I've noticed that the TSA is starting to ONLY use the nude body scanners lately. I always opt out of these for a couple reasons. Not that I care if anyone sees my body, but I just think they're inappropriate. I also don't want the added radiation. I know they say you get more flying. I don't necessarily BELIEVE them and the other difference is that this is completely optional. I'll be safe and hope that in 20 years we don't discover that they're lying or wrong about the amount of radiation.

Back to my story.

I recently had surgery. Lower abdomen, below my waist incision (if you catch my drift). I'm only a week and half removed from the surgery, so it is still a bit tender. The guy asks me if I have anywhere that is tender. I tell him I just had surgery and it is still painful to the touch. He says okay. Apparently when you tell them to watch out for a specific area that means they will search THAT spot extra rough and more thoroughly!

Here is the strange part. Afterwards as I'm grabbing my stuff he asks me what my surgery was for. I ask him if I need to answer that. He says, "No. I was just asking." I told him that is personal information and I'd rather not tell him. Then I walked off. I was tempted to complain to a supervisor, but I was running late for my flight.

What would you have done?

Give TSA employee a break! He/she probably was just trying to have small talk or was just curious. Based on what you have mentioned, I really don't see a big deal.

Let's move this over to the Travel Safety/Security "discussion" forum for further input. Thanks. /JY1024, TravelBuzz co-moderator

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the point of the "sensitivity" question was explicitly to focus more heavily on that area.

After all, that's just what a terrorist would say to hide something.

In spite of continued denials from TSA spokespeople, resident TSOs on FT, and some TSA apologists, that this behavior is policy, more and more reports like yours are coming out.

I have explicitly advised several people, including my wife, that they are better off not mentioning any sensitive areas if the expected patdown is unlikely to cause a serious issue.

I had no choice...it's painful to the touch. Sometimes when I get pat downs they flip down the waist band on my pants and then feel around below my waist. This would mean they would directly press down on my recent surgery.

Is this supposed to be sarcastic? Do you really not feel like it is inappropriate for a COMPLETE stranger to ask what someones surgery was for? There is a reason for doctor patient confidentiality.

My friends didn't even ask for details on my surgery.

You need to file a complaint and, in fact, can still do so. Sounds to me like that particular TSO was being sadistic.

Mike

Well, we know that they are going to be surgically implanting explosives. Can't be too careful.

The question would be more relevant if he asked the guy *before* the patdown.

Again, the whole thing is ridiculous. As stated before many places, any surgeon could implant contraband inside a would-be terrorist very easily. I hate to think of the TSA's reaction if that should occur.

Well, they could. It would be quite easy. There has even been some precedent for this.

The point is you can't, by examining, tell this, so you shouldn't even try. Metal detector would be better than body scanners for this anyhow (should clear for non-metal implant, while conceivably an implanted bomb would contain metal pieces.) However, the person could just say they had a metal prosthesis.

You know, I really think that if the TSA people cause one pain, one should simply scream (loudly) and fall to the ground. Then tell them to call 911. Why should we put up with a government employee hurting us? And what can they do to you -- after all, it's their fault you've been hurt. -- ladytraveler

Making small talk about a recent surgery after a same-sex genital grope is not something I would engage in, and I'm probably not alone.

The screener was either playing doctor, or Behavior Detection voodoo practitioner, neither of which anyone is required to take part of.

This is a classic situation where your answer will always be wrong...

If you declare an area 'sensitive', they will likely use that as 'evidence' that you are trying to hide something and search that area 'extra special'. If they hurt you in the process, they'll use a 'were not liable' because 'we had to clear the anomoly' along with an 'it didn't happen that way'.

If you attempt to avoid the 'extra special' attention to your 'sensitive' area by not declaring it, they'll claim that you never informed them and that they are not liable for any damage they induce during their patdown. If you complain, they'll likely use that as evidence that you may be attempting to hide something else.

Either way, according to them, they are not liable for any pain and suffering you may experience. And while a civil suit may be warranted, it, unfortunately, would likely be more trouble (time and cost) than it's worth -- something which they are counting on I'm sure....

I no longer fly, it is both a physical and mental health hazard.