Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
December 3, 2013
TSA-approved warrantless searches of vehicles parked
outside airports are being expanded, with a photograph taken at
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport informing Thanksgiving
travelers that all vehicles belonging to AmeriPark customers “will be
searched by uniformed security.”
The policy, which first came to light earlier this
summer after complaints from people who found notes inside their car
which read, “your vehicle has been inspected under TSA regulations,”
continues to cause confusion and stoke concern amongst privacy
advocates.
When the story first broke, the TSA was keen to deflect responsibility by
explaining that although, “the plan is approved by the TSA, it is up to
each airport authority and its state and local law enforcement partners
to follow the plan that has been implemented.”
The sign above, originally posted by Young Americans For Liberty,
suggests that airport uniformed security guards are responsible for
carrying out the searches at Birmingham International, not valet parking
staff. The image was taken on November 27, the day after Thanksgiving
and one of the busiest travel days of the year.
At some airports the searches are also being conducted with customers receiving no notification whatsoever.
“I was inside paying my bill. I looked through the
window and saw this gentleman looking through my trunk,” said Michelle
Zevola, who used the Curbside Valet Service at Charlotte Douglas
Airport. “He was moving things around, shining a flashlight, going
through the compartments. I am so fine being searched at the airport.
It’s about safety. But I am not fine with my personal property being
searched without permission or notification,” added Zevola.
“There is no posted signage at the valet stand or around
the airport that indicates cars left with curbside service will be
searched. There is also no warning on the back of the valet ticket,” reported NBC Charlotte.
Deputy Aviation Director Jack Christine admitted that the searches had
been taking place for a year and half without any signage or
notification.
Under the guidelines, the person performing the search,
whether that be a valet parking employee or a “unformed security” guard,
is instructed to check the trunk, the engine as well as scan inside the
car.
The policy represents a clear violation of the 4th Amendment to the Constitution, which protects Americans against “unreasonable searches and seizures,” although TSA officials have justified the measures as necessary “to keep you and your family safe at the airport.”
Critics have lambasted the TSA and airports who enforce
the policy for entrusting searches of vehicles to valet parking
attendants, who wouldn’t normally be considered to be highly trained in
bomb detection skills.
“Take note of that, America. Your safety can only be
guaranteed by a search of valet-parked vehicles, but not by a trained
agent,” wrote TechDirt’s Tim Cushing.
“Instead, your valet will do a brief search of your vehicle to ensure
there’s nothing inside the cabin, trunk or under the hood that looks
like a bomb. (Like, for instance, a bundle of wires and some other stuff
with a post-it attached saying, “NOT A BOMB.”)”
Another traveler who complained that her car had been
searched with zero notice was Laurie Iacuzza, who said she was “furious”
that airport personnel rifled through her vehicle without permission.
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