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Attitude adjustment at TSA

The Washington Times: " Two other aspects of the TSA's new guidelines, however, are perhaps even more outrageous than the manner in which they can levy and increase the fines in the first instance.

A fine of up to $1,500 can be levied (after the fact, of course) against an air traveler for something called 'nonphysical interference with screening.' What is that? Looking at the screener the wrong way? Failing to jump high enough when told to jump? Or maybe, just maybe, 'nonphysical interference with screening' consists of a bad 'attitude'; perhaps failing to greet a screener with appropriate deference or subservience as she arbitrarily forces you to disrobe publicly or submit to an additional, 'random' inspection?

No kidding. The TSA is asserting the right and the power to fine you, a law-abiding American citizen or lawful visitor to this great land, simply because its employees don't like your 'attitude.' One of eight 'aggravating factors' listed in the new Guidelines is the 'attitude of violator.' Of course, you may not know until long after you've departed the airport, landed and gone on home, that your 'attitude' sufficiently rankled some TSA employee after they found an item of contraband mistakenly left in your carry-on, such as to warrant a hefty fine.

Remember, we're not talking of deliberately bringing weapons through a security checkpoint. That would be a criminal offense "

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