Okay, you've all got me worried now. I just joined so that I can ask this question.

My husband, my 26 yr old daughter and I are travelling to Rome next fall: Toronto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Rome, Rome to Munich, Munich to Toronto. (Sorry, I don't have the abbreviations memorized).

I carefully (and more expensively) chose a route that did not have connections in the States because of what I've read here...but now I'm worried.

You see, my daughter was sexually assaulted as a child and is now recovering (very well, we're very proud of her) from the years long emotional consequences of that, including a physically abusive boyfriend.

She has a hard time with even the dentist touching her, I'm not sure how she'd react to the kind of so-called patdown you describe. Full hysterical flash-back freak-out probably.

The walk-through metal detector and wand we encountered in 2009 was no problem, is that still what we will likely encounter this fall? If not, what should we do?

Any info and/or advice is greatly appreciated. We are so looking forward to this trip, I'd hate to have it clouded in anyway for her. Thank you.