Not traveling any time soon.

You know, I've been feeling really rotten about not registering for Left Coast Crime in Santa Fe next March, but the more I read about the new TSA regulations, the more I'm thinking that the only way I'm going to make it is if we drive.

Now understand, I really really, REALLY want to go to this conference! It's gonna be tons of fun and it's in Santa Fe, which both Lillian and I adore.  We've been looking forward to it from the moment Pari told us that she'd won the bid.  And have you looked at that author line-up?  Wahoo!

But.  However. 

I don't think I need more radiation, and yeah, they say it's no big deal and it won't hurt you, but I figure if I need more radiation, it'd better come with a doctor's prescription.  That, however, is the least of my worries, and it's pretty strong.

I also don't know why they need to see me naked.  I don't like it.  It's not that I'm ashamed of my body even though I'm aging and pudgy.  In the general scheme of things, I'm comfortable with being me.  And after all my time in theatre, I know parts is parts. 

But I also know that while they say they're not storing these images, that is, in all likelihood not the case.  They may not know the images are being stored, but I have absolutely no faith in my government not to store these images.  I also have great faith in hackers being able to intercept them.  And as J. D. Rhoades says when addressing this same issue, "there are some really strange people out there."

Although what they'd do with these images escapes me.  That's not the issue.  It's one of privacy and my right to decide who gets to see naked images of me, even if they're kinda grainy and in black and white. 

I also don't want the groping, invasive, full-body feel-up.  Unless you're a medical professional, my wife, or I'm under arrest, no one should be touching me that intimately. 

Oh, and speaking of being under arrest, do you know what happens if you get into the line to be scanned or groped and change your mind?  Guess what?  You can't.  Once you're in that line, you're committed.  If you decide, as a free American citizen, to change your mind, you can be pulled aside, REALLY frisked (cavity check, anyone?), interrogated, and you could face an $11,000 fine.

I've seen some of these TSA folks in action.  They're not as professional as they'd have you believe.  So if you're of an age where you might have, oh, say an adult diaper, or if you have a medical condition that means you have a colostomy bag, how do you think this is gonna play?  Something doesn't look quite right to them ("Can you please step aside, Mr. . .Sontag, is it? We need to see whatever it is you have attached to your side.  Yes, sir, we need to see it."), or doesn't feel right ("All right, Mrs. Phillips, step over here into this room, and drop your pants, please.  Yes, you have to."), then they're going to make your life even more challenging than it already is.

Unless, of course, you're "Man of the People" John Boehner, the upcoming Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is taking commercial flights (because, y'know, he's one of us. . .), except that he doesn't have to go through the scanners OR the pat-downs.  Because, of course, he's not like your average American citizen, and I don't mean just that creepy-ass orangeish tan thing he's got going.   He's a man of the people as long as it doesn't inconvenience him.  Typical politician.

So anyway, at this point I'm not planning on going anywhere we can't drive or take a train.  The airlines won't be getting my money unless there's some sort of emergency.  I still have the right to choose some things, and I choose not to be treated like a criminal.  Innocent until proven guilty no longer seems to be an American concept, which is disturbing, but I see no need to subject myself to this kind of disrespect and humiliation. 

And that means no Left Coast Crime in March.  Which is a shame, 'cause I really was looking forward to it!

 

 

Comments

[Marcy Hundley]

You and I have the same suspicions about this radiation. We flew last month, and everything happened before we could react. I was sent to the x-ray machine and then told to step aside. She warned me that I was going to be physically examined and went straight for my thighs. I told her I was wearing support hose with ruffly, latex tops, (ugh) and I could lift up my pants so she could see. But no, she felt everything one could touch in front of a hundred strangers.
The same thoughts you had ran through my mind. I avoid x-rays, mammograms, and most diagnostic procedures because they are toxic no matter how safe the doctor claims they are. What's more, do they consider that a female might be pregnant and unaware of it when she goes through? Even worse, radiation is cumulative, so frequent flyers could be exposed to potentially lethal amounts. My gut instinct is that this is illegal. I don't know how they ever got this through. And yes, I will avoid flying if there is an alternative.
Great blog! Thanks, Fran

[Rae Gerold-Smith]

I'd like to know what measures they plan to take to keep pedophiles out of the TSA ranks. Think about it - either your child is having nude pictures taken and transmitted who-knows-where or said child is subjected to a invasive body grope by a stranger. Can we find some more ways to traumatize our youngest, most defenseless citizens?

[Deanna]

Great blog Fran! I love to fly, but have decided that from now on I will not give up any more rights, and I will not be irradiated any more (I'm saving my quota, based on what I've seen lately I'll need it later), so I'm bocotting the whole mess. I hope things change before I find enough money to go back to Australia, or maybe I'll fly from Canada like last time - wait, are they that ridiculous too? I'll have to find out.

[Finn]

Absolutely agree with you. I havent flown , well other than Uncle's plane, sine the whole take off your boots thing started. Hop arond on one foot, taking my boots off for the nice man... yeah... not happenin. Now get some more radiation. No thanks, get plenty. Or be molested. Nope, not till after the fight... or at least a nice dinner. So we are now up to showing your paper, being interogated and searched... all to travel from one U.S. destination to another U.S. destination. Truly sad.

But, and isnt there always a but.....

The people from the left side of the aisle who came out against the "patriot act" ( and rightly so ) are curriously quiet about this draconian step.

In discussions with a few people who thjink this is all a good idea, as we all need to be protected, again I have taken things too far yet again. When they stated that I should wear clothing to make the nice gestapo... errr TSA agents jobe easy, I stated ; Fine, sandels instead of boots, hell might as well wear no shirt and my kilt! They wanna search, I'll just flip it up and see if they see anything they like!

Yep, I best stay off of planes, I'll end up in jail.