How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/1...r-tsa-outrage/

A friend of mine sent me this about his TSA experience. He, unlike most of us, was coming back into the country from Afghanistan on a military charter.

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As the Chalk Leader for my flight home from Afghanistan, I witnessed the following:

When we were on our way back from Afghanistan, we flew out of Baghram Air Field. We went through customs at BAF, full body scanners (no groping), had all of our bags searched, the whole nine yards.

Our first stop was Shannon, Ireland to refuel. After that, we had to stop at Indianapolis, Indiana to drop off about 100 folks from the Indiana National Guard. That’s where the stupid started.

First, everyone was forced to get off the plane–even though the plane wasn’t refueling again. All 330 people got off that plane, rather than let the 100 people from the ING get off. We were filed from the plane to a holding area. No vending machines, no means of escape. Only a male/female latrine.

It’s probably important to mention that we were ALL carrying weapons. Everyone was carrying an M4 Carbine (rifle) and some, like me, were also carrying an M9 pistol. Oh, and our gunners had M-240B machine guns. Of course, the weapons weren’t loaded. And we had been cleared of all ammo well before we even got to customs at Baghram, then AGAIN at customs.

The TSA personnel at the airport seriously considered making us unload all of the baggage from the SECURE cargo hold to have it reinspected. Keep in mind, this cargo had been unpacked, inspected piece by piece by U.S. Customs officials, resealed and had bomb-sniffing dogs give it a one-hour run through. After two hours of sitting in this holding area, the TSA decided not to reinspect our Cargo–just to inspect us again: Soldiers on the way home from war, who had already been inspected, reinspected and kept in a SECURE holding area for 2 hours. Ok, whatever. So we lined up to go through security AGAIN.

This is probably another good time to remind you all that all of us were carrying actual assault rifles, and some of us were also carrying pistols.

So we’re in line, going through one at a time. One of our Soldiers had his Gerber multi-tool. TSA confiscated it. Kind of ridiculous, but it gets better. A few minutes later, a guy empties his pockets and has a pair of nail clippers. Nail clippers. TSA informs the Soldier that they’re going to confiscate his nail clippers. The conversation went something like this:

TSA Guy: You can’t take those on the plane.

Soldier: What? I’ve had them since we left country.

TSA Guy: You’re not suppose to have them.

Soldier: Why?

TSA Guy: They can be used as a weapon.

Soldier: [touches butt stock of the rifle] But this actually is a weapon. And I’m allowed to take it on.

TSA Guy: Yeah but you can’t use it to take over the plane. You don’t have bullets.

Soldier: And I can take over the plane with nail clippers?

TSA Guy: [awkward silence]

Me: Dude, just give him your ........ nail clippers so we can get the f**k out of here. I’ll buy you a new set.

Soldier: [hands nail clippers to TSA guy, makes it through security]

This might be a good time to remind everyone that approximately 233 people re-boarded that plane with assault rifles, pistols, and machine guns–but nothing that could have been used as a weapon.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

Yep. One wonders exactly how much the American people are going to tolerate before they wake up from their "oh please take my rights... just make me safe" dreamland.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

Some people say this may blow up and get corrected before the holiday.

Janet Reno targeted the Davidian compound. Butch Napolitano is targeting every flier except those wearing Islamic names or apparell.

These illegal searches are missing one thing. Probable cause. If you tell a screener you have for example a pacemaker or a hip prosthesis, that is not probable cause to do a cavity search.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

Indeed. We are assured in the constitution an inalienable right that we cannot be searched without probable cause.

A decision to fly in an airplane is not probable cause.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

I work in aviation security as a Security Access Coordinator for a local airport. I work closely with the TSA, BDO's, and the screeners. There so manny things that people aren't aware of and that we are not permitted to talk about because it's SSI.

I have one question. Do you want to make it to your destination in one piece?

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

By choosing to purchase a ticket and fly, you're freely choosing to abide by all security policies and regulations that are in place. It's YOUR choice. If you don't want to be searched... drive.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

Is this still true?

4th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

This is the kind of thing we're up against...

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/03...-experts-warn/

The enemy is also increasingly choosing to use children.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

The question still remains...

Is this still true?

4th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Re: How the TSA shakes down a fully armed squad
 

You freely choose to fly or not to fly. No one is making you fly. If you are uncomfortable with the safety procedures.... don't fly. Since I work in aviation security, I know that if my son were going to be boarding a plane to visit family... I want you searched... especially if you choose not to be scanned. If you don't like it. Drive, or rent a private plane.