drew - Latest Comments

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

ReikiHealingHarp — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:24:25 -0000

Hi Drew,

THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR YOUR FRIEND!!!

I am a healing harpist, and I would be happy to play for your friend via Skype. I play for cancer patients and others, to help them relax, so their treatments work better. My web site address is at the bottom.

And I also have had several TSA experiences, which has given me Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...here is what I sent to the ACLU. They are reviewing my case, and will be contacting me by the end of November.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's the summary:

On Feb. 25, I was patted-down by Raleigh Airport TSA, and I passed out. I was refused medical attention by both the TSA and the RDU Police Department. Instead, I was forced into a "private room" with 6 other people, and thorough patted down. During this process, I was held up by the arms by two male TSA officers, and I passed out twice more. Consequently I have been diagnosed with PTSD and am currently under the care of a physician and psychologist. I have all the names, badge numbers, and correspondence with everyone from the time of the event to present time. Much of the early stuff is posted on a blog.

Here's what I want:

Before a pat-down begins, I want the TSA agent to look the passenger in the eyes, and ask permission to touch each of the four quadrants of the body -- front and back torso, front and back legs. I want them to be required to get both a visual and verbal affirmative for each of those quadrants before they begin the search of each quadrant -- which means they have to ask four questions and get four answers, one at a time.

And I want it to be an assault and sex crime if they don't.

I want the TSA to have a specific written policy for handling passengers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I also need assistance in filing the proper forms to get compensated for all of my medical bills and damages related to these incidents.

A longer summary...

On December 15, 2010, I went through security in San Francisco (this is a privately run security system, Coventry Aviation, under the Federal TSA). I elected to have a pat-down because I had not yet had time to research the body scanners. When the TSA agent touched my genitals, I stopped her and said: "I have been raped before. Please be delicate with me." She said: "You can request a private room." I said: "I don't want a private room because that's where I was raped." She continued to touch me and touched my genitals three more times over my protests. She kept saying mechanically, "You can request a private room."

When she finished, I starting shaking and crying uncontrollably for a few minutes. A male TSA officer threatened to have me arrested if I didn't stop making a scene.

I was able to pull myself together, and asked for help at the Hawaiian Airlines counter, the airline I was flying. The agent was sympathetic, but said that the airlines had no line of communication with the TSA. She encouraged me to go back and file a claim. I worked up my courage and went back.

I talked to four different TSA officers before I found the supervisor. He was the guy who moments before had threatened to have me arrested. He didn't remember me, even when I explained who I was. I asked for a complaint form, and he said they didn't have any. Finally, he went to his laptop and printed a form, two per page, cut it in half and handed me one.

I shook and cried all the way to Honolulu. Once we arrived in HNL, I went straight to the TSA booth and asked to report that I had been assaulted and threatened. The Honolulu TSA were shocked at the treatment I received, and immediately helped me fill out the correct forms, and got me a case number. Honolulu TSA said that TSA took these things very seriously, and that I should expect a call within a week. I never got a call. We filed complaint after complaint. This is all documented on my blog.

The result? Nothing.

On February 25, 2011, I went through security in Raleigh, North Carolina. This was the first time I had been through a mainland TSA check point since the December event, and I was very nervous (I have never had a problem in Hilo, my home airport). I had decided ahead of time that it was better to risk the body scanner than go through another pat down.

When I arrived at the airport, however, I saw that the TSA was using both metal detectors and body scanners that morning. I also saw that the people going through the metal detectors were receiving very light pat-downs, waist-up only.

I changed my mind, and I tried to get into the metal detector line. However, the TSA agents were directing only men through the metal detectors, and women were being required to go through the body scanner.

I emptied my pockets of all metal, and went through the body scanner, unhappy that I wasn't given a choice. Many men who were forced through a pat-down didn't look very happy either.

The TSA officer asked what was in my pocket. I hadn't thought about my -- foam earplugs. I handed them to her.

Without one word to me, she walked around behind me, and started touching me without permission. I thought that I would be able to take it because I had just seen that the men were being patted down from the waist up.

I began a mantra: "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this." The TSA officer began the pat-down, and when she touched my genitals, I passed out.

I hit the floor so hard I split my lip (though it was slight). I woke up screaming, crying and completely disoriented. The RDU police officer took one look at me and said, scornfully: "Oh, I thought this was a medical emergency," and began to walk away from me.

When my husband said, "This is a medical emergency," the police officer said, "No, it's not." and kept walking. My husband got angry and he was quickly surrounded and kept away from me. No one helped me off the floor. I pulled myself up and went to get my things. When I collapsed again, a male TSA officer helped me to a bench, where I started shaking and crying uncontrollably again.

I began getting dressed when a female TSA supervisor appeared and said: "You're not done. Take off your clothes, I mean, remove your shoes."

She then required me to go with her into a "private room" with two female TSA officers, two male officers, the RDU police officer, and my husband. I refused to go anywhere without him.

They had me stand, and the female TSA supervisor thoroughly searched me again. When I collapsed again, she ordered the two male TSA officers to hold me up by the arms while the searched me. I passed out once more before they let me go.

When they finished, I made sure and got everyone's name and number. I asked the supervisor "Do you know that one in four women has been raped?" She said, "Yes, and I'm one of them." So the TSA knows that they are treading on dangerous territory but have no policy for it. She said, "You are free to go." I was never offered any medical assistance.

We flew to San Francisco via Washington Dulles. I lost consciousness at least once and perhaps twice on the Washington flight. I didn't dare ask for help after the treatment I had received.

We arrived in San Francisco, and checked into our hotel in Los Gatos, near San Jose. The next couple of days, I spent my time calling, emailing and filing reports with anyone who could help me with this grave trampling of my human rights.

I filed reports with the TSA, and this time spoke to a TSA representative in Raleigh (this is all detailed on my blog). I also filed a complaint with the RDU Police department.

The Raleigh Durham Airport Police did a completel investigation, including interviewing me and my husband quite carefully and taking detailed notes. We spoke with them several times. They did an investigation into the incident and responded with a cryptic, one-paragraph "thank you" from their attorneys.

The TSA refused to budge. The Raleigh TSA claimed that they had the right to search me anytime I entered the airport, regardless of the injury to my health. I have the emails that say this.

After two days of working on filing police reports, trying to communicate with the TSA, and handle the stress this was putting on my marriage, I had another collapse. This time, I had my husband take me to the emergency room at Good Samaritan Hospital, in Los Gatos. They diagnosed me with a panic attack, and gave me a horrendously strong pharmaceutical, Lorazapam, and a few simple-minded stress-reduction ideas.

A week later, I needed to fly again, and so I got busy and contacted the TSA in San Francisco, which is a separate entity from most of the US Airports. I had a very nice exchange of information with Al Hepner, who listened with compassion and worked with me to come up with a way for me to pass through security. Basically, they hand walked me through the first time. On another flight, I called ahead, and found that the TSA agents were much, much more polite when I arrived. Mr. Hepner has been professional enough to make these accommodations for me whenever I fly through SFO. I contacted TSA in Raleigh, and told them that I had worked out a plan with the SFO TSA. Raleigh TSA said that whatever arrangements I had made with SFO would not apply to Raleigh because RDU is a "federalized" security system, while SFO is private.

Once I arrived home on the Big Island, in early March 2011, I turned my attention to *why* I had passed out. A very talented psychologist determined that I had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that the TSA pat-downs had triggered an attack. With that knowledge, we were able to begin a program of treatment. At the same time, I also saw my physician, who ordered tests of my brain chemistry, which showed that I had been under tremendous amounts of stress. Again, a program of treatment is underway and going well. As you may know, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, the TSA is acting like this is not the case.

About a month ago, I got a letter from the TSA stating that they had investigated my case and had discovered that there was no gender discrimination in the Raleigh incident. I wrote back and said, I hadn't claimed that there was gender discrimination. I claimed that I had passed out during a pat-down and was denied medical treatment. The TSA person wrote back and gave me the info for filing a claim -- a form that comes up with a dollar amount that they can pay. This in not on my blog. I haven't decided whether to post this or not.

I also spent some time informing myself about how to dress and pack to get easily through security. I now have an outfit that I always travel in, and had been working until Sept. 22. I also knew that if the TSA does a pat-down, their policy is that they have to tell you what they are going to do before they do it.

On September 22, 2011, I went through security in San Jose. I was wearing my travel outfit, which consists of tight black yoga pants (no pockets), a skin-tight white t-shirt, a sports bra, and a lightweight button-down shirt as a jacket, which I remove when going through the body scanner. I wear argyle socks, and either walking shoes or slip-ons. This day, I elected to go through the body scanner. I was stopped first by a man, then a woman, then there was a shift change to a third person (all this shuffling is game playing to attempt to confuse me).

The new TSA woman was chewing gum, sticking ear pieces in, strapping on her equipment and saying, in an unprofessional, too familiar voice: "Just a minute, honey. I'll be with you in a minute, sweetie." Then without warning, she came around behind me and touched my hair. I had my hair clipped up in a bun, and this was why they stopped me. Because my hair was in a bun. She never asked if she could touch me. She never said why they had stopped me. She never told me what she was going to do. Then she said, "Ok, you're done."

When it was over, I leaned over to her and said, "When you search me again, I would appreciate it if you would tell me first because I have PTSD." She said, "What's that?" I said, "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." She stood stock-still and stopped chewing her gum. She got a twisted look on her face that told me she knew was supposed to ask before touching, and didn't.

Fortunately, my flight had been delayed, so I had a couple of hours to spend doing my various calming exercises, including playing an impromptu harp concert for my fellow passengers (I am a healing harpist). I had good flights, and was relieved to arrive home. However, when I opened my suitcase, I saw that the TSA had opened my bag. They did not put the hair conditioner back properly, and so it sprayed everywhere. I have pictures. Sigh.

I have not yet filed a complaint with the TSA about this event.

Bottom Line: The TSA is required by their own policy to tell a passenger what they are going to do before they touch. However, I have never experienced this. Instead, each time they touch me without my permission it affects my physical and mental health. I have a diagnosis and the TSA has refused to help me. I have spoken with many sexual trauma organizations, and several attorneys, including Robert Marx and Eric Seitz, all of whom feel the case is beyond the scope of their firms.

(Remember, this is what I have sent to the ACLU...)

I hope you can help. 1) I would like help filling out my claims forms filled out correctly to be compensated. 2) I would like the TSA to be *required* to ask and receive answers to four questions before touching the four quadrants of the body. I want them to be required to treat each passenger with dignity.
3) If not, it should be considered an assault or sex crime. 4) I would like a specific policy written for handling passengers who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Thank you for all you do.

Cymber Lily Quinn
Hakalau, Hawaii
www.ReikiHealingHarp.com

Here's my TSA blog:
http://make-tsa-reasonable....

Re: The Email that I sent to Steve Jobs

John E. Bredehoft (Empoprises) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:10:32 -0000

In a few places, I've made the comment that Jobs' most important contribution wasn't his company or his products, but his vision. Your post has caused me to rethink that; perhaps his most important contribution was his inspiration to the visions of others.

Re: Lori wins, the TSA apologizes

Lori Dorn — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:00:49 -0000

We won. I couldn't have done this without you.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Rick — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:22:44 -0000

-TSA-

I just want to say what Lori went through was a poor showing by the TSA and any representatives at the time of the incident. Now, I want to explain the actions of an agency, which has improper training and the importance of seeing a bigger picture when it comes down to these types of incidents occurring. So my background: 23 years in Law Enforcement: Air Force, Arizona State Corrections, Lompoc Penitentiary, Santa Barbara County Jail, Santa Barbara Deputy Sherriff, Santa Barbara Police Department now retired and doing investigations for a private firm. I give this background information to give solutions and explain why what happened did happen.

First: 9/11 a scary incident in which folks like me were thrust into a new realm of thinking about what can happen on our homeland. Since 9/11 occurred I can't tell you how much training I have received in terrorism and counter terrorism. Years and years of it, now throw in the incidents of subjects walking into public places and killing ten or more people only to end their own lives in the end. So now you add more training on top of that and hours of practice on how to diffuse a situation or think on your feet. It raises questions like do I go in before backup arrives and engage the shooter? Is it my job to sacrifice my life for strangers in a building where i don't know any of them? In my case I have been in four shootings in my career, so the answer for me is, "Yes" I go in my life comes second.

What does this have to do with what Lori experienced? It has a lot to do with it and I can tell you the one thing I have is years of training. TSA agents are very poorly trained in fact most will tell you the last job they had was at Trader Joes or at a bank. The young ones have hopes to become cops one day and in reality it probably won't happen. I have years of training in interrogation, interview skills and how to read people (Common Sense). Again TSA agents get maybe ten hours of communication skills training a huge flaw which could be easily fixed. What's the solution then??? TSA needs to become a police force with a lot of training and proper search techniques. So even though Lori got an apology from TSA it's far from over and more of these incidents will happen. So I am just writing to give you perspective on why it happens so often and why nice folks like Lori suffer at the hands of organizations like TSA. To be honest TSA would need to pay me six figures for my experience and others like me, which in a time of budgets they would rather hire four people for what I cost. It's cheap to issue an official letter saying sorry we goofed! Again I am not protecting TSA, just explaining why they are the agency they have become.

Ric

ralvarado2639@yahoo.com

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Pansy Bumbleroot — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:13:53 -0000

Remember bladder cancer survivor Tom Sawyer? The TSA roughly patted-down his urostomy bag (it spilled the collected urine on his shirt and pants).

He later accepted the personal apology from TSA chief John Pistole, who told Mr. Sawyer there would be more training to help airport screeners better understand the medical condition.

For about a year, we were all happy. Until Mr. Sawyer recently reported that nothing has changed. I'd tell your friend Lori to be cautious accepting the TSA's apology... you shouldn't have to accept empty words because those aren't an apology.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

DWB — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:00:35 -0000

This is the government's way of saying, "We can do anything we want to you and your children" and the majority of the sheeple meekly submit. It's scary.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Mrj17828 — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:11:38 -0000

They should put these people from HOMELAND SECURITY on the boarder in Texas to watch for illegal aliens....

Re: That’s not what I ordered…

Chris's mom — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:43:22 -0000

I blame Drews Cancer for the "mass" that was found in my 34 year old son's neck. Get OUT!!! Leave us alone. Go BACK to HELL where you belong!!!!! You CAN NOT have my son!!!

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Rhett — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:38:59 -0000

While I don't support the TSA, the fact is that Lori had the right to demand a private area for her molestation. I know this because I also have medical issues and ask for it every time.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Don Martelli — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:00:20 -0000

Well said.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Fisher1949 — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:16:58 -0000

TSA is a jobs program creating an illusion of airline security. After nearly a trillion dollars over eight years they can't cite one success. Meanwhile 60% of the freight in the cargo hold remains unscreened, half of that from foreign shippers.

Add to that the 52 TSA screeners arrested this year for serious crimes, including two last month, one for rape and the other for murder. Of these, nine have been for sex crimes involving children. They can’t prevent crime within their own ranks, but we’re supposed to trust this agency with airport security.

There is no excuse to harass and humiliate this woman simply for the "crime" of flying. The guards at Treblinka were just doing their job too and sadly even had those who excused their atrocities.

This is a clear failure in management and explains why so many abuses are occurring. Pistole and the senior staff of TSA have failed miserably in managing this agency and it must be abolished.

TSA Crimes and Abuses
http://www.travelundergroun...

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Poseley — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:36:13 -0000

Good for you I can't agree more. I'm so sorry she had to go through that. What does this teach young people? How do you explain to kids not to let strangers touch you - except if it's someone in the airport in uniform?

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Rick Rottman — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:03:49 -0000

I guess they thought she was a radical Islamic terrorist.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Danrowans Techreport — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:00:04 -0000

Legal rape. All in the name of national secuIty? Spare me.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Sarah Arrow — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:07:38 -0000

I am saddened to read this, Lori is a human being and should be treated as such - not a piece of meat to be molested in the name of making flying safer :(

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Dan — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:52:26 -0000

Drew-
I came across your blog after reading about Lori on Gizmodo, and I have to say I agree. The scariest thing is how many people seem to be asking "what's the big deal?"

Do people need to start pressing charges with the city/county/state authorities against the TSA and the agent(s) responsible before they start taking this seriously?

And what will happen to the first to bring charges against the TSA? I can't imagine it'll be pretty.

How will the Federal Government intimidate the complainant(s)? No fly list for sure... maybe they might "randomly" be chosen by the IRS for an audit... I'm sure a call from the FBI to their employer(s) might make continued employment a challenge...

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

katmulkey — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:14:17 -0000

Lori, I'm sorry they put you through that. grrrr.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Lori Dorn — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:02:27 -0000

And I love you too Drew.

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

Ryan Meray — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:58:01 -0000

TSA are a goddamned joke. They don't even create the illusion of security anymore. Does anyone think for a second these halfwits are going to stop a terrorist attack by molesting cancer patients?

Re: Dear TSA, (don’t read this mom) FUCK YOU. #BlameTSA

C.C. Chapman — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:56:02 -0000

I fucking hate that this kind of stuff is happening over and over again.

Security is one thing, but this woman has followed the rules and shouldn't have to go through this shit. She is dealing with enough already and then to have to worry about this every time she flies?

This shit is getting old really fast.

Re: I’ve retired from “Community Management”, here’s why.

RexDixon — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:13:49 -0000

Congrats - thought so!

Re: I’ve retired from “Community Management”, here’s why.

John Halcyon Styn — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:53:58 -0000

Congrats! <3

Re: I’ve retired from “Community Management”, here’s why.

Amanda Mac — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:53:29 -0000

Good for you Drew! It's nice to be able to do what you want to do. :)

Re: I’ve retired from “Community Management”, here’s why.

davidjacobs — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:51:01 -0000

On to the next one, on to the next one. You rock wherever you are dude.

Re: I’ve retired from “Community Management”, here’s why.

matt j. — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:33:24 -0000

wha-wha-wha?!? dude, congrats.

you + hermione are going to tear up the Valley for TNW. good luck.