for ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., based in Houston (that is, I still am for the time being). This morning as I attempted to pass through the security line for my commute to work I was denied access to the secured area of the terminal building at Memphis International Airport. I have passed through the same line roughly once per week for the past four and a half years without incident. Today, however, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at this checkpoint were using one of the new Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) systems that are currently being deployed at airports across the nation. These are the controversial devices featured by the media in recent months, albeit sparingly, which enable screeners to see beneath people’s clothing to an extremely graphic and intrusive level of detail (virtual strip searching). Travelers refusing this indignity may instead be physically frisked by a government security agent until the agent is satisfied to release them on their way in what is being touted as an "alternative option" to AIT. The following is a somewhat hastily drafted account of my experience this morning.

As I loaded my bags onto the X-ray scanner belt, an agent told me to remove my shoes and send them through as well, which I’ve not normally been required to do when passing through the standard metal detectors in uniform. When I questioned her, she said it was necessary to remove my shoes for the AIT scanner. I explained that I did not wish to participate in the AIT program, so she told me I could keep my shoes and directed me through the metal detector that had been roped off. She then called somewhat urgently to the agents on the other side: "We got an opt-out!" and also reported the "opt-out" into her handheld radio. On the other side I was stopped by another agent and informed that because I had "opted out" of AIT screening, I would have to go through secondary screening. I asked for clarification to be sure he was talking about frisking me, which he confirmed, and I declined. At this point he and another agent explained the TSA’s latest decree, saying I would not be permitted to pass without showing them my naked body, and how my refusal to do so had now given them cause to put their hands on me as I evidently posed a threat to air transportation security (this, of course, is my nutshell synopsis of the exchange). I asked whether they did in fact suspect I was concealing something after I had passed through the metal detector, or whether they believed that I had made any threats or given other indications of malicious designs to warrant treating me, a law-abiding fellow citizen, so rudely. None of that was relevant, I was told. They were just doing their job.


Eventually the airport police were summoned. Several officers showed up and we essentially repeated the conversation above. When it became clear that we had reached an impasse, one of the more sensible officers and I agreed that any further conversation would be pointless at this time. I then asked whether I was free to go. I was not. Another officer wanted to see my driver’s license. When I asked why, he said they needed information for their report on this "incident" – my name, address, phone number, etc. I recited my information for him, until he asked for my supervisor’s name and number at the airline. Why did he need that, I asked. For the report, he answered. I had already given him the primary phone number at my company’s headquarters. When I asked him what the Chief Pilot in Houston had to do with any of this, he either refused or was simply unable to provide a meaningful explanation. I chose not to divulge my supervisor’s name as I preferred to be the first to inform him of the situation myself. In any event, after a brief huddle with several other officers, my interrogator told me I was free to go.

As I approached the airport exit, however, I was stopped again by a man whom I believe to be the airport police chief, though I can’t say for sure. He said I still needed to speak with an investigator who was on his way over. I asked what sort of investigator. A TSA investigator, he said. As I was by this time looking eagerly forward to leaving the airport, I had little patience for the additional vexation. I’d been denied access to my workplace and had no other business keeping me there.

"Am I under arrest?" I asked.


"No, he just needs to ask you some more questions."

"But I was told I’m free to go. So… am I being detained now, or what?"

"We just need to hold you here so he can…"

"Hold me in what capacity?" I insisted.

"Detain you while we…"

Okay, so now they were detaining me as I was leaving the airport facility.

We stood there awkwardly, waiting for the investigator while he kept an eye on me. Being chatty by nature, I asked his opinion of what new procedures might be implemented if someday someone were to smuggle an explosive device in his or her rectum or a similar orifice. Ever since would-be terrorist Richard Reid set his shoes on fire, travelers have been required to remove their footwear in the security line. And the TSA has repeatedly attempted to justify these latest measures by citing Northwest flight 253, on which Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab scorched his genitalia. Where, then, would the evolution of these policies lead next?

"Do you want them to board your plane?" he asked.

"No, but I understand there are other, better ways to keep them off. Besides, at this point I’m more concerned with the greater threat to our rights and liberties as a free society."


"Yeah, I know," he said. And then, to my amazement, he continued, "But somebody’s already taken those away."

"Maybe they have," I conceded, watching the throng of passengers waiting their turn to get virtually naked for the federal security guards.

As a side note, I cannot refrain here from expressing my dismay and heartbreak over a civil servant’s personal resignation to the loss of civil liberty among the people by whom he is employed to protect and serve. If he no longer affirms the rights and freedom of his fellow citizens, one can only wonder exactly what he has in view as the purpose of his profession.

The TSA investigator arrived and asked for my account of the situation. I explained that the agents weren’t allowing me to pass through the checkpoint. He told me he had been advised that I was refusing security screening, to which I replied that I had willingly walked through the metal detector with no alarms, the same way I always do when commuting to work. He then briefed me on the recent screening policy changes and, apparently confused, asked whether they would be a problem for me. I stated that I did indeed have a problem with the infringement of my civil rights and liberty.

His reply: "That’s irrelevant."

It wasn’t irrelevant to me. We continued briefly in the conversation until I recognized that we were essentially repeating the same discussion I’d already had with the other officers and agents standing by. With that realization, I told him I did not wish to keep going around and around with them and asked whether he had anything else to say to me. Yes, he said he did, marching indignantly over to a table nearby with an air as though he were about to do something drastic.


"I need to get your information for my report," he demanded.

"The officer over there just took my information for his report. I’m sure you could just get it from him."

"No, I have to document everything separately and send it to TSOC. That’s the Transportation Security Operations Center where we report…"

"I’m familiar with TSOC," I assured him. "In fact, I’ve actually taught the TSA mandated security portion of our training program at the airline."

"Well, if you’re an instructor, then you should know better," he barked.

"Really? What do you mean I ‘should know better’? Are you scolding me? Have I done something wrong?"

"I’m not saying you’ve done something wrong. But you have to go through security screening if you want to enter the facility."

"Understood. I’ve been going through security screening right here in this line for five years and never blown up an airplane, broken any laws, made any threats, or had a government agent call my boss in Houston. And you guys have never tried to touch me or see me naked that whole time. But, if that’s what it’s come to now, I don’t want to enter the facility that badly."


Finishing up, he asked me to confirm that I had been offered secondary screening as an alternative "option" to ATS, and that I had refused it. I confirmed. Then he asked whether I’d "had words" with any of the agents. I asked what he meant by that and he said he wanted to know whether there had been "any exchange of words." I told him that yes, we spoke. He then turned to the crowd of officers and asked whether I had been abusive toward any of them when they wanted to create images of my naked body and touch me in an unwelcome manner. I didn’t hear what they said in reply, but he returned and finally told me I was free to leave the airport.

As it turned out, they did reach the chief pilot’s office in Houston before I was able to. Shortly after I got home, my boss called and said they had been contacted by the TSA. I suppose my employment status at this point can best be described as on hold.

It’s probably fairly obvious here that I am outraged. This took place today (now yesterday, when I wrote all this down), 15 October 2010. Anyone who reads this is welcome to contact me for confirmation of the details or any additional information I can provide. The dialog above is quoted according to my best recollection, without embellishment or significant alteration except for the sake of clarity. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations for legal counsel – preferably a firm with a libertarian bent and experience resisting this kind of tyrannical madness. This is not a left or right, red or blue state issue. The very bedrock of our way of life in this country is under attack from within. Please don’t let it be taken from us without a fight.

Malo Periculosam Libertatem Quam Quietum Servitium

Michael S. Roberts
3794 Douglass Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111
901.237.6308
FedUpFlyers@nonpartisan.com

October 18, 2010

Michael S. Roberts [send him mail] is a pilot for ExpressJet Airlines.

[KAG]

wow

[Lost Lake]

Ah, welcome to the new generation. we have to change our conduct, our opinions and our culture created by generations of North Americans to accomodate other ethnic and religious groups who will not tolerate any of our culture in their or our world. This has all been brought about by muslim extremist behaviour. I feel sorry for my children's future. It's amazing how Canada and the US now have dictatorial governments who tell us what is right for us, especially when the majority disagree. Time to move to Australia!

[mattedfred]

My advice....

....familiarize yourself with any available material that applies to any situation you may find yourself in. Adhere to policies and procedures and expect others to do the same. Question those that fail to do so while remaining calm, polite and respectful. Never swear or yell. Ask questions and state that you don't understand something rather than attempt to convince someone that you are right and they are wrong. Always request to speak with a supervisor if you are unable to resolve the situation initially.

CATSA has the ability to confiscate our RAIC for non-compliance. A formal appeal process does not exist. I am required to be in possession of a valid RAIC in order to maintain my employment. No RAIC = no pay.

Use the dispute resolution and complaint process that CATSA or the TSA provide. In my opinion these processes are just as much of a pain in the butt for the user and the Authority. Don't let them get away with it.

I think that posting your experience on the internet prior to reaching a solution should be the last resort unless you are seeking advice as to how to resolve a dispute.

[oldncold]

a little off topic here but the implications for what is said is on the mark>

the state of unelected officials impeding commerce in both canada and the USA has reached such purportions . That offshoring of good paying jobs is now normal . Companies no longer will wait or tolerate, losing billions of dollars of captial both human or financial to self serving demi gods . The result is higher un employment lower productivity and higher taxes .
With 9 million baby boomers IN Canada starting to retire at 700,000 a year in canada alone. this will result in even higher taxes for the remainder gen x and y which in turn will perpetuate the downward spiral of productivity offshoring of jobs and higher taxes . Canada has a Window of 12-15 yrs while the baby boomer are still working to reduce the NET DEBT BY 300 400- BILLION TO PROTECT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND HEALTHCARE . THEREBY GIVING we all must stop demanding gov't fill every touchy -feely percieved injustice real or imagine-0 for the next 10 yrs to give our kid s and grandkids a decent shot of a high quality of freedom and quailty of life the youth out there reading this should get dam angry and demand this it is there future that is getting screwed over but they also need to vote if they want to have a say. apathy is no longer acceptable.

as for our own catssa i know and Im sure you have seen it your selfs where unreasonable demands ie a bic lighter is surrendered to them only to go through the line then walk over to the gift shop inside the secure area and purchase a new one. kind of reminds me of the will smith /gene hackman movie enemy of the state "who is watching the watchers".

[godsrcrazy]

To begin with i would like to say the TERRORISTS have won. They now have us scared of our own shadow. Every time we turn around there is another dumb rule or knee jerk reaction just like last year around Christmas. No carry on baggage allowed for a whole 2 weeks. Just when you think things are settling down some person that is protecting or creating a job come up with the i am not sure when,how or where but trust me some thing will happen. Then every one jumps and puts in another dumb rule and employees more TSA and CATSA $10.00 per hour qualified help.

I must say as intrusive as this is you are not being held accountable to any higher standard then anyone else. Are you telling me in all the years you have went thru security you have not seen people being pulled over for a secondary frisking after they passed through the metal detector without it going off. If you have not then i say you have gone through with your eyes closed. If you did then why did you not step forward then and complain. These tactics have been going on long before 9/11

Not to get into a peeing match but it sounds more to me that you are upset that your uniform and ID did not get you through and you were being treated like a normal citizen.

[KAG]

Getting naked is NOT normal procedure, and I too would not stand for it.

[Heliian]

This scenario will be played out many times until they figure out that the mm wave scanners are not effective and too costly.

I saw a guy go through the scanner and then they gave him the pat down anyway (quebec city airport), he just happened to be an american.

Personally, i'll never go through the scanner, i'd rather get searched at least my naked photo won't be out floating in the cyberworld.

The only problem with your story is that you refused the pat down, at this point they may have a leg to stand on but the extra questioning is horse shit.

If people like yourself don't protest these overreactive measures then we are all doomed, FIGHT THE POWER.

P.S. Don't forget to fluff up before the scanner

[Amateur Turbines]

Im just curious if anyone can find all of the actual regulations that CATSA must follow. I can find the act but not the regs. It would be nice to know what rules we actually have to follow and the power of the CATSA employee. ie.....does CATSA actually have the authority to take your RAIC even though it clearly says on the back "Property of the Calgary Airport Authority" (or insert airport name)

[North Shore]

Thankfully, I don't (yet?) have to go through a scan of any sort when I show up to work. It does seem rather ridiculous, considering what he does for work, to scan him for explosives/weapons etc...
One would hope that his co-workers and fellow pilots will stand with him if his job is threatened by his employer...

[Nark]

I'm pretty sure whatever union backs X-jet pilots is all over this.

[Brantford Beech Boy]

Have refused this "scanner" on several occasions albeit as a passenger, not as a working crewmember. 2 second pat down and I'm on the way. (I don't mind makin the CATSA/TSA people work for thier money...)

Not to get into a peeing match but it sounds more to me that you are upset that your uniform and ID did not get you through and you were being treated like a normal citizen.

If we are going to be treated like "normal citizens" while on the job, then what's the point of obtaining the RAIC or any other ID?

BBB

[godsrcrazy]

Thankfully, I don't (yet?) have to go through a scan of any sort when I show up to work. It does seem rather ridiculous, considering what he does for work, to scan him for explosives/weapons etc...
One would hope that his co-workers and fellow pilots will stand with him if his job is threatened by his employer...

Priests don't touch little boys
Doctors don't Inappropriately touch female clients
Elected officials would never line there own pockets
Cops would never do anything illegal


Needless to say none of them would ever commit suicide . Need i go on. These are all people in power and trust. YES naked images in my opinion are totally wrong and i to will refuse to do it. Unless i am reading this wrong this guy probably got up on the wrong side of the bed and refused a pat down and is now is thinking he was in the right.

By the way Nobody ever entering the country has ever been subject to a strip search because some power tripping customs agent suspects you are carrying some thing illegal. Why isn't he screaming about this. I don't think he is upset about our rights. He is upset he got treated like every passenger he fly's.

[godsrcrazy]

Have refused this "scanner" on several occasions albeit as a passenger, not as a working crewmember. 2 second pat down and I'm on the way. (I don't mind makin the CATSA/TSA people work for thier money...)

Not to get into a peeing match but it sounds more to me that you are upset that your uniform and ID did not get you through and you were being treated like a normal citizen.

If we are going to be treated like "normal citizens" while on the job, then what's the point of obtaining the RAIC or any other ID?

BBB

See my last reply. The RAIC allows us to do our job just a little easier. I doesn't mean your wife didn't just through your ass out and now you decided others should pay.

[BibleMonkey]

...The very bedrock of our way of life in this country is under attack from within. Please don’t let it be taken from us without a fight.

Malo Periculosam Libertatem Quam Quietum Servitium

Michael S. Roberts

God bless this freedom loving American.

His quote from Rosseaus 'Social Contract" which sets out the sometimes inescapable necessity to choose between either freedom or security, ( which Rosseau is said best handled by a republic form of government ) is apt.

" I prefer liberty with danger to peace with slavery " may be seen as going overboard by some, but I think he's right to make the point.

I have two ideas to maintain security on airplanes.

Just before boarding, every passenger should be handed a two and a half foot long bayonet-no exceptions.

If an asshat slips past the gunpowder sniffing dogs, then the passengers can take him out to save their own lives.

Oh sure-probably no one would sleep on flights anymore-one eye open with all that glinting steel, but you can sleep at home.

My other plan is mandatory all nude flights.

As soon as you walk into the airport,-flying or not - everyone has to strip buck naked-clothes into a big 'Salvation Army " donation bin.
Wanna fly someplace?
Don't wear your expensive clothes.
Everyone. Pilot, passengers, flight attendants, cab drivers.

There's no where to hide anything-and the increase in flying by the perverts will save the airline industry.

*Leans back in squeaky rocker, spits tobacco juice, and takes a big pull onna jug*

[albertdesalvo]

Well when I was chatting with good ol' Osama the other day, he laughed and said, "I dunno why you guys are wasting your time with this shit, our next gig is gonna be done with a truck, some fuel, and some fertilizer. It's so much easier."

[fish4life]

Thankfully, I don't (yet?) have to go through a scan of any sort when I show up to work. It does seem rather ridiculous, considering what he does for work, to scan him for explosives/weapons etc...
One would hope that his co-workers and fellow pilots will stand with him if his job is threatened by his employer...

Priests don't touch little boys
Doctors don't Inappropriately touch female clients
Elected officials would never line there own pockets
Cops would never do anything illegal


Needless to say none of them would ever commit suicide . Need i go on. These are all people in power and trust. YES naked images in my opinion are totally wrong and i to will refuse to do it. Unless i am reading this wrong this guy probably got up on the wrong side of the bed and refused a pat down and is now is thinking he was in the right.

By the way Nobody ever entering the country has ever been subject to a strip search because some power tripping customs agent suspects you are carrying some thing illegal. Why isn't he screaming about this. I don't think he is upset about our rights. He is upset he got treated like every passenger he fly's.

ya but lets be realistic it doesn't matter what the pilot carries through the security line if he wanted to take down the plane he is at the controls all he has to do is push it into a spiral dive or spin the aircraft into the ground. The passengers he flies don't have access to the cockpit and therefore should be subject to a more detailed search

[Dash-Ate]

C'mon guy and gals aren't you following the script? Muslims have special powers!

They got through security with knives, failed their PPL rides, but expertly handled heavy jets by hand. Not once but FOUR times!


Then, they got through security but could not even light a match properly. The next day the whole world has to take off their shoes.

Then, we were told about an alleged liquids plot (that failed - and no one can show us how it would work anyway) and the next day the whole world was banned from liquids.

Then, they got through security again and without a passport (!!) and failed to light a match properly (again). The next day all those naked body scanners that have been around for year gathering dust on the shworoom floors were sold to us.

The script is working a-ok . Care to guess what is coming up next? The best part is there is no vote! Every country has to follow or selse...We do not have a choice.

This industry is under attack. Why? Freedom of Movement. Make it too expensive/scarey/hard to move around. Instead stay at home glued to your TV screen "America's Most Trusted News Source!" For the next horrifying tale of woe.

[TG]

Nothing to be all exited with those 'nude' pictures.



I have been told once in Dorval as a passenger:
"Good morning sir, you have been randomly selected for a scan search. If you prefer we can do a body search"
" Which one is faster !?"
"That would be the scan"
"Let's go for the scan then"
It took less than 30 seconds...

And if ever my sort of naked picture of me find its way to the internet, I'm not even sure I will be able to recognize myself.
(waiting for the incoming joke about it)



Dash-Ate, stop smoking whatever you smoke!

[Heliian]

wikipedia actually has some good info on the millimetre wave scanners and some blurbs about the dangers and about the misuse of the images. I wonder if you went through security naked would they still make you get scanned?

[Meatservo]

*sigh*... You know, if I was a bad guy, I guess I would save myself the hassle of several years in College/University (or several years of saving money to get flying lessons at the flying club while working menial jobs, whatever), a couple more working the ramp and delivering pizza at the same time, still more flying crappy little 704 turboprops or whatever, until one day I hit the big time and score a seat at a major airline, so I could then BOMB IT. Instead, I would smoke dope for a couple of years after dropping out of high school, have a couple of illegitimate kids, work part-time at the seven-eleven, maybe go to a Taliban training camp (if I have time), and THEN apply to CATSA. Should take as much or as little time as I decide I want it to take to get to this level. Then I can just take explosives and drugs and shit to work, carry it around the scanner, and give it to the waiting bad-guy airline pilot on the other side of the scanner!

I find the over-egalitarian attitude that some of you have puzzling. (As well as your habit of using an apostrophe at the end of a pluralised word). OF COURSE pilots are entitled to different treatment than the passengers. It must infuriate you also that waiters are allowed in the kitchen when they are working in a restaurant even though you order food there too, politicians get to go upstairs when they show up for work at the parliament buildings even though you vote just like everyone else, spies are allowed to peek through windows and tap phones even though you aren't, the guys who fix the sewers are allowed down the manholes and you aren't, even though you contribute equally to the mess down there, et cetera. Why not get mad that the CATSA morons are getting special treatment? THEY don't have to walk through the scanner every time; they get to walk around. They should have to put a big naked picture of themselves on a screen so that we, the passengers can be reassured that THEY aren't packing illegal shit onto the plane!

I personally think it's stupid that pilots have to stand in the same line to get zapped by scanners as the passengers. Seeing it happening must give some of the passengers pause as well. The pilots are suspect? Do I really want to fly anymore?

[Lurch]

I have discussed this at length with two different people, one an ex-CATSA supervisor at YYC and the other a TC paper pusher who perform audits, the short and skinny of it was.

The first when questioned as to why Crew members need to be searched, said that they found contraband airside and it had to be the crew because it couldn't be from passengers or other airside employees.

The second confirmed that the airside/CATSA staff don't get search, but said that the RAIC prevents terrorist from getting a job airside and that they perform random searches so staff wouldn't risk bringing contraband airside.

Congrats Folks I guess only crew members are at risk of being terrorist, but the cleaners, Tim Hortons coffee pushers, baggage handlers, CATSA, and all other minimum wage monkeys couldn't possibly be terrorist or associated with such bad seeds.

Lurch

[rigpiggy]

Really look at this post

Post subject: Re: Full body scanners
PostPosted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:16 am

[Mig29]

I went in my uniform last week through US security checkpoint and the agent said you are in the line that is used for Body Scanner check after I have already gone through Xray scanner.

I smiled and replied that in "no way I'm going through that! " The agent told me, that's not a problem, you will have to do the "pat down". Now I didn't beep, but I don't care, I let him have his 30 seconds of fame, after all, how many times I get the same pat down at some night clubs.

And that was it....now, I DO admire this pilot for not going through this scanner, and I can see why he put up the resistance when they wanted a 'secondary search'. After all, he didn't 'beep' so what's their justification??

Our civil citizen rights are being taken away, one at a time, but most people are blind and too caught up with their 'busy' lives to stop and use their head.....

Anyways, heard on the radio the other day that frequent fliers are at higher risk if they go through these scanners often, as they add up to our dental and doctors x-rays we accumulate over the years and pose potential health problems down the road. Children are especially vulnerable to these body scanners as the radiation (however small) affects their body cells much more then adults.

Pat me down all you want I say.....

[Brantford Beech Boy]

... The RAIC allows us to do our job just a little easier....

Please elaborate.

BBB