Originally Posted by Bart
The problem may not be in the policy but in the screener's judgement or miscommunication between screener and passenger. ...
It's very difficult to screen persons of these circumstances. Questions must be asked and many people are offended by them. For example, in most cases, these require a pat-down search as opposed to a hand wand search because the person either has a pacemaker or is too weak to stand for long periods of time. One of the first questions I ask is if there are any areas that are sensitive to the touch. I want to know before I ask a person to extend his arms and find out the hard way that his arthritic shoulder prevents him from doing so or that he has the gout and his foot is sensitive to the touch. It helps if the person accompanying the passenger with disabilities volunteers any information that will help us screen the individual without causing any discomfort or pain. However, many people feel that this is private and personal information, and that makes our job just a little bit tougher.
Bart, I understand your point that the TSA is attempting to reconcile its indecent searches with decent and humane behavior, but the plain truth is that the two are irreconcilable.
It is none of the government's business if I wear an implanted medical device, have trouble walking, have an intimate area piercing, etc. It is also none of the government's business if I am flying one way, or if there's metal in my shoes. Real threats
can and must be identified far away from the airport gates, because aviation is not the only sector at risk. This indecent, inhumane, invasive, repulsive charade should end today.