Airport security, TSA, and underwire

[englishteacha]

I've been reading up on the do's and don'ts of airport security and the TSA site says not to wear an underwire bra through security. Now, some of us may not own anything but an underwire. I'm in a dilemma. I don't want to be given an hard time through security, but I don't have another bra to wear. Thoughts?? I suppose I could take it off right there at security, but that might create a scene!

 

[safetymom]

Then just allow a little extra time for a secondary screening. Some airports set them off and others don't.

 

[HLAuburn]

I fly quite a bit, always wear an underwire bra, and I've never been stopped for any special screening because of it. Wear whatever bra you want!

 

[madenon]

Sometimes it can set of some of the alarms, but will hardly even raise an eyebrow. Must be most of us wear underwire bras. Let's say about 50% of the women wear underwired bras (overhere it's more like 80%, but I don't know about the US, so let's be very conservative with that number). That's million of women going through security. Most of them won't even think about what bra they'll wear. If the bra would be a Big Problem, you'ld see problems at the airports, hear alarms going off all the time and probably a nice item on tv about bras holding up flights. The TSA is one of the very few even mentioning this in their security rules.


I don't wear anything else but something with an underwire including when flying. Never been a problem. At most airports the alarm won't even go of. At some airports they'll use a wand to check you and make sure it's just the underwire if the alarm goes off. There are a few airports where they go a bit further, and a female security guard will check to make sure it's an underwire bra by padding you down and feeling through your shirt/sweater for the lowest part of the bra on the side. (so they can feel the underwire, without having to well ehm... "cup" you)

If you're really worried I'ld guess you could go to the bathroom at the airport, take the bra off and put it back on in a bathroom after security. But if you ask me; way to much hassle for something that never is a problem. (wearing a bikini-top -if you've got one without an underwire) instead of a bra might also be an option, I guess)

 

[disneyag]

I have never been stopped because of my underwire.

 

[momto2inKC]

I only wear underwire and it's never set off the alarm

 

[CarolA]

That's the ONLY type of bra I wear. I have NEVER set off the alarm. I am not changing my bra to make the idiots at TSA happy. IF I ever set it off they can just wand me!

 

[bavaria]

That's the ONLY type of bra I wear. I have NEVER set off the alarm.

Ditto. And I fly as much or more than Carol in a year, and that is saying a lot.

Plus I really don't know what Americans have to whine about re secondary screening - the TSA is very careful and does a decent job at being discrete. Even before 9/11 screeners around Europe and Asia were much more 'touchy feely' than in America.

You haven't been screened until you have had a screener in Germany or India thoroughly examine your chest and torso area. Nothing like the polite pat down with the back of the hand one receives in America!

 

[Ariel8676]

Ditto. And I fly as much or more than Carol in a year, and that is saying a lot.

Plus I really don't know what Americans have to whine about re secondary screening - the TSA is very careful and does a decent job at being discrete. Even before 9/11 screeners around Europe and Asia were much more 'touchy feely' than in America.

You haven't been screened until you have had a screener in Germany or India thoroughly examine your chest and torso area. Nothing like the polite pat down with the back of the hand one receives in America!

**Woohoo sounds like i have to take a trip to Germany or India...
But seriously i always wear un underwire bra and have never been stopped going through security...

 

[MissMet]

I only wear underwire and it's never set off the alarm

ditto!

 

[Laurabearz]

I too wear an under wire and never set anything off..

Now if they were looking for padding IN the bra... I might be over the limit there...

 

[Melynny]

Joining the crowd of under wire frequent flyers.. it's the only kind I wear and I have never set off the alarm either.

 

[NancyIL]

We went through metal detectors at the Statue of Liberty a few weeks ago. My underwire bra didn't set off the alarm, but the barrettes in my hair did! THAT was a first!

 

[ducklite]

I've never set off the alarm, and I haven't worn a bra without wires since I was 16!

Many companies use plastic for the wires now.

Anne