Delta brushes off Glenn Jacobs

Glenn Jacobs wrote the following message to Delta regarding his travel plans, and got the standard response (scroll down to see their response):

I am writing to express my concern over the TSA's body
scanners and new pat down protocols. Since the creation of the TSA, I
have avoided flying whenever possible. Unfortunately, due to the nature
of my business, this is not often possible. However, the TSA has now
gone beyond the pale. While I must still fly for business, I will not
allow my family to be subjected to this sort of treatment, so flying for
pleasure is out. In addition, I am actively encouraging everyone I know
to avoid flying as much as possible. Delta runs a great business, and I
have always felt like a valued customer when on flying on it. However,
there are many frequent travelers who feel the same way that I do. The
TSA has not only failed to make us safer, it has become the bane of our
traveling experience.

Delta's response:

US Air, will you protect your pregnant customers?

Elliott McElroy wrote to US Air earlier this week about her upcoming Thanksgiving travel. She has not heard from them, yet, and has asked me to post her letter here:

November 15, 2010

US Airways
ATTN: Customer Relations
4000 E Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Dear Sir or Madam:

I’m writing to express my concerns about the newly implemented security procedures at airports around the country, and how my family intends to respond to them.

I recently purchased roundtrip airplane tickets for myself and my husband to travel between Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and Philadelphia International Airport before and after the Thanksgiving holiday. My online check-in number is XXXXXX and the tickets were purchased through www.travelocity.com. At the time of purchasing the tickets, I was not made aware that PHL would be using AIT scanners. 

My husband and I object to submitting ourselves through the scanning technology. I am not convinced of its safety, nor am I convinced that our privacy will be respected. Simply because the TSA website reports that the scanning technology will pose no threat to my health does not mean that I will blindly believe the information presented, especially in light of the fact that I will be 18 weeks pregnant at the time of planned travel.

Goodbye delicious peanuts

K Moon Howe writes to Southwest (and preempts their cookie-cutter response, so this will be interesting):

Dear Southwest,

I, along with my entire family, have been loyal customers for the past 20 years.  I have enjoyed my passenger experiences and appreciated your efficiency, accessibility, and customer service.

It is with regret that I must say goodbye, unless and until the checkpoint procedures are greatly revised and improved.  I am well aware that Southwest does not determine procedure; TSA does.  Please do not direct me to the TSA website, as I have already gone through that channel.  My purpose in sending this note to you is to let you know I valued your company and the service you provided.  I am disappointed that I cannot continue to offer you my patronage, as  I cannot in good conscience let my minor child bee seen virtual-reality nude, and if an adult traumatizes her via inappropriate touching I will be broke anyway after the legal penalties that will be the result of me beating the crap out of them.

Please use your position as a customer service-oriented, successful carrier to stand up for your loyal customers.

Oh yeah, thanks for all the peanuts and Coca-Cola too.

Sincerly,
K Moon Howe
see Rapid Rewards # above

Hawaiian Airlines responds

Ryan Marshall writes: "Finally got a response from Hawaiian Airlines. Your basic cookie-cutter response... disappointing."

November 18, 2010

Mr. Ryan Marshall
RE:     Contact Ref. #1011297668

Dear Mr. Marshall:

This is in response to your email received by our office on November 12,
2010.

We understand you are disappointed with the new security measures by the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  Although we understand your
concern, regretfully, any issues dealing with security at the airports are
referred directly to TSA.  Please visit their website at www.tsa.gov
<http://www.tsa.gov> to file your complaint directly with them.

A political route

Allan Sanford, a reader of Stop TSA Scanners, is putting together a petition. You can sign it here.

"Pull the Plug NOW" Petition

Honorable Members of the Senate of the United States of America

We, the undersigned people of the United States, demand that you exercise your oversight powers to immediately stop the use of full body scanners and pat-down techniques currently being employed at airports across the country by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security, for the following reasons:

• Such scans and pat-downs directly violate the Fourth Amendment guarding against unnecessary search and seizure

"I won't be home for Christmas"

From this website:

So what is I Won’t Be Home For Christmas?

It’s a simple act that you, an American, can do to send the message, loud and clear to the government, that we will no longer tolerate this vile foolishness. This is a peaceful protest that can crush a tyrannical bureaucracy.

During the second half of December, from midnight December 15, 2010 to the countdown on New Year’s Eve, don’t fly anywhere. Drive, take a bus or a train, do anything but fly to your destination. Or better yet, just stay home if you can.

Continue reading here. 

Pistole before the storm

This interview with the new head of TSA is from about a month ago. Note that obscuring information from the public is intentional (for "national security"). When asked whether scanners should completely replace metal detectors, he says:

What I don't want to see happen is terrorists going on a website and seeing where there is AIT and where there's walk-through metal detectors and using, like on Christmas Day, a non-metallic explosive device through one of those airports that does not have AIT. So that's my concern.

And when asked about privacy concerns, the fact that this is illegal, Unconstitutional, immoral, and wrong (take your pick) is not on his radar:

Well, trying to reassure the public that first, it's optional. They don't have to go through it. Of course they will receive a thorough patdown. The person seeing the image never sees the person. We don't retain the image. I think that addresses most of the privacy concerns.

Here's the point: This is not about what is best for you, or even what is best for the public. If it were, there would be some more sensitivity and an acknowledgment that there should be transparency on what and where the scanners are.

I am not surprised by this, but I just want to make sure that you understand that his is about power and money for the few in charge over the many who fund this operation against our will. Don't fall for the national security, the terrorists are under every bed, rhetoric. Cui bono?

What part of "Goodbye" didn't you understand, Jet Blue?

Marilyn Masiker received her form-letter response from Jet Blue, reprinted below. Keep scrolling to read her affirmation of her rights, and what she expects Jet Blue to do about it.

Hello Marilyn,

Thank you for contacting JetBlue Airways. We appreciate you taking the time to write in to
us and understand your concerns with changes to the TSA security process in airports. Your
comments will be passed along to our Leadership.

The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for all facets of security. The TSA
organization is government run and is responsible for ensuring that no dangerous items are
brought into the main airport waiting area, or onboard the aircraft. JetBlue does not employ any
persons that work for the TSA.

Don't ignore us, Southwest!

Emily wrote to Southwest telling them "that I have been a loyal customer and been happy with their service, but have canceled my scheduled flight out of BWI airport and will no longer be flying with them until TSA's full body imaging scanners are removed and enhanced pat-downs stop.  I requested that they lobby the government for changes."

Here's Southwest's underwhelming reply:

Dear Emily,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concern regarding one of the screening processes used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

It's important to explain that the implementation of imaging technology was determined solely by the TSA and not by the airlines. The TSA has a responsibility to ensure the security of the traveling public. However, they also recognize that there is a delicate balance between privacy and security; therefore, imaging technology is optional for all passengers. Please visit the TSA’s web site for more information regarding this screening method.

Delta keeps trying to wash their hands, ...

... but Steven St.Jean calls Delta out. See yesterday's posts where I support abolition of the TSA and, as a route to get there, airports kicking the TSA out. Steven's message to Delta is right on point - they keep kicking the can, but it is their right and duty to protect their own property.

Dear Ms. Sanders,

This is simply not true:

> These procedures are conducted by the Transportation Security
> Administration (TSA) and are required by federal law.

The law that created the TSA gave airports the right to opt out of the TSA program altogether.  That's right, the airports which Delta supports can legally overthrow the hated TSA.  I draw your attention to this news report: http://washingtonexaminer.com/amid-airport-anger-gop-takes-aim-at-screening/article/96644.

If Delta cares for the safety, the dignity, and the rights of its passengers, it will urge airports to exercise this right and throw the perverts out.

Steven St.Jean
SkyMiles #6230137876

Delta's response to Steven's first letter is here.

(Regarding the Washington Examiner article, I do not at all endorse the "GOP plan" of contractors on the federal payroll. Like the choice between scanners and pat-downs, the choice between a socialist TSA or a fascist TSA is no choice at all.)

Political action

Many (all?) airports are owned and "operated" by state or municipal governments. I like the idea of using federalism to kick the TSA out of these airports. Here's a petition along those lines that you can sign. (I'd like it to me more bold, but it's a start.)

H/T to Brian R.

The solution

Art Carden says it all: abolish the TSA.

Security Theater

This is an older story about the security theater. The take-home point is that the TSA is always closing yesterday's loopholes and trying to catch the stupid terrorist, at substantial costs financially and to freedom. It is notable that the no-fly-cross-check vulnerability - the one that was exploited by the underbomber and has since been "closed" - is in this article, pre-underbomber.

Airport AIT information

In reference to my post about the TSA website, I'd like to pass on a list being updated by an energetic soul over at FlyerTalk forums of the status of airports and scanners. Please note that airports that are listed without scanners are still not guaranteed to be safe, but that all of the airports listed with scanners are accurate.

If you have any first-hand info about airports, please contact the maintainer of that thread, or put a comment here and I'll contact the maintainer.

I'm reprinting the current list here:

Why am I doing this?

I got the following email and, since it is civilly written, I wanted to answer it. Because others may have similar questions (there are some questions along these lines in the comments section on this blog), I'm including the original email and my response in [brackets].

As a frequent flyer, it is with great interest that I read your recent post and open letter to US Airways regarding the body scanners, your ticket change and your rental car expense. As a fellow blogger, I wanted to share some of my own thoughts with you.

Firstly, I am definitely on your side in that I despise the scanners. I have absolute privacy concerns, but I also have safety concerns, as millimeter waves (as you probably know) have not yet been proven to be completely safe. I avoid them whenever possible. This means that if I am in a situation where I have to choose, I go for the pat-down. It's not fun, and for a child, it's certainly a Hobson's choice.

 [This goes beyond "not fun" for me. It is absolutely wrong. Could be because I'm a woman that this bothers me more than you, although I realize that not all women agree with me.]