Chat with the 'don't touch my junk' man

John Charles Tyner, III has been very busy lately, bombarded by media requests for interviews over his refusal to submit to an Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) full body scanner as well as a secondary inspection frisking by Transportation Security Administration security staff at San Diego International Airport last Saturday, November 13.

To find out more about the 31-year-old software programmer from Oceanside, CA, Mr. Tyner agreed to an extended telephone interview in which he openly answered each of the questions put to him. Here is an overview of our conversation, with his answers given in bold face type.

Good evening John. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Please forgive any redundant questions which may already have been answered elsewhere. I'm simply trying to establish the facts, and hear your side of this matter.

For starters, where did you attend college and do you have a family?

"I attended University of California, Riverside, and moved to Oceanside from there about 10 years ago. I've been married for nine years, and have a one-year-old son."

Where were you headed last Saturday?

"My father-in-law, and my sister-in-law's husband, the three of us, were all going to Rapid City, South Dakota on a  holiday to do some pheasant hunting. It was to be a short family vacation. We had packed and shipped our shotguns as checked baggage."

Do you happen to recall your flight plans?

"Yes, it was on American Airlines, flight AA620 from San Diego (SAN) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), connecting with flight AA2813 to Rapid City (RAP), South Dakota."

How did this incident at the TSA security checkpoint develop?

"First, I had done research on the TSA website, where it appeared that there wasn't full body scanners in operation at San Diego Airport."

Why was this important to you?

"I wanted to avoid the scanners because I saw them as a violation of my civil rights. I also had an issue over the radiation, but as I don't fly very often, that was a minor concern."  

Forgive me for asking this directly, but did you plan on having a confrontation?

"No, not at all. In fact, I was trying to avoid a confrontation. I thought it was just a matter of going through the metal detector, and when I was directed to the full body scan machine, it appeared that I could opt out as other passengers had done. When I was directed to the secondary inspection, I thought that the TSA people were very professional, and just following their policies.

I was not out of control and also tried to be very respectful. I hadn't planned on saying anything in advance, and wasn't following any sort of script. When those words came out, 'If you touch my junk, I'll have you arrested', I was trying to be a little funny, to keep the situation from escalating. But it didn't have that effect."

Looking back on it, would you have done anything differently?

"I'm not sure that it could have played out any differently. Maybe the part about 'I'll have you arrested' was seen as threatening, and should have been left out, but I was respectful during the entire conversation."

What happened to your hunting buddies? Was their trip interrupted as well?

"No, they continued on through security and made all their flight connections. They just returned home, I believe with 4 pheasants."

How exactly did the rest of the incident unfold?

"A woman supervisor in TSA uniform came over and explained that the pat down is not considered a sexual assault, but an administrative search. If I chose to, I could refuse it and not fly today. Then another TSA supervisor, a gentleman in a business suit who I later learned was David Silva, came over but he didn't speak with me. They took down information from my California driver's license and my boarding pass, and then a uniformed Harbor Police officer walked me over to the American Airlines ticket counter which was outside of the security area."

Were you finally given a refund?

"Yes, after some discussion, my ticket charge was credited back to my father-in-law's credit card. The Harbor policeman, the TSA official in the business suit, and another gentleman in a sports jacket waited and conferred nearby. As I was finally leaving the airport near the Virgin Atlantic Airways ticket counter in Terminal 2, the man in the sports coat approached me and explained that I would have to return to security to be screened for possible explosives. To not do so would be a violation of Federal law, which could result in a $10,000 fine. I told him that was ridiculous, as I had no ticket or boarding pass. He didn't stop me from leaving the airport."

How has this incident changed your life?

"About 80-90% of people's reactions have been positive. Many of them tell me their own travel horror stories, and support what I did. The rest, perhaps only 10% think I'm a member of the Tea Party movement, or refer to me as an idiot, or use more colorful terms, mostly name calling without giving their reasons or justification. My family and friends have been very supportive."

Have you heard if you will be charged with any violation or criminal offense?

"I had heard that John Pistole, the Administrator of TSA, had announced an investigation into the incident, and a possible $11,000 fine. I also heard that Mr. Pistole told U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison from Texas before a committee hearing, that it is likely that nothing further will happen. I have been in contact with several attorneys, but have not retained anyone yet."

What do you think of all the product marketing that's resulted from this, and do you have any plans to try and cash in yourself?

"I don't have a problem with people making money selling merchandise. That's the American way of finding business opportunities. It's a free market. I personally don't have any deals in the works, no book plans, no advertising or product endorsements. No agents. I just want to return to living my life."

Thank you, John. I really appreciate your staying up late to talk with me, and to answer all my questions.

"You're welcome. It was my pleasure. Good night."

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