LEO guys, serious question

We have the right to refuse to go thru the metal detector?

xray machines, not the metal detector.

[Alex]

I love refusing to go through those xray machines. They just look at you like it is so inconceivable that you dare refuse. "We've got an opt out!!!!!!" Most of the agents have actually been pretty decent that have patted me down, but I'm going to run into a one that is a prick one of these days and he isn't going to like it.

We have the right to refuse to go thru the metal detector?

[Forever_frost]

I wish! They used to be real dickheads about the 'additional screening' pat downs. When they first started, they weren't using the backs of their hands. They would use their palms and fingers and would act like they had never heard of things like nipple piercings. I've had more than one pat down where I had to explain my piercings in detail and was treated like a terrorist while some chick in a burka walked by without question. They didn't want to profile anyone. @@

It's already been shown that they pat down anyone who is attractive with a nice rack. They ran my wife through everything they could think of when she came in from NZ. She has E's with neon pink hair. Yeah...a lot of attention

[Treasure Chest]

She wears stuff like this

I wish! They used to be real dickheads about the 'additional screening' pat downs. When they first started, they weren't using the backs of their hands. They would use their palms and fingers and would act like they had never heard of things like nipple piercings. I've had more than one pat down where I had to explain my piercings in detail and was treated like a terrorist while some chick in a burka walked by without question. They didn't want to profile anyone. @@

[Forever_frost]

She wears stuff like this

[Treasure Chest]

Hey, when I fly, I like to wear boobie armor. I don't want any skeevy jackhole with a GED man handling the goods.

[helosailor]

This is such a joke. Robert and I opted out of the X-ray line and requested a pat down when we left Las Vegas last weekend. You would seriously think that we were war criminals.

As soon as the words, 'opt for a pat down' hit their ears, there was commotion and yelling for additional agents. FOUR agents were called in to remove our bags, and two agents for each of us were called to escort us to the pat down area after we were run through the metal detectors.

One of the agents pointed to the area and said we would need to go over there, so I start walking. I was grabbed by the arm and told that I had to stay between the agents until we got there. She walked slowly, interrogating me the entire way, and her complete demeanor changed when I answered that I wasn't chosen for additional screening, I opted out of the body scan-- Where had I been? Why was I in town? What was the name of the expo? What company did I work for? What did we do? Who was I traveling with? What is my address? When was I born? What airline were my tickets for? What flights was I taking? Did I have a layover? Was Dallas my final destination? How long of a drive is Longview from Dallas? Why wouldn't I fly into Longview rather than driving from Dallas?

Then came the pat down. THAT was a joke. I could have been hiding anything, for all she could have felt, using the backs of her hands to sweep between my breasts and under my padded bra...

[Forever_frost]

Fortunately when I fly, I call the TSA and have someone meet me at the curb. They take my luggage, check it for me and walk me through security. It's actually kind of nice, especially when I fly internationally. Bonus walking past everyone in line.

I love refusing to go through those xray machines. They just look at you like it is so inconceivable that you dare refuse. "We've got an opt out!!!!!!" Most of the agents have actually been pretty decent that have patted me down, but I'm going to run into a one that is a prick one of these days and he isn't going to like it.

[Treasure Chest]

I am going through those checkpoints with my wife and son, it is a good feeling to know that the people in front of/behind me are getting checked as well. This is a necessary evil for the times we live in. As usual, if you don't like it then don't fly. I want people checked for box cutters and shoe bombs.

You guys sound like you are all carrying burning torches and have not a clue about the law or the legal authority granted to the TSA by the FEDERAL government.

This is such a joke. Robert and I opted out of the X-ray line and requested a pat down when we left Las Vegas last weekend. You would seriously think that we were war criminals.

As soon as the words, 'opt for a pat down' hit their ears, there was commotion and yelling for additional agents. FOUR agents were called in to remove our bags, and two agents for each of us were called to escort us to the pat down area after we were run through the metal detectors.

One of the agents pointed to the area and said we would need to go over there, so I start walking. I was grabbed by the arm and told that I had to stay between the agents until we got there. She walked slowly, interrogating me the entire way, and her complete demeanor changed when I answered that I wasn't chosen for additional screening, I opted out of the body scan-- Where had I been? Why was I in town? What was the name of the expo? What company did I work for? What did we do? Who was I traveling with? What is my address? When was I born? What airline were my tickets for? What flights was I taking? Did I have a layover? Was Dallas my final destination? How long of a drive is Longview from Dallas? Why wouldn't I fly into Longview rather than driving from Dallas?

Then came the pat down. THAT was a joke. I could have been hiding anything, for all she could have felt, using the backs of her hands to sweep between my breasts and under my padded bra.

After she was satisfied that I wasn't carrying a cupcake in a jar or a bottle of water that wasn't purchased at an overpriced store by my gate, she swabbed her glove for explosives and let us go.

Without an agent near us or paying any attention to us, we put our shoes on next to a box of confiscated pocket knives, and went on our merry way.

Ironically, no one said shit about the ridiculously sharp tweezers in my laptop case that could do more damage than a box cutter.


Here's a lovely picture of them stabbed into my wood armoire, next to a Dr Pepper can, for reference.

[Forever_frost]

In a nutshell the Fed Govt has granted the TSA to do patdowns/xray/wand etc and your rights aren't being violated when they do this in the performance of their duties. There will always be the select few who abuse authority in ANY sector of enforcement.

Actually, I'm going to disagree here. The 4th amendment is very clear. The only reason they have the ability to search you at the airport is when you buy your ticket you agree to being searched and if you don't want to be searched, you are free not to fly. The same doesn't apply to roadways. Even state troopers are tied when it comes to search abilities by the 4th amendment. From what I understand, and I'm waiting for Matt or one of the other LEOs here to respond is this: They have no power to search anything on the roads.

I would like to know if I get stopped by one if I can just sit there and look at them dumbly while contemplating what those voices I hear are really saying

[bcoop]

I didn't call you a name. Name calling is something like me calling you a moron. I said you're ignorant. Ignorance can be fixed through education. Yes, a pat down/metal detector is a violation of rights, no matter where it is. They are all Unconstitutional. I don't need some government agency to keep me safe, anywhere. I can take care of myself and my family. Just like I don't need someone telling me what's best for me.

[BigTitan21]

Indubitably!!!

[BERNIE MOSFET]

I assume you are referring to John Locke and his Social Contract when using the term "natural rights". If you are, then you might want to reacquaint yourself with what his philosophy is pertaining to the Social Contract. In fact, the Declaration of Independence has facets of it that are from/pertaining to Locke's philosophy. In fact, his belief is that a government is granted by the people a certain amount of authority to protect its people from harm. It's been a long time since studying Locke, so I am a little rusty, but the main idea is here for you to try and understand.

A certain amount, yes. The implied protection is in the consequences of an act, not in the unqualified presumption of the imminent commission of an act.

How do you differentiate LEOs from TSA screeners in your flakey example above? Or did you write the above in some failed effort to be witty and cute?

LEOs generally accomplish their civil mandates; and generally within constitutional constraints.

You say that I am the problem with the U.S. over a disagreement about authority vs. perceived authority when you have no idea who I am, what I have done for this country, or my overall belief system? Nice play.

This is me being snarky, predicated on what little I do know - that you would have considered joining an agency that deposed the IRS as the most hated government entity in the US. I make no other statements about you, your character, or your contributions. You're likely a stand-up guy. I don't like that you'd go along with what the TSA is - arguably the most visible symptom to-date of the gradual, bi-partisan dissolution of our constitutionally protected liberties.

[racrguy]

Yeah, because the government NEVER passes a law that's against your rights.