Americans Line Up To Join 'No-fly' List

Supporters say it enhances security aboard passenger jets, but critics say it is little more than government-sponsored voyeurism for Transportation Security Administration workers.

The dispute is over the new enhanced airport security screening procedures that offer a choice of either a nude, full-body image X-ray scan or a hands-on-all-parts pat-down by a federal agent.

And the controversy could be coming to a head.

The Air Transport Association of America says it expects 24 million people to fly during the Thanksgiving holiday period, and an online campaign is urging everyone who flies the day before Thanksgiving – usually one of the busiest air travel days of the year – to opt out of the new full-body, nude-image scanners.

"The goal of National Opt-Out Day is to send a message to our lawmakers that we demand change," states the website. "No naked body scanners, no government-approved groping. We have a right to privacy and buying a plane ticket should not mean that we're guilty until proven innocent.

"While the government doesn't always like to advertise this, you have the ability to opt-out of the naked body scanner machines," the organizers said.
 But the one-day protest is just one of the growing tremors in an earthquake developing over the issue. And it's not even the most extreme.

James Babb and George Donnelly have launched the "We Won't Fly" website, which is a message directly to airlines.

"We do not consent to strip searches, virtual or otherwise. We do not wish to be guinea pigs for new, and possibly dangerous, technology. We are not criminals. We are your customers. We will not beg the government anymore. We will simply stop flying until the porno-scanners are history," the site states.


"We will not be abused simply for the privilege of purchasing your services. We demand the airlines make their maximum lobbying effort in support of our, your customers', rights and liberties. We are eager to fly again, but only when this invasive threat has been contained."

David Castelveter of the Air Transport Association said the industry is concerned about the privacy of its passengers, but safety takes priority.

"[The] decisions are made by the TSA. We simply comply with their recommendations and mandates," he told WND. "They have established these new security measures."

He said he doesn't believe people will be deterred from flying by the invasion of privacy.

But the organizers of National Opt-Out Day and "We Won't Fly" are committed.

"If we don't take action, however meager and ineffective it may seem at first, the ability to opt out may soon disappear. We may soon find these porno-scanners on our roads, in our train stations and sports stadiums. We must end this dangerous and invasive technology here and now! Here's what you can do," said the "We Won't Fly" site run by Babb and Donnelly.

"If you can avoid flying, drive, take a bus or train instead. Make them feel your resistance in their bottom line. Tell your airline about the business they lost."

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