are TSA agents permitted to squeeze the "crown jewels" when doing pat-downs?(which he did by using his thumb and the center of his palm... sorry, but that's the least graphic/tasteful way I can describe the experience)

I just want to know what their official policy, SOP, or the law is.... thanks!

Apparently yes. TSA holds that once you have entered the checkpoint area they can do anything they want and you are required to comply.

Not permitted... expected.

Welcome to the revolt.

I am not sure what the SOP is but I would consider that assault. Especially if they did not explicitly tell you what they were going to do. If they passed the back of their hand over and moved the jewels around then I would say that was similar to my last pat down in Feb.

Not per what they say about their SOP. And not by law. File a criminal complaint.

So he essentially cupped your balls in the palm of his hand and then felt it up?? Wonder if he needed a cigarette afterwards?

TSA official policy and procedures are kept secret. If you complain about a search incident, the responding TSA "customer service manager" won't talk about any specifics because it would be discussing their secret policies. (I've already experienced this). It's apparent now that ball grabs are SOP, but even if the ball grabs aren't supposed to happen, they won't apologize or take responsibility because it would point to specifics about their procedures (and open them to liability). You could complain that a TSO jammed a cattle prod into your behind during a search and the response would still be "All TSOs are trained to ensure searches are properly administered". (That was the official response I got when I complained about my balls getting grabbed a few months ago).

This is going to take judicial action to resolve -- complaining to TSA about their own constitutional violations is about as useful as complaining to a mugger that he's breaking the law.

I posted this in another thread, that mentioned an issue in Denver, but I thought about it a bit more... Again, this is just NYS Law

Here's my question,
a) The No Legitimate Purpose is up in the air and up to a judge to rule;
b) "grabs and squeezes" that falls under some of the actions reported by the media on these new TSA measures;
c) Gratify own desire, most TSA agents seem to be enjoying these actions.

So it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to consider this a Sexual Offense under NYS Law?. Anyone with legal knowledge care to comment, it seems that if they try to touch me I could file a claim against the agent.

JFK and LGA are in NY State, but they are patrolled by Port Authority Police, not sure how that would work..

You'll never find out what the SOP is, as has been mentioned. I'd file a criminal complaint and let the chips fall where they may.

If you feel you were assaulted, you were.

Also, using the links in my signature line, file complaints with EPIC and the ACLU - whatever you think of each organization. This is the only way these situations are going to be addressed.

Here are two descriptions that have not been refuted by official sources, although in the TSA's world of predictable unpredictability, nothing is cast in stone.


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A screener on Fark.com posted this two weeks ago:


Here's the dealeo, if you alarm the WTMD for whatever reason, hip or knee replacement ie, and you are unable to divest enuff metal to clear with any further passes, you are now a recipient for a Standard Pat Down.

We will pat down every inch of your bod and when we get to your mid section we will sliiiide a hand up your inner thigh til we "meet resistance" Exact wording.

Then, we swab our gloved hands and if they alarm, you then receive an "Alarm Resolution pat-down".

This is done by a Lead or a Sup. and is always done in a private screening area.
The only difference with this one is that when he/she gets to your "groin" area he/she is now going to turn his/her lil hands around and pass them over your "groin" area with the front of his/her hands 6 times. 3 across & 3 going down and then swab his/her hands again.

If they alarm again, well it gets a little gray after that.


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A union website has the following description:

Pat-Down Procedures

When conducting a standard pat down, a same-gender TSA screener will use a sliding method to verify external areas of the body for weapons or explosive materials. This process includes sliding his/her gloved hand up each leg until resistance is met. Additionally, the screener will slide his/her gloved hand across the groin and buttocks areas and under the breast area. If any anomalies are detected, the screener may resolve it by swiping inside the collar or waistband as necessary. Anything unusual detected during screening must be resolved. Resolution pat-down procedures will be utilized at this point. Private screening (upon request) is available to all passengers & crew members at any time in the screening process and will be utilized at all times when it is necessary to resolve an anomaly that is detected. If a resolution pat-down is necessary, two same-gender TSA screeners will be present and the individual being screened may bring a travel companion to the private screening area.

Maybe, if the TSA insists on touching our crotches, the men can charge them a baggage handling fee.

A scream of pain while rolling on the floor...then asking for an LEO, an EMT and a lawyer seem appropriate to me.

Ok your idea is a lot better than mine, and exactly what I'll do if they ever touch me in a naughty way.

The TSA can touch, grope, and fondle anyone, but if a total stranger did the same thing, or less, you could have them arrested and convicted.

You know, y'all--I know we try to display gallow's humor in the fa(r)ce of all this, but, honestly, my soul dies just a little bit every time I read these legalease weasels of SOPs.

I swore an oath to defend the Constitution of this country (by choice), and remember well the judge at the ceremony telling us the story of the Constitutional Convention, and how "the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 were held in strict secrecy. Consequently, anxious citizens gathered outside Independence Hall when the proceedings ended in order to learn what had been produced behind closed doors. The answer was provided immediately. A Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."

I don't see us keeping "it" -- and my pitiful acts of civil dis-obedience/keeping my oath (opting out, driving whenever possible, educating others) feel like trying to empty the Pacific with a spoon. Maybe even less than that because the great machinery of the state keeps rolling along, unfazed.

Do y'all REALLY think any of this bureaucracy will shrink, lessen, retreat? Perhaps strategically and in meaningless ways, only to emerge on the other side, stronger, and even more harmful to our unalienable rights.

Trying to be hopeFULL seems to be getting harder every day.

I know, I know, YMMV--maybe it didn't help that this morning, seven of sixteen of my senior honors students at a medium-sized university in the South thought the measures of the TSA to be fine and dandy, since "they keep us safe." (this is a media studies class where we look at different aspects of media, consumption, framing of issues etc etc).

Anyhow, sorry for the interruption.

I come here to re-charge my "hope and change" batteries!