One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Bet you hadn't even thought of this one:
Syphilis, lice, gonorrhea, ringworm, chlamydia, staph, strep, noro and papilloma viruses all are part of the possible fringe benefits when airline passengers next go through a full hands-on pat-down by agents of the federal government's Transportation Security Administration, according to doctors...
"There is no doubt that bacteria (staph, strep, v.cholerae etc.) and viruses (noro, enteroviruses, herpes, hepatitis A and papilloma viruses) can be spread by contaminated vinyl or latex gloves," Dr. Thomas Warner of Wisconsin told WND...
"If a traveler has diarrhea and is soiled, as can and does happen, the causative agent can be spread by this method since bacteria and viruses in moist environments have greater viability."
He continued. "The traveler readjusting clothes can easily get the infectious agents on their hands and therefore into their mouth, nose or eyes."
Added a pulmonary critical care physician from Connecticut who did not want to be identified by name, "That doesn't make sense that they're not changing gloves."
"Anything can be transmitted. If there are open wounds and they [TSA agents] are not aware, there's syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, lice, ringworm."
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Nov '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
They are not changing gloves? Good God...
Here is an idea: Bundle up Janet Napolitano, put her on a plane, fly her to North Korea, and push her out the door. Hopefully, the Norks will give her a job. As incompetent as that idiot is, she will bring the North Korean regime crashing down in about two weeks. Finally she would be useful.
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
All passengers go through the metal detector. If they fail there, they have a choice to go through the scanner. Less than 3% end up getting scanned (note- Rob in Miami going through security "live", podcast 45).
I can't believe we are still talking about this.
Sep '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
That is disgusting!
We're talking about this because only a fraction of the planned scanners are actually in use. In other words, the problem is going to get bigger, not smaller.
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Duane Oyen: All passengers go through the metal detector. If they fail there, they have a choice to go through the scanner. Less than 3% end up getting scanned (note- Rob in Miami going through security "live", podcast 45).
I can't believe we are still talking about this. · Nov 26 at 1:31pm
In September every other passenger had to go through the scanner regardless of whether they set off the metal detector. At least this was the case in O'hare. I didn't set off the detector and I had to be scanned. Maybe I just look like a terrorist.
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Lady Kurobara
They are not changing gloves? Good God...
Here is an idea: Bundle up Janet Napolitano, put her on a plane, fly her to North Korea, and push her out the door. Hopefully, the Norks will give her a job. As incompetent as that idiot is, she will bring the North Korean regime crashing down in about two weeks. Finally she would be useful. · Nov 26 at 1:25pm
You navigate. I'll push.
Jul '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
There's an out:
Husband: "Honey... I swear.... it's from the TSA at the airport! You know I would never see another woman. Honest. You gotta believe me."
"Oh, come on now.... You know I can't quit taking business trips...."
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Andrea Ryan
Duane Oyen: All passengers go through the metal detector. If they fail there, they have a choice to go through the scanner. Less than 3% end up getting scanned (note- Rob in Miami going through security "live", podcast 45).
I can't believe we are still talking about this. · Nov 26 at 1:31pm
In September ....... in O'hare. I didn't set off the detector and I had to be scanned. Maybe I just look like a terrorist. · Nov 26 at 3:12pm
Matter of fact, you do look sorta terrifying.....
1) I'm guessing that a couple of the TSA guys were hoping they could do the pat-down on you, Andrea, so they revised the procedures on the fly..... (I quoted TSA nationwide stats, they may well randomly experiment with procedures at times)
2) Since your hub is technology-savvy and presumably took some medical physics classes in med school, what is his view of the scanners themselves?
3) I recognize that virus transmission is theoretically possible as the post says (just as HIV can theoretically be transmitted by tears), but what does your epidemiological education tell you about the probability?
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Duane Oyen
Andrea Ryan In September ....... in O'hare. I didn't set off the detector and I had to be scanned. Maybe I just look like a terrorist. · Nov 26 at 3:12pm
Matter of fact, you do look sorta terrifying.....
1) I'm guessing that a couple of the TSA guys were hoping they could do the pat-down on you, Andrea, so they revised the procedures on the fly..... (I quoted TSA nationwide stats, they may well randomly experiment with procedures at times)
I do look sorta terrifying? Maybe that's the reason the TSA guys didn't pat me down. Unlike Gloria Allred I have discriminating tastes regarding who touches my body parts. But, then again, they don't have cobwebs, either.
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Duane Oyen
Andrea Ryan In September ....... in O'hare. I didn't set off the detector and I had to be scanned. Maybe I just look like a terrorist. · Nov 26 at 3:12pm
...
2) Since your hub is technology-savvy and presumably took some medical physics classes in med school, what is his view of the scanners themselves?
3) I recognize that virus transmission is theoretically possible as the post says (just as HIV can theoretically be transmitted by tears), but what does your epidemiological education tell you about the probability? · Nov 26 at 3:43pm
My hub says that since the particular wave-length used in the scanners doesn't penetrate the only potential risk would be skin cancer. The risk is minimal, but definitely not zero. The bigger concern would be for people who travel frequently and have repeated exposure. The problem is there isn't any good data, yet, to really know.
My epidemiological education tells me we're all guinea pigs heading for a retrospective study.
Aug '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
The gropings will continue until morale improves.
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
I have it on good authority that Obama is writing a new book, tentatively called "The Audacity of Grope."
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Andrea Ryan My hub says that since the particular wave-length used in the scanners doesn't penetrate the only potential risk would be skin cancer. The risk is minimal, but definitely not zero. The bigger concern would be for people who travel frequently and have repeated exposure. The problem is there isn't any good data, yet, to really know.
He, of course, acknowledges that we are speaking basal or squamous cell lesions, not melanoma- a lot of peopll,e have hollered the "M-word" to promulgate fear.
My personal expert commented here. "Most people should be more worried about the naked pictures than the radiation."
Regarding wavelength, he was speaking about the backscatter x-rays? Since MMW is even longer wavelength, thus even less able to penetrate?
I think they should put everyone's minds at ease and put passive MMW in everywhere. I would bet that the only reason you see the backscatter x-rays at all is that the company has some kind of political connection. Maybe they are headquartered in Johnstown PA, Chicago, or San Fran.
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
And how much fun will the terrorists have with "news" like this? First of all it will confirm their prejudice that we infidels are dirty. Then it will make them happy that we are infecting each other faster. Third, it will make them laugh at us as wimps who worry inordinately over every risk in life albeit minor - weak horse.
I think the TSA routines are wrong and should be abolished because they violate our rights (this is unreasonable search and seizure). The more we argue about efficiency, the more we lose focus on the liberty issue. It is the same thing with healthcare, it does not matter if it reduces costs or not (it doesn't). It is simply not a federal government job.
Sep '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Quote of the week!
Sep '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Andrea Ryan
Duane Oyen
Andrea Ryan In September ....... in O'hare. I didn't set off the detector and I had to be scanned. Maybe I just look like a terrorist. · Nov 26 at 3:12pm
Matter of fact, you do look sorta terrifying.....
1) I'm guessing that a couple of the TSA guys were hoping they could do the pat-down on you, Andrea, so they revised the procedures on the fly..... (I quoted TSA nationwide stats, they may well randomly experiment with procedures at times)
I do look sorta terrifying? Maybe that's the reason the TSA guys didn't pat me down. Unlike Gloria Allred I have discriminating tastes regarding who touches my body parts. But, then again, they don't have cobwebs, either. · Nov 26 at 4:50pm
The cat's ears perk up.
Sep '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Gropeapalooza.
Jul '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Incompetent. From sea to shining sea.
And if we start shutting down everything that the federal government is into that is not a federal job, Congress may as well switch to a part time operation. The international envy of the resulting American prosperity will undoubtedly result in an all out nuclear exchange. (It's a tulip thing.) Border enforcement would be lavishly funded just to prove to people that those jobs are worth keeping on. Once the auction of public lands to retire the was completed, the total federal workforce could be reduced to mere millions.
Granted, the DC area will suffer an economic reversal of epic proportion, but outside of the New York, DC, California Axis of Feeble, the labor shortages will be the primary economic woe. Just remember to display your Will Work for Food sign when crossing the border.
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Diane Ellis, Ed.: Bet you hadn't even thought of this one:
Ooh, lovely.
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Duane Oyen: All passengers go through the metal detector. If they fail there, they have a choice to go through the scanner. Less than 3% end up getting scanned (note- Rob in Miami going through security "live", podcast 45).
I can't believe we are still talking about this. · Nov 26 at 1:31pm
Last time I flew—and this was months ago, before this all blew up—they had set up a couple of the scanners in Albuquerque. They had about six or eight lines of people going through security, and in two of them, everyone went through the scanner without exception. It was clearly not a back-up to a failed magentometer reading, obviously more of a random sample, though I (like one supposes, a terrorist) easily avoided it by getting in a different line. Other airports seem to pull random people aside for it. Either way, I doubt we're getting the smartest use of the technology for our money. TSA seems to have procedures that get followed unthinkingly but interpreted vastly differently at different airports. We've clearly gone for Quantity security over Quality. For obvious reasons.
May '10
Re: One More Reason to Stop Flying Until the TSA Ends Its Groping Ways
Duane Oyen He, of course, acknowledges that we are speaking basal or squamous cell lesions, not melanoma- a lot of people have hollered the "M-word" to promulgate fear.
Regarding wavelength, he was speaking about the backscatter x-rays?...
Yes, backscatter x-rays and in general.
We can postulate on what’s likely to happen, but you don’t know until you run it forward in animal biologic models. The human system is far more complicated than physics, which is fairly straightforward and can be described by models. It’s why in medicine we do double blind tests. Even a simian (monkey) model will give an approximation to what will happen in humans, but not exactly.
So, all of this is informed speculation and the only real answer is testing. But, based on an educated guess you can probably see melanomas, too. We know it won’t cause liver cancer, but it is going to penetrate into the skin to some degree and it’s more than just the epidermis. (cont.)