Who gets through TSA screenings untouched?

There is much in the news about the flying public vs. the Transportation Security Agency (TSA). So you always thought you, your freely chosen bed partner and your doctor are the only ones allowed to see your naked body or touch your genitalia?

In a sane country that's the ultimate "No shit, Sherlock" statement. But not where we live. Since TSA screenings have become "touchy, feely" I have made a vow not to let a stranger with a blue shirt and a badge ... even a female ... touch my crotch (there are other words to use, but I don't wish to offend anyone) I am refusing to go to airports unless I'm meeting someone.

Then I began to ask, who's exempt? Here's the list of the privileged few.


The President, Vice-President and Cabinet secretaries traveling on government aircraft or with security details do not pass through security checkpoints.
Cabinet secretaries using commercial airlines and travel with bodyguards may bypass security
Cabinet secretaries traveling without protection and other senior government officials flying commercial must be screened.

Congressional leaders traveling with a security detail
Speaker of the House, House minority leader, the Senate majority leader, are allowed to bypass security checkpoints when flying on commercial planes

All other members of Congress are expected to stand in line and wait

Former presidents flying commercial with Secret Service agents, and some foreign ambassadors also traveling with guards are exempt from screening

Members of the military traveling in uniform must pass through security checkpoints but are not required to remove footwear
special access passes to military family members who are not flying but want to say goodbye or greet a loved one at the gate.

State, local and tribal police officers who must fly with a firearm have to obtain an identifier code. The code and law enforcement credentials
must be presented before bypassing security

You? Tough shit, citizen. The gestapo wants to see your ticket, boarding pass, some ID or passport if going overseas, your cell phone and
laptop or notebook, they rummage through you neatly packed luggage, then ask you to step in front of the
machine ... if you refuse, prepare for a "TSA pat down" (feeling up women's boobs, crotch + extremities ... men's crotches + extremities) and
if you refuse ... you're arrested, fined and/or imprisoned.

So exactly who (or is it whom?) is the government paid to protect?

One journalist suggests driving to Canada (the border checkpoint is less personally intrusive) and use Canada Air.