Originally Posted by TheGolfWidow (Post 16608109)

So.....

"You can voluntarily show us your underwear or you can voluntarily go home to await for the bill for $11,000 if you decide you don't really want to fly today after all."

Originally Posted by billycorgan (Post 16607817)

Also while SATTSO did state that they can not ask you to remove any clothing covering private areas, basically they force you into volunteering to.

Originally Posted by RichardKenner (Post 16608138)

I thought it was said that TSO are not permitted to allow passengers to remove clothing in those areas.


It is not reasonable to me to believe that because there's a significant difference between those two types of clothing.

Originally Posted by TheGolfWidow (Post 16607819)

This is the same sort of question I was asking earlier -- How is it that looking at a genital piercing through underwear is going to tell them that it won't take down the plane when touching it through clothing doesn't? It makes no sense.

Originally Posted by tanja (Post 16608151)

Yes it is.
So how do they clear it unless they get really "personal"with you.

Pretty much they cant be sure.

Originally Posted by RichardKenner (Post 16608168)

I don't know about you, but I can much easier determine what something is by looking at it than feeling it through multiple layers of fabric. I'd guess that there are going to be some genital piercings that can be easily identified as such by touch and some that aren't.

Originally Posted by exbayern (Post 16607631)

I doubt that you read my lengthy post about security in India, but there ALL female airport searches are done in a curtained booth (as well as 'other' security around the country, such as that found at some higher end hotels)

I have no issue with the mandatory private screening in India for women.

There is one female screener who does a very basic pat down, and uses a wand. There is no lifting of skirts, no lunges, no touching of bare skin. There is courtesy, and there is respect.

I would however be extremely hesitant to ever go to a TSA private screening. From what I understand, there are two TSOs. My experience with female TSOs is that many are rude and harsh. Based on the experiences I have had at TSA checkpoints whilst in the public eye, I would not want to have an experience in private. I just cannot trust what may happen.

So, in my case I have two opportunities to regularly pass through airport checkpoints which offer or require a private screening. The one which requires a private screening offers me a polite, pain free experience with no humiliation. The one which offers a private screening has left me in pain, feeling humiliation, and often spoken to as if I am an animal and not a passenger.

There is a significant difference here, and hopefully readers can understand that.

Originally Posted by VegasCableGuy (Post 16608052)

I don't think what SATTSO is saying in reference to this point is quite, um, realistic. We've heard many times that leaving the screening process once it has begun it not permitted. It's claimed that terr'sts would try to smuggle a weapon through over and over again, leaving each time it was detected and then getting back in line to try again until they succeed. Thus, the "$11,000 fine" for leaving the screening without resolution. This talk of lawsuits and fines goes back a couple of years now. There's even talk of arrest (but I haven't a clue what for).

Bloghdad Bob says implementation of the fine is up to their own discretion, so your mileage may vary. However, I think it would be safe to say that someone with an unresolved object in their pants will probably not be given the opportunity to wander off and come back to try again. SATTSO might be nice enough to let you go, but I don't think the others will.

Originally Posted by InkUnderNails (Post 16607570)

Bottom line: The passenger will not be required to submit to a strip search. However, it may be necessary for them to voluntarily remove clothing to resolve an anomaly and gain access to the secure area.

Restated: If you want to fly, you may have to voluntarily take off at least part of your clothes.

Originally Posted by TheGolfWidow (Post 16608200)

Perhaps....but neither of those things is going to tell anyone whether your piercing is going to take down an airplane, which, if I remember right, is supposed to be the issue for the TSA.

Originally Posted by Loren Pechtel (Post 16608853)

And how is this not requiring a strip search in order to fly???

Originally Posted by billycorgan (Post 16608903)

Because they don't force you to remove your clothing... its all in the very sneaky verbage. I would imagine the conversation in the private room goes something like this

***After resolution pat down is done and TSO still believe there is an "anomaly" that they can't clear***

TSO: "Well, unfortunately we are unable to clear you through security due to an anomaly around your groin area. I am afraid you won't be allowed to fly today

Scared Passenger: "I really need to fly today what if remove my pants?"

TSO: "A visual inspection could resolve the anomaly and if the anomaly is resolved you would be allowed to fly"

Passenger removes pants

Originally Posted by RichardKenner (Post 16608878)

I think we can safely assume that no piercing is going to take down an airplane. My email was addressing the difficulty of determing if it is a piercing.

Originally Posted by phoebepontiac (Post 16608926)

I wish the OP (or one of the other few strip searchees I've heard about) was still around to address whether this is the way the strip search played out.