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-   -   Question for TSO's (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/1129399-question-tsos.html)

Jetbee Sep 23, 2010 12:13 pm

Question for TSO's
 
If a person has a "sensitive area" on their body (as in recent surgery), is the TSO still supposed to pat down that particular area?

exbayern Sep 23, 2010 12:38 pm

I advised a TSO recently of one of my sensitive areas and they insisted that they still had to pat it down, and in fact 'patted' so hard that I almost fell over. It took more than a day for the pain to subside to a manageable level.

I have a complaint form, and the supervisor who was standing there witnessing the 'pat down' was extremely sympathetic and in fact did order the TSO to stop.

tanja Sep 23, 2010 1:00 pm


Originally Posted by exbayern (Post 14764462)
I advised a TSO recently of one of my sensitive areas and they insisted that they still had to pat it down, and in fact 'patted' so hard that I almost fell over. It took more than a day for the pain to subside to a manageable level.

I have a complaint form, and the supervisor who was standing there witnessing the 'pat down' was extremely sympathetic and in fact did order the TSO to stop.

Yes and they also pat down your bare skin.
That part I dont understand at all.

What can you hide on your bare skin?

And what if they cause harm to your sensitive area?
Like cause bleeding , pain or brusing?

Jetbee Sep 23, 2010 1:15 pm

I cannot believe this...

exbayern Sep 23, 2010 1:16 pm

Neither could I, but I was hesitant to post details here as in past I have been diagnosed by other posters over the interweb and apparently after several decades I have been cured. :rolleyes:

Cholula Sep 23, 2010 2:23 pm


Originally Posted by tanja (Post 14764679)
Yes and they also pat down your bare skin.

I've had a TSO wand my bare feet more than once in Maui. :rolleyes:

TSASuper Sep 23, 2010 2:48 pm

Being a former medic in the US Army, I've stuck with my belief of "Do not cause further injury to the patient." Then comes the TSA mindset of "All areas must be screened." It's a difficult balance. I just try to utilize every resource I have to ensure that the passenger does not pose a threat without causing any more pain (minus the inconvenience). It may result in a slightly longer screening process, but I think I satisfy TSA's requirements while reducing the possibility of inflicting any more physical pain. I can't stop the mental anguish of being at a TSA checkpoint, though. ;)

tanja Sep 23, 2010 3:55 pm


Originally Posted by Cholula (Post 14765492)
I've had a TSO wand my bare feet more than once in Maui. :rolleyes:

Did they feel stupid doing that?

What do they think that you hide beneath bare skin ?

They actually make me really scared of flying. Cause if they are that stupid then I am REALLY concerned and worried about if they really get that bad guy?
And what they would do if they get one.

doober Sep 23, 2010 3:58 pm


Originally Posted by tanja (Post 14766667)
Did they feel stupid doing that?

What do they think that you hide beneath bare skin ?

They actually make me really scared of flying. Cause if they are that stupid then I am REALLY concerned and worried about if they really get that bad guy?
And what they would do if they get one.

IMO, wanding bare skin says that the TSO is just working by rote and not doing any thinking at all.

tanja Sep 23, 2010 3:59 pm


Originally Posted by TSASuper (Post 14765808)
Being a former medic in the US Army, I've stuck with my belief of "Do not cause further injury to the patient." Then comes the TSA mindset of "All areas must be screened." It's a difficult balance. I just try to utilize every resource I have to ensure that the passenger does not pose a threat without causing any more pain (minus the inconvenience). It may result in a slightly longer screening process, but I think I satisfy TSA's requirements while reducing the possibility of inflicting any more physical pain. I can't stop the mental anguish of being at a TSA checkpoint, though. ;)

Well a person with hardly any clothes on and a lot of bare skin can hardly hide anything.
So I guess the next step is cavity search on everybody.

It is insane.


Originally Posted by doober (Post 14766694)
IMO, wanding bare skin says that the TSO is just working by rote and not doing any thinking at all.

Yes agree. And my reaction is without thinking is to kick hard if I get insulted / harrassed by a stranger.

Self protection.

gsoltso Sep 23, 2010 5:46 pm

TSASuper pretty much hit the nail on the head. We have to screen the person, however I was trained in a similar way to them. If a person has a sensitive area, we clear it and take great care to not press down and do more damage, just enough pressure to ascertain what is there. One added benefit of AIT if you are flying is they can clear most situations of this nature without touching in some cases (mind you not all situations can be cleared that way, but many of them can). I would just make certain to tell the TSO that the area is extremely sensitive and if they are rough, go to a Supe immediately, and follow up through the official channels as well. I hope you have as good of an experience as possible.

MikeMpls Sep 23, 2010 5:51 pm


Originally Posted by gsoltso (Post 14767632)
TSASuper pretty much hit the nail on the head. We have to screen the person, however I was trained in a similar way to them. If a person has a sensitive area, we clear it and take great care to not press down and do more damage, just enough pressure to ascertain what is there. One added benefit of AIT if you are flying is they can clear most situations of this nature without touching in some cases (mind you not all situations can be cleared that way, but many of them can). I would just make certain to tell the TSO that the area is extremely sensitive and if they are rough, go to a Supe immediately, and follow up through the official channels as well. I hope you have as good of an experience as possible.

Ascertain what is there? You mean a tampon vs. a thong? It's none of your damned business what my wife is wearing down "there".

Your apparent (& disgusting!) logic is totally backwards. A year ago you never would have gotten away with stripsearching people, yet now that you have the ability to do so electronically, somehow in your contorted reasoning that allows & requires you to perform invasive searches n lieu of an electronic stripsearch, when your authority to perform an administrative stripsearch has never existed in the first place?

We live in a free country and will continue to live in a free country. The sooner your loathsome organization is shut down, the better.

chollie Sep 23, 2010 5:58 pm


Originally Posted by gsoltso (Post 14767632)
TSASuper pretty much hit the nail on the head. We have to screen the person, however I was trained in a similar way to them. If a person has a sensitive area, we clear it and take great care to not press down and do more damage, just enough pressure to ascertain what is there. One added benefit of AIT if you are flying is they can clear most situations of this nature without touching in some cases (mind you not all situations can be cleared that way, but many of them can). I would just make certain to tell the TSO that the area is extremely sensitive and if they are rough, go to a Supe immediately, and follow up through the official channels as well. I hope you have as good of an experience as possible.

And you will be applying this technique to all involuntary opt-outs (wheelchair pax, folks unable to assume the AIT postion (hands over head), infants, toddlers/hyperactive children who can't be persuaded to assume and hold the position? Will you be trained (or have you been) trained in applying the frisk to wheelchair pax?

uElliots Sep 23, 2010 6:05 pm

why wand bare feet

chollie Sep 23, 2010 6:10 pm


Originally Posted by uElliots (Post 14767817)
why wand bare feet

To see if your bunions are real or implanted detonators.

Actually, I guess you could have something taped to the bottom of your foot, but when I've had my bare feet wanded, they've always made me lift the foot up for a visual too.


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