Am I overreacting to this pat down?
Jul 1, 2016, 1:57 am
#17
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The best thing you could have said was "I am getting quite aroused here, is there somewhere quiet we can go". I bet that would have put a stop to it. 
Before 9/11 going through Heathrow once they patted me down. He said "do you mind if I pat you down"...."start with the thighs and tell me I have been a bad boy" I replied. Both of us could not stop laughing and it went from bad to worse but in laddish way! My co-worker, 20 years later, still tells the story. Those were the days.
Before 9/11 going through Heathrow once they patted me down. He said "do you mind if I pat you down"...."start with the thighs and tell me I have been a bad boy" I replied. Both of us could not stop laughing and it went from bad to worse but in laddish way!
My co-worker, 20 years later, still tells the story. Those were the days.
Jul 1, 2016, 3:05 am
#18
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The best thing you could have said was "I am getting quite aroused here, is there somewhere quiet we can go". I bet that would have put a stop to it.
Before 9/11 going through Heathrow once they patted me down. He said "do you mind if I pat you down"...."start with the thighs and tell me I have been a bad boy" I replied. Both of us could not stop laughing and it went from bad to worse but in laddish way! My co-worker, 20 years later, still tells the story. Those were the days.
Before 9/11 going through Heathrow once they patted me down. He said "do you mind if I pat you down"...."start with the thighs and tell me I have been a bad boy" I replied. Both of us could not stop laughing and it went from bad to worse but in laddish way!
My co-worker, 20 years later, still tells the story. Those were the days.Unwanted sexual tickling is best described as sexual assault when consent to such tickling is lacking.
Jul 1, 2016, 6:03 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
In the mid 2000's I got SSSS almost every time I flew. I am a woman, but with attention to slightly different anatomy, this is pretty much the pat down I got every time. Haven't had a patdown since PreCheck. While this security theater is useless, absent previous abuse, I don't understand the vehement objections many have. Perhaps my professional need to examine patients who would rather be almost anywhere else gives me some sympathy for a TSA officer just doing his/her job. This looks like a "by the book" patdown with a difficult and over reacting passenger. Sorry. They do need to examine the crotch/groin area in some detail to avoid a repeat of the underpants bomber.
This is totally different from an exam given by a doctor for which consent may be withdrawn at any time. You cannot tell a TSA screener to stop.
Jul 1, 2016, 6:49 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Posts: 104
No, I said I believe it to be generally useless and I think we all can agree the data on the TSA during testing is quite abysmal. The men and women of the TSA have a job to do and none of us are getting on a plane if we don't comply. The OP refused one of the scanners (his right) and their protocol requires a pat down. He then appears to be objecting to the TSA agent's search, while the other member of his party is photographing the pat down. If I were in that TSA employee's shoes, I would be making sure my search was just as I was taught in training - by the book. Just in case it was sent to my boss - as it was. Neither the TSA employee nor the passenger can realistically do anything about the larger issues at the point of screening. It is unpleasant, but hardly, in my opinion, rising to the level of emotional response many seem to have. (Absent previous sexual trauma.) The point of screening is simply not an effective place to try to debate or affect policy. A sense of humor goes a long way.
Jul 1, 2016, 7:57 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,918
The few times this has happened to me in China, regardless of the sex of the guard, they have been very respectful. Same with the times I've had to have this done in YYZ and YVR. Never had the belt check though.
Jul 1, 2016, 8:23 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 141
It's reality...sometimes it happens.....are you really that disturbed? Some people pay escorts for this type of treatment....I'd call it a freebie! Or are you mad because perhaps you usually charge for such interactions? Modearators may edit this post if too "real" for FT sensibilities. Lol
Last edited by TWA884; Jul 1, 2016 at 9:11 am Reason: Personal exchange
Jul 1, 2016, 8:36 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Posts: 104
"it's a violation of personal, intimate space"
I guess I just don't see it that way. For me not that big a deal. They are doing their jobs. You present to security, you have implied consent. Disagree with the policy, and I do, fine, work on that with your elected representatives, not at the screening site.
"There must be better ways of making sure you're not carrying anything threatening - and by better I mean less invasive and more accurate."
There are. He opted out.
I guess I just don't see it that way. For me not that big a deal. They are doing their jobs. You present to security, you have implied consent. Disagree with the policy, and I do, fine, work on that with your elected representatives, not at the screening site.
"There must be better ways of making sure you're not carrying anything threatening - and by better I mean less invasive and more accurate."
There are. He opted out.
Jul 1, 2016, 8:47 am
#25
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No, I said I believe it to be generally useless and I think we all can agree the data on the TSA during testing is quite abysmal. The men and women of the TSA have a job to do and none of us are getting on a plane if we don't comply. The OP refused one of the scanners (his right) and their protocol requires a pat down. He then appears to be objecting to the TSA agent's search, while the other member of his party is photographing the pat down. If I were in that TSA employee's shoes, I would be making sure my search was just as I was taught in training - by the book. Just in case it was sent to my boss - as it was. Neither the TSA employee nor the passenger can realistically do anything about the larger issues at the point of screening. It is unpleasant, but hardly, in my opinion, rising to the level of emotional response many seem to have. (Absent previous sexual trauma.) The point of screening is simply not an effective place to try to debate or affect policy. A sense of humor goes a long way.
Any contact with a TSA employee is the time and place to debate TSA practices. If they make my day miserable I will strive to return the favor.
Jul 1, 2016, 9:26 am
#26
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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In the mid 2000's I got SSSS almost every time I flew. I am a woman, but with attention to slightly different anatomy, this is pretty much the pat down I got every time. Haven't had a patdown since PreCheck. While this security theater is useless, absent previous abuse, I don't understand the vehement objections many have. Perhaps my professional need to examine patients who would rather be almost anywhere else gives me some sympathy for a TSA officer just doing his/her job. This looks like a "by the book" patdown with a difficult and over reacting passenger. Sorry. They do need to examine the crotch/groin area in some detail to avoid a repeat of the underpants bomber.
I was there to see what you went through. I had just gotten through TSA Pre and was gathering my luggage when I turned around to see the pat down. I saw how uncomfortable you were and tried to put myself in your (no pun intended) position. However, I just couldn't as it creeped me out. For a moment I just froze in disbelief. Had I been in a hurry, I may have missed it, but I had a five hour layover. I almost walked over to speak to you as it ended, but then I saw you were with someone, and decided to mind my own business. I wanted to tell you I thought it was over the top. Was refusing the body scanner worth it? Let us know what becomes of your complaint. BTW I hate how one has to go through secuurity a second time when making a connection at DTW that involves landing in terminal ABC and having to take the shuttle to the North terminal or vice-versa.
You didn't want to go through xray so good on them. I dont think there should be a choice. He might of thought you had something to hide.
I've had a full body pat down including all over boobs. It was like firm foreplay where they could tell my bra was underwire and where the lace is
You refused to go in xray so good on them for doing their job.
I've had a full body pat down including all over boobs. It was like firm foreplay where they could tell my bra was underwire and where the lace is
You refused to go in xray so good on them for doing their job.
"it's a violation of personal, intimate space"
I guess I just don't see it that way. For me not that big a deal. They are doing their jobs. You present to security, you have implied consent. Disagree with the policy, and I do, fine, work on that with your elected representatives, not at the screening site.
"There must be better ways of making sure you're not carrying anything threatening - and by better I mean less invasive and more accurate."
There are. He opted out.
I guess I just don't see it that way. For me not that big a deal. They are doing their jobs. You present to security, you have implied consent. Disagree with the policy, and I do, fine, work on that with your elected representatives, not at the screening site.
"There must be better ways of making sure you're not carrying anything threatening - and by better I mean less invasive and more accurate."
There are. He opted out.
Jul 1, 2016, 10:12 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 461
For 5 of the 7 passes you start dancing around like a Lipizzaner auditioning for the role of Herr Drosselmeyer.
Next time, if you really want to be done with it, stop hamming and jigging for the camera. They're just balls for Pete's sake.
Jul 1, 2016, 10:21 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
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Posts: 878
No, there aren't. Nearly every time I have gone through the MMW scanner, I have been subjected to a post-scanner patdown due to false positive "hits" from the scanner.
The patdowns have ranged from perfunctory to full-on whole body groping.
So, you cannot claim there is a way to avoid a patdown.
The patdowns have ranged from perfunctory to full-on whole body groping.
So, you cannot claim there is a way to avoid a patdown.
Jul 1, 2016, 10:24 am
#29
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You didn't want to go through xray so good on them. I dont think there should be a choice. He might of thought you had something to hide.
I've had a full body pat down including all over boobs. It was like firm foreplay where they could tell my bra was underwire and where the lace is
You refused to go in xray so good on them for doing their job.
I've had a full body pat down including all over boobs. It was like firm foreplay where they could tell my bra was underwire and where the lace is
You refused to go in xray so good on them for doing their job.
Jul 1, 2016, 10:27 am
#30
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