The American air-traveling public was upset enough over enhanced TSA pat-down checks and body scans, but now its ire is on full boil with new ‘extra security candid photos’ being enacted in airports nationwide.
Select travelers are taken into a private security areas where they are asked to disrobe, and in some cases wear revealing costumes, so that they can be photographed by TSA shutterbugs.
“I can’t believe what they did,” said Mandy Ginhuttin, a 28-year old mechanical engineer who was recently subjected to the new enhanced security check at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta.
“The TSA guard escorted me to an area that was about the size of a department store dressing room. I was instructed to disrobe and change into a revealing teddy outfit, from Victoria’s Secret, I think. I asked why, and they said it was a top secret security procedure. I did what they said, I was terrified. Then, some sleazy photographer came in and took a couple dozen pictures. He was saying rude things like, ‘Oh yeah, baby, that’s it– make love to the lens, that’s the stuff. Yeah, baby– I’m going to make you a star, sugar, a TSA star!’ After about ten minutes of posing, he told me I did great and I was cleared, I could get clothed and catch my flight. He said I might receive a follow-up call to take part in a video security project he was doing. He said that the film was being shot in some motel close to the airport. Frankly, it all seems pretty sleazy, not to mention suspicious.”
Another woman, Juanita Vesquez, reported she was asked to don a tight-fitting nurse’s uniform for her photo session. “They told me that apparently a lot of terrorists were dressing in costumes and uniforms and that with my cooperation, they could build some sort of database. It didn’t make much sense to me, but they said I had to either do that or be subjected to an oil rub-down private security check with Yanni music playing in the background. That really creeped me out, so I decided to do the dress-up thing. I had a choice to wear either a nurse uniform, a Catholic school girl outfit or a cheerleader get-up. I think the whole thing was shady, and an incredible invasion of my privacy!”
When asked about the new security procedure, TSA employees were mum but offered to give this reporter a pat-down with iron pipes if he didn’t move his big mouth along quickly.
I picked that familiar Catholic school uniform, but was put off by the pointing and laughing by the photographer, who was undoubtedly some smart alec public school guy.
Some things never change.
Pity, that. You deserve better!
I think I may have opted for the cheerleader duds, but I wouldn’t jump very high, I don’t trust these fake hips.
No men in your report, Patrick. Does that mean the TSA’s photo collection and video will exclude us? One of my favorite costumes, which I happen to have in my closet, is “high school math instructor/gym teacher.” It’s really great and I wear it as often as possible. You can easily assemble the outfit if you want to copy it: short sleeved white shirt, thin tie, plastic pocket protector for your pens, high waisted brown trousers, tan “sensible” shoes (preferably Hush Puppies). You can wear your hair a little long or in a buzz cut. If it’s long but you’re going bald, it should wrap from one side of your head to the other, with a “product” of one kind or another holding it in place. Most men use Brylcreem or Vitalis to achieve this proper effect. No facial hair, by the way, although any nostril hair should be left untrimmed. It helps if you happen to be a little overweight and also if your shirt collar is so tight that your neck bulges out a bit and your face goes red. The look is generally accompanied by the words “See me after class” but always with a wink.
You’re right. In my research (rushed as it was), I did not encounter any men who were subjected to the new procedures.
I like your costume idea and think I could pull it off pretty easily. Also, I might give myself a goose in esteem to pull off College Lit Professor: a tweedy jacket reeking of tobacco and stale vomit, some well-worn jeans, a yellowed-white shirt and some sensible loafers. To add a twist of intrigue, a cigarette holder and leather porkpie hat. My “see me after class” look would be accompanied by a steely-vodka induced wink.
College Lit Professor will do it. FYI: For an authentic look, make sure the cuffs and collar of the yellowed white shirt are slightly frayed. (Some people say a broken collar button on a button-down shirt adds a certain devil may care look.)
Good call. An old coffee stain also might add some character.
One could assume that you fellas actually went to class, sat up front, and know something about playing winky winky games with professors. That puts you in a whole new perspective.
Yes, that puts us at the head of the class. Eraser clapping pays off, Bill…