Hi, and Happy Holidays, to all you friendly people! I've been lurking around here for a little while, ever since the news of "enhanced" "pat-downs" started to hit the media.

I don't fly super-often, and when I do, it's almost always personal rather than business. I'm getting ready to fly 12/27 (MSP to AUS), returning 12/31. However, I'm starting to get really anxious already.

I am an amputee - my leg was amputated when I was 12, due to bone cancer. The amputation was done right at the knee, but my prosthesis goes ALL the way up - right up to my hip/crotch - as it provides better stability (or so they tell me!).

There's no point in going near the nudey-scanner, since I know they're going to "pat" me "down" (feel me up) anyway. And besides, I've been exposed to enough radiation in my life. I'm just wondering - how bad is the sexual assault going to be? And what is the best way to handle it (pre, during, and post)?

I want to be as compliant as possible, and try to be kind and charitable towards the TSOs, and I'm working hard to suppress my passive aggressive tendencies. But I also don't want to allow myself to be groped, I don't want anyone's hands down my pants, etc...I don't do well with being touched there, especially by a stranger, for a variety of reasons.

I'm traveling alone, and I know that my natural tendency (no matter how much I psych myself up ahead of time) will be to do exactly what they want - I am the epitome of that "let's pick the women traveling alone b/c they won't fight" persona.

My plan right now is to have the complaint form in hand (pre-filled out with all the "known" info), the TSA complaint number is already saved in my phone. I'm trying to decide what to wear - Minneapolis in December rather limits my options, but I'm considering a one-piece swimsuit/body suit under my clothes. I also will refuse for any screening to be done in private. I'd rather a bunch of strangers in Minneapolis see my ugly body than to risk whatever might happen in private where no one else can see. I hope and pray that I can keep my mind functioning well enough in the moment to remember to ask for name and badge number of the screener, and for her to change gloves.

Does anyone have any other advice, or are there any amputees out there with experience with the "new" procedure?

Finally, I will be visiting family in Texas, and bringing along lots of Christmas presents. Can I have them wrapped, either in carry-on or checked luggage?

Thanks for the help and advice! I'm going to try to enjoy the Christmas season, rather than spend the next three weeks with high blood pressure in anticipation of this?

Merry Christmas, all!

~Katie