Oceanside man challenges airport's full-body scan [Updated]

A recording made by an Oceanside man who refused to undergo a full-body scan at San Diego International Airport over the weekend has gone viral as Internet viewers ferociously debate whether airport security measures have gone too far.

John Charles Tyner, 31, said he wasn't trying to pick a fight when he refused an X-ray scan of his body Saturday, but he was ready to defend his rights, according to his blog, if they made him do it. He is opposed on principle to the X-ray machines because it would show an image of his naked body, said Tyner, who blogs as "Johnny Edge."

[Updated at 9:33 a.m.: At one point, as the airport screener explained that the patdown would include brushing his groin, Tyner replied, "You touch my junk and I'm going to have you arrested."

He also refused to be patted down by a TSA agent, Tyner says on a blog post recounting the details of his confrontation with airport security. Tyner recorded most of the face-off on his camera phone, and the images and audio have gone viral on the Internet.

Tyner said he wanted to draw attention to an erosion in liberties and "senseless" efforts by the government to detect terrorists before they board a  plane.

"Every attempt to blow up a plane since 9/11 has been stopped by passengers after the government failed to provide protection for them.... All I did was draw attention to this," he wrote.

Tyner said he would have gone through a metal detector but that airport security did not give him that option. Instead, they refused to allow him to board his plane and he had his ticket refunded.

As he was preparing to leave the airport, another unidentified security official told him he could be sued civilly and fined $10,000 if he exited without undergoing a search, Tyner said on his blog.

Tyner refused and left the airport.

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-- Catherine Saillant

Comments

[Alex de Cordoba]

I recommend everyone listen to Le Show with Harry Shearer. A few weeks ago he told the story of a TSA whistleblower who said the machines are slow, don't work well, and that the TSA managers are issuing quotas to agents to use them more and more, for the simple fact that the guy selling them to TSA is the former DHS Head, Mr. Michael Chertoff. This guy is using his connections to steal our money and expose us to radiation and look at our genitals.

[weasel]

The bottom line:

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

Posted by: Brian | November 15, 2010 at 09:07 AM

You can quote one of the founder's all you want, it does not change the reality of the situation that it has no relation to this. If he does not want to take the steps needed to board a plane he can walk or get a car, and stop trying to get publicity.

[Apotheosis]

This guy is a a$$hole, he is spitting in the face of the security of our country. We did not ask for this to happen, it was brought upon us. Take the dam security measure. Big deal ! So now what we end this security protocol and some terrorist finds a new way to put American citizens in danger the blood will be on your hands buddy. No true American should defend this guy. He should be banned from flying and be hailed as a loser.

[Jay]

Good for this guy.

I am a seasoned traveler and pay a large amount of taxes. The TSA folks are obviously from the lowest level of the intellect of our population. But they are following orders.

The problem is the bigger idiots in congress who want to make it look like they are doing something to get elected. Frankly, I would be quite comfortable with the old order of non-full body scanning machines and some sensible no-liquids policy. Come on guys allow water and drinks.

We need to cut this bureaucracy down. This is a sheer waste of my money and if the threat increases by a small amount, I and many like me are ok with it.

Cockpit doors are shut (good thing) and we passengers are much more vigilant. As this man said, it is the passengers who caught people post 9/11.

The INS another ridiculous bureaucracy (full of TSA like people) actually issued visas to the dead terrorists. These TSA and INS people can barely read.

What does this say about us the American public as a whole. Are we becoming a land of low IQ people over the years, living in fear, cowering ever time some bureaucrat says the threat level color has changed????

DO random questioning by highly paid experts (more credible) and when we make errors on profile lists, fix them quickly.

[Clyde]

John Tyner looks like a smart alack young man who likes controversy. He has not right to fly on a commercial airline if he does not want to adhere to the rules of search. He should either quit traveling or buy an airplane.

When leaving Paris a couple of years ago, I went through security without a problem when returning to Texas but walking to my airplane, and right before entering the plane, I was pulled over by a French security lady who gave me a full body pat down but did not touch my private area; she even searched my small carry on bag. I am 71 years old lady, a white with blue eyes, and as far as I could determine was the only one on that flight to be pulled over like that. I did not resent this as I would rather everyone be either put thru the full scan or full body search than have the plane blow up.

This young man is a stupid person.

[bbm1959]

Like driving a car, flying is now a privilege, not a right. I'm not flying if the TSA doesn't screen. One of us is taking the bus...and I prefer it's those of you who refuse to be screened.

[Randomizer]

Finally, someone stands up against this. Every traveler from this point forward should refuse this treatment. Then let's see what happens.

[Sam]

Why are they prodding and touching people if they even remotely think they are wearing an explosive device? Think about it! Why don't they do this in a bomb proof room with a robot, AWAY from other passengers. do you want to be standing inline when they squeeze someone that mmight be wearing and explosive?. NOT ME! The truth is, they know that 99.9% of people are not criminals and they are doing this to get us all accustomed to being illegally searched, irradiated, humiliated and degraded. This is insane.
This is NOT being done for our security.
This is a violation of our 4th amendment rights and our privacy.
This needs to be stopped.
FYI they are also scanning your irises. (Biometrics) which is like fingerprinting you at the same time.

http://www.newser.com/story/105351/tsa-pats-down-3-year-old.html

[Bay Area CA Male]

To all the idiots claiming we shold just folow the rules...
Wait until the government kicks in your door because of "intelligence" and then raids your home all because somehow you were reported as a threat.
Then will you still follow the rules?
10 years ago this would win a major lawsuit, now we have some ignorant citizens claiming its a need to have?

Screw this, I would rather risk being blown up in the air rather than have my rights and liberties rippaed away.
If I see anything suspicious on a plane, please believe I would jump on that guys head! I would take defense into my won hands rather than put my junk in some weirdos hands!

[Brian]

To all these mind numbing idiots that say "flying is a privilege" and "fly by the rules." Who sets the rules and to whom are they responsible? If it was a rule to single out Jews in line; would it be ok by you?

The reality is that we live in a "free" society where there are LIMITS to government authority.

Civil disobedience has a long history in this country; women's right to vote; civil rights; end of slavery; etc...

There is absolutely no data to say that the TSA is making people safer. To the contrary there is plenty of data that suggest the TSA lets terrorists through. Wake up, use your f'ing brain, and quit being a damn robot.

[Andre Walden]

I am wondering what they will come up with when the next guy is going to swallow it or stuff it up his behind! Am 60 and forgetful and always on a plane because of my job; I passed stuffs by mistake that should have been detected and were not. Instead of machines, security experts should use brains, but that does not generate as many $ for the few who saw fortunes to be made on illusions, from scanners to smart bombs to overseas wars.

[David Rodriguez]

So why can't we just have a few dogs sniff our crotch for explosives? I'd submit to that.

[Jay]

Good for this guy.

I am a seasoned traveler and pay a large amount of taxes. The TSA folks are obviously from the lowest level of the intellect of our population. But they are following orders.

The problem is the bigger idiots in congress who want to make it look like they are doing something to get elected. Frankly, I would be quite comfortable with the old order of non-full body scanning machines and some sensible no-liquids policy. Come on guys allow water and drinks.

We need to cut this bureaucracy down. This is a sheer waste of my money and if the threat increases by a small amount, I and many like me are ok with it.

Cockpit doors are shut (good thing) and we passengers are much more vigilant. As this man said, it is the passengers who caught people post 9/11.

The INS another ridiculous bureaucracy (full of TSA like people) actually issued visas to the dead terrorists. These TSA and INS people can barely read.

What does this say about us the American public as a whole. Are we becoming a land of low IQ people over the years, living in fear, cowering ever time some bureaucrat says the threat level color has changed????

DO random questioning by highly paid experts (more credible) and when we make errors on profile lists, fix them quickly.

[panhead20]

And when the next would be bomber has a device in a body cavity. Will we all have to have body cavity searches? I will not be subjected to needless radiation exposure nor be fondled by TSA agents to fly. I will not be flying again until the TSA stops these intrusive searches.

[Anonymous]

This guy is an idiot. If they want to touch "my junk", they'll touch it, look at me, & I'll just say..."That's right - it's all me".

Does he want to wait until some Radical Islamic Extremist shoves a bomb up his butt in the name of Allah so he can blow up a plane? I think not.

Take the pat down like a man - not like some granola eating, Birkenstock wearing hippie from Berkley.

This guy is clearly narcissistic & was looking for attention. The entire "event" was premeditated - WHY ELSE WOULD HE BE RECORDING THIS SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENED?!?!?!?!

[Rob Centros]

Yeah, we need our TSA agents to molest us and humiliate us, otherwise we might lose "the war on terrorism" and terrorists will then molest and humiliate us. Wait a minute, that didn't come out quite right.

We *need* to give up our rights to privacy and allow ourselves to be molested and humiliated, otherwise terrorists might take away our rights to privacy and then molest and humiliate us...

Wait a minute, that's not quite right.

It's our duty to watch our wives and children be molested and felt up by TSA perverts because that's the "patriotic" thing to do. Otherwise terrorists will take away our rights and then molest and feel up our wives and children.

Ah the hell with it. Let's just say it's the "right" of TSA perverts to molest us.

[Rick]

I wonder if this guy shouts at his doctor "If you touch my junk, i'll have you arrested!" If a trained professional needs to touch your junk, let him do it and move on with your life. Trust me, that trained professional would rather NOT have to touch your junk, but he's got a job to do. Your junk is not a sacred religious relic. Let him do his job and move on, so the REST of us don't have to suffer. Thanks.

[Rob Centros]

Only slaves are subject to being stripped and searched. Citizens have never been humiliated in this way. So what are we in America, slaves or citizens?

[PL]

How long will it be before a pedophile is discovered working as a TSA screener?

[Hal]

To all of you TSA worshippers who would gladly give up your liberties for this security theatre...

Would you allow a TSA "agent" to view your child's naked body or touch your child's groin area?

[Rob Centros]

"How long did the legitimate passengers have to wait...Couldn't this guy have written a letter, he already knew the process...He should receive a heavy fine..."

I.e., "Fine grope my wife and daughters, I like being abused like a slave instead of standing up for my rights as a citizen."

[fdr]

The TSA drone at the end of the last video trying to force this guy to submit to a pat down is clearly bluffing all the way. Goes to show you how dumb they think you and I really are.

This guy didn't break any laws or endanger the public in any way. If the government really thinks that they can nail him in civil court, I really doubt the strength of their case.

[hcinco]

Winston Churchill once said that people get the government that they deserve. This is what we deserve. We have not stood up with the courage of our convictions. We simply have abdicated because we don't want to bother, or get into a hassle. Well, now what? It's time to go back to the drawing board and come up with something better. Telling people that if they don't submit then they won't fly is not a good idea. Imagine if there was a one day strike against flying just so that the TSA peons doesn't have to worry about warning people that by buying a ticket people have given up their rights. We Americans should boycott flying for one day. If we can muster the courage of our convictions for just one day, we can get the change necessary. Just one day. Boycott flying for one day, Americans. Then we will have the changes that Until we are willing to hit the government in the pocketbook, we will continue to deserve being treated like this man was treated.

[fclevenger]

Bravo to the TSA. I would not want him on my plane if he refused a pat down. His statement of not wanting to pick a fight is totally bull. If you listen to the recording you can tell that was his intentions. Again a BIG THANKS to the TSA. Keep up the good work. Why give this any more attention?

[Rob Centros]

The purpose of these "pat downs" (molestations) is to further humiliate and break down resistance to a dictatorship, where the government demands you obey them as slaves and forget about asserting your rights as citizens. Some of these sycophantic responses shows that the government progressing marvelously towards this goal.