XJT First Officer Roberts = Hero of Life

[damnflyboy]

Pilot Refuses Full-Body Scan, Says TSA Doesn’t Make Travel Safer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (CBS/AP) — A Tennessee pilot who says he’s tired of being manhandled by security agents is waiting to see if he will lose his job because he refused a full body scan.

ExpressJet Airlines first officer Michael Roberts was chosen for the X-ray scan Friday at Memphis International Airport. The Houston-based pilot says he also refused a pat-down and went home.
The 35-year-old Roberts told The Commercial Appeal newspaper he wants to go to work and not be “harassed or molested without cause.”
Transportation Security Administration spokesman Jon Allen says a person was turned away after refusing to follow federal security procedures but declined to say if it was Roberts, citing privacy considerations.
Roberts says he has safety concerns, but called TSA a “make-work” program that doesn’t make travel safer.
“I just kind of had to ask myself ‘Where do I stand?’ I’m just not comfortable being physically manhandled by a federal security agent every time I go to work,” he told the Commercial Appeal.
Earlier this week, CBSNewYork reported that full-body scanners have not yet been installed at New York City area airports, despite plans that were in place to have them installed at Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International, and LaGuardia airports by September.
The Transportation Security Administration told The Star-Ledger of Newark the installation is complex and the scanners would arrive “in the coming weeks.”
Passengers who prefer not to be scanned can choose to be patted down and pass through a metal detector.
TSA spokesman Ann Davis says passengers are no less safe. She says the scanners are designed to be faster and less physically intrusive than metal detectors and pat-downs.
The TSA has installed 259 scanners at 59 airports nationwide.

 

[sunlitpath]

Shut up and get in the damn machine you little sissies. Nobody wants to see your small wieners. They are looking for weapons and explosives that blow up babies and mommies. Everybody is subject to the screening; you are not special. Did they frisk you a little briskly? You poor little bitches...

 

[Hamburger]

What the hell is a Hero of Life?

Getting fired (still waiting, but likely) for walking off the job because you don't grasp the Constitution is heroic?
He should be counting his blessings that TSA didn't revoke his license, as they have the unbelievable authority to do.

At least he'll have more time to attend Tea Parties. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that FFDO is not an option in his case.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Seriously, nothing was infringed upon. As much as I don't like the TSA or their mandates, he has recourses if he doesn't want to go through the body scanner. He can get a pat down which he declined. If he declines then he doesn't enter the sterile area. It's that simple. He chose not to enter the sterile area which resulted in his no show for work status. I will say if everything that he says is true with regards to how it was handled by the authorities then I would understand his anger. That's not to say he should've missed work because of it. I would've declined the x-ray and I would've done the pat down, then I would've written letters and filed complaints. He's on the outside looking in now. I wish him luck and I don't fault him because I wasn't in his shoes, but I would've tried to keep my cool a little better and then figured out a way to combat it.

 

[damnflyboy]

Seriously, nothing was infringed upon. As much as I don't like the TSA or their mandates, he has recourses if he doesn't want to go through the body scanner. He can get a pat down which he declined. If he declines then he doesn't enter the sterile area. It's that simple. He chose not to enter the sterile area which resulted in his no show for work status. I will say if everything that he says is true with regards to how it was handled by the authorities then I would understand his anger. That's not to say he should've missed work because of it. I would've declined the x-ray and I would've done the pat down, then I would've written letters and filed complaints. He's on the outside looking in now. I wish him luck and I don't fault him because I wasn't in his shoes, but I would've tried to keep my cool a little better and then figured out a way to combat it.

Thank God. Someone with a brain.

 

[centralpilot]

How many separate threads are we going to have about this?

 

[earhart]

Seriously, nothing was infringed upon. As much as I don't like the TSA or their mandates, he has recourses if he doesn't want to go through the body scanner. He can get a pat down which he declined. If he declines then he doesn't enter the sterile area. It's that simple. He chose not to enter the sterile area which resulted in his no show for work status. I will say if everything that he says is true with regards to how it was handled by the authorities then I would understand his anger. That's not to say he should've missed work because of it. I would've declined the x-ray and I would've done the pat down, then I would've written letters and filed complaints. He's on the outside looking in now. I wish him luck and I don't fault him because I wasn't in his shoes, but I would've tried to keep my cool a little better and then figured out a way to combat it.QUOTE]

I agree- and that would have been my reaction (comply). However, there is a fundamental right being trampled on here and regardless of real or imaginary threats, this man, (pilot or not) has a right to be allowed to pass through unmolested- I advocate and understand good security measures BUT our individual rights are what made this country great- don't be so quick to give that up................

 

[the palm]

How many separate threads are we going to have about this?

Agreed. I'll go start an ASA thread.

 

[johnsonrod]

That guy sounds like a punk - but I'll fly with him anytime...

 

[Captain Morgan]

Seriously, nothing was infringed upon. As much as I don't like the TSA or their mandates, he has recourses if he doesn't want to go through the body scanner. He can get a pat down which he declined. If he declines then he doesn't enter the sterile area. It's that simple. He chose not to enter the sterile area which resulted in his no show for work status. I will say if everything that he says is true with regards to how it was handled by the authorities then I would understand his anger. That's not to say he should've missed work because of it. I would've declined the x-ray and I would've done the pat down, then I would've written letters and filed complaints. He's on the outside looking in now. I wish him luck and I don't fault him because I wasn't in his shoes, but I would've tried to keep my cool a little better and then figured out a way to combat it.QUOTE]

I agree- and that would have been my reaction (comply). However, there is a fundamental right being trampled on here and regardless of real or imaginary threats, this man, (pilot or not) has a right to be allowed to pass through unmolested- I advocate and understand good security measures BUT our individual rights are what made this country great- don't be so quick to give that up................

I agree with you as well. I guess we all handle things a little differently in life. There are plenty of times that I have had to firmly bite my lip because I was about to give these goons a piece of my mind. If I had, it wouldn't have made any difference and it would have made my day and maybe life a living hell. We need a better way to get through security and I am one for CrewPASS. It allows us an unmolested way of showing up for work. It makes sense as they do want to ensure we weren't just fired and going to go on a rampage (a la Fedex style). I also agree that rampers need to be screened. How many times have you seen the news where rampers are caught up in illegal activities.

 

[Erlanger]

I think he may of been planning to leave the business anyway and wanted his 15 mins of fame just like the Jetblue flight attendant.

 

[glasspilot]

I think he may of been planning to leave the business anyway and wanted his 15 mins of fame just like the Jetblue flight attendant.

Doubt it. This guy needs our support. Screw the TSA.

 

[CFIT]

Can't agree more that this TSA garbage has to stop. Having Flight Crews go through this level of scrutiny is just a pointless show.

But the level of radiation has never been really determined from these scanners, and if you're going through these things 3-4 times a week it could seriously reduce your life span.

I'll go with private pat down, I think if everybody did it after a while things will change.

If Al-Quida really wants something in the secure area all they have to do is get somebody with a green card to work in the food court and they bypass security with a bomb anyway.

The TSA is a multiple billion dollar joke that I hate and pay for.

 

[WSurf]

Can't agree more that this TSA garbage has to stop. Having Flight Crews go through this level of scrutiny is just a pointless show.

But the level of radiation has never been really determined from these scanners, and if you're going through these things 3-4 times a week it could seriously reduce your life span.

I'll go with private pat down, I think if everybody did it after a while things will change.

If Al-Quida really wants something in the secure area all they have to do is get somebody with a green card to work in the food court and they bypass security with a bomb anyway.

The TSA is a multiple billion dollar joke that I hate and pay for.

Yep! And now you see why many people don't want the governments hand in our healthcare system! Anything thats run by the government is pretty much a money suckin' joke!

 

[CX880]

Can't agree more that this TSA garbage has to stop. Having Flight Crews go through this level of scrutiny is just a pointless show.

But the level of radiation has never been really determined from these scanners, and if you're going through these things 3-4 times a week it could seriously reduce your life span.

I'll go with private pat down, I think if everybody did it after a while things will change.

If Al-Quida really wants something in the secure area all they have to do is get somebody with a green card to work in the food court and they bypass security with a bomb anyway.

The TSA is a multiple billion dollar joke that I hate and pay for.

Wait a minute. Pilots are not super human and with clean records just because were pilots. All we have to do is a 10 year general background check to have access to a cockpit. It's not like we do the Delta psychotic test or a military background check. Just because we wear a monkey suit at the airport doesn't mean we are above being searched. Someone will always abuse a loophole, next thing you know we'll have another Fedex style attempted takeover in flight.



By the way, as far as radiation, if you didn't know it already, you as a pilot are already getting more radiation by flying at altitude than doing a couple of xrays a week at the doctors office.

 

[COOPERVANE]

By the way, as far as radiation, if you didn't know it already, you as a pilot are already getting more radiation by flying at altitude than doing a couple of xrays a week at the doctors office.

Yes, we ALL know it. And we didn't have to go to riddle to learn it either.

So let me make sure I understand. We are already getting the equivalent of 100 chest X-rays per year what's another 100?....300? Who knows?

Is that really your argument?

 

[CFIT]

Wait a minute. Pilots are not super human and with clean records just because were pilots. All we have to do is a 10 year general background check to have access to a cockpit. It's not like we do the Delta psychotic test or a military background check. Just because we wear a monkey suit at the airport doesn't mean we are above being searched. Someone will always abuse a loophole, next thing you know we'll have another Fedex style attempted takeover in flight.



By the way, as far as radiation, if you didn't know it already, you as a pilot are already getting more radiation by flying at altitude than doing a couple of xrays a week at the doctors office.

I'm not saying that all pilots have a clean record, or that there maybe some that shouldn't be flying. My point is that why go through the puppet dance when the pilot is the guidance system of a 40 ton missle and has a crash axe behind his seat and a 12 guage flare gun?

Plus the manufactor of the scanners originally reported the the level of radiation much higher than what the TSA does. Still not lethal but much higher. Why risk it?

No scanners, and private screening, I don't care how late I am. If every airline pilot insisted on this, the policy would be changed by the end of the day.

If some third world jihadist with a green card can bypass security to work in the food court, what's the point?

Nobody wants to say it, but, PROFILING!

 

[great cornholio]

Wait a minute. Pilots are not super human and with clean records just because were pilots. All we have to do is a 10 year general background check to have access to a cockpit. It's not like we do the Delta psychotic test or a military background check. Just because we wear a monkey suit at the airport doesn't mean we are above being searched. Someone will always abuse a loophole, next thing you know we'll have another Fedex style attempted takeover in flight.



By the way, as far as radiation, if you didn't know it already, you as a pilot are already getting more radiation by flying at altitude than doing a couple of xrays a week at the doctors office.

Any screening that the TSA can do can not stop a Fedex style takeover. Why go thru the hassle of carrying a hammer when you can use the crash axe?

 

[Hamburger]

By the way, as far as radiation, if you didn't know it already, you as a pilot are already getting more radiation by flying at altitude than doing a couple of xrays a week at the doctors office.

We've got thousands of research subjects who've done dozens of years exposed to airplane background radiation and are pretty certain of it's effects.
These TSA scanners that were invented last year................not so much.
Lipitor, Crestor, Celebrex, Vytorin, Vioxx, Effoxor, Ambien, etc...................All rushed to market and signed off as safe by the same people who say the new scanners are harmless. Now all recalled/facing class action suits. Feel free to be a guinea pig, not me.

 

[pipers]

Yep! And now you see why many people don't want the governments hand in our healthcare system! Anything thats run by the government is pretty much a money suckin' joke!

yup. This country needs a few more 'blackwaters' and less DOD. Those Marines!