I recently flew american airlines from BOS to ORD and back, on weekdays. It was my first experience with the "non-ionizing" radiation machine, which is just pure luck I guess. BOTH ways, I was casually groped by our favorite agents while standing in the sideways-foot-prints after the scan. Neither time did they say anything first.

In BOS, I just suddenly felt the invasive and disgusting reality of someone else squeezing my head and neck from the back and heard, "just checking your ponytail". That was so awful (stranger touching me with used gloves - ick!! and no warning - double ick!!) that in ORD on the way back, I took out my hairtie and went through all loose to try to avoid whatever paranoid issues they might have with ponytails.

I faced the other way that time (to watch my bag) and saw an agent approaching with zombie hands outstretched, so I shouted, "stop! if you're going to touch me, please use new gloves"...which she did, admittedly without bad attitude, but also without saying what she was doing - and she proceeded to pat my sides rather intimately and then walk away, presumably satisfied.

Shouldn't they tell me what parts they will touch, give me a chance for the private room, etc.? It was so invasive! This is now the third time I've been groped. I'm feeling like they should offer a ring. But seriously - I just feel totally degraded.

--LG

eta: p.s. when I was groped the first time on a different trip, the agent announced what she was going to touch ahead of each touching.