Originally Posted by
Dianne47
I would think if the TSO visualizes the area of concern, no touching should be involved. You might have to swipe the area with your fingers, then have your fingers swabbed for explosives detection. Ask for gloves. Allow a lot of extra time for all this, at least one hour.
If I had any sort of recent surgery, this is how I would handle the pat-down. This includes breast cancer, ostomies, etc. The indignities are bad enough,
Originally Posted by
LeeAnne
Why should anyone have to expose their wounds to a TSO? Why should a TSO have to "visualize" the area? What is the logic there? What could possibly be smuggled under a BANDAGE? And what purpose would be served by anyone actually touching the area, whether it's the victim or the TSO? I'm baffled. What would they be looking for? Isn't it obvious that ANY touching of a wound would hurt, regardless of who's doing it?
I will never understand why two TSOs felt it necessary to physically manhandle an elderly woman's breast with a recent surgical wound on it. What could they possibly be looking for? Is there any reason, other than to exert power, cause subjugation, and inflict pain?
There is a very real danger of infection, especially from someone untrained removing dressing and/or touching wounds in an unsterile environment. Anyone trained in first response learns not to cause more harm. Yet that happens with some passengers and some TSOs, including some of the stories we have read here and some of the things some of us have experienced.
The TSA website tells us one thing regarding medical devices, but the reality can be very different. Items which it clearly states must not be removed are ordered to be removed, or are removed by a TSO.
Again, I cannot understand why the public thinks that this is fine.