Video Attempts To Put An Agency Spin On Unpopular Screening Techniques

In what appears to be some damage control following several weeks of bad publicity surrounding full body scanners and "enhanced" security pat-downs ... TSA Administrator John S. Pistole has issued a message to the public with "tips for air travel this holiday season." The message was posted Saturday on TSA’s website, and also appears on TSA’s YouTube page. It is also being made available to airports nationwide to play during the busy holiday travel period to ensure passengers are prepared when coming through security checkpoints.

TSA Administrator John Pistole YouTube Frame Capture

"Hello, I’m TSA Administrator John Pistole," the administrator says in the video. "As you travel this holiday season I want to remind you that TSA’s mission is to ensure the safety of you the traveling public and we are committed to doing so efficiently, courteously and professionally. I’d like to offer a few tips and some important information we’d like you to know before you go through security. Remember our 3 simple steps to security: Have your ID out, coats & shoes off and laptop and liquids and gels less than 3 ounces out and ready.

"As you enter the checkpoint you will be directed to pass through either a walk through metal detector or, at some airports, an Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) unit. If you are directed to pass through an AIT, you may opt out. If you choose to opt out, you will receive a thorough pat-down by someone of the same gender. If you alarm either the metal detector or the AIT, you will also receive a thorough pat-down by someone of the same gender. 

"In either case where a pat-down is required, you have important options that we want you to be aware of: you have the option to request that the pat-down be conducted in a private room and you have the option to have that pat-down witnessed by a person of your choice. 

"We very much appreciate your involvement, cooperation and assistance in ensuring the safety of you, the traveling public. If you have questions about these procedures, the technology used by TSA, or our efforts to ensure your safety, please do not hesitate to ask for one of our supervisors or visit TSA.gov.  

"Thank you and remember that at TSA, your safety is our priority."

FMI: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fpOALc2RbI, www.tsa.gov