deleted

Though I don't normally use sanitary pads, I will for this occasion just in case I get the opportunity to gross out a herd of idio...umm, I mean TSOs. :D

Not all TSOs can be like this - I mean, there have to be some that are on familiar terms with common sense and dignity. What normal person would like to admit that they fondle strangers all day for a living? It must be humilating for the normal ones.

This. It's why we're hearing reports of "DDs" and "cuties" being pulled out for NoS - one dude helping out his pornoscanner screener buddy.

Who Needs a Heads Up?
 

Do you think they are nodding off and that's why they need a cutie alert?

There's no male / female distinction at the checkpoint, and you don't think they change the scanner-viewing TSO with every passenger depending on gender, do you? Why do you think the selectees include a strangely high proportion of cute young women, procured by male TSOs? Do the math. This has nothing to do with "security" and everything to do with getting to see women naked.

SSI and sanitary products
 

So we know Pistole confirmed scanners can detect pads but will not say whether this necessarily leads to a patdown. We also know not every woman wearing one gets a groin check. I think one woman reported here going through a scanner and only getting hands swabbed.

A logical explanation is either they don't detect them always or they do but cant always tell what they are.

One possibility, and this would include incontinence products, is that if completely dry they show up if at all more like clothing. The plastic layer it seems would still show up but it's pretty thin and don't know whether the scanners would differentiate it from clothing. But any liquid/gel in either type of item may make it more likely to be considered an anomaly.

Pantyliners are pretty thin but reusable ones need a snap or velcro closure so that could be the real anomaly in that case.

Any other guesses? Would love to see someone like Katie Couric pose these questions to Pistole.

Yeh, one of those female multimillionaires. Or would they toss puff questions in order to assure the government "we're safe"?

I don't even get it anymore, but I guess reusable pads (which are wonderful things) are another thing I can't go through security with.

The TSA really hates us womenfolk. I thought this before, but in 16 hours on FT, I know this now. *sigh*

So, TMI, but my monthly friend is here and I have a flight later this week.

Serious question I would like to see one of our resident TSA screeners answer. If I am patted down (since if selected for the scanner I plan to opt-out), how likely is it that the sanitary napkin will be detected and if it is, what is the process for follow up?

Will I be believed if I tell them I'm wearing a sanitary napkin? Will I be asked to prove it by removing it? Will I be told to go to a private/resolution screening?

I can't believe that I have to ask these questions, but I would like to know what the procedure is so that I can be prepared if necessary.

And no, I can't just wear a tampon, I have rather heavy cycles and go through one in an hour so I have to wear a sanitary napkin as backup, especially when traveling and not always knowing the availability and ease of finding a restroom.

deleted

I agree. Really cannot believe that I'm asking this as a serious question. Can any of the resident TSA screeners help me and answer my questions though? Is there anything I should be doing so to make the whole experience easier for me?

You have my compassion - May be TMI
 

As a professional woman who sometimes must travel for my job, you have my deepest sympathies. I mean this. It is hard enough as a professional woman to do our jobs but now we have to add to our angst the stress of our monthly periods. An issue which we have long ago handled, but now it comes at us as urgently as a new currency.

As women, we learn to plan ahead. This is a genetic trait -- from the time of puberty, we learn to calculate and plan to avoid at the very least embarrassment (leaking through our shorts at gym class) - at the worst, real physical damage (i.e. soaking a white leather couch at a job interview). But we have handled it - because we plan ahead. We plan ahead to avoid embarrassment and to work in a man's world. We work with our bodily functions so they are nonexistent in our workplace.

Enter the TSA. With a singular gesture (screening), this government agency has the power of undoing us in the name of security. Never mind your planning, with one invasive screening, the TSA can bring you back to that befuddled thirteen year old girl who wore white pants when her period came early or late.

As a 40+ year old woman, I thought I was done being pensive about my body and its natural wonders -- but these latest developments bring me back to junior high where I feel like I have to apologize and be ashamed for being a girl.

Shame on the TSA.

And that's the problem, right there.

They're not thinking, they're just "following orders".

Sound familiar to anyone else?

If he confirmed it I can't believe someone wouldn't argue "disparate impact" at some point.

Fantastic post and (even being a man) I am behind you 100% Sosiouxme. ^

I have to admit though - when I read your example about potentially soaking a white leather couch during a job interview I literally almost spit my drink out. I know you didn't mean it to be funny (it is sadly the truth) but I got a momentary light moment at that image.

JennyElf,

I have asked this question many times, but gotten no answer from the resident TSOs. There is no way a pat down or a full body scan can differentiate a pad from an underwear bomb. That is the basic problem about imaging technology, and the reason why it shouldn´t be used.

Trace chemical detection makes sense. WBI and pat downs do not.