Pros and Cons of TSA Pat Downs and Screenings

You know it is kind of sad that I had to warn company that was flying into my town for the holidays about the TSA pat towns and screenings. Right now across the country there is much debate about the Transportation Security Administration's new methods. Their new methods include full-body scans and really enhanced pat downs. With the holidays being here many people are flying to get to their holiday destinations. Will these new TSA regulations keep people from flying or make them feel better about flying? There are many pros and cons of TSA pat down and screenings.

Pros

Some people think that the new TSA pat downs and screenings are a good thing. They believe that we as a country should do everything we can possibly do to keep terrorists from trying to blow up our planes. Safety is key for them. These fliers have no issue with the TSA pat downs and screenings. They believe that the Transportation Security Administration should do whatever is necessary to keep the people on the planes safe.

It is being said right now that once you enter the security area of an airport that you cannot leave that area for any reason without having a body screening. If you try to leave that area without a body screening then you will automatically be held for an enhanced pat down. You may be even forced to pay a huge fine. Plus, if for any reason the airport screening alarm goes off twice you must be hand searched. So the people who think that the new TSA security measures are okay are basically saying that it is no issue for them to have a groin check because it will keep the entire passenger's safe when flying. What do you think?

Cons

Although I actually agree that simple pat downs by a TSA agent maybe needed from time to time, I am having a hard time believing that super enhanced pat downs are necessary for flying safety. I definitely do not understand why we need to do this around the holiday time when families are traveling. What a way to ruin the holiday season. There is nothing like unwarranted searches for putting you in the holiday spirit.

It is bad enough that adults have to go through the new TSA pat downs and screenings. However, can you imagine putting our children through the process? I am a bit confused how the federal government thinks it is okay for me to ask my child to let a stranger touch them all over their tiny little bodies. Do they not understand that as a mother that I have been trying to tell my children that a stranger touching them is a bad thing? Has the TSA never heard the words "Stranger Danger"?

The Transportation Security Administration is so afraid of letting the bad guys do bad things that they are missing the bigger picture. They might be the bad guys themselves for letting our children practically be molested right in front of the whole airport. When a child is screaming and saying "Do not touch me" it is time to listen. I think that this is the biggest con to TSA pat downs and screenings. The mama bear in me just could not sit back and witness a child crying and screaming because of the new enhanced pat downs. I can tell you until the TSA changes things back to normal my children will not be flying any time in the future.

If you have a child traveling with you, please ask the ticket agent if the child has been selected for a random search. The agent can tell by looking at the ticket. If they are, you can ask them to deselect the child. It is very important to keep our airplane flights as safe as possible, but we need to do it in a way that does not scare everyone. Think wisely before you book your next flight. Make sure you are up to the new TSA regulations. There are many pros and cons of TSA pat downs and screenings.

Source:

http://www.myvidster.com/video/600891/Video_of_TSA_Screener_Accosting_3_Year_Old_Child_at_Security_Checkpoint

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40242420/ns/travel-news