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."

FMI: http://blog.tsa.gov/2011/12/clarification-on-screening-of-three.html