TSA digs through woman's purse, harasses her about $8,000 worth of checks

TSA digs through woman's purse, harasses her about $8,000 worth of checks

www.datelinezero.com

At what point does an airport search step over the line?

How about when they start going through your checks, and the police call your husband, suspicious you were clearing out the bank account?
…
In a side pocket she had tucked a deposit slip and seven checks made out to her and her husband, worth about $8,000.

She protested when the officer started to walk away with the checks

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The first TSA screener was a “behavior specialist.” Thinking that the woman was acting "nervous" the officer singled the woman out. After going through the lady's purse, other officers were called over there and they ganged up on the poor lady.

Nothing is likely to be done about any of this, because it's frigging government. They don't fix problems, they only cover them up.

Good ol' TSA.

www.datelinezero.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

If everyone conforms, walks around without emotion acting the same we should be fine. That is all they ask of us, sounds simple enough.


We could all wear blue overalls and work for the different Ministries and be proud members of the Party. It will be great when we have telescreens in each room and memory tubes at works and the Party is always right, bless them.



Raist

Maybe this woman was nervous because she had $8k in checks on her. I wouldn't have been since they were checks, but it's still money, so maybe THAT made her nervous?

Either way, they had no reason or right to take the money. IF she had been embezzaling, HOW does that pose a threat to airline security? It sounds more like an invasion of privacy by the 'moral police' (pardon the irony).

I thought traveling with large amounts of cash was a bigger deal than having checks. I mean, really. I could just bring my checkbook with me after depositing same said checks into a bank account.

Which makes me ask, why didn't SHE deposit those checks first? Kinda odd to travel with that much money made out to you and your spouse, no?

you don't get searched on a plane, as the plane is property of the airline. I think.

You get searched in the airport, which is nearly always the property of the government.

The PR states that flying is a privilege not a right, as such, the government, not the airline, has a right to search you to make you safe.

It seems to me that this was made up after the fact, because you are on government property, the airport - in most cases, you give them jurisdiction over you when you enter - they can do as they please with you.

People need to stop seeing the airport as a park, it is not. It is more like entering a prison. The reason for this is not for safety, but jurisdiction. Keeping you safe costs more than letting you die so the cost benefit is out of whack. The reason this is hear to stay is this is a place where the government can remind millions of folks every week, that said government has jurisdiction over them and to remember this.

I would suggest this will never end, only worse.

Originally posted by crankyoldman
People need to stop seeing the airport as a park, it is not. It is more like entering a prison. The reason for this is not for safety, but jurisdiction.

Jesus Christ. And I almost never say that, so forgive me for being crass.

It's always about obedience and hardly ever about security.

I would feign southern bell, cooperate fully, use my cellphone cam to document and then sue the expletive out of them.

Will someone from over seas sponsor me? Please, we're dying here. Or at least our Republic...

[edit on 20/8/2010 by kosmicjack]

reply to post by crankyoldman


Oh, BS. It has nothing to do with rights or freedoms. For a moment when we pass through screening, we give them permission to screen us for material/contraband that may be dangerous to ourselves and or other passengers and that's it. It is an agreement that as a group we have given others a right to search us all for that moment because there are some who walk amongst us who are not trustworthy - that agreement is made each time we decide to cross though the screening area and we can rescind it at any point up until we are in that process (passed the signage).

It has nothing to do with rights - it's just a mechanism we have agreed to temporarily for our safety when we travel on commercial aircraft. If it becomes too much of a burden people will seek other forms of transport as we see the wealthier among us already using private carriers and bypassing the TSA all together. We can at any time decide to take a car, train, private aircraft, boat or other and bypass such searches.

Last time I checked a check or checks for any amount is not contraband and is nobody's business but the owners, nor as any amount of cash under 10k. Over 10k in cash must be declared if transporting in or out of the U.S..



[edit on 20-8-2010 by verylowfrequency]

Who agreed to it? It as establshed without our input. It's a hell of lot more like coercion than a voluntary agreement. We give them permission because we have no other choice.

Originally posted by verylowfrequency
reply to post by crankyoldman

 

Oh, BS. It has nothing to do with rights or freedoms. For a moment when we pass through screening, we give them permission to screen us for material/contraband that may be dangerous to ourselves and or other passengers and that's it. It is an agreement that as a group we have given others a right to search us all for that moment because there are some who walk amongst us who are not trustworthy - that agreement is made each time we decide to cross though the screening area and we can rescind it at any point up until we are in that process (passed the signage).

It has nothing to do with rights - it's just a mechanism we have agreed to temporarily for our safety when we travel on commercial aircraft. If it becomes too much of a burden people will seek other forms of transport as we see the wealthier among us already using private carriers and bypassing the TSA all together. We can at any time decide to take a car, train, private aircraft, boat or other and bypass such searches.

Last time I checked a check or checks for any amount is not contraband and is nobody's business but the owners, nor as any amount of cash under 10k. Over 10k in cash must be declared if transporting in or out of the U.S..



[edit on 20-8-2010 by verylowfrequency]

reply to post by kosmicjack


You don't need a sponsor, just find a job teaching English, easy to do, and leave. Save your money from teaching and start a business. If your not married its even esier. I left the US years ago. I have a far better life, more freedom, less hassles and money in my pocket. There are plenty of places in this world where you can live and not be bothered. You don't have to be rich either, just willing to make a life in the real world. The US is not the world. You have about 1/2 the products availibe to you and plenty of that doesn't work as well as what we have and at less cost.

If you wait too long, you won't be able to leave. All it will take is an emergency either real or fake and your stuck. The time to leave is before they close the door. Its already a defacto police state, welcome to the USSA. The TSA and police just prove it on a daily bases. Papers please!


[edit on 8/20/2010 by pstrron]

Like they said: the airport machines can't keep records of your naked bod...
now they are shipping pictures of your children all over the place to be stored everywhere,
and viewed by anyone...
The machine not only CAN store the pictures, they have been the whole time. oh they lied...
No, it isn't about rights...not yours anyway, you don't have any.
Well they have the right to scan your children,
and in Britain they don't do it
because it contravenes child porn laws,
but it is OK in the US.
Funny too,
the shoe bomber,
the underwear bomber,
and the 911 hijackers,
all got through security
which was provided by an Israeli company...
And these people were all known in advance...operation able danger for 911 for instance...the underwear bomber's father phoned the warning in about his son for another...then he got PUT on the plane without a passport or a visa..but your children get the nekkid x ray...OK

Right, some among us ain't trustworthy alright...
you can say that again 99

[edit on 20-8-2010 by Danbones]

[edit on 20-8-2010 by Danbones]

The last time I flew through the USA, the TSA agent flipped through all the photos on my camera, asked me why I was reading the books I had with me, demanded to know why my Nintendo DS was in Japanese, scrolled through my iPod looking for ??????, and told me to hurry up while I was repacking my bag.

The last time I flew out of Beijing, the agent said: nice camera, I have the older model. Have a nice flight, sir.

America is a nice place to visit, but it just isn't worth the hassle anymore. I don't like being treated like a criminal.

i have a tendency toward paranoia (see my avatar).

paranoia is a self-perpetuating downward spiral. the very fact that you can be targeted by authorities for "acting nervous" makes me nervous which then causes me to really act nervous. and in an effort to seem less nervous, my behaviors become confusing even to myself.

and then, when asked to justify my actions, i come up blank.


it is my hypothesis that causing and maintaining this mildly-paranoid mentality is one of the primary functions of modern government.


getting through airport security is exhausting for me.

In this case, I think TSA overstepped their authority.

They are supposed to keep air travel safe - not search for POSSIBLE crimes. A person flying with $8,000 in checks is not a threat to the safety of others.

I think people consent to be search in order to have TSA clear for threats. They DON'T consent for TSA to search them to find possible crimes.

Once TSA took a disposable camera. I didn't have time to check it but for some reason they said I couldn't have it. They kept asking me what secret pictures I had. Lost all my vacation pictures.

Originally posted by verylowfrequency
reply to post by crankyoldman

 

Oh, BS. It has nothing to do with rights or freedoms. For a moment when we pass through screening, we give them permission to screen us for material/contraband that may be dangerous to ourselves and or other passengers and that's it. It is an agreement that as a group we have given others a right to search us all for that moment because there are some who walk amongst us who are not trustworthy - that agreement is made each time we decide to cross though the screening area and we can rescind it at any point up until we are in that process (passed the signage).
It has nothing to do with rights - it's just a mechanism we have agreed to temporarily for our safety when we travel on commercial aircraft. If it becomes too much of a burden people will seek other forms of transport as we see the wealthier among us already using private carriers and bypassing the TSA all together. We can at any time decide to take a car, train, private aircraft, boat or other and bypass such searches.
Last time I checked a check or checks for any amount is not contraband and is nobody's business but the owners, nor as any amount of cash under 10k. Over 10k in cash must be declared if transporting in or out of the U.S..
[edit on 20-8-2010 by verylowfrequency] [/quot

========================================

OH BS ! To you too Sir. It has everything to do with individual and collective freedoms. TSA engages in the evisceration of the four Amendment with great glee. " For a moment " ? I usually arrive two hours early to begin this ' Process '. We never gave them permission to do any of this nonsense. I did not give up my RIGHT to be secure in my person,papers or effects . There is also no probable cause to suspect me of having engaged in or am about to commit a crime. They imply that I relinquish said right through efforts to coerce agreement. ' We will infringe upon your ability to travel unencumbered by refusing to allow you to travel by the most expedient method at your disposal.
" A mechanism we have agreed to temporarily for our safety when we travel on commercial aircraft " I, nor anyone I know, agreed to this "mechanism". Did they ask you ? Do you ACTUALLY believe this violation of innocent travelers is ' TEMPORARY "?
I can think of numerous reasons why boats ,cars ,trains, private aircraft , hitch hiking ,swimming walking or hot-air balloons would place undue burden on a traveler. There was a civil case on this very issue. The passenger failed to gain satisfaction. HOWEVER there will be additional civil suits claiming violations of federal statutes or constitutional rights. Eventually the people will win. It is incumbent upon the traveling public to raise hell. Additionally, we have an obligation to assist the less informed ( YOU )

Originally posted by pstrron
reply to post by kosmicjack

 

You don't need a sponsor, just find a job teaching English, easy to do, and leave. Save your money from teaching and start a business. If your not married its even esier. I left the US years ago. I have a far better life, more freedom, less hassles and money in my pocket.
...
[edit on 8/20/2010 by pstrron]

Crap. And I just read an article at CATO titled "Americans Voting With Their Feet", about an interesting trend of Americans leaving.

Sad. For 200 years people came here to escape the very tyranny that is starting to drive people out of the U.S.

One place in the World your garanteed to find countless nervous people, is at an Airport, and they know it.

They use being nervous as an excuse to search your personal papers and belongings, to an extent I can agree, but this is way too far.

I was hoping to head to the USA early next year in the hope of opening a buisness over there possibly emplying up to 12 people, but I am giving serious thought to withdrawing any investment I am thinking of making until this nonsense is stopped, its going beyond a joke it really is.

Maybe everyone who intends to fly should begin to act weird when they get to the airport, if they have thousands of people to search it will soon force a change of policy, because planes would begin to take off empty, and that would force the airlines to ask for a complete revue, after all its them who have to find another seat for those delayed by this rubbish.

Use their own system to stop them, if they are over run, they will have zero choice but to rethink how they work.

Unless there is a change soon, I am gonna stay put, not going to invest where it isnt wanted.

Or indeed where I have to share all my private information with some strange folk who are letting power go to their heads, I have a lot more important things to care about.

Originally posted by vox2442
The last time I flew through the USA, the TSA agent flipped through all the photos on my camera, asked me why I was reading the books I had with me, demanded to know why my Nintendo DS was in Japanese, scrolled through my iPod looking for ??????, and told me to hurry up while I was repacking my bag.

The last time I flew out of Beijing, the agent said: nice camera, I have the older model. Have a nice flight, sir.

America is a nice place to visit, but it just isn't worth the hassle anymore. I don't like being treated like a criminal.

I know enough of TSA procedures to say that this is NOT proper. you may wish to contact the TSA supervisor at that airport. like any organisation there are going to be a few hardheads what can't handle a little authority. if you feel you have a legitimate greivance report it.

terrorists haven't killed any US air passengers since 09/11/01. TSA must be doing something halfway right.

Originally posted by works4dhs
... terrorists haven't killed any US air passengers since 09/11/01. TSA must be doing something halfway right.

They are also doing a lot of thing all the way wrong. I agree with Benjamin Franklin when he warned against exchanging liberty for security and ending up with neither.

reply to post by mother1138


This was the straw that broke the camel's back.
I am never flying again,unless it is in a cessna,
piper cub...I almost kiss the ground when I have
flown in one of those planes.

Originally posted by crankyoldman
you don't get searched on a plane, as the plane is property of the airline. I think.

You get searched in the airport, which is nearly always the property of the government.

The PR states that flying is a privilege not a right, as such, the government, not the airline, has a right to search you to make you safe.

It seems to me that this was made up after the fact, because you are on government property, the airport - in most cases, you give them jurisdiction over you when you enter - they can do as they please with you.

People need to stop seeing the airport as a park, it is not. It is more like entering a prison. The reason for this is not for safety, but jurisdiction. Keeping you safe costs more than letting you die so the cost benefit is out of whack. The reason this is hear to stay is this is a place where the government can remind millions of folks every week, that said government has jurisdiction over them and to remember this.

I would suggest this will never end, only worse.

And this is why I have not set foot in an airport since the TSA and Homeland Security sprang into existence.

I have too much self respect.

Air Travel is less than a 100 years old and we crossed continents and circumnavigated the world without it prior to that.

People have a hard time fathoming why I won't subject myself to being treated like a common criminal while paying for a service.

Just as they have a hard time fathoming why I won't shop at Wal-Mart or make purchases with my money that hurt the economy by funnelling a good portion of the profits overseas, or to companies exporting jobs overseas.

The truth is if Americans boycotted the airports and refused to travel on the commercial airlines because of draconian security measures, this practice would quickly end.

Eventually a free market itself will dictate what freedoms you can actually have, if you exercise your own freedom not to enrich businesses and practices that intrude on your freedoms.

Sadly America is no longer the home of the free and the brave, where smart ressilient men know that a seat back safety cushion that also doubles as a flotation device made out of thick foam is thicker than a pair of box cutters.

Those who would trade their liberty for security deserve neither.