Sent to TSA's e-mail [email protected] today. I don't expect anything actually.

To whom it may concern,

On Sunday, December 17th, 2006, I traveled from LaGuardia Airport, to Austin, TX on American Airlines.

During screening (I believe line 2) in Concourse D, I was following my wife in line through inspection and x-ray. The time was approximately 3:10 pm.

At this time, my wife, had a pencil fall from her bag, and go underneath the roller table. She asked the TSA Agent if it was possible to retrieve it.

The lead TSA agent kindly responded, “Sure, but be careful and don’t hit your head”

My wife bent down, picked up her pencil and moved forward out of line to wait for me.

At this point, one of the screeners, a 25-35 year old Caucasian male said “Yeah, if you hit your head you’ll let all the air out!” To which the second screener (25-35 year old female) laughed heartedly and smacked him on the chest playfully and said “You’re so mean!!”

Obviously a bad play at a “blonde” joke (which my wife is, and neither of them were), but I was quite offended. I looked them both in the eyes and said “You realize you just made a joke about my wife?!” To which they said “I’m sorry sir. We didn’t say anything. We don’t know what you’re talking about.” They were obviously afraid and realized that they did something very inappropriate. The backpeddling was obvious.

I didn’t take their badge numbers, or contact their supervisor at the time. I was too upset at the insensitivity, and would likely have lectured them. And I also didn't want to get in an arguement and be detained for 1/2 hour.

I think a sensitivity training exercise is in order for people who wish to be seen as professionals and get the respect they are desiring.

Regards,

High Flyer