If memory serves, Richard Reid, the shoe bomber, was born and raised in the USA, although he was of Middle-Eastern descent; he was not European.
Actually, I think you'll find he was a Brit, born and raised in the UK. Not one of our proud citizens I might add.
Back to the 'cooler' topic of airport body scanners, from what I'm hearing, the actual airport folks viewing the on-screen images/scans are located in another room and cannot actually see the person being scanned. Likewise the airport person standing with the passenger cannot see the on-screen images. My only concern with this setup is that any TG person passing through a scanner most likely will reveal their forms or other tucked away things. Consequently, the person viewing the scanned images may not know this is a TG person and could single them out for some follow up screening. Thankfully, there is the option of having a body pat down in lieu of the scanner, so I would recommend this if you're planning to fly enfemme as this may attract less attention. Remember you're entitled to request a female airport security person do this if you're presenting as female.
After the December 25th incident, a friend was curious about TSA's "official policy" regarding screening of transgedner traverlers. There was a little information about the way it should be on LGBT activist web sites, but she couldn't find anything directly on TSA's site.
So she emailed them:
I can't seem to find TSA's policy that describes the rules for screening transgender people? I am a trans woman with up-to-date ID, and my gender marker on DL matches my presentation, however with all of the new measures taken. . . specifically X-ray screening - anatomical inconsistencies in may surface. Which automatically "outs" me and may lead to inappropriate pat downs by male screeners, and expose me to discrimination. I have flown a number of times before and the agents have been very considerate and professional at SEA-TAC and SFO, but they are airports in very liberal cities. I worry about other places, especially since the Dec 25th incident.
And they wrote back:
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) policy for screening transgender travelers.
TSA develops requirements and policies for the security of the Nation's transportation systems. The primary purpose of passenger screening is to prevent or deter the introduction of deadly or dangerous items into an airport secured area or onboard an aircraft. TSA policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers are treated with respect and courtesy and every Federal screener receives training on professional conduct. In addition, TSA's Office of Civil Rights and Liberties ensures that TSA screens all traveling persons equally, without regard to a person's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender.
Passengers may be directed for additional screening if the information on their identification (ID) does not match their appearance; if the name on their boarding pass does not match a valid, Government-issued ID; if their clothing is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items; or if the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) cannot reasonably determine that clothing is free of any detectable threats. Passenger may also be chosen for additional screening on a random basis.
Passengers may wear whatever clothing they choose when approaching the screening checkpoint, but enhanced security measures require that all passengers remove outer coats and jackets for x-ray before proceeding through metal detectors. Passengers that alarm the metal detector will be required to undergo additional screening. Passengers directed for additional screening may undergo hand-wand screening and/or pat-down inspections. Passengers may request the screening be performed in a private screening area at anytime. TSOs are instructed to honor a passenger's request.
If additional screening is merited, the transgender passenger will receive screening by a TSO of the same gender as what the passenger presents himself or herself to be. If a passenger chooses to have additional screening done in a private screening area, a traveling companion is permitted to accompany the passenger during the private screening. If the passenger refuses additional screening, they will be denied access to the secured area.
For more information on the screening process, we recommend that you visit our "For Travelers" section located on our website at www.tsa.gov. This information is updated periodically.
I wonder what kind of trouble I could get into for flying after stitching block foil letters into my panties that read "I'm not a terrorist bomber, I just play one on the internet'.
-Michelle-
"Inside me, there's a thin girl, screaming to get out, but cookies & ice cream usually shut her right up."
after our last dive trip to mexico(oct 09) as we were leaving through security she kept setting off the alarms so she was pulled out of line questioned had a wand ran over her body several times it kept going off on her chest while still standing in full veiw a female officer asked if she was wearing an she underwire bra she said yes and the lady officer told her she would have to check and felt her up in front of everyone. shocked i decided no more bras in airportsfor me. while mine had no wire i will not chance it.mine or hers has never done that before. i can fly with no bra and change later i dont want to explain a bra(in male mode) to security officers.
Remember the light at the end of the tunnel may be U.
many very conservative islamic followers i.e. muslims are white young women. because islam has had much sucess spreading to eastern europe also there is a quickly growing number of young brit white women converting to islam and usually take it very serious hence why teenage girls should be screened just as severely as middle eastern men. who could be an uber liberal atheist going to visit friends she could be a nutter planning to blow up places for her new faith.
Lacy,
That is against TSA rules. the TSA officer is required to escort the person to a private screening area to do that procedure. If the person was Muslim it could have caused a Huge incident, if not done in private.
