A close friend , male,was asked last week, in MIA, to actually pull his pants down to his ankles-( in a closed area, thank god) despite having already and voluntarily removed shoes and belt and triggered no alarm whatsoever.
He was told that they needed to check the seams. Furthermore, my friend was greatly intimidated by the rudeness and unwillingness to explain any of this.

I am astounded. Is this normal now????? Anyone else had this experience? I find it shocking, and I find myself less and less willing to be subjected to this kind of humiliation. How can there be no recourse? Bottom line is - you just want to make the flight...