The backlash continues. Exercise the power of NO.
Sanford Airport to opt out of TSA screening
By Marva Hinton November 18, 2010 6:25 AM
Reporter: Ken Tyndall
The backlash continues over those new TSA screening measures, and now one Central Florida airport has decided to go with a private security screening firm.
Orlando Sanford International Airport has decided to opt out from TSA screening.
"All of our due diligence shows it's the way to go," said Larry Dale, the director of the Sanford Airport Authority. "You're going to get better service at a better price and more accountability and better customer service."
Dale says he will be sending a letter requesting to opt out from TSA screening, and instead the airport will choose one of the five approved private screening companies to take over.
Congressman John Mica, who's expected to lead the powerful Transportation Committee next year, says the TSA is crying out for reform.
"I think TSA is overstepping its bounds," said Mica.
Dale says, if all goes as planned, the private security firm could take over in about 12 months.
The TSA points out that even if an airport decides to use a private firm for security, the screeners still must follow TSA guidelines. That would include using enhanced pat-downs and the full-body scanners if they are installed at the airport.
**************************************************
Man arrested after punching TSA screener in Indy
John A. Christina, 51, Simsbury, Conn. was arrested Tuesday after allegedly punching a TSA screener in the chest during an examination at Indianapolis International Airport.
A Connecticut man has been arrested after exchanging words and punching a TSA screener at a security checkpoint at Indianapolis International Airport.
According to a report from airport police, John A. Christina, 51, Simsbury, Conn., was charged with battery as a misdemeanor in connection with the incident about 2:50 p.m. Tuesday at the Concourse B checkpoint.
Christina, who could not be reached for comment today, was released from jail on $150 bond and scheduled in Marion Superior Court 10 on Dec. 13.
Jim Fotenos, spokesman for the Transportation Security Agency, said in an airport police report, "Our transportation security officers work on the front lines to protect the nation from a terrorist attack and physical violence against them is shameful. TSA will work with local authorities to see that appropriate action is taken."
Airport officials declined further comment while the incident is under investigation.
Similar security checkpoint incidents at other U.S. airports have drawn concern and protests the past two weeks since TSA instituted search and pat-down procedures that some fliers believe are too personal and intrusive.
It is not completely clear from the police report why Christina punched TSA agent Gregory J. Hutman, 28, Vandalia, Ohio.
The report does not indicate that Christina refused to be screened before entering the concourse and boarding an airplane. He had already stood and been scanned in a full-body advanced imaging machine before the incident.
After he stepped from the machine, the men talked, but full details of the exchange are not in the police report.
But it indicates that Christina said he has a history of medical issues, including two metal implants, a colostomy bag and a fused right wrist.
According to the report, as Christina stepped from the scanner, he asked Hutman a question, though the report doesn't provide details.
Hutman responded, according to the report, "He's not from the Indianapolis airport and was not familiar with the process you are talking about." The report doesn't explain further.
"After the conversation, Christina punched him with his right closed fist in the middle of his chest," the report said.
When Hutman asked why Christina hit him, Christina said, "I was only kidding with you," according to the report.
Call Star reporter Bruce C. Smith at (317) 444-6081.
**************************************************
GOP lawmaker: Full-body scanners violate Fourth Amendment
By Elise Viebeck - 11/17/10 10:29 AM ET
A GOP lawmaker said Tuesday the full-body scanners now employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) violate the Fourth Amendment to the constitution, which protects against "unreasonable searches and seizures."
During a one-minute speech on the House floor, Rep. Ted Poe (Texas) also blasted former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff as a "political hack" and accused him of profiting from the proliferation of the devices.
"There is no evidence these new body scanners make us more secure. But there is evidence that former Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff made money hawking these full body scanners," Poe said.
He went on to explain that Chertoff, who served under President George W. Bush, had given interviews promoting the scanners while he was "getting paid" to sell them.
"[T]he populace is giving up more rights in the name of alleged security. These body scanners are a violation of the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures ... There must be a better way to have security at airports than taking pornographic photographs of our citizens, including children, and then giving apparent kickbacks to political hacks."
Chertoff has advocated for the use of full-body scanners since he took his post at DHS in 2005.
As of January, his consulting agency, the Chertoff Group, counted among its clients one of the machines' manufacturers.
The group responded with a statement on Wednesday.
"The Chertoff Group played no role in the sale of whole body imaging technology to TSA," said spokeswoman Katy Montgomery. "Further, Secretary Michael Chertoff was in no way compensated for his public statements, in which he has consistently expressed long held beliefs in the deployment of effective technologies and techniques that eliminate security vulnerabilities such as those illustrated last year during the terrorist attempt on Christmas Day. Any statements to the contrary are false."
