Eyecue,

For clarification - the screener made contact (though clothing) with a specific part of of crotch area.

My zipper alarmed during secondary with the hand held; subsequently, the area from the top of my zipper to the bottom of my zipper was patted down. Perhaps this contact was accidental, perhaps it was how this screener was told to resolve the alarm. I can only speculate here, but accident or not, I don't appreciate being patted down in this area. Is it the end of the world? Of course not. Did it piss me off? Absolutely.

By the end of the secondary I was seeing red and not only was a TSA Supervisor present (who was initially called over when I told the screener there is a difference between suggesting and requiring shoes to be removed -- he didn't like that and said I failed to follow his "orders"), but a LEO was present as it was clear I was outraged. The only one I was able to have a civil conversation with was the LEO, who assisted me in obtaining information to file a complaint. Talking with this particular TSA Supervisor was like talking to a brick wall.

Now, I don't know ... SOP is. In a more recent secondary this was not done, nor was I even requested to flip/roll over the top of my slacks (which was usually standard for a secondary, even before the new procedures).

In conclusion, not knowing this ultra-secret SOP - perhaps it was accidental, perhaps that was how he was trained -- I don't know. He did give me notice before patting down this area (along with every other area) and explained because my zipper alarmed, it had to be cleared.

Best,

SDF_Traveler