Readers Fire Back That Screeners Don't Follow Procedure
The US Transportation Security Administration could be using its
official blog to resolve confusion among the traveling public. But
if public comments in response to the latest TSA post by "Blogger
Bob" are any indication, the agency may be a candidate for a
Pinnochio Award. Responses to the blog are almost unanimously
disbelieving of, and angry at, the agency.
At issue are three recent reports from elderly women who say
they were "strip searched" during screening at JFK International.
After dealing with the outrage in a previous posting, TSA made
additional comments Sunday. The post says, in part, "TSA does not,
and has never, conducted strip searches and no strip searches
occurred in any of these incidents. We truly regret these
passengers feel they had a bad screening experience."
Anonymous replies were typified by one that said, "Let's be
clear here. Is the TSA's definition of a 'strip search' limited to
having a person take off all of their clothes and then bend over
and spread their buttocks and genitalia? Because in that case,
simply forcing people to remove their clothes really wouldn't be an
actual strip search? Please clear this issue up for the public with
clear and specific language..."
Another pointed out, "Saying I'm sorry you feel that way is not
an apology, it is an insult. You are reversing the blame around to
the victim, it is the victims fault." Another commented, "'We truly
regret these passengers feel they had a bad screening experience.'
Why do you regret their feelings? Why can't you simply admit that
they had a bad screening experience, regardless of who was at
fault?"
Another statement from the TSA apparently deemed implausible by
readers followed a December 4 post in which the agency admitted
that the first elderly woman to complain of strip-searching,
84-year-old Lenore Zimmerman, told screeners she was wearing a back
brace which, according to TSA policy, should not have been removed.
But this week, TSA changed its story to say, "There was a bit of a
miscommunication and our officers were told that the passenger was
wearing a money belt." Readers reasonably ask, "told by whom?"
Regarding a recent briefing for advocacy groups about the latest
incidents, the blog continues, "TSA informed them that we're in the
process of establishing an 800 number dedicated to travelers with
disabilities, medical conditions, or those who may require
assistance during screening."
More than one reader commented that the real problem is not
passengers, but screeners who don't follow the agency's published
guidelines. One says, "I do appreciate TSA's efforts to educate the
public and hope it continues, but I am more concerned that it
educate its own employees."
The TSA blog is moderated, so there's no guarantee these
comments will remain available for viewing. Use the FMI link below
to find the December 11 posting by "Blogger Bob."
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