Originally Posted by
Moriah
I've only flown a few times since 9/11, when my grandmother passed away and a few times for business. I've been "maSSSSeged" (like that word for it, since my business trips were all when they liked to feel up female passengers) on almost all of those trips, but I think it was because they were last minute bookings. (Strangely enough, only on the flights out, not the way back...)
Based on your advance booking, you might not be subject to the haraSSSSment.
Originally Posted by
Moriah
However.... I do not own a non-underwire bra, and they never feel right or offer enough support. I've never been pinged on the metal detector for an underwire. Before they started screening shoes, the buckles on my Birkenstocks would set the machine off. Guess the "shoe carnival" is easier if you wear slip-ons... I can deal with getting extra screening over an underwire, and don't really care -- it'd be nice to avoid it, but I think if another woman saw me, they'd understand why I wear 'em. I'd rather not have to purchase a "flight bra" that I'll never use for anything else -- waste of money!
It sounds like you're not aware of the
requirement of removing shoes now.
As for the underwire bra, just don't walk slow (but don't run) through the metal detector. Those things have a LITTLE leeway (I walked through last week with my keys last week with no detection). When you walk through the WTMD, you'll notice the TSAer looking at the bridge of it. They're looking at an LED reading of the metal, if it's higher than the threshold of the device.
Originally Posted by
Moriah
My gentleman, however, has a slightly different issue -- he had back surgery and a knee replacement, long ago, and hasn't flown at all since 9/11. The surgery was too long ago for him to have a card from his doctor. It might well set it off, especially if the WTMD is set to a sensitive mode.
It might not. I know people who have had medical implants who do not set off the WTMD.
If it rings and he gets a secondary screening, remember that you can always request a private screening. Some TSAers don't like that because it disturbs their rhythm and they're not used to taking requests from passengers. If you or your man choose a private screening, request a supervisor to be present as well as a neutral party if you don't trust or like the attitude of the TSAer.
Originally Posted by
Moriah
In my case, I have no problems walking through and if I get pinged, discussing it with the female TSA officer. The times I got groped, it was at least done politely and professionally, with the back of the hands and quickly. (The first time I was uncomfortable and joked as she did it "I hope you don't enjoy this part of your job..." she was cool tho). But should he announce it before he walks through, and if he doesn't want to (he's somewhat sensitive about his "after-market accessories"), how much trouble will they give him if he mentions it privately to the male TSA officer who does the secondary screening?
Don't mention it in advance. Have him remove everything metal in advance...keys, belt buckle, whatever. There is a chance he might not ping. If he does, that's when to declare the medical issue.
Originally Posted by
Moriah
Neither of us like to check luggage either, so we might get SSSSed anyway, even booking a month in advance.
Checking bags (or not) is not SSSS criteria.
Originally Posted by
Moriah
BTW: for those who use specialty shampoos, w/ the toiletries issues on carryons, anyone gotten any hassle over putting their specialty shampoo into a 3 oz container?
It'll get tossed. The guideline is that there must be a label on each item, stating it's 3.4 oz (or 100ml) or less on them. A bottle with an 8 oz label with clearly less than half remining will get confiscated too. Don't put shampoo into a mouthwash bottle, it'll get tossed too. If the bottle isn't transparent, yet has a label for 3.4 oz or less, then you can switch things out.
The xray machines can't detect explosives, nor can they tell the actual liquid in a container (they look for the size of the bottle).
Originally Posted by
Moriah
There's a part of me that thinks the terrorists must be laughing their rears off watching all of this.... they accomplished their mission, too. Sad.
The terrorists won a looooong time ago.