jmig
SOH-CM-2025
Via AVweb http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1777-full.html#203674
SA Administrator John Pistole said Sunday there are no plans to change controversial security procedures at airports despite a growing backlash against the more detailed patdowns now being administered to some passengers. Pistole said he's heard the complaints but about 2 percent of travelers can expect to be touched where their mom and dad likely told them never to let strangers touch. "I want to be as sensitive as I can to those folks. I'm very attuned given all the concerns that have been raised," Pistole told CNN's State of the Union. "No, we're not changing the policies." President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton also said they felt the passengers', uh, pain, but they stopped short of overruling the TSA. Clinton said she'd avoid getting groped if she could. Meanwhile the Business Travel Coalition, a group representing the road warriors who rack up the most miles on airlines, is calling for a stop to so-called "opt-out" protests loosely planned for the Thanksgiving travel rush, but that doesn't mean it's giving the TSA a pass.
In an op-ed piece released Saturday, the BTC says the protest plans have called attention to the issue but it would be "irresponsible" to actually proceed with disrupting security at airports. "To advertise it in advance to the terrorists is reckless," the BTC said. The group said the use of potentially harmful X-ray machines and aggressive patdowns without prior consultation is symptomatic of the arrogance of an agency deaf to the concerns of the people who must endure its sometimes questionable practices. BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell called for a review of security policy in light of the public backlash.
SA Administrator John Pistole said Sunday there are no plans to change controversial security procedures at airports despite a growing backlash against the more detailed patdowns now being administered to some passengers. Pistole said he's heard the complaints but about 2 percent of travelers can expect to be touched where their mom and dad likely told them never to let strangers touch. "I want to be as sensitive as I can to those folks. I'm very attuned given all the concerns that have been raised," Pistole told CNN's State of the Union. "No, we're not changing the policies." President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton also said they felt the passengers', uh, pain, but they stopped short of overruling the TSA. Clinton said she'd avoid getting groped if she could. Meanwhile the Business Travel Coalition, a group representing the road warriors who rack up the most miles on airlines, is calling for a stop to so-called "opt-out" protests loosely planned for the Thanksgiving travel rush, but that doesn't mean it's giving the TSA a pass.
In an op-ed piece released Saturday, the BTC says the protest plans have called attention to the issue but it would be "irresponsible" to actually proceed with disrupting security at airports. "To advertise it in advance to the terrorists is reckless," the BTC said. The group said the use of potentially harmful X-ray machines and aggressive patdowns without prior consultation is symptomatic of the arrogance of an agency deaf to the concerns of the people who must endure its sometimes questionable practices. BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell called for a review of security policy in light of the public backlash.
