Techie stages 'strip down' protest at TSA 'harassment'

An Oregon man who "does something with the internet" stripped stark naked at Portland airport on Tuesday in a protest at TSA screening policies. John E Brennan, 50, turned up to board a flight San Jose yesterday, according to reports, but took umbrage at the TSA's screening procedures. KATU News reports that Brennan said he …

[Suburban Inmate]

No pics please, we believe you it happened!

[Tzael]

If it were a woman who staged the protest you'd be screaming "pics please or it didn't happen!" :P

[Suburban Inmate]

Yup. I'm a heterosexual male.

If I were a heterosexual woman I might also be screaming POIDH but whatever floats ya boat I suppose! :)

(make the obvious adjustments to the above for homo/bisexualiy)

[Anonymous Coward]

So you assume that...

... Every homo/bi-sexual will be screaming POIDH just because it's a man who stripped down?

You're deluded.

[jukejoint]

don't think so

As a hetwoman I can say with confidence that we've seen enough. please.

You all think a lot more of it that we do, trust me.

[Bucky 2]

Komonews.com HAS the pics, with the naughy bits blocked out. Lets just say he's not a poster boy and leave it at that.

[Anonymous Custard]

So did CNN Europe when I turned on the TV this morning.

Let's just say it wasn't quite the image I wanted to see having just woken up and turned on the TV in my hotel room...

[AndrueC]

Of course we have our standards.

* Acceptable gender.

* Human.

* Willing.

We won't shag just anything ya know :)

[Richard 81]

Not necessarily

It would depend on her age and appearance. We do have some standards.

...OK maybe not.

[Anonymous Coward]

Google has all his personal info

There was nothing left to hide

[Gordon Fecyk]

And I thought I had an agenda.

This AC is just out for Google blood today.

[hplasm]

Re: Google has all his personal info

Oh do piss off, Ellison.

[Anonymous Coward]

Well..

On the flip side, at least if his backscatter gets posted on 'teh interwebs" his dignity will be preserved.

AC/DC and why is this tech news?!

[ElReg!comments!Pierre]

Re: Well..

> why is this tech news?!

The guy "does something with the internet".

Works for me.

[Rob]

Re: Well..

Who cares, it's in Bootnotes you numpty, does anyone pay attention to the articles they are reading.

[TeeCee]

Re: Well..

Simpler explanation. It's got nudity in it, therefore it belongs on the internet and there's yer IT angle......

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Well..

Does anyone pay attention to the use of a question mark to denote a question.

Can you imagine how stupid people appear when they are incapable of using basic language.

Where did these people learn to read and write.

Have they actually ever read any printed words.

Do you think it would be beneficial for mankind if these people were all isolated on a far-away island so they can spout nonsense at each other and not bother anyone else.

[darkmage0707077]

Though, you realise, they're going to make a playmobile representation of this to go along with all the other ones people want to see...

[ElReg!comments!Pierre]

Good man

and cue the usual posts along the line "If you object to that baton being repeatedly rammed up your rectum, then don't fly" in 3, 2, 1...

[Someone Else]

Joins John Tyner in the Security Theater Hall of Fame

[Jeebus]

Hahaha. Well played sir, I salute you.

Err, maybe not.

[Ben 50]

Well played

You're a potential threat, and so should be forced to wait in line to be scanned, poked (sometimes), oggled and prodded by nasty bored small minded oafs, just like the obedient piece of meat you are.

"I'm not a threat, look I'm Naked."

You're a potential lunatic, psychogically unhinged, frightening the children by not being a threat, and therefore must be arrested immediately.

Rock meet Hardplace.

[Bill Neal]

Stress?

"He's never really under any stress. He works for a computer company in California. He does something with the Internet, which is just kind of mystical to me."

Thanks for making me feel like it was Friday for a moment, made my day!

[Dan Paul]

Hat's off to Mr. Brennan, better use the Nudist defense.

I can't blame the man since the TSA will see him "unclothed" in the "Scanner" and he might as well show he has nothing to hide. I'm sure the TSA people have a little less fondling to do when the man is completely nude.

Doesn't that mean he's "helping them do their job"? I assume his actions were a proper response to their requests.

[Keep Refrigerated]

Re: clothes off too!

Obviously, they shouldn't have asked him to reveal his concealed weapon...

[Anonymous Coward]

This gives me an idea

There should be a fast-track for airport passengers willing to go through the nudie aisle and put all their clothes through the scanner. We should promote this as a less objectionable alternative to the backscatter scanner and watch the hilarity ensue.

[LaeMing]

While the muzak plays 'Yakkety Sax'

[Meph]

Re: This gives me an idea

Less objectionable? are you serious!?

I'm pretty sure sooner or later, something will come along that needs scanning, and is highly objectionable.

[Wize]

Re: This gives me an idea

Just imaging the queue of men trying not to get too close to the guy in front or behind though fear of bumping into them.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: This gives me an idea

Great idea, if I ever visit the USA that would be my preferred screening method over a pat down by a TSA guy...

That is why I prefer Chinese security screening, it may be thorough, but its very quick, well staffed, and done by a petite Chinese lady usually.. and the reason that is good is less threatening than if a burly man does it... and well if their hand slips, or they decide to check your button fly is really just buttons... it doesn't hurt...

[Anonymous Coward]

does a naked passenger take up more space than a clothed one.

depends how far out the baby is

[Anonymous Coward]

If he's this dumb...

...he definitely should not be allowed on an airplane.

[Danny 14]

Re: If he's this dumb...

I wouldnt worry, I guess if he tried to fly again all sorts of alarms will go off at the check in desk.

[Anonymous Coward]

a tad too far

I had a similar idea, but if/when I fly again I will be wearing a banana hammock so I will be showing nothing illegal.

Alternatively I will forgo the backscatter and insist my patdown be very public. Would the TSA's fondling of me in front of children be considered "obscene" ?

[Juiceman]

Re: a tad too far

Will this be done to the tune of 'Mr Tangerine Speedo'?

[kain preacher]

Re: a tad too far

But you will be banned from boarding by the airliner. Banned based on non published rules. See the lady that got tossed off South west.

[Graham Bartlett]

Re: a tad too far

I don't think they call it "tossing off" for ladies. Although it's a better kind of customer service than I've ever had from immigration. How do you know which direction she was facing, though?

[Anonymous Coward]

Scan me baby!

I would love to go thru the scanner with a large phallic object in my pants. 18 inches should do it...

Let me beat the punters to it. Yes I am overcompensating for something. :-p

[Danny 14]

Re: Scan me baby!

I wouldnt if I were you. Americans are very very prudish when it comes to dildos. They dont mind weapons and bad language though.

[jukejoint]

Dildos and Americans?

Yes, prudish in public like the hypocrites we are trained to be. We moved into a new flat some years ago and I decided to put in a garden in the back. Shovel in ground, first thing dug up was an old dildo - and my 5 yr old was upset not to be given it as a toy.

[Jason Togneri]

"... including children"

Oh dear god, heaven forbid that children learn that people are all fundamentally IDENTICAL underneath the clothes we wear. All men have penises, all women have vaginas, most computer programmers have as much tits as women, and many of us are flabby and wrinkled. I'd hate to break the stereotype of the idealised mid-20s Aryan body figure but seriously, is it so bad if kids learn that a human body is just, basically, a human body?

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: "... including children"

"...most computer programmers have as much tits as women..."

Hey, I don....<squeeze squeeze>...

Appear to be an A-cup :-(

[ElReg!comments!Pierre]

Re: "... including children"

"most computer programmers have as much tits as women"

You sir live in a sad place.

Where I live women are not Kate Moss lookalike, so they are usually better endowed than even the worst soda-and-pizza-bred "IT specialist". You do have to deal with the occasional muffin-top, but the B2B* ratio is still definitely tipping towards the programmers.

*Belly to Bosom

[Danny 14]

Re: "... including children"

hey! our IT department have an 8 man concept 2 league entry! We arent all fatties (most of us are ex military though)

[h4rm0ny]

Re: "... including children"

"most computer programmers have as much tits as women"

Contrary to stereotypes I know, but many computer programmers *are* women, thanks.

[Alex Rose]

Re: "... including children"

@h4rm0ny

And hence they will also "have as much tits as women".

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: "... including children"

where are they though? not where I've worked recently :-(

[Sly]

Think of the children!

shoulda just left the shorts on... then the cops wouldn't be so inclined to grasp at my title here.

[hplasm]

Re: Think of the children!

Don't let the cops grasp your title!

Caught by the fuzz.

[ph0b0s]

Ahead of his time....

Come on, it's only going to be another few years before we all have to strip down to be able to board a plane. This guy was just conforming to a future screening regimen.....

[Michael Friesen]

Never mind the children; think of Lester Haines!

Clearly, this guy is a Register fan!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/22/ryanair_security/

[Boris the Cockroach]

Maybe

I should try that the next time my metal implants cause the scanner to go 'BING'

[Winkypop]

Don't look Ethel !!

Too late, she looked.

[EddieD]

Re: Don't look Ethel !!

My word, that dates you.

Okay, us.

[Anonymous Coward]

The Chasers pulled roughly the same stunt a few years back...

But they didn't get arrested, because the had their own video crew following them. As a matter fact, the did it with bathing trunks on and the security guard said they ought to take those off as well !

See:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3grHjibNdA

[Scott 19]

TSA

All this guy has to do is go though the courts in the US and wait.

It's the old chicken and egg defence, what will come first his court case or the TSA demanding all passengers stripe naked to be searched.

My moneys on the TSA.

Oh and if you wondering I have no interest in going to America while they have one of the biggest terror organisations in the world the TSA. Simple test what terrorise you more Al-Queda or the TSA?

[Anonymous Coward]

Stripe Naked

Scott, if you look like a zebra with your clothes off it is probably better to keep that to yourself.

[Fred Flintstone]

Is this the first time..

.. that TSA screening hurts your EYES?

The one with the rubber gloves, thanks..

[Wize]

"...wearing nothing but glasses and a fine beard."

And where was he wearing the beard?

At least someone paid enough attention to make sure the beard looked good...

[Anonymous Coward]

No one is holding a gun to his head

He isn't being forced to fly. He can walk, take a bus, cab, train or row boat with out being checked for security.

[Richard Freeman]

I wonder what job he has?

hmmm,

"He's never really under any stress. He works for a computer company in California. He does something with the Internet"

Not stressful? that counts out most Tech jobs, does something with the Internet, Comfortable with nudity?

Only one thing it could be!

He reviews Porn for a living!

Lucky bastard!

[Boris S.]

Good to weed out these nutcakes before they get on a plane

Soon they'll be parking a truck with white coat lads at each airport for potential passengers or pilots needing some R&R at the padded cell hotel.

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe they should creat a new seating system for people like this

Have them sit in a specific seat and when the plane reaches 20,000 meters, eject them.