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EEllis wrote: Actually you don't have to go thru screenings to fly, if you have or charter your own plane.

That is generally true. I have a hit a few airports that have secure general aviation areas, but they are rare. To me, it's another example of tremendous waste... Sure, there is massive security around a commerical 707 or even an American Airlines turboprop, but in most airports with at least 4000' of runway, I can walk right up to and board private jets or even ex-military aircraft.

So we spend billions securing one side of the airport where the "cattle" are (that's you and me when we fly commercial) and we let anyone off the street walk right up to an aircraft on the other side of the runway. If you think I'm kidding, I'm not..

MeMelYup wrote: I disagree. I shouldn't expect to be searched anywhere I go or wish to go. Why should I be searched if I get on a plane to go to Cali? Why should I be searched if I take a train, etc.. I am a law abiding citizen and should not EXPECT to be searched at all.

As a pilot and a CHL owner, something about because those are federally mandated secure areas (at least in airports). You don't have a right to fly on a plane. You're granted the privilege of flying commercial in exchange for giving up some of your privacy rights.

And yes, I think the TSA is the biggest waste of tax payer dollars in the last decade....

I'm with you. I'd rather not be searched at all, even at the cost of some personal safety.

Jason K wrote: The same courts that just ruled that silence equals guilt?.....

Specifically what they ruled is that your silence can be used against you if you don't invoke Miranda.
Example:
LEO: What's your name?
Suspect: Bob Jones
LEO: Bob, did you just commit a crime:
Suspect: <silence>

That non-response can be used in court.
Had the suspect said that he wanted to invoke his/her right to remain silent, subsequent silence cannot be used.


I'm not afraid of technology. It can be used against the government also. Can you imagine a traffic stop today without a camera?

This isn't technology you should be afraid of.
Generally speaking, if the government wanted to shoot low-wattage microwaves into your house (think cell phone signals) and put a big enough means to catch those signals behind you home at specific resolution, even from far away, they could begin to identify people in the home, objects in the home, etc. It's entirely possible.

However, courts have ruled that in areas where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy, the government may not engage in evasive searches without probable cause. That probable cause is a pretty high standard... Excluding the NSA "secret courts" stuff, it generally means that they can't do it on a whim.

A dog could be considered another type of "illegal stuff" detector. Courts have ruled that the PD can't show up at your door and let the dog sniff..