Selective patdown for child alarming WBI
Aug 18, 2011, 7:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5
Selective patdown for child alarming WBI
Haven't seen it mentioned here, but I thought I'd report on our experience going through CLE last week.
My 10 year old daughter and I both went through the MMW scanner device (despite trying to time for a WTMD).
The device had a screen just at its exit which showed a stick figure with any points of interest highlighted.
I cleared with no issues.
My daughter showed a point of interest around her chest area.
In the past, this would have resulted in a full patdown, which I was prepared to decline on her behalf (we had discussed doing this prior to travelling to the US and were fully prepared to not fly if this happened).
This time, however, a female TSA agent very politely asked for my permission to selectively pat down the area of interest. I agreed, and my daughter was very gently patted down in only the area of interest. The TSA agent used the back of her hand.
My 10 year old daughter and I both went through the MMW scanner device (despite trying to time for a WTMD).
The device had a screen just at its exit which showed a stick figure with any points of interest highlighted.
I cleared with no issues.
My daughter showed a point of interest around her chest area.
In the past, this would have resulted in a full patdown, which I was prepared to decline on her behalf (we had discussed doing this prior to travelling to the US and were fully prepared to not fly if this happened).
This time, however, a female TSA agent very politely asked for my permission to selectively pat down the area of interest. I agreed, and my daughter was very gently patted down in only the area of interest. The TSA agent used the back of her hand.
Last edited by ConcernedAussie; Aug 18, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Aug 18, 2011, 8:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,972
In the past, this would have resulted in a full patdown
Aug 19, 2011, 8:36 am
#3
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Aug 19, 2011, 9:25 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
Unforutnately however that is the software still termed a failure in tests in Europe, with a false rate of over 30 percent according to some estimates. Remember, that included sweat stains, pleats or folds or layers of clothing, and poor posture.
And in the German test there was always just a pat down of the area in question. I'm glad that OP's child just had the one area patted down but hopefully that is the norm in the US.
And in the German test there was always just a pat down of the area in question. I'm glad that OP's child just had the one area patted down but hopefully that is the norm in the US.
