Victim on Trans. Security Admin abuse--having difficulty finding atty :(

[Smitty15]

Long story short - I was detained in public by the TSA bomb/explosive team at JFK in New York City on Monday night [11/21/11] for almost 2 hours.

My humiliation on degradation was in complete public view--including an intimate body search [after having already gone through the full body xray], and being sat down by a scan line [conveyor belt] which thy closed just for me, where I was interrogated as well as all my belongings thoroughly searched ---all while being guarded bu TSA and management people around me. Nothing short of a public spectacle.

I missed my flight, and ultimately had to purchase a complete separate ticket home-- their offer was to send me on the next available flight on the same carrier I had originally purchased---and I still would have had to pay for a hotel room overnight. I should have been able to get on the very next available flight out--- IMO first class--- on any carrier---not just one that was a "partner"

I was never offered an apology, was never told what set off their machines--only except to bag my medication I had--in which one of them is a heart medication, but it does not contain glycerin.

I have flown on average every other week for over 3 years for business and have had the occasional explosives trace scan check they do before , but have never ever been subject to this treatment.

One of my problems is I live in MN, and this happened in NY--- and on top of that after calling 50 different attorneys, I can't find a single one willing to help. I need one that is willing to work on contigency--- I am currently in Chpt 13.

I was given the advice to file a complaint with the ACLU... but I feel so violated, defeated, and cheated it seems senseless to just complain.

Thank You

~A. Smith

 

[Antigone*]

Long story short - I was detained in public by the TSA bomb/explosive team at JFK in New York City on Monday night [11/21/11] for almost 2 hours.

My humiliation on degradation was in complete public view--including an intimate body search [after having already gone through the full body xray], and being sat down by a scan line [conveyor belt] which thy closed just for me, where I was interrogated as well as all my belongings thoroughly searched ---all while being guarded bu TSA and management people around me. Nothing short of a public spectacle.

I missed my flight, and ultimately had to purchase a complete separate ticket home-- their offer was to send me on the next available flight on the same carrier I had originally purchased---and I still would have had to pay for a hotel room overnight. I should have been able to get on the very next available flight out--- IMO first class--- on any carrier---not just one that was a "partner"

I was never offered an apology, was never told what set off their machines--only except to bag my medication I had--in which one of them is a heart medication, but it does not contain glycerin.

I have flown on average every other week for over 3 years for business and have had the occasional explosives trace scan check they do before , but have never ever been subject to this treatment.

One of my problems is I live in MN, and this happened in NY--- and on top of that after calling 50 different attorneys, I can't find a single one willing to help. I need one that is willing to work on contigency--- I am currently in Chpt 13.

I was given the advice to file a complaint with the ACLU... but I feel so violated, defeated, and cheated it seems senseless to just complain.

Thank You

~A. Smith

We are not an attorney referral service. If you have called 50 attorneys and none of them are willing to take your case, that make about statement about "your case."

 

[You Are Guilty]

Assuming you were not detained because of your membership in a protected class (eg, race, gender, etc), then a security stop is not illegal, which would probably explain why no one is interesting in pursuing this "case".

Good luck.

 

[tranquility]

I agree. Unless the reason the OP was pulled out was a prohibited one, there is no case. There is nothing here to show the TSA went after the OP for a prohibited reason.

 

[ecmst12]

Did you arrive at the airport at least the recommended 2 hours prior to your scheduled departure?

 

[xylene]

Your maximum damages are going to be the cost of ticket.

That is why you have no case.

I suggest you write to a sympathetic congressman.

Many people detest the TSA and wish that Bush had never created it in a jingoistic and ineffective 'barn door slam' reaction to terrorist events.

 

[cyjeff]

Furthermore, a two hour stop isn't inconvenient enough for a judge to award you any significant damages... therefore, there is nothing for an attorney to attach as payment.

I understand your pain. My last name is shared by a known gangster and I get the "quad star" on my ticket every so often. This means that they will search everything I own and every part of my person. Heck, when I see those stars I take an extra minute before I enter the line to make sure I am wearing presentable underwear... because I will be sitting in nothing but for a while.

It happens... and it sucks. But, there is nothing to be done.

 

[xylene]

Heck, when I see those stars I take an extra minute before I enter the line to make sure I am wearing presentable underwear... because I will be sitting in nothing but for a while.

I go commando.

Got it, flaunt it.

Plus it doesn't shift up sitting for all that time.