Will undressing prevent a TSA pat-down?
 

This is a serious question. Suppose I'm SSSSed and don't want to be touched by a TSA stranger -- and I really don't! Instead, I request a private screening and strip naked. How are TSA staff instructed to screen a naked man? Will they be content to see with their own eyes that I have nothing strapped to my body, or will they insist on touching me?

Incidentally, they are welcome to x-ray my clothing.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I specifically requested this type of search the last time I was SSSS'ed. The supervisor refused me. My understanding is that airport strip searches have been found illegal when applied without suspicion of the individual, so it's probably the legal department that refuses to allow what you would like to request.

Of course, the mere fact that many, perhaps most, people would consider a strip search less intrusive than being touched in their sexual areas by a stranger suggests there's a court challenge win in it for us if we can find the right plaintiff and funding to bring the suit. I'm still hopeful Rhonda Gaynier will succeed.

There was discussion of the issue in this very long thread; I've linked to the page with some of the relevant posts:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...4&page=4&pp=30

The general result seemed to be that you cannot offer to undress in lieu of a patdown although it might be accepted at some airports.

Apparently TSA thinks the probability of appearance of impropriety is higher for a voluntary undressing than an involuntary patdown, which I find questionable logic.

"TSA" and "logic" -- two words that definitely do not belong in the same sentence.

Please note that I am not "requesting" to undress. I would simply do it! What would the TSA screeners do? Tell me to get dressed again so that they can touch me? Keep in mind that this would all be taking place in a private room. I would not be publicly exposing myself.

Bruce

Now that it's gotten colder, I've taken to wearing a large (i.e.: "bulky") sweatshirt with nothing on underneath and packing my coat in my carry-on out of sight of the checkpoint. I'm setting myself up to be ordered to remove my outer sweatshirt, and, complying like a good sheople, ending up walking through the metal detector bare-chested. I was just following orders. It will happen, it's just a matter of when.

Are you actually going to do this? If so, let us know how it goes.

I'd be weary of any undressing, as I'd expect the TSA to then try to "nail" you on some kind of public indecency or "no shirt, no shoes, no service" law / rule. :rolleyes:

I tried it once already. I was flying out of DCA about a month ago (a little warm for a sweatshirt, but I decided to wear it anyway.) They had a "carnival barker" TSA guy at the checkpoint droning through a loudspeaker about taking shoes off and other directives. As I got closer where he could see me, he suddenly adds "Remove all outer bulky clothing such as sweatshirts." to his mantra. The sweatshirt has a high neck, so it's not readily apparent I'm not wearing anything underneath. I got to the metal detector with it still on, expecting the moat dragon on the other side to repeat the request. He didn't say anything and let me pass through unscathed.

I failed this time. My next opportunity is next month.

If I fail again with the sweatshirt routine, I might switch to my Gortex running suit. In the running suit scenario, I'll zip the top up all the way and hope that the TSA secret agent thinks it's a jacket and makes me remove it. I'm planning to wear only a jock underneath the Gortex pants, hoping that I'll be ordered to remove the pants as well, because the whole running suit is an "outer garment."

You bet I'll report on FT!

Nice.

A tear-away jacket and tear-away pants would be even better. Maybe we can get "Team FlyerTalk" tear-away gear :D

They tell you to take your jacket off and BAM! it's off!

And with all of those metal buttons on the outfit, you'd be sure to get secondary.

:D

We should rename all the positions with a carinval theme.

A checked baggage screener could become "master magician" because of all the disappearing acts in people's luggage. :)

Carnival or Circus theme job titles?
 

Or circus theme ;)
Do carnivals or circuses have sideshows... hmmmmm, anyway, I think I saw a TSA bearded lady once. :eek:

Put me down for a "Team FlyerTalk" tear-away outfit!
:D

Just so you guys know someone has already done this. One time when I was on the WTMD I asked the lady in front of the line to sent her jacket through the x-ray and the guy behind her took off his sweater and shirt. When I told him it wasn't necessary to remove his shirt he said "it's okay, I just want to help out" At that point I requested him to put his shirt back on before coming through and he did. An airport checkpoint is not a beach and I don't want to see anyone's bare chest male or female. It's disruptive.

:D :D :rolleyes:

It's disruptive? Please nominate this for hypocrisy of the year.

True that. It's no day at the beach.