Airport Security Protest Falls Flat
Posted November 24, 2010 6:47 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A grassroots protest in the United States meant to jam airport security on the country’s busiest travel day of the year largely fizzled on Wednesday.
“National Opt-Out Day” was purposely scheduled for the day before American Thanksgiving with a plan to get flyers to opt for physical searches instead of going through body scanners.
Travelers wanted to protest the TSA’s (Transportation Security Administration) new rules. But despite lineups at some airports, it was mostly business as usual.
Airport security has been a hot topic north of the border as well. Records obtained by The Canadian Press show that Canadians have long been fed up with invasive screening techniques.
And Canadian airports are taking steps to address criticism of physical pat-downs. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority announced it would install privacy screens and booths where searches will take place.
The body received 1,520 complaints in 2009-10. Passengers were annoyed about searches, rude behaviour, confiscation of items, the introduction of full-body scanners and other issues.
