Author:
Blog About:
As a few of you know I was in a life changing accident around the beginning of the year that cost me my left leg. Over the past few months I have had my ups and downs with my recovery. As a freelance Network Designer by trade I do a lot of traveling, but until just recently I have not had to fly anywhere. Most of the time I just drive or if needed the Amtrak. (For our overseas readers that is the train.)
Back on August, 5th my husband took me on a vacation/ second honeymoon to the United Kingdom to England and Scotland. When we first arrived at the airport everything when great, we checked in went through the security scanners made our flight to Atlanta International Airport. That’s where everything went to hell. When we got to the International section of the Airport the TSA agents there became both belligerent and obnoxious. The fools can see that I am first using a cane, and second my prosthetic leg. First they tell me I can’t have my cane on board the plane, and then I have to remove my leg so they can search it for contraband.
Now I can see having to put a cane in my luggage, it can be used for a weapon. But why in the world would they need to search my leg for contraband. Now here I am trying to remove my leg while standing up. This is not an easy thing to do. I still haven’t learned everything I need to know about having a prosthetic leg and these jerks don’t even offer me a chair so they can search my leg. They won’t even let my husband give me a hand in getting it off. He had to stand there and was forced watch as these assholes just stood there as I struggled with removing my prosthetic leg. I have always traveled in a skirt and blouse sense I transitioned ten years ago as they are more comfortable. As I was removing my leg I in advent flashed my panties. I have never been more embarrassed in my life.
After we leave the U.S. and arrive in the U.K. I could not believe the deference between the two Agencies. Where in the U.S. they were rude, nasty, and almost vulgar. In the U.K. not only were they polite but also friendly and helpful, they even went so far as to explain why they needed to search my prosthetic leg. I had no idea that people have actually used amputees to smuggle drugs and other illegal substances in their prosthetics.
Now that I know I’ll rent a wheelchair from now for when I fly, because I’m not going to give our TSA agents another free show again. Take my advice ladies and gentlemen. If you don’t have to fly drive to where ever you are going. The American TSA agents are Prevs!
Comments
"Preverts"
Is there something in the BC software that prevents one from calling them what they are - PERVERTS?
Most of my interactions with the TSA have only reinforced the impression that it is staffed by people who would have a hard time holding a job where they actually had to produce something useful/valuable. Just like security guards. Yes, I know, there are exceptions - I knew one security guard at one of my customers who was doing that to pay his way through college - one of the few who didn't try to make fun of my name.
Your account reminds me of a scripture:
"We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion."
Yes, indeed, that's the TSA.
The TSA does not choose the brightest or most curtious.
I have seen many horror stories about the TSA on TV and the internet.
On the news I once saw how a guy who had just had surgery and had a catheter and bag attached under his loose fitting clothing was searched roughly by the agents doing the pat downs. He told them about the catheter and bag they did not listen and ruptured the bag on themselves and the passenger. The passenger had just replaced the bag so there would not be much in it but still there was some urine in it. The TSA agent got furious with him and tried to have him detained where he would miss his flight for what happened. The passenger had to fight tooth and nail with the bureaucracy of the TSA just to make his flight. The TSA agents out at check points probably are not all this bad but as they say it only takes one bad fruit to spoil the bunch. The question is how many are actually bad fruit and how few are the good ones.
"Cortana is watching you!"