On 16 January, 2012, I entered the TSA screening area at Houston International Airport (IAH), Terminal E, enroute home. At the checkpoint, I provided my boarding pass and state government issued ID card.
The TSA screener indicated the ID was insufficient. I was somewhat surprised, as I have used this document as my primary form of ID at IAH numerous times over the last two years and at other airports nationwide with no issues. The screener asked for additional ID. I indicated that I had used the ID in the past, it was State issued and it should be sufficient. However, if it were not, I was more than willing to go through secondary screening in order to complete the process. The screener called for her supervisor and I stepped aside to await their arrival.
After five repeated calls, TSA screener, Ron arrived. The boarding pass and ID were handed to him. He also stated the ID was insufficient and asked for additional ID. I indicated I had further ID, but that it was unnecessary, repeated to him what I said to the initial screener, offering once again to go through secondary screening. Ron wandered off and returned approximately ten minutes later with Supervisor Lupur, manager Orlando Johnson, as well as two other TSA lackeys.
Lupur also indicated the ID was insufficient and asked for additional ID. I pointed out the ID was State Government issued and stated my willingness to go through secondary screening by providing information needed in order that TSA contact the Security Center to verify my bona fides.
It should be noted, at no time did I refuse to provide ID. I had done so. If they found it unacceptable, their policy/procedure is to move a passenger to secondary screening, which I was more than willing to do.
About this time, two Houston Police Officers, (HPD) arrived. I greeted the officers and they asked if there were any issues. I politely indicated there did not appear to be as I was providing identification in order to get to my gate, declining to provide additional ID, as being demanded by TSA and was willing to undergo secondary screening. I also took the opportunity to show the ID being used to the officers. It is my belief that because I was exercising my Constitutional Rights and not conforming to TSA demands to provide a second ID, HPD was called and advised there was a belligerent, violent and threatening passenger in the screening area. HPD, realizing that I was not the frothing at the mouth, maniac TSA made me out to be, simply looked at the screeners and departed.
I could only chuckle. Did TSA really believe that calling HPD was somehow going to intimidate me? The end result of HPD’s visit was TSA looking like fools for wasting their time.
Supervisor Lupur continued to insist that I provide additional ID. I just as adamantly repeated that I would not.
At this time, supervisor Lupur stated unequivocally “As you have other ID and are unwilling to provide it, I will not allow you secondary screening and I will not call the Security Center. You will provide ID, because I’m telling you to provide it or you will not pass through this screening area.”
Unlike the one-hundred plus travelers who had passed by as my situation unfolded, I was non-conforming to TSA's Security Theater and thuggery. As such, Lupur and Johnson opted to attempt to intimidate and outright abuse her position in order to get me to comply to her demands.
I looked at Lupur and asked for clarification. “I have provided you with government issued Identification which you find insufficient. I have indicated I am willing to undergo secondary screening and screening by the security center. Are you saying that you do not intend to follow your own organizations policies, procedures and screening protocols, and unless I provide another ID, you will not allow me to travel?” Lupur’s response; “That is correct.”
I looked at the manager, Orlando Jones and asked if he agreed with Lupur’s demands. He indicated he had no issue. Here was a TSA supervisor, blatantly refusing to follow TSA’s own established procedures and policies for situations such as this.
During this exchange, the two aforementioned lackeys were overheard saying “He’s doing nothing more than testing the system.” I laughed, amazed not only at the cluelessness of these screeners, but the fact that there were now five of them in front of me. What a superb use of resources. Did they have nothing else better to do? Who else might be slipping through the Security Theater production while these five dealt with me?
Realizing that supervisor Lupur was pulling policy out of her fat ass and if I were to travel; I provided my driver’s license as a secondary ID. Lupur then proceeded not only to review it, but copy down every piece of information on it; even going so far as to ask if the address was permanent. I deduce that this little action will somehow result in my name appearing on a no-fly list in the near future.
Because I refused to acquiesce to TSA’s demands and exercise my rights as a US Citizen, TSA decided to attempt to intimidate me and to abuse their positions, in order to get me to comply. Comply I eventually did and I am sure they felt both vindicated and superior by finally obtaining a secondary ID.
I am not surprised at being treated in this manner by a group of feckless, magniloquent and picayunish mindless drones; whose only goals in life are to violate their fellow citizens Constitutional rights, fondle small children, harass the elderly, prevent cupcakes from getting onto airplanes and abuse what little power they have. I realize it is SOP for TSA.
I eventually made it through security. I've written numerous letters and sent emails to POTUS, V/POTUS, DHS, TSA and my Congressional representatives asking for a face to face personal apology from Lupur and Johnson, just prior to their being fired for failing to follow established TSA procedures as calling in a false report to HPD.
In reality, what will come of this? Possibly two things. One: I may receive a polite boilerplate letter, written by some low level TSA twit apologizing for my having to endure the above experience, but assuring me that the screeners were only doing their jobs for the good of the American public and National Security. They might even be able to type it with a straight face. Lupur and Johnson might receive a stern talking to and/or remedial training (doubtful). Two: I may also receive a visit from some federal personnel asking why I had the audacity to refuse to cooperate with TSA. Alas, I did not refuse. To the contrary, I was adamant, but polite during the whole exchange, never raised my voice and offered numerous times to submit to additional screening.
My decision to not provide secondary ID and submit to secondary methods is easily explained. As I stated above, TSA is nothing more than Security Theater. Not only are they the laughing stock of the Federal government, I do not believe in their mission. Since 2001, they have caught or stopped not one single terrorist. For 2011, their biggest claims to fame are forcing a teenager to check her purse because it had a 4 inch replica of a gun embroidered on the outside, abused the dignity of wounded military war veterans and the elderly, stopped snakes, turtles and birds, inert grenades and landmines and over 200 fish. TSA brags or pathetically attempts to justify many of these accomplishments (and fails). Billions of tax dollars spent on an organization whose primary job is to designed to do nothing more than violate the constitutional rights of Americans. The parents of these screeners must be so proud!
In my opinion, there is no defense TSA can offer for their actions. Sadly, there is no video or audio of the incident. If Lupur and Johnson are even questioned, it is my word against theirs. The “he says, she says” game. I have no doubt they and the other TSA screeners will circle the wagons and come to one another’s aid. They will be painted as heroic defenders of national security (sic) and I nothing more than an agitating, non-conformist.
I make no apologies for my position. I have already resigned myself to the knowledge that there will be no recompense of the TSA screeners for their actions. I was instilled with the belief of being held accountable for ones actions, by my parents and (foolishly, but adamantly) expect the same from those I deal with. If anything, there will only be finger pointing and besmirching of my person by TSA.
From the politicians I expect nothing. From POTUS on down, their only worry is political survival above all else. The US Constitution and Civil Rights be damned!
As I look around, I weep for what our Founding Fathers accomplished over 200 years ago. The Constitution of the United States served this country for 225 years. I say only 225 years because, since 2001, all three branches of the Federal government, under the specious auspices of “National Security” have slowly and inexorably, eroded the rights of its citizens with bills such as the PATRIOT ACT and the recent signed NDAA.
My only mistake was indicating I had other identification. Lesson learned. I have no issue of lying, straight faced, to TSA when asked if I have other ID. It would be different if they served some purpose, I had any respect for the organization or their mission. They are 50,000 strong; small, insignificant, pathetic people, with a modicum of power, which they regularly abuse, all the while, sucking off the federal teat.
