Homosexuals Performing Patdowns Possible

It only took them a month, but TSA finally was able to respond.

My message to them:

Hello. My name is David Gross. I am a person who has chosen to live in Hawaii and have family on the Mainland. I want to see my family, but do not want to be violated. I currently have no issues with metal detecting screening. To my knowledge, I am not being harmed or violated. The new body scanners (I believe when viewing the facts) do both. I do not want to go through them, and when considering the other form of security check (manual pat down), I believe I'd prefer that. I saw on your website these physical searches are performed by the same gender. My question is, do you screen your employees who perform this job to determine whether or not they are homosexual? I do not feel comfortable with a homosexual man feeling my body up and down to see if I have something I shouldn't. I think many would agree. If you are to offer this as a means for security check, what are your procedures for making sure homosexuals aren't the ones doing it? Thank you for your time and I hope to gain some piece of mind through your honest response.

Response from TSA:
Dear Mr. Gross:

Your email of January 28, 2010, to the Transportation Security
Administration's (TSA) Contact Center has been forwarded to the Office
of Human Capital for a response. Specifically you have concerns about
TSA's screening methods and procedures.

At TSA, the testing and use of emerging technology is critical to
achieving our mission of keeping the traveling public safe and staying
ahead of known threats to transportation security. TSA's use of the
Advance Imaging Technology (AIT) machines provides greater detection
capability for metallic and non-metallic threats including weapons,
explosives, and other objects concealed under layers of clothing, which
cannot be detected by walk-through metal detectors at airports.

Please be assured that passenger privacy is ensured through the
anonymity of the image. The officer attending the passenger cannot view
the image, and the officer viewing the image is remotely located and
cannot see the passenger. The image cannot be stored, transmitted, or
printed and is deleted immediately after being viewed. No cameras,
cellular telephones or any device capable of capturing an image is
permitted in the viewing area. The facial area of the image has been
blurred to further ensure privacy.

Passengers who do not wish to utilize this screening receive an equal
level of screening and undergo a pat-down procedure.

Regarding your concerns of same-gender pat down and a Transportation
Security Officer's sexual orientation, TSA is an Equal Opportunity
employer and as such, we have a diverse workforce. TSA does not make
work assignments or otherwise discriminate against employees based upon
any prohibited factor, including sexual orientation.

I hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Whitford
Assistant Administrator
for Human Capital

*I just wanted to note, this e-mail does not address when I mention the harm from the scanners, just the privacy concerns. I'm more concerned about the radiation than anything!