Sexual assault by the TSA: Is this an isolated incident or the result of a cultural flaw?

2015-04-15T13:55:19-04:00

Please take a minute to read this article in the Atlantic, then vote in the Survey and provide your comments.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2015/04/where-did-the-tsa-agent-touch-you/390561/

Is this a cultural problem? How could the investigation be better executed? Why did it take so long to investigate? Why are names of people fired for cause being withheld? How could an organization with access to such strict record keeping fail to notify at least the individual groped while an investigator watched?

Far more importantly: does a blanket search of every person intending to board a plane represent a violation of the 4th amendment protection to be secure in your papers and person?

When Security Screening Crosses the Line

A screener at the Denver airport allegedly conspired to grope the genitals of male passengers he found attractive. And with security so intrusive already none of them even complained.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-04-15T14:04:10-04:00

When I first heard this story - and when I heard the recent similar Secret Service story - I thought that it's not just the military that has a problem with sexual assault and sexual harassment. It's a problem (a part) of the human condition, and it will probably never go away, at least not as long as people have sex drives, which often overpower their ability to reason and act reasonably.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 15 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-04-15T14:15:52-04:00

Environment that promotes abuse.

I have actively fought against the concept of the TSA since it's inception.

It has FAR to much power for what it does. There is no check nor balance against it. It is effectively an independent organization, which cannot be fought, reviewed, or investigated.

What's worse, because they hide behind "Security" we cannot even look at their rules to see if they are following them, or have them.

Why can't we have liquids over 4oz? Why is a Coke bought outside security less safe than one bought inside?

I have hit the point where I refuse to fly.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 15 at 2015 2:17 PM

2015-04-15T14:17:37-04:00

4. I'd say abolish the TSA. Its blanket searches comprise a federal violation of the 4th amendment as a matter of policy. Replace with private security guards hired by the airports/airlines and include a consent to search clause in any plane ticket purchase. The feds can establish safe standards of searching and handle the inspections and performance, but private security executes in accordance with the contract signed by airline passengers. Neatly sidesteps the constitutional issue, allows for maintaining 100% screening and brings the free market into enforcing behavior of screeners.

A related topic on TSA misbehavior:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/over-400-tsa-workers-arrested-for-theft-alone-and-not-one-terrorist-caught-should-national-guard-replace-them

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 15 at 2015 2:19 PM

2015-04-15T14:19:34-04:00

We need to trash Homeland Security and return to basic governmental services (as enumerated in the Constitution). If there is a threat to air travel, allow the airlines to handle it. They can hire experts from El Al and learn how to do it

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 15 at 2015 2:20 PM

2015-04-15T14:20:20-04:00

The fact that the whistleblower had to remain anonymous inidcates to me that it is not only tolerated, but that it is acceptable to the TSA. That reflects on their leadership all the way up. It is ridiculous that the TSA has gone so far off the deep end that this doesn't strike anyone as odd. Furthermore seeing some of the things that have made it through TSA screening makes me wonder if it really is like that scene in the movie airplane where the guy with a bazooka goes right through, but the little old lady gets put up against the wall. I used to fly often, and it was always an exciting adventure. Now it is just a pain in the ass. The worst part is there really is nothing you can do about it other than not fly. Complaining about poor treatment gets ignored. Look at this case, it was two months from the time that it was reported to the time action was taken. That only occured when a supervisor caught the team in the act.
These people are supposed to be increasing the safety of passengers, not committing a sex crime against them. If that person groped one person's genitals on the street, not only would he likely take a beating, he would be charged with a crime. Depending on the state he may even have to register as a sex offender. In the TSA he is simply terminated and told to find a new job. Nice work as usual TSA. You wonder why nobody likes or trusts you? that is why.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 3:50 PM

2015-04-15T15:50:00-04:00

I would say "All of the Above." A nice even mixture of option 2 and 3, with a heavy dose of option 4 and a pinch of option 1, would round it all out nicely.....

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 15 at 2015 5:54 PM

2015-04-15T17:54:34-04:00

When they were first stood up they hired many who acted like we worked for them, they were gods gift to travelers, had nasty dispositions and exuded mental faculties quite below the norm.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-04-16T10:21:48-04:00

Oh how I remember we need the TSA because contracted security could not possibly do the job as well as a g
overnment program can do.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-04-16T12:16:41-04:00

There are so many reasons that it is hard to point to just one area. Most troubling is the nature of some individuals not being fit for dealing with people where you have to put your hands on their bodies.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 22 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-04-22T11:01:07-04:00

Was it finally discovered and reported after a different man went through the security screening 20 times in the same day and made everyone miss their flight? As Cleveland Brown says, "That's just nasty." I hope they charge him with 1,000 counts of whatever offense this is considered and he can see how it feels from behind bars.