What do they know that they are not telling us?
I was intrigued by Cyrus Halls' post at Facebook on the effects of the new 'up close and very personal' Pat Down policy. He linked to a very good article at http://boardingarea.com
TSA Enhanced Pat Downs : The Screeners Point Of View
OK, we have an interesting article that is topical. The content is informative, gross, funny, and weird. Whatever is done, for good or ill, affects patter and pattee alike. Patters don't like it, maybe more so than pattees.
Here's my question. What do the folks at TSA, or Homeland Security for that matter, know that they are not telling us? I understand the concept of stepped up security, they call it 'enhanced security' and the idea that higher levels of threat alert require more intrusive and disruptive measures.
What we have in an increased, full body pat down is a level of personal intrusion that is considered a violation, if not sexual assault, in other circumstances. Security officers are having difficulty in accepting what they must do. They do not like to touch other people's bodies in search of dangerous contraband.
'Enhanced Pat Down' is as disturbing, unsatisfying, and demeaning for security officers as it is for passengers. A security officer does not have a good day at the office, ever, when it involves 'enhanced Pat Downs." I suspect the unease, great at times, is not a passing thing that will be absorbed by the passage of time.
In organizations of any consequence, nascent policy matters are are exercised up and down the organization chart. The idea is to get all angles of the proposed policy reviewed in great detail. More times than not, a bad policy proposal is discarded or greatly adjusted. Weaknesses and alternatives are discussed. Opinions and reviews are solicited from legal, human resources, third party representatives, communications departments, law enforcement, etc.
Occasionally, a real "howler" gets through. For the most part you get, at the end, a pretty good policy that has been thought through to a "fare-thee-well."
So why do we get such a distasteful policy that will cause enormous anxiety and unkind responses from all sides? Is it really good for the country to train the security officers to palpate under folds of fat, and make contact with a traveler's genitals and accost their modesty?
Couldn't they come up with something better, less intrusive, and without an emotional and psychological burden on all involved? If the answer is, "No!," as it apparently is, then I ask again, "What do the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security know that they are not telling us.?"
What are they expecting? For what danger are they preparing lines of defense that require micro-inspections of body regions, the not-so-mini degradations for millions of people?
If your answer is, "It's the fucking terrorists with bombs, you stupid moron!," you missed the point. All experienced security professionals will advise to focus on fewer threats that have bigger and more deadly consequences, and even ignore threats (put them lower on the lists that have minimal chances for doing major, lasting harm.
For example, it would be foolish to devote enormous resources to guarantee that no one will throw a Molotov cocktail over the embassy wall. But, you do have to guarantee that explosives are not planted inside the embassy compound that will demolish the entire structure and kill scores, even hundreds of people.
Another truism in the security business, is that your most intrusive, obtrusive, even invasive, security measures are reserved for times of high likelihood of severe threats. I'm talking very, very severe threats.
One of the extreme measures is martial law and the suspension of Habeas Corpus. If a President wants to suspend civil liberties, and declare martial law, there damn well should be very good reason.
So I ask my question again. What are they expecting that they haven't told us? If the answer is that these are just heightened precautionary measures, and not indicative of anything we haven't experienced before, then I start to worry – a lot.
I would worry a lot less if I learned that these measures were dictated by risk averse management – and the hell with whomever complains. I would feel much safer if this is all a pretense to obfuscate the purposes of sweet heart deals for politically connected security providers.
But, if this is serious, well considered policy that has been properly staffed (this refers to what we call 'staff work' in organizations,) then I am really worried and would like to find out, “What do they know that they are not telling us?”
From the TSA website:
Pat-downs For Travelers
What triggers a pat-down?
Pat-downs are used to resolve alarms at the checkpoint, including those triggered by metal detectors and AIT units. Pat-downs are also used when a person opts out of AIT screening in order to detect potentially dangerous and prohibited items. Because pat-downs are specifically used to resolve alarms and prevent dangerous items from going on a plane, the vast majority of passengers will not receive a pat-down at the checkpoint.
What can I do to prevent an alarm at the security checkpoint?
The majority of pat-downs occur when a passenger alarms either the metal detector or the AIT unit. To reduce this circumstance, the most important thing you can do is take everything out of your pockets before you go through screening. Also, when traveling, avoid wearing clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go through security.
What do I do during a pat-down?
All passengers have important rights during a pat-down. You have the right to request the pat-down be conducted in a private room and you have the right to have the pat-down witnessed by a person of your choice. All pat-downs are only conducted by same-gender officers. The officer will explain the pat-down process before and during the pat-down. If you have a medical device, please inform the officer.
Will children receive pat-downs?
Transportation Security Officers will work with parents to resolve any alarms at the checkpoint. If required, a child may receive a modified pat-down. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children have taken all items out of their pockets as they go through the security checkpoint.
TSA Statement on New Pat-down Procedures
"TSA is in the process of implementing new pat-down procedures at checkpoints nationwide as one of our many layers of security to keep the traveling public safe. Pat-downs are one important tool to help TSA detect hidden and dangerous items such as explosives. Passengers should continue to expect an unpredictable mix of security layers that include explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, among others."
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