Current Event #20: Has TSA Gone Too Far?
Due: Friday, March 1st, 2013
In lieu of security screening at airports, a recent story broke surrounding a 3 year old girl with a spinal disorder in a wheel chair. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) demanded that the child must adhere to the standard protocol, of having a pat down performed, to follow safety concerns before boarding a plane. This is the latest case in a line of events concerning children in airport security incidents.
What You Will Do:
1. Watch the videos and read the article provided at the following link: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/02/tsa-pat-down-wheelchair-children/62396/
2. Answer the following questions surrounding this topic regarding your position about standard practices conducted by the TSA:
---Should there be some limitations established, when it comes to allowing some passengers (handicapped, children, etc.), to forego standard security procedures? If so, explain what changes should be made to accommodate young passengers at security check points.
---Do you agree or disagree with the TSA actions regarding this recent incident with this 3 year old girl? Explain your opinion in detail.
---What should or could have been done differently by TSA if you disagree with their handling of this situation?
***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***
Jackson Cabell
ReplyDelete7th Period
1) No I don not think there should be some limitations established.
2) I agree with the TSA actions regarding this incident with this 3 year old girl. The reason I agree with their choices is because our country is working hard to make sure that 9/11 does not reoccur. Some terrorist could become handicapped while still proving to be very deadly to the passengers of the plane. Airport security needs to remain very strict in order to keep the citizens of the country very safe. I certainly think that they should be very careful when checking a handicapped person so they aren't to hurt them. But I believe that every person who enters the plane should undergo security check no matter what.
3) I did not disagree with the handling of this situation.
Avery Acierno
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
2/26/13
I believe that there should be some limitations for screening certain people, especially handicapped children. I think a handicapped person should only be tested if they are highly suspicious. There I no reason a poor handicapped child should have to undergo the stressful pat-down experience. I think that all handicapped people should be able to skip the pat-down and swipes and just have the (x-ray) scans. The same should go for young kids. The difficult part is you don’t want to risk missing any threats of an explosive getting on a plane. However, I find it very unlikely a handicapped child would have a bomb. Young children and handicapped people should only be patted down if their scans come up highly positive, and TSA should use common sense when it comes to this.
I disagree with the TSA actions in the incident with the three year old handicapped girl. It was obvious that she didn’t have and explosives with her, so she didn’t pose a threat to security. So, why did the TSA put her through that traumatizing experience? The girl was frightened and stressed out. There was no reason for that girl to be treated that way. The TSA handled that situation badly.
The TSA could have just gone straight to swabbing the wheelchair instead of trying to pat down the girl. They also could have used the scan alternative to the pat-down. They should have offered these options to the girl’s parents at first, not after 20 traumatizing minutes. When it comes to a 3 year old girl in a wheelchair, the TSA should have used common sense and figured that she didn’t have explosives.
Jacob Engel
ReplyDelete7th period
2/26/12
I think that there should be some limitations on the screening of disabled children. I think that the pediatrician should have to sign a form that tells TSA that they can't mentally handle the pat downs, or are physically unable to get out of their wheelchair. If young kids have to be pat down, I would let their parents be with them, or let them hold a comforting object, like the girl in the video. If everything has been screened, then there shouldn't be a problem with anything that is past the security line, so why not? This will help young children make it through the traumatic experience.
I don't think that the TSA's actions were right. It was very unlikely that a 3 year old who is disabled would have explosives on her. They should have just checked the wheelchair, and it would have been much better. The disabled girl was obviously traumatized, and I don't think anybody would want anyone, especially her, to go through that experience.
The TSA should have just checked the wheelchair, and not pat her down. They could have also used the scan that everyone else has too. They should have offered options to the parents. Also, It is common sense that a disabled 3 year old probably won't have explosives.
Anna Castellano
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
I believe that there should be some limitations established when it comes to handicapped passengers foregoing security procedures. I think that if a young handicapped child needs to undergo private screening then their parent should be allowed to go with them. Only highly suspicious children should have to experience the more in-depth security scans. I do understand that the TSA is trying to keep everyone safe and I respect that but, if a normal security scan turns out fine then the handicapped child should not have to go through anymore testing.
I disagree with the TSA’s actions regarding the three year old girl because you could obviously tell from the video that the little girl was not very suspicious. If anything the mother was probably more suspicious because she kept arguing and disagreeing with the TSA lady. If a handicapped three year old girl was trying to carry explosives or drugs onto a plane I don’t think she would be bawling like the girl in the video.
I think the TSA could have done many things differently with this situation. First, they could have tried explaining to the mother that this is their job and they are trying to keep everyone safe. Second, they could have been kinder and friendlier to the little girl. If they had been nicer to the little girl then she probably wouldn’t have been crying as much making it a smaller deal. Also because they weren’t very kind and friendly to her she is probably traumatized and will never want to have to ride on a plane or go through that again.
Francisco Coch
ReplyDelete7
I think that there should be at least some limitations for TSA officials regarding whom they can check and their standard procedures should be changed. To begin with, it would already be difficult for these kids to have a standard pat down done on them, and from what I saw in the video the officials seemed to have gone out of their way to do so. Because of the unlikely possibility that a young child would pose as a serious threat to the well-being of other people at the airport, there should be less checks done on them. I think that as people get older, the amount of procedures should increase to where an adult would be the one receiving all the examinations. This is because the odds are highly improbable that a six year old is just as dangerous as a middle-aged man.
I thought that what the TSA did there was simply wrong. In the video it appeared that there were several officials involved, and that a simple matter was turned into a big deal. I don’t think they were thinking clearly either, because they forgot to inspect the wheelchair itself, the reason that brought the attention to the child. It doesn’t seem very logical to what the TSA has been doing in their checks with handicapped kids, especially after having to write multiple statements and apologies for their actions. I think that they could have handled the situation better, however there should be checks on the officials themselves to see if they are adequately trained for their jobs.
Katherine Yang
ReplyDelete2/26/2013
5th Period H World History
1) I do not think there should be specific limitations made when it comes to allowing some passengers (handicapped, children, etc.), to forego standard security procedures, but there should be more consideration for those types of passengers. They should be treated with care, but limitations honestly shouldn’t be necessary unless this becomes a much more serious issue to Americans.
2) I neither agree nor disagree with the TSA’s actions regarding the 3-year-old’s wheelchair incident. I think the mother was a bit overprotective, but I can definitely understand why she wouldn’t want some random people to touch her 3-year old disabled baby girl.
The TSA could have handled the situation with more care, and could have explained the situation more. Most mothers in that situation probably would have allowed their child to be searched if the TSA were courteous, kind, and apologized for the regulations.
Paige Haskins
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
February 27, 2013
Waters
1)I don't think there should be limitations for some passengers who are children, handicapped, or anything else that limits them from doing the standard security process. I do think that they should be treated with care though. There could be a sperate line for those passengers so they can be assisted in this process. Everyone knows that secruity process at airlines can be long and endless, espicially with children and others uncapable of doing the standard process, but if there is a seperate line to assist them, then things would go much smoother.
2)The 3 year old wheel chair incident could have been avoided by numerous variables. If the TSA had handled the child with more care, or if they had the mother present and watching to make sure everything was going ok. First of all, no mother wants their child being handled like that in secruity lines, anywhere. Also, if the chil was disabled, then there should have been safety procedures to ensures the childs safety, and everyone elses safety at the airport. I disagree with the actions of the TSA, but think the mother was being a little too over protected of her child.
I think the TSA could have handled the situation with much more thought and care. Any mother would have probably allowed their child to be checked by security, but if the mother would have been more comfortable to be there, I think that would have been resonable too.
Julianna Turner
ReplyDeleteFebruary 27, 2013
Waters, 2nd
Current Event
I do believe that there should be limitations with TSA practices. I think it is getting outrageous how extensively people are being checked. I believe that they need to reevaluate their practices and come up with a solution to a faster, more considerate security procedure. Regarding children and handicapped people, I do not believe they should be treated any differently than another passenger. If all passengers receive consideration then there is no need to make special circumstances for these groups of people.
I agree with the TSA’s actions toward the three-year old handicapped girl but I believe that they could easily been avoided. If the TSA had treated this girl with compassion and kindly, she would not have gotten so upset. Also, the TSA could have explained better to the girls mother what the process was, so in effect she could have comforted her daughter and informed her what the officers were doing. This security procedure is in action to prevent another occurrence of 9/11. Honestly, no one can win in this situation. People will always be opposed to the security procedure in place currently, but if it were abolished different people would be unbelievably upset. We must take comfort in the fact that however they do it, (they could improve their process) the TSA is protecting us and is keeping America secure.
Danielle Reviere
ReplyDelete7TH 2/27/13
I think that there should be certain limitations on disabled people getting checked at the airport. I think that they should just put the people through their new scanner and that they should not give them a pat down, or swab their chairs. The only exception would be if their scan made them look suspicious.
No, I do not agree with their actions. They had already done an X-ray scan, so they had already checked her body. Which makes doing a pat down pointless. They put so much money into these new scanners, so why do they doubt its results? I kind of understand swabbing the chair; as they said a wheelchair picks up things like the bottom of a shoe would. They should have just swabbed the chair after doing the X-ray, and then have let them get on their way. Checking her again for things that they did not see the first time would have wasted everybody’s time.
Veronica Kim
ReplyDelete1st period
2/27/2013
I've been "patted down" by a TSA agent (more like felt up, really) once in my life, and it was because of an injury. We went skiing in California for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, and while snowboarding, I fell, caught myself badly, and sprained my wrist. In the airport on the way back, I forgot to take my brace off before going through the detector, and as a result had to endure a pat-down (it was one of the most humiliating experiences of my life. At least it was a female agent doing it). If I thought that was unfair, I can't imagine how it would be for kids with permanent disabilities having to go through that. There should most definitely be limitations. You can't force a kid with a freaking spinal injury to get up just because his wheelchair or something set the metal detector off. What kind of sadistic person would hide drugs or weapons on a child like that?
I most definitely disagree with the TSA's actions. Making a child not want to go to Disney World? That's some serious business. I understand that security is rigid because of terrorism and everything, but if they've already done an X-ray scan on her, checking her fully, along with swabbing her chair, that's enough. It's just cruel to make her put up with a pat-down too. And then trying to get her parents not to report it when they've obviously done wrong? That's just embarrassing. The TSA really needs to get their act together. I understand minor paranoia, not this. It's wrong. They need to change their system.
Gabi Brenman
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
The job of the TSA is to keep flying safe. I believe the TSA is only trying to do their job, with good reason. After airplanes were used to perform terrorist attacks, I understand why they would want to search everything. However, when screenings of children, especially disabled children are made there should be some exceptions and limitations. The children should be allowed to be accompanied by the adult they are making their travels with and hold their hands during procedures like pat downs. It will make the child more comfortable. Children often get stressed out and nervous in situations they are unfamiliar with, if a familiar adult is with them, it will make the strange situation seem a bit calmer.
The TSA’s actions were too extreme on the three-year old girl. I understand if a pat down needs to be performed, however the TSA member was rude to the child and her family. It is not true that you are not allowed to videotape, and the woman from the TSA said it was. The three-year old certainly did not look suspicious of anything so the pat down seemed unnecessary in her case. It became a traumatizing incident for the child with no good reason. I think if children, disabled or not, go through the first screening without any problems, there is no need to further investigate, even if they are randomly picked for extra screenings.
Abby Kameny
ReplyDelete5th period
I believe there should only be limitations regarding disabled children going through airport security if there is some other form of checking a child other than patting him or her down. If I were that mother, I would not want a random person patting down my three-year-old girl. I definitely do not think disabled children should be able to just skip security. However, I believe making the child take off his or her jacket/shoes and performing the X-ray would be good enough.
I do not agree nor disagree with the TSA and how they handled this recent situation. I understand the mother was feeling very protective and the TSA went a little overboard when it came to patting her down, but the whole reason airport security exists is to keep people safe. Excluding some from this would be unfair to other people and possibly even unsafe. In the video, the mother was making sarcastic comments such as, "Right, because three-year-olds in hot pink wheelchairs are typically up to no good." Of course I don't think a toddler would be carrying a weapon, but I think using that excuse is ridiculous. If airport security officers could just judge the person and say, "You're a girl who's in a pink wheelchair. You must be innocent." that would be illegal. (Obviously) So although I felt bad for the child and her mother, and I thought the TSA went too far patting her down, I'm still conflicted about the whole situation.
I think the TSA should have been satisfied with putting the child through regular security and checking her bags, jackets, pockets, shoes, etc. They even apologized to the girl and her mother. If the TSA continues to pat down children in wheelchairs, I hope they don't have to be separated from their parents.
There could be some changes as to how the tsa does their practices like scaning the child without its wheal chair then only its wheal chair. they could also try to be more considerate to the people they need to pat down. I still do think that it is right for the tsa to their job despite whatever physical or mental disability a person may have. the tsa should still take procations but i dont think that they should skip anyone. I think the tsa should have benn a little more friendly and should have tried to talk to the parents and explain their sitation. I know my oppinions are diffrent from everyone else but i think that it mostly has to deal with me not caring if someone pats me down as long as its brief systematic and not a sexual thing.
ReplyDeleteMorgan Durant
Period one
Carly LeMoine
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
I think that there should definitely be some restrictions to the TSA. Children shouldn’t have to be patted down and if some one thinks its absolutely necessary then the guardian of that child should be aloud to be with the child the whole time. Handicapped people should not have to get out of there wheelchairs. The reason they are in the wheelchair in the first place is because they need it. By taking it away you are putting them at the risk of being hurt again. I think that the TSA just wanted to be stubborn. They should not have done that to a child. It’s not right, there is no logic to it, and there is no good reason they would even need to pat down the girl. They lied about what they told the parent just so the could keep there job. The TSA could have just let the girl go through. What could a 3 year old possibly have that could harm others in a way that they would have to go through all of that? Its just not right.
Annelise ter Horst
ReplyDelete7th
I believe that all passengers should be checked, but it is uncomfortable for people the way they are currently doing these security procedures. Although I do not understand why patting down someone is more thorough than going through a scanner. Or why they cannot have equipment that can picture everything that is on a person. Isn’t safety worth it? The reason we have to have these checks done is that the technology now might be too expensive to supply every airport with or it doesn’t exist yet. And believe me, I get that. If this is the best security we can get, maybe it is okay to have a moment of awkwardness before going on a plane. Of course, for the special conditions with minors and handicapped people it is a touchy subject. I felt uncomfortable as a child at airport security and I was only going through a scanner! Even though I was scared, I know now that it was for my safety.
I actually agree with TSA’s actions with this case. While I believe (and I have stated this) that there should be better and less close-up-and-personal tests at security, they have to check everyone, no matter their situation. I do not even think they needed to apologize, they are required by law to check everyone. I am sure they do not suspect a little girl in a wheelchair, but there was still a possibility that there could be something there. I do understand the mom’s unrest, I really do. But I thought she was overreacting a bit. It is easy to make security look ‘evil’ when you have a three year old crying and an upset mother claiming they want to harm the child.
Nope. The TSA are in the clear in my decision.
Rachel Danner
ReplyDelete7th period
There is a delicate balance that needs to be maintained when dealing with personal privacy and national security. While I obviously feel that there needs to be respect in dealing with people from the TSA agent, they are in charge of the safety of everyone on all of the planes. I also feel that those who are standing in line for security made the decision to fly on an airline, so they need to respect the security measures taken. However, in the case of a handicapped child as young as three years old, exceptions can be made.
I understand the mother’s discomfort with the security agent and her daughter, but she needs to understand that it is for her safety and the safety of everyone in the airport. The TSA agent as well needs to understand that there need to be boundaries when working with young children.
Ari Horwitz
ReplyDelete7th Period
2/26/13
When it comes to flying I can understand the paranoia that airports get about passengers. In the past, there have been events that have given airports the responsibility to check each and every passenger of a plane carefully to make sure the safety of all the passengers. But, when you start forcing disabled children to get patted down and swabbed…. you have taken this a step too far. From personal experience I can relate to the children’s reactions I have been in their shoes before. But I wasn’t in a wheelchair. I think it is quite ridiculous that TSA would have to go through so much trouble to check a most likely innocent little child. Until the day a 4-year-old terrorist that is disabled threatens the passengers of a plane I think this should be stopped. Instead of going through the procedures that are used when a person is rung up on the monitor when they haven’t even went through the checkers, I think they should do only a quick X-ray thing that will show any secrets the 4 year old is holding from security.
In my opinion I can somewhat agree with what the TSA did because they haven’t been in this situation very much. As security becomes stricter the security guards have to take to more precaution. When a case like this shows up you never know, the guardian of this child could be a suicide bomber. But to regard that I think they could have handled it in a better way and not waste 20 minutes of the families time.
I think the TSA should have allowed the family to continue through security earlier than waiting 20 minutes and taken the incident as a learning process and started collaborating to figure out a way they can handle a problem like this in the future
Jessi Szymczak
ReplyDelete2nd period
2/26/13
Airports have many restrictions and steps that have to be taken to maintain everyones safety. These measures have been put into play because of things that have happened in the past that have caused issues and mishaps with not checking people enough. After watching the video and reading the article I don't think that the TSA did anything majorly wrong. If they would have done a pat down of the child that would have been different. I think that suggesting to put the little girl in the x-ray like everyone else was the better solution. And then to separately wipe down her wheelchair just for safety precautions would have been fine as well. So I do think that there should be limitations to how the TSA were to check kids who are in wheelchairs, etc. . . but no so many that the person gets a free way into the airport even though their is low chance that anything bad would be happening in that situation. I agree with most of the things the TSA was trying to do, just not the pat down that they would have done to the little girl in the first video.
I think that the TSA was just trying to do their job the best they knew how in the situation they were placed in. And to some extent no matter what type of person you are you should be checked just so nothing major happens at the airport that could have been prevented. I think that having the chair swabbed down and giving the little girl an x-ray (like everyone else) wouldn't necessarily have been a bad thing.
Anna Grace Kelley
ReplyDelete02/27/13
Period 7
Ever since the horrible 9-11 incident a little while ago, the United States airline has been super cautious and careful about ensuring that flying is safe. They seem to take complete responsibility for every one of their passengers. Before entering an airplane, you have to go through an extreme amount of security. But, when you start to force disabled children to get patted down this is a little too much. They don’t understand what is happening and when a random person started to touch you, it can be very terrifying. I personally hate when I have to be patted down and I understand what they have to do.
There are some guidelines that should be put in place for people who are disabled and even sometime elderly citizens. I believe that the full body scans are fine and easy to do but full body pat downs are not necessary.
Honestly the TSA kind of got a bad rep with this story because they have been doing a great job with making our airlines safe for a long time. I do think that they definitely could have handled this situation much better and not wasted a ton of this family’s time. These are situations that have to be handled one at a time and there wasn’t much that the TSA could have done.
Edward Zhuang
ReplyDelete5th Period
If we lack a procedure, than what is the point of airport security? Everyone must be checked, and there should be no reason as to why anyone receives a different treatment. Of course, society views patdowns on children and handicapped as ridiculous, but the safety of others comes before the moral issues. Our basic instinct is survival, and that is our top priority. If we loosen security just because of ones physical appearance, how effective is the TSA?
I think the TSA check the girl and this is good job. But they could have make it a bit nicer and politer, because the kids are very fragile. Also, they could explain the pracess to the mother to make it understandable. Many people seem too disagree with this search, because “she obviously was innocent”. How do you know that?
Nathan Guskeiwicz
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
1. No I think that its fine.
2. I think that it is horrible what they did. I understand how we are trying not to have 9/11 happen again but I think they took this a little too far. The little girl was obviously uncomfortable and it is wrong to put her in a situation like that. I hope that this never happens again.
3. I think if they knew what to do and acted on it quickly it wouldn’t of have been so uncomfortable for the family.
Claire Lancaster
ReplyDelete1st period
Mr. Waters
1) I think there absolutely should be limitations on standard procedures for certain people. I think the people who shouldn’t have to get pat down are the handicapped, elderly and children. They have no reason at all to think that any of those types of people would try to smuggle stuff in because it’s never happened before. Now if there was an incident where a two year old tried to blow up a plane then that would be a different story. But until then, they have no reason to go to such extreme measures and traumatize these kids, just to be extra precautious.
2) I don’t agree with the TSA’s recent actions to this poor little girl at all. They knew what they were doing was wrong too, because they didn’t want her mother video taping them, even though that is perfectly legal. That was simply ridiculous.
3) What I don’t understand is why, with all the amazing technology we have today, we don’t have any other alternative to touching strangers bodies. I think they need to work harder on finding an alternative. I mean- do they have to use their hands when they pat you down? Why not some sort of device? What they’re doing is not ok and they need to put an end to this nonsense.
Harrison Young
ReplyDelete7th period
2/27/13
Many airports have to take caution to maintain everyone's safety. These restrictions have been put into effect because of instances in the past that have caused issues and mishaps with not checking people enough for danger. TSA did nothing very wrong because if they would had done a pat down of children, it would've been different. I think that suggesting to put the little girl in the x-ray like everyone else was the better solution. And then to separately wipe down her wheelchair just for safety precautions would have been fine as well. So I do think that there should be limitations to how the TSA were to check kids who are in wheelchairs, etc. . . but no so many that the person gets a free way into the airport even though their is low chance that anything bad would be happening in that situation. I agree with most of the things the TSA was trying to do, just not the pat down that they would have done to the little girl in the first video.
I think that the TSA was just trying to do their job the best they knew how in the situation they were placed in. And to some extent no matter what type of person you are you should be checked just so nothing major happens at the airport that could have been prevented. I think that having the chair swabbed down and giving the little girl an x-ray (like everyone else) wouldn't necessarily have been a bad thing.
Yes it isn’t fair to all the young handicapped children to be patted down and separated from their parents, in fact it must be very scary for them. So instead I would pat them down (if you had to at all) with their parent(s) alongside them. And explain more of what is happening and be nice and gentle to the child.
ReplyDeleteI understand that the tsa must at down some people but I disagree with the way they handled this situation. They could have allowed the mother to film and could have been nicer to the child and let the little girl keep her doll.
The TSA should treat the children they’re patting down kinder than they do and should be reasonable with their assumptions given the child’s age. They should also let the parents be with their children and also explain what they are doing to the child.
George McBurney
ReplyDelete5th period
I believe that every passenger should be screened before entering a plane, but it is uncomfortable for people the way they are currently doing these security procedures. Although I do not understand why patting down someone is more thorough than going through a scanner. Isn't safety worth it? The reason we have to have these checks done is that the technology now might be too expensive to supply every airport. And believe me, I get that. If this is the best security we can get, maybe it is okay to have a moment of awkwardness before going on a plane. Of course, for the special conditions with minors and handicapped people it is a touchy subject.
I actually agree with TSA’s actions with this case. While I believe (and I have stated this) that there should be better and less close-up-and-personal tests at security, they have to check everyone, no matter their situation. I do not even think they needed to apologize, they are required by law to check everyone. I am sure they do not suspect a little girl in a wheelchair, but there was still a possibility that there could be something there. I do understand the mom’s unrest, I really do. But I thought she was overreacting a bit.
Current event#20
ReplyDeleteI believe the TSA should be cautious when it comes to letting passengers on the airplane but they should also be careful when checking young children. They shouldn’t make the child feel uncomfortable when checking them, if anything they should have the parents check them, and supervise as the parents check them.
The TSA should’ve made sure the child was comfortable with checking her and if not, they should’ve had the mother check her
Jeffrey He
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
Waters
World History
No, I don't think there should be limitations established because a terrorist can be anybody.
I agree with the TSA because they work hard to prevent possible hijackings or national security threats. Like I said, anyone can be a terrorist, or used a carrier. The three year old girl could have been carrying something without her knowing. A pat down may not have been necessary, but enforcing security is the primary concern. Now we have millimeter wave detection, so they should have used that instead.
I do not think the TSA should have done anything different because she was not hurt. That means that procedure was done correctly. If she was injured, then obviously something is wrong but that wasn't the case.
Albert Yam
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
2/28
If we lack a procedure, than what is the point of airport security? Everyone must be checked, and there should be no reason as to why anyone receives a different treatment. Of course, society views patdowns on children and handicapped as ridiculous, but the safety of others comes before the moral issues. Our basic instinct is survival, and that is our top priority. If we loosen security just because of ones physical appearance, how effective is the TSA?
I think the TSA check the girl and this is good job. But they could have make it a bit nicer and politer, because the kids are very fragile. Also, they could explain the pracess to the mother to make it understandable. Many people seem too disagree with this search, because “she obviously was innocent”. How do you know that?
Ian Hufford
ReplyDelete2-28-13
P.1
I think that if there are special exceptions for people to be not checked at airports, than I think that they could just be taken advantage of to get illegal substances through security. Although this is unlikely, I think that it is best for everyone to have the same procedure for everyone, unfair as it may be.
As for if i think that this was handled well be the TSA, I think that it was a tough call. Watching the video, it looked like the agents could not cite the law, I think that at least they should be able to tell the mom that it was the law for the to do the pat down. However, they were just doing their job as they saw it.
Blake Rasnake
ReplyDelete2nd
1) No there should not be limitations when it comes to handicapped people or kids. They are just as dangerous as anyone else would be, so because of that they all need to be checked.
2) I do agree with what the TSA did regarding the incident with the 3 year old girl. We can not let anyone go unchecked, when people are at an airport they need to feel safe. That means everyone that is going to fly on a plane needs to be checked just like everyone else needs to be checked. The TSA needs to do everything that they can to prevent 9/11 from ever going on again. I mean yes, odds are that a 3 year olds not going to have a bomb, but in they rare case we need to protect everyone.
3) I do not disagree with this situation, but at the same time I do think that it could have been taken care of a little bit differently than it was taken care of in the case of the 3 year old girl.
Markale Cordova
ReplyDeleteperiod 5
2/28/13
I believe that every passenger should be screened before entering a plane, but it is uncomfortable for people the way they are currently doing these security procedures. Although I do not understand why patting down someone is more thorough than going through a scanner.
I do not agree nor disagree with the TSA and how they handled this recent situation. I understand the mother was feeling very protective and the TSA went a little overboard when it came to patting her down, but the whole reason airport security exists is to keep people safe. Excluding some from this would be unfair to other people and possibly even unsafe.
Either way i do not agree with sitution towards little kids at all.
Rebecca Harless
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
February 28, 2013
There should be limitations established when involving certain passnegers, such as handicapped children and children in general. It seems wrong to me to pat down a child, even if it is conducted by trained TSA officials. Children are young and probably do not have a good idea why what is happening is happening. Also, the children, like Lucy, might actually be scarred. Excluding that, for a child that has health problems and may already be having a hard time to be given a hassle is bad; for the child, any child, to be patted down isolated from their parents is wrong. Airports request that you do not leave your luggage by itself. Why should your own children be any different? To accomadate young passengers, why not invent something? They already have that circular, tall pass-through-me thing, which checks for metal and dangerous things. I think that an accomadation should be a larger security check thing, one that has enough space for a wheelchair so that the child does not have to get up.
I absolutely do not agree with the steps taken by the TSA in this recent incident. First of all, they separated the little girl from her parents. There was no point to that, except stupidity. The least they could have done is give the girl a familiar presence. The most they could have done is not do what they did. They should have done anything besides a pat down. What would a regular trip through the security thing not show that a pat-down would on a THREE YEAR OLD? I think they really could have scarred her. A little kid saying they do not want to go to Disney World is a scary thing.
Actions TSA could have done differently: 1) Let the little girl stay with her parents. 2) Take the whole family to a private room where they could (although they should not have) pat her down. 3) They could not have patted her down. They should have just let her go through normal security. 4) Reimburce the family immediately and give a heartfelt apology, explaining TSA’s paranoia. 5) They should have, could have, didn’t.
Tommy Mozier
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
I already though that there were restrictions on who could be, for example, frisked by airport security. I think that that everyone able too should go through security but only be frisked if they can’t seem to get through the metal detector. Not everyone and especially not kids. I think that people who are disabled should have their own security line, but still not get a free pass.
OK the TSA are retarded to do that too a little girl. She was 3, and in a wheelchair. As far as I know, there are no 3 year old terrorists, and probably not many in wheelchairs. This is so incredibly dumb that it’s almost criminal.
Well, I would not have done that at all if I was in charge of the TSA, just let them go. It’s a family, with a small kid, and in a wheelchair. There’s nothing else to say except that the TSA was very dumb.
James Menache per. 5
ReplyDeleteI think it's common sense, you can't use a metal detector or x-ray machine on a wheelchair, but the TSA lets every wheelchair and passenger go through without being checked then people will just put bombs or weapons on a wheelchair that will easily be able to get on a plane. What ever they do, they can't have it both ways. If you don't check everyone then whats the point of checking anyone else?
Yes I agree, all the TSA can do is apologize and loosen security a little bit. if they let people on wheelchairs go with out being check, even if it is a child, the planes would probably be blowing up all the time. The main point is that the person in the wheelchair might not even know that they were carrying weapons.
I thing the situation was had led fine because they didn't end up doing the pat down.
Blake Johnson
ReplyDelete2nd period
2/28/13
There should be some changes to the way they are checking handicapped children. There needs to be more common sense in the process. Sometimes TSA agents need to stop following protocol and make the process easier. If the child is obviously being stressed by being separately checked then the TSA should work to help the toddler. If that means giving the child its favorite stuffed animal to calm him or her down then they should. They can also make the checking less stressful to the child and parents/family by making it quicker. I understand why it is important to check everyone going onto an airplane, because terrorist could use handicapped children as a threat, but there needs to be common ground where the TSA agent uses common sense.
I think that they could have handled the situation differently by trying to help the child to feel more relaxed and not being excessive with their procedure. Put the kid through the metal detector check the wheelchair and then send the kid and family through. There is no need for a pat down in a private room. That is to excessive and unnecessary.
Francis Wemmenhove
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
In my opinion, there should not be more limitations established, when it comes to allowing some passengers to forego standard security. I do not agree with the TSA completely, but I do not agree with the mother completely either. People have been very scared since 9/11 happened, so she should realize that they did that out of fear, and that they did not do that just so that they could ruin a child’s vacation. However, the TSA’s actions were not very rational either. The TSA should have been nicer and more friendly about the whole incident. Overall, both sides could have acted differently to make the situation better.
Kelly Zhang
ReplyDelete2nd Period
I think there should be some limitations established. Children and the handicapped should not be able to forego the standard security procedure, but instead there should be an alternative security procedure.
I disagree with the TSA’s actions during this incident. Sure, they were doing their job of trying to keep the planes and passengers safe, but they could have found a better way to deal with this situation. They lied about the law to the mother, and they made the child all distraught. This is horrible, and I definitely do not agree with the TSA’s actions.
The TSA could have not lied to the mother. They could have acted calmer and not make the situation a big problem. They could have just given the girl her stuffed animal to calm her down, then moved the family to a more calm area to talk things through.
simon dunson
ReplyDelete7th period
I personally think that there should be some limitations established. People that are disabled or are very young should not have to undergo the standard security procedure. I think that TSA did take things too far by making a 3 year old disabled child go through that. LIke they lied about the law to the childs mother and made the child distraught like that is terrible. TSA could have told the truth to the childs mother. They also could have acted calmer and made the situation better and just talked it out.
Kunal Lodaya
ReplyDelete2/28
1st pd
I think that there should be limitations or exceptions to TSA policy in the case of handicapped or disabled people, especially kids. The agency should be able to recognize when a child is being stressed or frightened by safety procedures. It is true that terrorists will use any method they can, including young children, to cause violence in America. There should be a minimum bar of security set for the physically disabled population, but everyone should go through some level of screening. I would agree with the TSA's actions with regard to the 3-year old girl. The #1 priority should be preventing a catastrophe like 9/11. However, when checking little children, measures should be taken to ensure that they are comfortable with the process.
Connor Korfas
ReplyDelete1st Period
Honors World History
1. I definitely don’t think that young handicapped passengers should go through the whole “search” process that the old passengers go through. When the process is performed on little children I feel that they should never have to leave their aid device(wheelchair, walker, ect). I think all that is necessary is a mirror check. Which is where they put a mirror under the chair to see is there’s anything under it. I feel like that should suffice for the check. Honestly where could you hide drugs on a little kids wheelchair.
2. No way. I think they were trying to do way too much to the little girl. Shes couldn’t be more than three feet. That wheelchair was so small there was no way to hide anything. Then when called on it the TSA people began to lie. Like what the heck. I understand there doing it for our protection but this is definitely too far.
3. I think they could have been more understanding of the situation. They saw they were upsetting the child they could have done more to comfort her. I think if there priority was keep her calm and check her and not just rush through everything the situation would have been so much different.
Emily Molina
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
I do not think that children should be checked in airports are rigorously as adults. Children may not necessarily understand what is going on if a security guard starts patting them down. It could scare them or make them feel violated. While I do not think that children should be exempt from undergoing security checks, I do think that the checks should be explained to them. The guards may want to be a bit more cautious and gentle with them as well. Based on the article, it does not seem to be the procedures that are causing the issues, but instead the actual workers. They seem to be very rough with people are they do not seem to be using common sense. Detaining a child with mental disabilities without the company of a parent seems outrageous to me. A parent should be allowed to be with their child at all times during airport security, including the odd occasions where security decides to detain the child.
I do not agree with the actions of the TSA in this late incident. The guards did not seem to use any common sense with the child in the wheelchair. It is fine and a very good thing for the airport security to be thorough, but it does seem ridiculous to threaten to do a pat-down on the young girl. It does not seem right to threaten such a young child with something that traumatic when all she wants to do is go on vacation with her family.
If the TSA had been more respectful and mindful of the young girl's dignity, I do not think that a problem would have arisen. But due to the fact that they were so utterly traumatizing to the girl, I think that they should reevaluate how they conduct their security procedures.
Claire Kern
ReplyDeletePD 7
I think that there should be changes made to the security procedure for kids and the disabled. I don’t think children should have to get a full pat down I mean there isn’t much you can hide in a small child anyway. Also I think the disabled should not have to get checked much. A simple look over of their wheelchair and body should be sufficient in telling if they have anything bad. I completely disagree with the TSA’s actions. The girl should not have had to get up! She has SPINAL problems for crying out loud! They could have easily just looked around her wheelchair and moved on. It is ridiculous that they made her stand up then pat her down. The TSA should have just patted down her mom looked around the girls chair and moved on. They definitely should not have made her stand up.
Forrest Pratson
ReplyDelete7th Period
Current event
Feb 28
I think there should be some limitations established. Children and the handicapped should not be able to forego the standard security procedure, but instead there should be an alternative security procedure.
I disagree with the TSA’s actions during this incident. Sure, they were doing their job of trying to keep the planes and passengers safe, but they could have found a better way to deal with this situation. They lied about the law to the mother, and they made the child all distraught. This is horrible, and I definitely do not agree with the TSA’s actions.
The TSA could have not lied to the mother. They could have acted calmer and not make the situation a big problem. They could have just given the girl her stuffed animal to calm her down, then moved the family to a more calm area to talk things through.
Shamim Zarei
ReplyDelete2nd period
I think there should be some limitations made for handicapped children such as a new security procedure that is different then the regular check. I think they should put them in a scanner instead of touching and possibly hurting them.
I disagree and agree. They were doing their jobs and if some thing went wrong they would be the ones who get in trouble. But they could have found a better way to deal with the situation instead of patting and possibly hurting the kid.
The TSA could have scanned her instead of scaring her and possibly injuring her. They should have talked to her mother and made the situation much more calmer.
Robert Fernald
ReplyDelete1st
12/28/2013
I think that there should be no limitations to let certain people forego standard security procedures. Instead the TSA should improve to suit the people’s needs. They should buy plastic wheelchairs so the handicapped can go through the scanner like normal while the TSA searches and scans the wheel chair. When the TSA is done checking the wheel chair, they can switch it back for the plastic one that they lent to the handicapped person. I do not think that the TSA should make anyone exempt from being searched because handicapped people present just as large of a safety risk as anyone else. If the TSA made someone not have to undergo standard procedure then everyone would want to be exempt and eventually we would have no security at all.
I disagree with the TSA’s actions regarding this recent incident. I think that they should not have dealt with her differently by pulling her out of line to be patted down and checked separately. Instead they should have just carried out the normal procedure by having one of her parents take her through the scanner while the TSA searched and scanned her wheelchair separately. Then they could just give the child her wheelchair back and let them go on vacation without wasting time and making it such a big deal.
Sarah Taekman
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
Ever since the horrific day of September 11th, 2001, airplane security has been an area of huge importance. New ways of keeping flying safe have evolved, but now people are wondering: Has the TSA started to go too far? Full body scanners and pat downs have become standard practice, but they’re going beyond checking the standard citizens and looking at much more threatening suspects—kids. They seem to be especially concerned about the ones in wheelchairs, seeing as they could have traces of “explosives” on them. I understand that most of the safety measures are to prevent tragedies like 9/11 from occurring again, but somehow I don’t think a kid is going to be the one to cause it. I believe there should at least be some modifications to the security procedures for children and the handicapped. Maybe a different, less intrusive, and less stressful procedure would work better. If they refuse to revise even a little, at least let the kid hold their guardian’s hand.
I feel like the TSA is mostly just trying to do their job—keep citizens safe while flying. But they definitely could have gone about this situation in a different way. It shouldn’t take the mother of the child to convince them of a better, more comfortable way to get the procedure done. This should have just been the standard procedure. The TSA needs to regard people’s comfort levels with themselves and their children being intrudingly searched for explosives or drugs. They could have at least let the child hold on to her mother as they searched her. Amidst all the talking down to the TSA, I feel like people are beginning to forget that this is done to keep the airways safe. It is just their job. But I feel like if the TSA and citizens collaborate as to what can be done to make security checks effective and more comfortable, it would benefit everyone.
I completely disagree with the TSA's actions for handling disabled people, especially children. The method in which the TSA acted in this situation, overstepped the boundaries of common sense and sensitivity. I understand that airport security is of utmost importance, especially in this day in which terrorism is becoming a more widespread threat. But in obvious situations like a 3 yr. old child going to Disney World in a wheelchair, more sensitive methods could have been used. Guidelines and or limitations should be put in place in order to clearly identify what suitable screening method would be used in cases such as this.
ReplyDeleteFor example, tighter screening of guardians traveling with disabled children versus the child themselves, should be made. It is more likely that the adult traveling with the child would be the threat. Children have a known innocence and are highly unlikely to perpetrate such a terrible crime like the hateful extremists. Also there should be a group trained people within the TSA that are experienced in the realm of dealing with children.
David collazo
ReplyDelete7th
This current event is called “The viral shame of the TSA keeping you safe from wheelchair kids” This is talking about how security has gone too far. I think it’s good that security is checking more but I also think there should be some changes in security airport. I know after 9/11, security is being more protective and looking for anything that looks suspicious. I think there should be other ways to check little kids in wheel chairs instead of checking them like the other people who do not have a disability. I do think that TSA are doing their job but they should not be that harsh with the little kids in wheelchairs. In my opinion I think the little kids in wheel chairs should only be checked by the scanner or other ways that don’t involve touching
Cisem Karaca
ReplyDelete5th period
2/28/13
Current Event
TSA
I think that the TSA went completely over their limit with the incident of the little girl. There are boundaries that should be respected when it comes to physically searching a person and I think the TSA crossed that boundary. I understand that it is important to check passengers thoroughly but when it come to children I think that searching should be less through. The only thing that little girl wanted was to go on vacation but in the end she ended up being violated in public for not meeting their requirements. The TSA could have not lied to the mother. They could have acted more civilized and not freaked the little girl out!! THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!
On the contrary people do abuse the rights to fly. I do think strict regulations are necessary to keep people safe especially after the 9/11 attacks. I feel that the strict measure are necessary but do need to be adjusted depending on the situation like if they are children trying to go on vacation!! giraffe
Julia Perkins
ReplyDelete1st pd History
I think that the TSA should not forego security when dealing with small children and those with disabilities. However, I think that it is equally irresponsible to assume that any TSA officer is capable of smoothly dealing with the security checks of small children and those that are disabled. So, I think a solution to these complaints could be to have certain TSA officers trained to do the security checks on these very young kids and people with disabilities. That way, there would still be procedures to ensure the safety of everyone in the airport, just in case, but the experience would be much less frightening for the children or people with disabilities involved.
I think that while it isn’t ridiculous for the TSA to want to look twice at passengers in wheelchairs, the way that this particular situation was handled was not professional. I think there should be trained personnel at every airport to do additional security checks on children such as the ones featured in the videos. Any young child could easily get upset when lots of adults in uniforms are talking about you and getting close to you and you don’t know why. So, if there was a more kid-friendly option for security procedures, then the children involved might not get so upset and then the parents wouldn’t feel the need to post videos about their child’s “traumatic” experience. Most kids can handle going to the doctor, and if officers were more trained so parents were more comfortable with the officers being around their children, then I think the whole process could be greatly improved. The whole point of the TSA is to make flying safe, and I think if they can fulfill that duty but make the experience less invasive-feeling, then everyone would have a better time flying.
McKenzie Matherly
ReplyDeleteI think it's common sense, you can't use a metal detector or x-ray machine on a wheelchair, but the TSA lets every wheelchair and passenger go through without being checked then people will just put bombs or weapons on a wheelchair that will easily be able to get on a plane. What ever they do, they can't have it both ways. If you don't check everyone then whats the point of checking anyone else?
Yes I agree, all the TSA can do is apologize and loosen security a little bit. if they let people on wheelchairs go with out being check, even if it is a child, the planes would probably be blowing up all the time. The main point is that the person in the wheelchair might not even know that they were carrying weapons.
I thing the situation was handled fine because they didn't end up doing the pat down.
Avery Scope-Crafts
ReplyDeleteP.1
In my opinion, there should be changes made to the security procedure for disabled, especially if they are also of young age. Children should defiantly not have to get a full pat down. Being honest, there isn’t much you can hide in a small child anyway. A simple look over of their wheelchair and body should be enough in telling if they are carrying anything illegal. It would be very unusual if a disabled was also a terrorist. I fully disagree with the TSA’s actions. The girl should not have had to get up, and I find that very rude. She has spinal problems, how can they disregard that fact? They could have easily just looked around her wheelchair and moved on. I still have trouble just thinking about TSA’s action. I know they have to be careful, but this?
Hope Davison, 1st Period
ReplyDeleteOf course it’s completely normal and reasonable for an adult to go through necessary airport security procedures, and no one questions that. But it has to be realized that though most children are innocent, they don’t walk through airport security alone. They are travelling with someone, an adult, and what that adult does is what is really concerning the TSA. The life goal for them is not to harass little children- it’s to protect the public from any attacks in the air. So when children are being patted down, swabbed, etc. the focus is all over “wow, this is horrible” and it seems like many people aren’t taking into thought that the TSA is searching for suspicious things that aren’t in the child’s control. It’s isn’t absurd to think that people with bad intent would sneak stuff onto children to get it in the air. You really can’t just rule that out and press not to check children on grounds of “they would never do that, they are too innocent.” Well yeah, the children probably are. Their guardians or adults may not be. I don’t believe there should be limitations on children/disabled children. But care and consideration shouldn’t be tossed in the gutter, because they are just kids.
I stay neutral. However, there were several errors I noticed the TSA did when handling the situation. Firstly, they were wrong to rush into the situation and just start patting down some person’s kid. I realize what complex and rushed process airports have to maintain, and so it is inevitable that some TSA workers may rush through the correct process of explaining and ensuring the parent of what is happening. But they have to let the parent know what is happening to a full extent so the parent can feel comfortable knowing the TSA is just doing their job as a standard procedure to prevent attacks. The TSA should also not hold the parents back from their child. It’s the parent’s right to be with their child, and honestly, what shady thing could they do just by being close to their child. Overall, the TSA has to be considerate if a child is injured. It’s simple common courtesy.
To me it doesn’t seem to harsh to pat down a handicapped kid at an airport. If their is any possibility of a threat the TSA should make sure that it does not happen. I mean, yes the children shouldn’t have to get out of their wheelchairs, but they can still be scanned or patted down.
ReplyDeleteThe TSA should do a better job at being nice, but they still can do whatever is needed to protect our country. Overall they could have handled the situation slightly better, but it certainly wasn’t the worst possible reaction.
I actually do not think that it is that harsh to pat down a handicapped kid. These days terrorists will try anything to harm America, and this would be a pretty easy way to smuggle a bomb in. They should not have to make the child get out of their wheelchair because that is actually violating the child more than is necessary. The TSA is just a common enemy for everyone to hate, and people will take every opportunity they get to jump on them.
ReplyDeleteThe TSA should definitely try to be nicer while they are patting down children, and shouldn't withhold the parents from their children. They could have definitely handled it better, but it is not unreasonable.
Sydney VanOrd
ReplyDelete3/1/13
2 period
I think they should have some type of limits to their actions, but we also need to make sure to be safe. Children and the handicapped should not be able to forego the standard security procedure, but instead there should be an alternative security procedure.
I disagree with the TSA’s actions during this incident. Sure, they were doing their job of trying to keep the planes and passengers safe, but they could have found a better way to deal with this situation. They lied about the law to the mother, and they put the child in a very uncomfortable situation.
joy Stouffer
ReplyDeleteI think that there should be some restrictions when it come to people in wheelchairs. i think that they cshould be checked out because it could easily be a terrorist slipping something in. i do not, however, think extreme cautions need to be taken. maybe 1 pat down.
i think that the little girl should not have been forced to stand up. she is a defenseless little girl. i think that instead of forcing people in wheelchairs to stand, they should have run the electronic sensor over her.
Casey Patterson
ReplyDelete3/1/13
Period 2
I think there should be should be some limitations made for handicapped children such as a new security procedure that is different then the regular check. one simple pat down would do the trick. There isnt much you can hide in a little kid. If you are going to check anything check their wheelchair.
Both people are wrong in this situation. The mom was way too overprotective and the TSA were wrong for having to pat down a three year old.
The only thing the TSA can do now is apologize and not mess up again.
McKenna Willoughby
ReplyDelete3/1/13
Period 2
I think that there should be some limitations for handicapped people and children. Even though I do agree that to bring explosives on a plain through a child or a wheelchair is less suspectful, there probably won’t be that many people doing that. The TSA should consider the type of people that are with the child. If there is a family with the child, then it is very unlikely that they are terrorists.
I do not agree with the TSA’s actions during this incident. They lied about the law, they would not allow the child to hold her toy, and they would not listen to the mother. Instead they should have compromised by taking the mother’s words into consideration, not lying about the law, and they should have been more friendly towards the child.
Sam Bauers
ReplyDelete2nd Period
Waters
3/1/13
I dont think that the TSA did anything wrong. When it comes to national security they can do whatever they want. Just because someone is disabled or a child does not mean they get to skiip pat downs or any kind of security checks. No matter who you are or how you look everyone should be searched and checked, becuase we are trieing to avoid acts of terroism like 9/11. I am all for the TSA and what they are doing.
What I do think the TSA should do is hire trained people to do pat downs and personal searches. One reason why I believe this is because they probably do a better job. Secondly they would probably make people feel more safe and also handle situations better than others would. Basicly so the people will stop complaining about the U.S. trying to keep us safe promote professionals that are more experienced or well trained.
Sydney B
ReplyDelete5th period
There definitely should be limitations. Definitely. I don't think the TSA should do what they did but I understand the reason behind it. They should check police records and family records, of course, but never be violent. Especially with young children with no reason.
I disagree becuase I think it's pretty rude to pat down someone with a disorder, expecially someone in a wheelchair. But I understand why the TSA did it. Terrorists will go to any length to smuggle bombs, drugs, or weapons on a plane. Using a sick child to their advantage is not beneath them. Next time, the TSA should be more gentle and considerate, though I doubt that's going to happen.
Period 2
ReplyDeleteI feel that even though people are in wheelchairs or are handicapped they should still need to go through security. They are just as likely to be dangerous, especially if you consider how easy it would be to hide bombs on a wheelchair, but they can't be treated the same way. They aren't able to pass through metal detectors or full body scanners which means that realisticaly a pat down is the most logical choice. But then there is also the problem of dealing with kids and airport security. I think there should be someone from the TSA at each airport trained in handling situations with kiks so that the kids feel more comforable.
Like I said earlier I think that even handicapped people should have to go through security, but in this case they might have botched it. I think that lack of training when handling kids, and especially handicapped kids, turned the TSA agents good intentions into a complete mess. But even so anyone could be a terrorist and I do not think there is such thing as being too catious when it comes to people's lives.
Lily E.
ReplyDeleteWorld History 7
I'm not sure what to think of their treatment of the three-year-old in the article. It says that they threatened her with a pat-down, but I thought that people always had a choice between that and the scanner. Whatever the case, the TSA employees could have handled the situation without scaring and distressing her. I was surprised to read that when children are detained, they are separated from their parents. Parents should be allowed to stay with young children in those situations.
As long as the TSA is sensitive to children and handicapped passengers, I don't think that they (or anybody else) should be allowed to forego safety procedures. I feel that security should be equal; if we don't check everyone, why check anyone? These people can elect to do the scans instead of the pat-downs.
Kaitlin Hill
ReplyDelete2nd Period
I think that the TSA has the right to search everyone that goes through airport security in some way; however, I do think that in the case of young children or individuals with disabilities some expectations could be made. These people would still have to go through security, but a wheelchair assessable scanner should be made so pat downs on those unable to walk or stand won’t be necessary. In regards to the case of the 3 year old disabled girl who was pat down, I don’t think that the TSA were out of line or that there was any harm done by their actions. I do hope that in the future these pat downs of such small children won’t be necessary.
Takoda Ren
ReplyDelete2nd
I think that what the TSA is doing might have gone too far. They should have some common sense. But they arent trying to be mean, this is a balance between the "greater good" and peoples personal troubles. You could argue either way. If they stopped checking children, then many organizations might take advantage of it. But at the same time, the children who are being patted down might be traumatized for life.
I dont agree with this specific situation because they really should have thought before they acted. But in other situations I might agree. If they are going to check someone, just check the wheel chair, not anything else.
Olivia Wander
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
I don't think that there should be exceptions made with children or disabled people. If we are going to screen everybody, then we really should screen everybody. I hate to say it, but there really is no limit to the depths of depravity that some people will sink to. If it came down to it, terrorists would not be above using children to smuggle explosives on to a plane. If they are willing to blow hundreds of people out of the sky, including children, then they wouldn't be above using them first.
I think in the recent thing with the TSA, both parties were at fault. Honestly, I think the whole thing was blown way out of proportion. That being said, the TSA did cross a couple of lines. This was a three-year-old physically disabled child traveling with her parents to Disney World. I mean, come on guys. When it comes to disabled children, the parents should be allowed to stay so the pat down experience doesn't traumatized the child. Yes the parents should receive ID checks, a pat down beforehand, whatever, but to take a small ill child away from her comfort zone (i.e. "Lamby") and her mom and dad and then expect cooperation from all parties is unrealistic.
I want to add that this article was extremely biased in favor of the parents. I think we should all here the parents side of the story before passing judgement.
Meant traumatize, not traumatized. Stupid autocorrect.
DeleteAlso hear, not here, in the last paragraph thingie. Jeez... I will kill autocorrect.
DeleteCurrent Event 20
ReplyDeleteShomya Mitra
Honors World History 5th Period
1 I think there should be some constraints for screening some people, especially handicapped kids. I think a handicapped person should only be tested if they are a bit suspicious. There is no reason a poor disabled child should have to undergo the stressful pat-down experience. I think that all handicapped people should be able to skip the pat-down and swipes and just have the (x-ray) scans. The problem is, you don’t want to risk missing any threats of an bomb getting on a plane. However, I find it very unlikely a handicapped child would have a bomb. Young children and handicapped people should only be patted down if their scans come up highly positive, and TSA should use common sense when it comes to this.
2 I think the TSA is right in this case about the child. The reason I agree with their choices is because our country is working hard to make sure that 9/11 does not happen again. Some terrorist could become handicapped while still plotting death for the passengers of the plane. Airport security needs to remain very strict in order to keep the citizens of the country very safe. I certainly think they should be careful when checking a handicapped person so they aren’t dangerous. But I believe that every person who enters the plane should undergo security check no matter what.
3 I did not disagree with the TSA's tactics in this problem.
1.I think that there should be some limitations, but not any that may lower the effectiveness of a standard security pat-down. There should be special consultants for testing handicapped people. Without the help of a special consultant, the TSA could be harming the child physically or mentally.
ReplyDelete2.I agree with the TSA's decision with the child because anybody could be a mischievous person and possibly plant dangerous weapons on the handicapped children, or a healthy person could be disguised as a handicapped individual to smuggle something aboard. All of these dangers are probable cause for the precautionary measures the TSA is taking. With disasters happening everyday, airplane high-jacking people can be off the list.
3.I would not have done anything differently other than have a consultant pat the handicapped children down.
Current Event #20
ReplyDeleteHarish Prasad
2-27-13
I think that there should be limitations to TSA’s procedures when it comes to handicapped people because there are certain things that they cannot do. For example, if a small kid broke his leg and TSA guys made him stand up for a pat down, then that would not be very appropriate and there should be a separate procedure for handicapped. In this case, the TSA should not have done what they did.
I disagree with what TSA did because it is not right to give a full pat-down to a handicapped child who was clearly in a wheel chair and cannot get up for a pat down. I don’t think that a pat down was necessary even if she wasn’t handicapped. She is only three years old and doesn’t pose as a threat. I don’t think that a three year old is capable of carrying a bomb and blowing up a plane.
I think that TSA could have gone and did the metal detector and put her through the scanner. Also, there are no TSA rules or any laws that are against recording with a cell phone in a airport and TSA was wrong to tell her not to record her daughter being traumatized by TSA but she should not have done it anyways. TSA also could maybe have used common sense and thought that a three year old handicapped girl would not have a bomb and put her through the scanner to be safe instead of trying making her stand up for a pat down.
Hanna Siekierski
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
After reading this, I think that there need to be certain limitations put in places when it comes to dealing with handicapped passengers; that is, allowing them to forego the invasive security procedures. I believe that if a young handicapped kid is forced to undergo this private screening that their parents should be allowed to go with them to provide comfort. Another change that could be made is that only “highly suspicious” children should have to experience and go through one of the more in-depth security scans. I understand and respect that TSA is just trying to keep everyone safe, but how much harm could a three-year-old in a wheelchair cause?
I disagree with the actions TSA took in respect to the three-year-old girl in the wheelchair. It was apparent from the video that the child was innocent of any crime they think she committed. They also cause her to become uncomfortable and upset. However, her mother’s approach to the TSA woman and the issue was slightly overboard and made her appear potentially guilty of something. Personally they should never have had any reason to examine the girl, and they could have handled the issue better, especially when what they were doing was so upsetting to the girl that she started sobbing.
I think the TSA could have done many things differently with this situation. The first thing they could have done was try explaining to the mother that they are trying to keep everyone safe and just following protocol. Secondly, they could have been much kinder to the little girl and respect her personal space better. If they had been nicer to the little it is likely that she wouldn't have been crying as much, and it would not have been as big of a deal. Also because they weren't very kind and friendly to her she is probably traumatized and will never want to have to ride on a plane or go through that again.
Linda Martinez
ReplyDeletePeriod: 2nd
In my opinion i believe there should be a limitation of how they are allowed to check a handicapped children ect. I know there are many different reasons why everyone is checked how our safety act but i also believe that there should be a special was how we should pat-down handicapped or children because we don't want to hurt them in any way. I disagree with the TSA because they were trying to put-down a 3 year handicapped girl who wasn't even able to get up. There should be another way to check this children maybe using a scanner so they can avoid from touching children of handicapped.
I think that the TSA has the right to search everyone that goes through airport security in some way; however, I do think that in the case of young children or individuals with disabilities some tions could be made. These people would still have to go through security, but a wheelchair assessable scanner should be made so pat downs on those unable to walk or stand won’t be necessary. In regards to the case of the 3 year old disabled girl who was pat down, I don’t think that the TSA were out of line or that there was any harm done by their actions. I do hope that in the future these pat downs of such small children won’t be necessary.
ReplyDeleteI think that the TSA does not have to be as harsh in all circumstances. However, what they do is under their jurisdiction and the reason they take the actions are for a purpose, which is to protect our country. I do not necessarily think that patting down a young handicapped child is required, but since the child wasn't hurt I don't even think the story is media-worthy. We are currently trying to find a method of searching people that is non-invasive yet still effective in finding a threat. A suitable method has not been found so the TSA is trying to do the best job they can. However, when this method is found a slightly better treatment can be expected.
ReplyDeleteAshley Yang
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
I think it is important that the TSA take action because their job is for the good of the nation. I feel like they can go too far, but it should not be an excuse that because someone has a handicap that they should not be searched or pat down. It's hard to both keep the nation safe while pleasing the public's view. The TSA is trying to protect this country and they would be blamed if something did happen, so I understand why they would go to such extreme measures as patting down a young handicapped child. There should be limitations, but it's hard to say what the limits should be because this is such a controversial matter. With this three year old girl, I feel like they went a little bit too far, but like I said they were just doing their job which is first to protect this nation.
Keith Segars
ReplyDeletePD. 2
I think that there should be some limitations regarding people with special circumstances. I feel that they should not be completely exempt from security thou. The TSA could probably invest in some safe, more efficient technology like X-ray or advanced metal detection systems. They should also do away with pat-downs of youth and elderly, the pat-downs can be scary to young children and in some cases traumatizing.
I feel that the actions done by the TSA were over the line. They should not have done a full pat down on the girl. If they are trying to traumatize children they are doing a great job. They could have given her a non-evasive medal detector test that would have done the same thing as the pat down but without scaring the kid to death.
I think that the TSA could have done something different. Maybe they could have given the girl a metal detector test rather than a pat down. They also could have let the child keep the toy with her while they were administrating the pat down. Also, they could let the child have the pat down with her parents. They could have done a lot of things different that would be way more convenient than what they did.
Elise Dixon
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
I believe that there should be restrictions when checking handicapped young children, It is highly unlikely that a young child would be carrying explosives. I would support them checking the palms of children and parts of the wheel chair but I think that it is wrong to do a full body search on a child that is disabled. There will probably be a time that TSA people would cross this line, to which I would suggest that there would be a supervisor to make most of the bold decisions. As of checking just children, I think that inspections are ok, but not full-body ones. Concerning adults I would be a bit more strong with giving people full body checks, If there is such an instance that it is needed, I would also accept a full body check on a handicapped adult.
I disagree with the TSA’s decision with the little girl, I think that they should not do something to a poor girl that is only three years old. She did not look suspicious at all and was obviously very distraught. Also, the amount of time and how many people they spoke too was a bit too much in my opinion.
One thing that I think could have been done was to make the whole procedure a lot shorter. If it was so important that they check this child then they could just quickly have a person sweep the wheel chair without having the child become very disturbed.
In my opinion, the belief that children and disable people are less likely to be carrying illicit substances is a completely illogical and ridiculous one. However, I do believe that there could be some new policies enacted. Underage children should always be allowed access to their guardian and physicians should always be consulted while or before searching a disabled individual. In no way do I believe that ANYONE should be exempt from an exam. While these policies would make traveling easier, try we're not in effect during the time of these exams. Therefore the TSA was technically in the right. However, it would have been possible to handle the situation with more compassion and tact. To me it is outrageous for someone to ask for exemption from searches. It was not in violation of their rights or privacy, it is simply a safety concern. The author of the article had a clear bias, treating the issue as if it were a viscous attack on these children. Rather, it is the TSA's policy. Instead of overreacting they should have come to terms with the TSA's widely known rules. In this situation there is no one to blame because there was no offense committed, however both parties reacted to the situation poorly.
ReplyDeleteWenbo Wang
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
3/1/2013
Current Event #20: Has TSA Gone Too Far?
Due to the differences behind each and every individual’s personal preferences regarding security procedures, limitations should be established to the passengers, as well as the inspector. Instead of a standard pat-down which might cause hysteria within certain groups, the caretaker should provide the materials to the inspector, instead of the inspector contacting the person in question themselves. But I think it would be better if passengers were to be treated equally; not targeted towards a certain group, which might result in protest- as shown with the passengers within a wheelchair.
Based on the circumstances presented in this article, I am not strongly in agreement or disagreement with either side of the argument. The family members of the three year old girl, as well as the TSA employees both have their standpoint, which are all strongly supported. I agree with the TSA for giving extra precautions to situations which have caused disruptions in the past, but I also strongly disagree with their way of handling the situation. If the family member were to have given the inspector the necessary materials, pat-down hysteria would not have occurred. However, the family of the girl is also correct; for to the parents, it is inconceivable that strangers are to give special measures and physically touch innocent children during pat-downs. But evidence should still be provided, just in another form, to prevent suspicion and the worst as was shown in the past.
The TSA should first ask for the permission of parents for an inspection at appropriate zones, and ask for the parents to provide evidence needs, instead of undergoing inspection at uncomfortable areas of personal possession; especially because children are extremely sensitive to stranger pat-downs, and their parents equally protective as well. Both groups own good means, but perceived in a different way.
7 period world history
ReplyDeleteAnna zurliene
Current event # 20
Flying is already pretty dangerous, so I don’t think you can be too careful when it comes to checking handicapped and children. One of my biggest fears when flying is that a child has been planted with something and since they are children they just skim over them. We should all have equal treatment when it comes to airport security, but that doesn’t mean the TSA should be as harsh to us as they are. They can be thorough without being invasive and demanding.
I don’t understand why the TSA needed to pat her down anyways and why they weren’t trying to be comforting about it with the girl and the parents because they were both in obvious distress over it. There is no way they could have gotten what they wanted when they are treating the people they are servicing with such disrespect. The filming part was a good thing to do on the parent’s part because it shows those who don’t know, what’s really going on.
Like I said before, if they were calm and collected about it and actually tried to talk through things with the parents and comfort the little girl, the service could have been a lot better and there really wouldn't be that big of a problem in the first place.
Alexis Ramirez
ReplyDeleteHonors World History
1st period
3-1-13
The TSA has restrictions to search anybody but in my opinion they should not check the people. Such as handicap people, and I know that some people would agree. Some people say it is for the safety for the country. I mean people should have privacy. Also why younger children if they are tho young to be check if they are feeling uncomfortable. The TSA needs to put limitations for handicap people another as well, and everyone.
I disagree what the TSA did to the three year girl in the wheelchair. I mean they are lying to the law. The TSA should have been more friendly to the child, instead of making her stand up when she is in a wheelchair. I mean they should of scan her with a electrical sensor, if I was them. She's forced to stand up when she is handicap. Also if I was the TSA I would been more respectful, and caring.
Nikki Thai
ReplyDelete1st period
1.) I don't think in this case there should there should be any regulations or such. We wouldn't want to bring any type of danger on board a airplane. Despite the fact that some people might be small children or handicap doesn't give them an excuse to avoid being checked.
2.) I don't think that the TSA did anything majorly wrong. If they would have done a pat down of the child that would have been different. I think that suggesting to put the little girl in the x-ray like everyone else was the better solution. When it for the sake of safety, it best to take all precautions. And it's not like it cause any major problems or disturbances.
3.) I don't think anything should be changed. I'm pretty much okay with the way TSA works.
Kurt Gee
ReplyDeletepd 7
If we lack a procedure, than what is the point of airport security? Everyone must be checked, and there should be no reason as to why anyone receives a different treatment. Of course, society views patdowns on children and handicapped as ridiculous, but the safety of others comes before the moral issues. Our basic instinct is survival, and that is our top priority. If we loosen security just because of ones physical appearance, how effective is the TSA?
I think the TSA check the girl and this is good job. But they could have make it a bit nicer and politer, because the kids are very fragile. Also, they could explain the pracess to the mother to make it understandable. Many people seem too disagree with this search, because “she obviously was innocent”. How do you know that?
Saane Chamberlin
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
1) I know this sounds bad, but pat-downs for all ages and capabilities are necessary. EVen though most people have a sense and moral and wouldn't do anything to put harm onto others, some still do. People who feel this way could easily and sadly put a bomb on a little child or handicapped. Even though people find pat-downs unnecessary, in this time we cant afford to take any chances.
2) What happened to this little girl is sad, i realize this. But, i feel that people don't quite grasp what the TSA is trying to prevent. Even though it is evasive and sad, we have had to resort to patting-down children. Not saying that the children necessarily are the threats, but what they could have on then or do.
3) I think that everything TSA is doing is fine, not out of line at all. Nothing needs to change.
Shreyas Pyati
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
1) This is a very controversial topic. In one way, it is absolutely necessary to check everyone because people that intend harm to the general public are getting more and more inventive. On the flip side, moral obligations can get in the way. It isn't right to pat down a disabled child, or a crippled person, but it might be necessary. I think that it is better to have no limitations, but parents should be allowed into the room while their child is being searched.
2) I agree, but reluctantly. It is necessary but it doesn't mean I have to like it. Because of their young age, children can be very naive and so they could be given a bomb and told it was a toy or something.
3) The procedure is good as it is.
Alex Parks
ReplyDelete1st
3/2/13
I think that there should be no limitations to let certain people forego standard security procedures. Instead the TSA should improve to suit the people’s needs. They should buy plastic wheelchairs so the handicapped can go through the scanner like normal while the TSA searches and scans the wheel chair. When the TSA is done checking the wheel chair, they can switch it back for the plastic one that they lent to the handicapped person. I do not think that the TSA should make anyone exempt from being searched because handicapped people present just as large of a safety risk as anyone else. If the TSA made someone not have to undergo standard procedure then everyone would want to be exempt and eventually we would have no security at all.
I disagree with the TSA’s actions regarding this recent incident. I think that they should not have dealt with her differently by pulling her out of line to be patted down and checked separately. Instead they should have just carried out the normal procedure by having one of her parents take her through the scanner while the TSA searched and scanned her wheelchair separately. Then they could just give the child her wheelchair back and let them go on vacation without wasting time and making it such a big deal.
Joyce Yao
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
Considering the enormous responsibility of the public's safety that the TSA is in charge of, it's hard to not be overly cautious. People these days are crazy, you really have no clue what they're capable of. But at the same time, detaining a 3 year old who is disabled? That's a little too far. These two points makes it hard to choose a side, considering both have valid reasons for their standings. I can't really say what I think the TSA should do regarding kids being checked. I do understand the parents' distressed reaction though. It IS their young child who is disabled that's being "harassed" by the TSA. I think the right move for the TSA women would be to get her manager to calmly explain to the parent what the issue is. This is a pretty controversial topic because of the points made by each side. Therefore I can't really say much except the situation could've been handled in a manner that would not only calm the parents and help them understand and then make a more efficient way to check the kids, because if the kids aren't checked, someone might take advantage of that. The TSA should collaborate and work something out
Mary Louise Callaghan
ReplyDelete2nd period
There is definitely a balance that needs to be kept when dealing with personal privacy and national security. While I completely feel like people from the TSA agent should have their own privacy , they are still just doing their jobs by making sure the people on the planes are completely safe. I also think that the people waiting in line should chill out because they were just trying to be sure they were safe.
I completely get the mother being upset about her daughter and the security guard, but she also needs to understand that it technically is their duty and job to check everybody. The TSA agent as well needs to understand that there need to be boundaries when working with young children.
Paige Jones
ReplyDelete2nd period
1) I do not think there should be specific limitations made when it comes to allowing some passengers (handicapped, children, etc.), to forego standard security procedures, but there should be more consideration for those types of passengers. They should be treated with care, but limitations honestly shouldn’t be necessary unless this becomes a much more serious issue to Americans.
2) I neither agree nor disagree with the TSA’s actions regarding the 3-year-old’s wheelchair incident. I think the mother was a bit overprotective, but I can definitely understand why she wouldn’t want some random people to touch her 3-year old disabled baby girl.
The TSA could have handled the situation with more care, and could have explained the situation more. Most mothers in that situation probably would have allowed their child to be searched if the TSA were courteous, kind, and apologized for the regulations.
Emily Chang
ReplyDelete1st Period
I understand the need for security since there have been many incidents involving violence that have devastated this country. On the other hand, there are still boundaries. The TSA could have approached this in a different way, maybe have tried to explain in a more sympathetic tone. The TSA have a duty to their country and I think, in the long run, the mother would've felt more comfortable after the security check. Who knows if someone snuck explosives into her child's wheechair?
Valeria Campos-Diaz
ReplyDelete1st period
I think that there should be certain limitations on disabled people getting checked at the airport. I think that they should just put the people through their new scanner and that they should not give them a pat down, or swab their chairs. The only exception would be if their scan made them look suspicious.
No, I do not agree with their actions. They had already done an X-ray scan, so they had already checked her body. Which makes doing a pat down pointless. They put so much money into these new scanners, so why do they doubt its results? I kind of understand swabbing the chair; as they said a wheelchair picks up things like the bottom of a shoe would. They should have just swabbed the chair after doing the X-ray, and then have let them get on their way. Checking her again for things that they did not see the first time would have wasted everybody’s time.
Jeff Richardson / Honors World History
ReplyDelete1st Period / Qorey Waters
TSA has an extremely important job in the protection of our country and it's precious inhabitants. Keeping that in mind, we must be considerate of their actions especially knowing that they have our best interests in mind. However, their actions against this three-year-old child could have been more thoroughly thought out. Saying this, I find it hard to choose a side Both have valid reasons for their standings.
My first step to a solution would be to discuss (with the mother) what her complaints are. Once everything is out on the table they should try to reach a compromise. The solution should keep American safety as a first priority, yet be a little more lenient to the overall comfort of our population. Of course no solution is as simple as that, especially regarding such a controversial topic.
Noah Miller Johnson
ReplyDeleteFirst period
Honors World History
1. I think the TSA should rethink its guidelines dealing with children and disabled people. It is absurd to expect that they do everything that we expect of an adult. TSA should allow for children to pass through security with less screening because they are not terrorists. Other people should be allowed help passing through security and only wheel chairs should be examined.
2. I disagree with what the TSA did in regards to the little girl. Because this was a child there is little to no security threat and a large possibility of hurting the child. It was not worth the risk of harm to the child. Because TSA has done this multiple times but has never caught anyone trying to break the law, this should be a sign to them that their security procedures are to harsh on children and people with disabilities.
3. TSA should have made her pass through the full body scanner again and then should have done a manual check (not a pat down).
Emma Baldwin
ReplyDelete3.4.13
Period 7
1. While this situation is clearly an outrageous incident, I think that it is clear that limitations for the handicapped or small children will only put them more at risk. If anyone wanted to smuggle an illicit item onboard a plane, they would make sure to do so with someone who would receive a less invasive pat-down. That being said, I think it is horribly unethical to put small children, especially those under extra emotional or physical stress, in such a situation where they feel unsafe. These children should have access to a guardian during the procedure as well as a recent doctor’s note. Obviously, it is impossible to block every trace of an illegal substance (such as the explosive powder on the girl’s wheelchair) but it is possible to make the procedure more logical, and it can certainly be said that the way the TSA handles such situations does not help them as they try to ensure safety.
2. I neither agree nor disagree with the TSA’s actions regarding the three-year-old girl. It is obvious that the TSA had to continue with their job as told--as according to law, common sense, and the busy schedule of airports--but it is equally obvious that the situation could have been handled much better. Trying to keep people safe is not a crime; however, it should also not create more problems than it fixes. The author’s bias makes it difficult to answer this question.
3. Aside from the actual situation, the TSA could have acknowledged the situation in social media and made efforts to make progress in their procedures in the future. Ignoring and trying to downplay the situation does nothing to help the TSA. Any of the methods mentioned in the first question could have improved this situation.
Sam Nielsen
ReplyDelete1st Period
1. I think there there should be some limitations in cases involving handicapped children. The idea that a child would want to blow up a plane, or that the parent of a child would want to blow up a plane with the child in it is absurd. There's just no point in patting down these children. For adults, handicapped or not, there should be no limitations.
2. I do not agree with what TSA did in this case, simply because this is a 3 year old girl we're talking about. There is nearly no chance that that girl or her parents would have tried to hijack, or blow up, the plane.
3. I think that they should have just avoided patting the girl down in the first place. There isn't really much else to change.
Jesse Chen
ReplyDelete3/5/13
period 7
I think that there should be no limitations to let certain people forego standard security procedures. Instead the TSA should improve to suit the people’s needs. They should buy plastic wheelchairs so the handicapped can go through the scanner like normal while the TSA searches and scans the wheel chair. When the TSA is done checking the wheel chair, they can switch it back for the plastic one that they lent to the handicapped person. I do not think that the TSA should make anyone exempt from being searched because handicapped people present just as large of a safety risk as anyone else. If the TSA made someone not have to undergo standard procedure then everyone would want to be exempt and eventually we would have no security at all.
I disagree with the TSA’s actions regarding this recent incident. I think that they should not have dealt with her differently by pulling her out of line to be patted down and checked separately. Instead they should have just carried out the normal procedure by having one of her parents take her through the scanner while the TSA searched and scanned her wheelchair separately. Then they could just give the child her wheelchair back and let them go on vacation without wasting time and making it such a big deal.
If we lack a procedure, than what is the point of airport security? Everyone must be checked, and there should be no reason as to why anyone receives a different treatment. Of course, society views patdowns on children and handicapped as ridiculous, but the safety of others comes before the moral issues. Safety is our top priority. If we loosen security just because someone doesn't look threatening, how effective is the TSA?
ReplyDeleteI think the TSA should check the girl. But they could have made it a more gentle, because the kids are very fragile. Also, they could explain the process to the mother to make it understandable. Many people seem to disagree with this search, because “she obviously was innocent”. How do you know that?
Vanessa Campos-Diaz
ReplyDeleteperiod 7
I think that there should be certain limitations on disabled people getting checked at the airport. I think that they should just put the people through their new scanner and that they should not give them a pat down, or swab their chairs. The only exception would be if their scan made them look suspicious.
No, I do not agree with their actions. They had already done an X-ray scan, so they had already checked her body. Which makes doing a pat down pointless. They put so much money into these new scanners, so why do they doubt its results? I kind of understand swabbing the chair; as they said a wheelchair picks up things like the bottom of a shoe would. They should have just swabbed the chair after doing the X-ray, and then have let them get on their way. Checking her again for things that they did not see the first time would have wasted everybody’s time.
Bobby Russell 5th period
ReplyDeleteHonors World History
1. I definitely don’t think that young handicapped passengers should go through the whole “search” process that the old passengers go through. When the process is performed on little children I feel that they should never have to leave their aid device(wheelchair, walker, ect). I think all that is necessary is a mirror check. Which is where they put a mirror under the chair to see is there’s anything under it. I feel like that should suffice for the check. Honestly where could you hide drugs on a little kids wheelchair.
2. No way. I think they were trying to do way too much to the little girl. Shes couldn’t be more than three feet. That wheelchair was so small there was no way to hide anything. Then when called on it the TSA people began to lie. Like what the heck. I understand there doing it for our protection but this is definitely too far.
3. I think they could have been more understanding of the situation. They saw they were upsetting the child they could have done more to comfort her. I think if there priority was keep her calm and check her and not just rush through everything the situation would have been so much different.
Sophie Heins
ReplyDelete1st
I don't think that really little kids should have to deal with getting a pat down from security. It just isn't right. Go through a metal detector, have their carry-ons scanned also fine with me. None of these really bug me. But patting down little kids or anyone unnecessarily just bugs me.
It was wrong to do that to the little girl. Really what could have been hidden in her wheelchair , and who would take that much of an advantage of a little girl. It just isn't right. Then lying about it when confronted how freaking spineless can you be!
They should have ben so much more understanding of whats on the going on. She was obviously terrified so why would they put her through that kind of torment. You just shouldn't be willing to terrorize a little girl to that degree. Theres such a thing as taking your job to seriously.
Nick Agusta 1st
ReplyDeleteI don't think the just because a person is handicapped or whatever their circumstance is that they should be given special treatment. People all over the world use little kids as drug mules, because they receive special treatment.
I agree because the TSA have no background information on this girl for all they know her uncle could be a terrorist, or apart of a drug cartel.
Robert Fernald
ReplyDelete1st
5/17/2013
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/14/travel/cruise-ship-fire/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews
I know that this article is old but it still is interesting how badly a cruise could fail. This article talks about the cruise ship, the Carnival Triumph which had an engine problem and a power failure. Due to the power failure the conditions aboard the boat have become disgusting. The toilets are broken so raw sewage leaks all over the hallways of the ship. According to the article some people have nowhere to sleep because raw sewage has spilled on their beds.
Luckily the ship is being towed into port and people are expected to exit the ship tonight . Also people aboard the ship are being compensated with $500, a free plane flight home, a full refund for the trip, and a complementary trip. I think that because of this, Carnival looks really bad and they need to improve the quality of their ships so they will be less likely to fail.