Print this out and take it with you to the airport the next time you fly. Show it to an agent if he/she is not following protocol:

Pat-down, Other Screening Enhancements Must be Carried Out Appropriately

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is committed to constantly reviewing screening procedures to ensure our measures are targeted to counter potential threats.

On Sept. 22, TSA made changes to passenger screening procedures to strengthen our ability to detect explosives at the security checkpoints. One significant enhancement, which has generated discussion and concerns among some passengers, involves more frequent use of pat-down searches. We take each situation seriously and TSA has procedures in place to address any and all concerns.

In addition, TSA screeners are trained to conduct the inspections in a professional, respectful manner, while maintaining our high level of security. Here is more information on the new procedures:


To better allow TSA to identify explosives, the agency implemented new passenger screening procedures that, in addition to expanded use of pat-down searches, increase the use of explosives trace detector machines and provide screeners more latitude to refer individuals for additional screening.

The changes are in line with a recent recommendation of the 9/11 Commission Report that all passengers selected for additional screening be checked for explosives.

Additional screening, including pat-down searches, may be required of passengers based on visual observations by screeners, even if an audible alarm has not gone off.

Screeners are also required to communicate their actions to the passenger prior to conducting the inspection.

Federal Security Directors are responsible for ensuring at the local level that screeners are properly trained in the new protocols. TSA Headquarters is also closely involved in ensuring that such training has taken place. In addition, the training regimen is available to screeners on TSA�s Online Learning Center.

TSA policy is that screeners are to use the back of the hand when screening sensitive body areas, which include the breasts (females only), genitals, and buttocks.

For non-sensitive areas, including other parts of the torso, screeners are required to use the front of the hand.

Screeners are required to offer private screening to passengers who are subject to additional screening. If you are not offered private screening you have the option to request a private screening location.

Screeners of the same gender as the passenger will conduct the additional screening (except in extraordinary circumstances).

This statement does nothing to address the real problem: these disgusting, un-American pat-downs should not be happening AT ALL!

I totally agree, Spiff, but until that time comes, if you can show an overly-aggressive screener the TSA's own statement on patdowns, perhaps we can do something to stop the molestation.

I'd suggest keeping another copy in your luggage in case the copy you might have in your hand is taken away.

Spiff, might you be able to gain enough support through here and your other means to establish an organization to lobby your efforts with DHS?

Hear me out, using Adm. James Loy's own words against his very agency, Loy outlined, in a meeting with APOA that "The DHS way of doing business is to have those most affected by security issues involved in resolving them." As frequent fliers, your membership are the ones most affected by these overzealous policies and procedures. Loy, in the same meeting, stated that the government doesn't have all the answers and promised to rely on groups like AOPA to propose practical solutions to security problems. Loy described his agency's efforts as a three-legged stool that must balance the need for security with the interests of commerce and the preservation of civil liberties. Using his own publicized comments and admissions, lobbying DHS to get realistic my be a feat worth undertaking.

It may or may not be an easy task, but from personal experience I can tell you that groups like AOPA and NBAA have done alot for me in forcing TSA to be realistic in what they put forth in the name of "security." Using these resources, TSA was forced to give up trying to regulate security for my own personal aircraft.

It's just a thought... @:-)

What an indictment... he is saying that the terrorists are not the most affected. Either that, or he is meeting with them clandestinely.

Hmm, wonder what they are visually observing ? Or in other words, pat-downs do not ever have to be justified by screeners. Accountability ? Dream on !

It seems to me if someone does touch your "sensitive" areas with the palm and fingers, then you have a very firm basis for a complaint of molestation or sexual assault, knowing what the TSA regulations are.

I agree it doesn't address the highest-level problem, but some flyers may be able to address their personal problem by using this TSA statement against overzealous screeners and supervisors who insist a palm grope of the breast/genitals or forced strip-down-to-undergarmets is permitted SOP.

We all know these things have happened in some cases, and stopping or making loud on-the-spot complaints about these abuses that go beyond what even TSA policy allows is at least one small step.

The back of the hand thing sounds wierd to me. I have thankfully only endured the post-9/22 patdown twice, but both times I was clearly having my breasts felt with the front of the female screener's first two fingers. Has anyone actually had this done with the back of the hand?


I can't even keep this stuff straight about how they're supposed to touch me and when. I can't imagine I would be any less upset if she had used the back of her hand.

I'm not so sure about that. Molestation or sexual battery usually requires some intent, and that would probably be lacking.

Like many others, the touching is offensive to me regardless of the screener's state of mind.

The institutional arrogance evidenced by directing 44,000+ federal employees to routinely pat down people at the airport (including their genitals) because it's suspected that two women in Russia bribed the security personnel is truly mind-boggling.

And fortunately, as more and more people experience it (like last weekend and again in 3 weeks), and more stories appear in the media, the greater likelihood this nonsense will be stopped.

I disagree. Intent is there - they touched you and it was not an accident--and if they are not looking to get their jollies out of it, why are the not following TSA regulations?