TSA in my pants, literally
Nov 18, 2010 | 5:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4
TSA in my pants, literally
So, I'm a frequent (weekly) flier. There is almost nothing I've had to endure these last several years that had made me mad, embarassed, feel violated. Until tonight. I'm still in CVG and 30 minutes ago, the screener asked me during the "enhanced" patdown to lift my top (I'm female) so she could inspect my waistband. Okay, this usually gets done by hand, but I complied. Then, without warning, she yanked my pants forward and peered down the front of my pants. Truly.
I seriously considered going to the supervisor booth to complain about this but I think it needs to be done in writing and possibly also to my local news folks. I'd love to add my voices to those incensed by all this needless personal invasion we are subjected to when traveling. Heaven forbid we don't want to go through the nude-o-scope.
Any advice for getting this incident out there?
I seriously considered going to the supervisor booth to complain about this but I think it needs to be done in writing and possibly also to my local news folks. I'd love to add my voices to those incensed by all this needless personal invasion we are subjected to when traveling. Heaven forbid we don't want to go through the nude-o-scope.
Any advice for getting this incident out there?
Nov 18, 2010 | 5:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: HP/US Gold, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 711
So, I'm a frequent (weekly) flier. There is almost nothing I've had to endure these last several years that had made me mad, embarassed, feel violated. Until tonight. I'm still in CVG and 30 minutes ago, the screener asked me during the "enhanced" patdown to lift my top (I'm female) so she could inspect my waistband. Okay, this usually gets done by hand, but I complied. Then, without warning, she yanked my pants forward and peered down the front of my pants. Truly.
I seriously considered going to the supervisor booth to complain about this but I think it needs to be done in writing and possibly also to my local news folks. I'd love to add my voices to those incensed by all this needless personal invasion we are subjected to when traveling. Heaven forbid we don't want to go through the nude-o-scope.
Any advice for getting this incident out there?
I seriously considered going to the supervisor booth to complain about this but I think it needs to be done in writing and possibly also to my local news folks. I'd love to add my voices to those incensed by all this needless personal invasion we are subjected to when traveling. Heaven forbid we don't want to go through the nude-o-scope.
Any advice for getting this incident out there?
Call a LEO... NOW!
Then call the media.
Nov 18, 2010 | 5:20 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,596
Welcome to Flyertalk.
If you look around you will see literally hundreds of posts complaining about TSA searches. So far there seems to be no good answers.
But the tide of resentment is growing and some congressmen and senators have had their family violated. Time to write to our president and your elected representatives. Writing to TSA is likely a waste unless you have evidence (witnesses, video, etc) to back it up. Even then, it is likely a waste.
Have not seen anyone take out a sexual abuse warrant yet. It's coming.
If you look around you will see literally hundreds of posts complaining about TSA searches. So far there seems to be no good answers.
But the tide of resentment is growing and some congressmen and senators have had their family violated. Time to write to our president and your elected representatives. Writing to TSA is likely a waste unless you have evidence (witnesses, video, etc) to back it up. Even then, it is likely a waste.
Have not seen anyone take out a sexual abuse warrant yet. It's coming.
Nov 18, 2010 | 5:29 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,343
Can you describe the circumstances leading to your frisking? Did you opt out of the Nude-O-Scope or was this supposedly random?
Welcome to Flyertalk at this crucial time in air travel. File a complaint and please consider filing a sexual harassment grievance against the screener who performed this frisking. Please call the DHS IG Hotline:
DHS Office of Inspector General Hotline.
If you search on my handle and read a few of my posts, I hope you will trust my advice. As a credibility tie-breaker, Mrs Flies and I are the support staff for two female grey tabbies family members and several other semi-feral barn cats.
Welcome to Flyertalk at this crucial time in air travel. File a complaint and please consider filing a sexual harassment grievance against the screener who performed this frisking. Please call the DHS IG Hotline:
To report allegations of fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement involving the Department programs, funds, contracts, grants, employees or operations and /or civil rights abuses or Whistleblower retaliation within the Department, please:
* Email us at [email protected].
* Write to us at: DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 2600
Attention: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, SW, Building 410
Washington, DC 20528
* Fax the complaint directly to us at 202-254-4292.
* Call our Hotline at 1-800-323-8603. (Please note that this phone number is used to make a report only.)
PLEASE NOTE THAT the above methods of reporting are listed in the order that we hope you will use them. The use of e-mail to make your report will promote efficiency and expediency in reviewing and processing it. When a report is e-mailed, you will receive an e-mail receipt affirming delivery to our Hotline.
When making a report please attempt to convey as much detailed information as possible. Include all known information that describes: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
The OIG seeks to protect the identity of each writer and caller. Complaints may be made anonymously or you may request confidentiality.
* Email us at [email protected].
* Write to us at: DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 2600
Attention: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, SW, Building 410
Washington, DC 20528
* Fax the complaint directly to us at 202-254-4292.
* Call our Hotline at 1-800-323-8603. (Please note that this phone number is used to make a report only.)
PLEASE NOTE THAT the above methods of reporting are listed in the order that we hope you will use them. The use of e-mail to make your report will promote efficiency and expediency in reviewing and processing it. When a report is e-mailed, you will receive an e-mail receipt affirming delivery to our Hotline.
When making a report please attempt to convey as much detailed information as possible. Include all known information that describes: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
The OIG seeks to protect the identity of each writer and caller. Complaints may be made anonymously or you may request confidentiality.
If you search on my handle and read a few of my posts, I hope you will trust my advice. As a credibility tie-breaker, Mrs Flies and I are the support staff for two female grey tabbies family members and several other semi-feral barn cats.
Nov 18, 2010 | 5:51 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 1,439
please use ACLU's "Report Abuse During Passenger Screening in U. S. Airports" form
The American Civil Liberties Union have requested that people report such incidents to them:
If you've been forced through an AIT or want to report abuse during airport passenger screening, contact us using this form. We're collecting individuals' stories in order to determine the scope of this problem and evaluate future action. The information you provide in this questionnaire will be kept confidential unless we contact you and obtain your permission to share it with others.
Nov 18, 2010 | 6:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAD, and sometimes OMNI/PR. Currently: not far from IAD, but home will always be SAN (not far from the "touch my junk and I'll have you arrested" Memorial TSA Check Point) even if I'm not there so much these days.
Programs: UA, CO, Calcifer Award for Mad Haiku Skillz
Posts: 5,076
Welcome to FT catluvgal.
Wow, I can't believe they can look down your pants (not doubting you, just incredulous that she looked). Please escalate this, file a formal complaint, call/write your Congress/Senate reps. Did you get the TSA clerk's name? (I'd probably be too stunned to remember to do that, so good on you if you did.)
Sorry your first post was under such circumstances, and I hope you stick around FT. There's great information here and if you travel weekly, you probably have much to contribute.
Wow, I can't believe they can look down your pants (not doubting you, just incredulous that she looked). Please escalate this, file a formal complaint, call/write your Congress/Senate reps. Did you get the TSA clerk's name? (I'd probably be too stunned to remember to do that, so good on you if you did.)
Sorry your first post was under such circumstances, and I hope you stick around FT. There's great information here and if you travel weekly, you probably have much to contribute.
Nov 18, 2010 | 6:12 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 48,961
I wonder what they do if the waistband is too tight to get their hands in?
(sigh) Actually, I know what they'll do. They'll tell me to unbutton/unzip the pants enough for them to get their hands/eyeballs inside.
(sigh) Actually, I know what they'll do. They'll tell me to unbutton/unzip the pants enough for them to get their hands/eyeballs inside.
Nov 18, 2010 | 6:37 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,556
Nov 18, 2010 | 7:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 700
You know, whenever the media interviews Ma and Pa Kettle on TV, where they say "sure, this is Ok, anything for security, its not like its a strip search or anything," you really have to ask them: what is the difference? A slight degree, that you still have a few clothes on? Why on earth, if this is permitted, don't you think the TSA will next say, "the pat downs and radiation machines didn't do the trick" so now you need to disrobe." Who is to say "no mas!"
What is it that each of us passengers has done to warrant this level of scrutiny? Buy an air ticket? Can that possibly be enough to warrant this level of invasion when 99.9999% of passengers pose no risk? Shouldn't the standard be reversed, such that passengers are presumed safe unless there are indicia to the contrary? Sure, some security is necessary but, this?
What is it that each of us passengers has done to warrant this level of scrutiny? Buy an air ticket? Can that possibly be enough to warrant this level of invasion when 99.9999% of passengers pose no risk? Shouldn't the standard be reversed, such that passengers are presumed safe unless there are indicia to the contrary? Sure, some security is necessary but, this?
Nov 18, 2010 | 10:10 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Posts: 217