TSA Security dud

I went through multiple airports this last week, all of which have the "naked body scanners". I was ready to "opt-out" when the time came, as I think the scanners are not only a violation of the 4th amendment, but are potentially unhealthy, humiliating and ultimately won't do much to enhance security. Each security checkpoint I went through was fast and easy. While I saw the machines and a couple of people going through them, the majority of people only had to take off their shoes/belt/etc and go through the metal detector and that was it. In other words, no different than the last 9 years. One of the airports I went through was LaGuardia, so I'm not talking about small market podunk airports here. Did the TSA just back off because of the backlash or was the whole thing manipulated and blown up by media? Also, the little television media I saw over the holidays made it sound like the public was totally ok with "the new procedures." However, in my experience, at a NYC airport no less, there were no new procedures. It appeared that a very few travelers were selected for the body scan. Did TSA announce that they were only doing "enhanced security" for a select few random travelers or was the idea of scanning or patting down every passenger just made up by rabble rousing dissident types and spread by ratings hungry media? Don't get me wrong, I do not particularly trust DHS(esp after taking control of internet commerce - what business is that of theirs), but from what I saw, the TSA was largely acting the same way as it has for the last several years. If anyone else has more insight or knowledge, I'd appreciate it.

reply to post by louieprima


From what I have and understand, the TSA backed down on using the machines in order to defuse a situation before it happened. Since the majority of those traveling this weekend, were going to visit family and normally dont fly that often, along with what has been noted on MSM; they probably figured in order to keep things under what control they can, they themselves opted out from using them.
This way, when the BS continues next week, the normal folk who get their news from MSM, wont have much to say and will wonder what all the fuss is really about and that people are overreacting. Its a way to keep the majority in check and silencing the giant before it awakens. In this case, I think its too late though.

reply to post by DIDtm


I hear ya. I was thinking the same thing, more or less. Was just surprised (pleasantly, as I prefer travel to be uneventful). Also not sure what was being reported. The MSM line that people were totally ok with the "new security procedures" came across as BS considering that there weren't really any new procedures being practiced. We'll see how it develops from here.