Logic? You expect logic from a group who have not read a book since high school? My research here and other places indicates that TSA makes up its own rules according to it's own whim at its own convenience. The SSSS designation happens without rhyme or reason, and there is nothing you can do about it except be victimized by it. Just be grateful that your daughter was not maimed, bloodied and permanently scarred as I was. However, write to the Miami Congressional Representatives (Claude Pepper, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Patrick Murphy in the House and Senators Bill Nelson and Marcus Rubio, Senate) the TSA, and especially Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. They will open (at least) a congressional inquiry into TSA misdoing there, and that will make people there at least aware of what is going on.

The most critical thing in my research is that TSA is not only clever, but motivated to keep their upper echelons from knowing what is going on under their watch. It only makes sense. When the lower echelons violate their own policy, it makes a bad mark on their own performance review which in turn affects their own promotions and pay raises etc. It is absolutely logical: No one can fix something if they don't know it's broken! And unless you rase _ _ _ _, the people with the power to do something don't know that something is wrong.

According to what I have researched, TSA may not separate a MINOR child from his/her parent. Period. End of discussion. If they said that you could not be with your 13 year old daughter then they are in violation and you need to raise _ _ _ _ about it. The difference between the 12 and 13 is in the invasiveness of the "enhanced pat down" also known as sexual assault every where in the USA except TSA. Also inquire as to the filing of criminal charges against them for kidnapping your child and holding her against your wishes and away from your protection. You won't get anywhere with it, but it will cost them money and take their time, and somehow get into their database. Again - the impossible - if enough people raise enough _ _ _ _ about their mistreatment of us, the greater likelihood of someone in Congress getting the message that we're not going to take their abuse of power any more.

Their only mission is to search for weapons, explosives, and incendiaries, and if that has been exceeded by their actions - according to the narrative that you gave, then you have cause. Demand the name and contact number of the Federal Securities Director at that airport (and send me a copy because I am doing my best to compile a data base for that.) COMPLAIN! COMPLAIN! COMPLAIN! Don't sit still and let these bullies continue not to abide their own operations manual. Once you get the name of the FSD at that airport, the form for his/her e-mail is Firstname . Lastname @ TSA . DHS. Gov. It is likely is that a paper letter will get more attention than an e-mail, but expect them to give you the wrong address at least 3 or 4 times, and don't send it to the airport because the airport will simply return it as undeliverable. Still, an e-mail will give you a record in your out-box of having contacted them. Also write about it to the TSA ombudsman.

We need a few million more people complaining loud and long and clear about TSA's school-yard-bully attitude and intimidation and endlessly exceeding their authority, terrorizing little kids and turning our travel experiences into a travel nightmare. Your help would be truly appreciated by everyone who flies.