The Arrival of Secret Law
recommended — federation of american scientists
Last month, Helen Chenoweth-Hage attempted to board a United Airlines flight from Boise to Reno when she was pulled aside by airline personnel for additional screening, including a pat-down search for weapons or unauthorized materials.Chenoweth-Hage, an ultra-conservative former Congresswoman (R-ID), requested a copy of the regulation that authorizes such pat-downs.
“She said she wanted to see the regulation that required the additional procedure for secondary screening and she was told that she couldn’t see it,” local TSA security director Julian Gonzales told the Idaho Statesman (10/10/04).
“She refused to go through additional screening [without seeing the regulation], and she was not allowed to fly,” he said. “It’s pretty simple.”
Chenoweth-Hage wasn’t seeking disclosure of the internal criteria used for screening passengers, only the legal authorization for passenger pat-downs. Why couldn’t they at least let her see that? asked Statesman commentator Dan Popkey.
“Because we don’t have to,” Mr. Gonzales replied crisply. [more]
November 19th, 2004 at 09:12
Thanks for the resource, Charley.
However, I think they’re a bit late to the party with the title. John Gilmore has been leading the fight against the secret law that requires individuals to show ID before flying. Wired has covered his case pretty well; here’s a recent article:
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,65154,00.html
November 19th, 2004 at 13:20
not sure that their title presumes a time frame, but thanks for the wired link. i’m glad gilmore’s gone to the trouble. it’s inspiration for my probable suit against the MT thugs, which is just one more pain in the ass i don’t need.
gilmore deserves a special place in our hearts for pushing this button deal to the limit.