October 21, 2010 10:21 AM

Pilot Refuses Full-Body Scan, Pat Down at Tenn. Airport, Calls TSA a "Make-Work" Program

By
Edecio Martinez
Topics
Daily Blotter

Pilot Refuses Full-Body Scan, Pat Down at Tenn. Airport, Calls TSA a "Make-Work' Program

(CBS/AP)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (CBS/AP) Michael Roberts, a commercial airline pilot, may lose his job after he refused a pat down and full body scan, because he says he's tired of being manhandled by security agents.

The ExpressJet Airlines first officer was chosen for the X-ray scan Friday at Memphis International Airport. The Houston-based pilot says after refusing the full body scan, he refused a pat-down and then went home.

Roberts had gone to the airport to board a flight to Houston. He was then scheduled to fly out of that city.

"I'm not trying to throw down the gauntlet with the federal government per se," Roberts told The Commercial Appeal.

Roberts said Friday was the first time he has used the security checkpoint since new full-body scanning equipment was installed. He said he has gone through security at the Memphis airport without incident routinely for more than four years.

The 35-year-old Memphis pilot told the l newspaper he wants to go to work and not be "harassed or molested without cause."

Transportation Safety Administration spokesman Jon Allen says a person was turned away after refusing to follow federal security procedures but declined to say if it was Roberts, citing privacy considerations.

Roberts said tight security is important to protect air travelers, but he doesn't believe TSA efforts are effective.

"I have those concerns as well, but I don't believe this approach is a necessary or effective way to mitigate the threat," Roberts said.

He also called the TSA a "make-work" program.


Add a Comment See all 17 Comments
by Wimpie9 October 25, 2010 2:04 PM EDT
"this pilot can be bought and decide to bring something on the plain with him that might possible injure or even kill many people!"

This is an Idiot argument - NOBODY can stop him from nosediving the plane into the ground, killing EVERYBODY if he really wants to!

If he takes a knife or gun or oversized toothpaste on board, who cares???
Reply to this comment
by maccount October 27, 2010 1:19 PM EDT
It's not toothpast we're talking about - IT'S PEOPLE!!!
by maccount October 28, 2010 11:56 AM EDT
TO: by October 25, 2010 2:04 PM EDT

Read this below and tell is it's an idiot argument - jurk! This is a pilot saying it - who better!


by wayneice October 23, 2010 9:05 AM EDT
what a jerk. I am an international pilot for delta (writing this from a Tokyo layover), and believe me, thorough security checks are important and pilots should not be exempt. Here is a little secret, psycho pilots have tried to take down airplanes in the past and a few have been sucessful. Whatever this guy's issues are, they are not making us safer and they are not advancing civil rights. Civils rights are our responsiblities to cooperate for the safety of the general public. I hope this idiot loses his 18k year commuter job and finds something appropriate to his intellect... perhaps flipping burgers at the state fair.
by Briano64 October 23, 2010 2:11 PM EDT
I thought the goal of a terrorist was to take control of the plane or to blow up the plane. If the pilot has already passed all of the security measures that are in place for him to be a pilot then there's nothing to stop him from flying the plane into a building or running it into the ground killing all of those onboard.It makes no sense to search the pilot for bombs or any other weapons because he has already achieved what he wanted to do in the first place and that is to take control of the aircraft. Common sense is dead in America!!
Reply to this comment
by maccount October 25, 2010 11:01 AM EDT
To Briano64: EVERYONE should get searched - how would you know if one day this pilot can be bought and decide to bring something on the plain with him that might possible injure or even kill many people! This rule applies to everyone, including the pilot - I rather be safe then sorry - wouldn't you? The common sense in America might not be as dead as you think! Have you forgotten 9/11 - who trained these people to flight out planes in order to use it againt us? So excusing this pilot from being searched might be another mistake we make and therefore might cause the death of innocent lives!
by rockyflatsgear October 23, 2010 12:40 PM EDT
Dear wayneice, as you may not know on 11 Sept 10 TSA some ground personnel with access to secure areas are NOT required to be scanned. This I suspect was quietly done to avoid radiation health safety limit being reached by personnel from repeated x-ray exposure. As a single engine pilot and part of the flying public this is a far bigger security risk. Regarding pilots they should be packing heat when wheels are up they are ultimately responsible for the plane, crew and passengers. Only test for the crew should be if they are well rested and sober. The Expressjet pilot and the public has a right to protect personal health (avoid ionizing radiation) and not be treated as a criminal to get on a plane or enter a public building.
Reply to this comment
by wayneice October 23, 2010 9:05 AM EDT
what a jerk. I am an international pilot for delta (writing this from a Tokyo layover), and believe me, thorough security checks are important and pilots should not be exempt. Here is a little secret, psycho pilots have tried to take down airplanes in the past and a few have been sucessful. Whatever this guy's issues are, they are not making us safer and they are not advancing civil rights. Civils rights are our responsiblities to cooperate for the safety of the general public. I hope this idiot loses his 18k year commuter job and finds something appropriate to his intellect... perhaps flipping burgers at the state fair.
Reply to this comment
by aabreu2 October 23, 2010 7:44 AM EDT
A.) He's a pilot. There ain't nothing more dangerous than flying an airplane.

B.) In America we are supposed to be free.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Benjamin Franklin
Reply to this comment
by rockyflatsgear October 23, 2010 12:49 PM EDT
Let me understand this inverted logic, pilots must take of wings part of the uniform and be treated like criminals to get to their plane. Where the TSA professionals are not required to undergo the same security procedures as of 11sept10? Security should be run by the airlines it's their plane, crew and paying customers.
by 4OurHealth October 22, 2010 11:53 AM EDT
This is a violation of our rights. More importantly, though, these scanners have not been fully tested and approved by the FDA. Some of these scanners use "millimeter wave" technology that can harm our DNA and some of them use X-ray technology and we all know radiation is bad for our health. Please, prevent damage to your health and tell the TSA agent you are opting out of the scanner and will take the pat down instead. It may not be fun, but it's healthier than the scanner.
Reply to this comment
by Wimpie9 October 21, 2010 6:38 PM EDT
"Advanced Imaging Technology" is a euphemism created to make people think they are getting "scanned." No one is getting "scanned" -- they are getting strip searched.

The fundamental privacy issue is whether our government has the right to make strip searches routine and mandatory.

There is no question that these machines violate the 4th Amendment.

There are also health issues. Researchers are already coming out saying that the machines aren't safe and could cause cancer. The flat ones (Rapiscan) use X-RAYS on Men, Women & Children, including pregnant women!

Check out http://DontScan.me for important safety and privacy information!
Reply to this comment
by rockyflatsgear October 22, 2010 11:14 AM EDT
WPS = AIT = strip search = Health Cancer risk years from now
Avoid the machines vary dangerous, get free radiation report from rockyflatsgear.com regarding how the scanners work and a second free report on radiation protection.
by 66Bronco October 21, 2010 4:22 PM EDT
I agree, good for him. I have believed for a long time that the TSA is a "make-work" program too!
Reply to this comment
by rockyflatsgear October 21, 2010 1:22 PM EDT
For this professional pilot to lose his job saying "no" to a Voluntary scan and potential health risk is crazy. The common backscatter systems use penetrating x-rays, well known to damage DNA. He and the traveling public have a right to avoid such exposure. This equipment presents the greatest health risk to young children, expecting mothers and certain people with DNA abnormalities. We at Rocky Flats Gear make x-ray absorbing undergarments to protect radio sensitive tissues such as the breast, ovaries, skin and testicles. We feel the long term public health risk outweighs any short term security benefits.
Reply to this comment
by nashsw October 21, 2010 12:03 PM EDT
He was the PILOT! He's in control of a potential weapon, should he choose to use it as such, weighing 137,000 pounds and carrying over 50,000 gallons of fuel, and we're worried about whether he has a knife or gun? Require a breathalizer test, not a body scan, if you're concerned about passenger safety.

Common sense is so uncommon these days.
Reply to this comment
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