Another Satisfied Customer (NOT!)
 

http://amputeemommy.blogspot.com/201...-im-angry.html

In all of the years since I have become an amputee, I can honestly say that I have can't think of a more upsetting and humiliating experience than what I endured at the hands of TSA at the airport. Robby and I both left the screening station flustered, in tears and late for our plane. It didn't take long for my humiliation to morph into anger.

So much for visits to Walter Reed and discussions with the amputees in order to help make travel easier through checkpoints for them.

One thing I do question is that mother wrote that TSA looked in her 4 year old's diaper. Unless the child has a developmental disability of some kind, why is a 4 year old still wearing a diaper?

Not disregarding the other issues - the OP's report pisses me off. However, I did want to comment on this issue.

First, TSA performing an inspection of a child's diaper by exposing the contents of said diaper is a questionable activity, IMO. For the TSO on this board, is that an accepted procedure that is performed in a NON-PRIVATE screening area? Is this the asinine treatment an adult wearing a similar device would receive?

Secondly, developmental disabilities are not the only reason a non-toddler child may wear a diaper during non-sleeping hours. One of my children, as well as one of my nieces, wore them until they were approximately six years old. Both of their pediatricians (in two different states, with no relationship to each other whatsoever) stated very clearly to the concerned parents that it is absolutely normal behavior. Children develop at different rates and bladder control is both a conscious and unconscious occupational skill, with the unconscious skill taking the dominant position. In other words, the body will decide when it is ready to maintain long-term bladder control, not the mind. Until that occurs, it is common to see diapers and disposable training pants used by children as old as eight. Look in any grocery/pharmacy store and you will see "pull-ups" available in weight ranges that border on those of a "normal" ten year-old child.

Sadly I find it easy to believe that "highly trained" TSA employees would act in this manner.

"Is there anyone out there that can say they have had a good TSA experience?"
--Comment on a news report of this story.

Water Pistole has his work cut out for him.

The only situation I can think of that would require a search of a diaper or underclothes would be when there is something that can't be cleared by touch - something like a brick or (go ahead and laugh) some other item that could reasonably be considered a threat item. If there is a situation of that nature, it is to be cleared in a private screening area (and if it is a minor, the parent would be with the child at all times). One situation I have heard of in training was a 3 yr old that had a cap gun (fairly realistic in size and shape)stuck in his diaper (that was quite some time ago and pre- 9/11 - so it was probably handled a bit differently than the process calls for now).

Really? REALLY??? After everything the OP went through, and the utterly unconscionable invasion of both her privacy and that of her son, you want to take it one step further and throw her son's toilet training into the mix??? Really - that is the question you come away with after reading her blog?

I am appalled by the treatment the OP received at the hands of the TSA. I am equally appalled by your response. :td::td::td:

My grey matter must be going as I do not remember security checkpoints pre-9/11.

Amputees getting shaken down. Kids underwear being "inspected" apart from parental comfort and permission, vets in wheelchairs being humiliated, kids in braces being forced to remove them and then walk without them without parental assistance.

The airlines are losing passengers. More of us are driving or taking other alternate transportation. Some are not going anywhere at all.

When is the travel/hospitality industry going to go to Congress and say enough is enough? This affects the industry far more than it affects any one individual.

We have lost international respect.
We have lost whatever international sympathy we might have had.
We have lost international conferences.
We have lost an Olympic Bid.
We have lost a World Cup bid.

Disney is likely losing thousands of customers because people are no longer willing to get in airplanes and fly, subjecting their kids to the abuse we put up with when we go to an airport and get on an airplane. I suspect many other tourist destinations catering to kids and their parents are also affected.

Hotels and conference centers are losing bookings to Canadian and European cities. When will we reach a critical mass?

All because people cannot stand dealing with these morons.

In 1970, I watched a demonstration in Ann Arbor, protesting the Viet Nam War. Regardless of how you feel about that war, its unpopularity ultimately led to the government calling it quits and brought down at least one president.

If this is true, file a complaint with TSA. Get a lawyer and sue them for emotional distress. Call your local news and tell them you have a story that anyone with a disability should know. One thing that is true is TSA doesn't pay attention until its all over the news......

:mad::mad:I'm at a total loss of words. I HATE TSA.

That may well be because TSA has zero social redeeming value.

Who wants to bet that checkpoint video will be unavailable for whatever reason TSA can come up with?

You are putting a lot on TSA and it is all anecdotal.
I have spoken to pax that did not want to go to Disney because it is getting too expensive.
To say that we have lost everything that you stated because of TSA is ludicrous.

The TSA in Chicago must be really bad, 'cause we're losing conventions left and right!