TSA Claims You Need To Be Naked Scanned Or Groped After A Flight?

The latest bizarre story of TSA scans, submitted by multiple readers here, is the story of blogger Matt Kernan, who recently flew from Paris to Cincinnati, and upon landing, but before being able to claim his bags, was told he had to go through a naked scanner or be groped. He has a detailed account of what happened on his blog, where he actually was able to eventually convince the TSA to let him through without a scan or a grope. Some of the coverage of his story highlights the fact that he was actually able to talk his way out without having to through the backscatter naked scan or the groping. And that is, indeed, an interesting point. He highlights his Constitutional rights, which state that as a US citizen with a valid passport, he should be free to enter the country. After a long while of going back and forth with multiple parties, he is escorted by over a dozen folks out of the security area and to the baggage claim without having to through the scanner or a groping.

But what's a bigger point to me is why did he have to go through such a search after he'd already flown. At first I thought it was to get on a connecting flight, but that's not the case. He just wanted to leave the airport and go home, and eventually he was allowed to do just that. He flew into the Cincinnati airport and lives in Cincinnati -- and was initially told that his only options were to be scanned or groped... or to go back through customs. Kernan recorded (audio) many of the interactions. You can hear them below:





The details are interesting, and all of the interactions he has are quite fascinating. But what is still not explained is why he needs to go through the scanner/groping process after the flight. I just flew back into the US from Europe last week myself (after the "new procedures" were put into practice), and I did not have to go through scanners or a groping to get back into the country. I haven't heard of it elsewhere, either. I'm curious if anyone supporting the TSA position can explain how this makes any sense. This is beyond security theater. This is security farce.

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