Is there TSA screening minors procedures in place ?

[ducklite]

I've been detained and even brought into another private room to figure out what was beeping. If that had happened to one of my kids there is no way I wouldnt be there to lessen their fears!

Off TSA website.

We have to screen everyone, regardless of age (even babies), before they can go through the security checkpoint. We will not ask you to do anything that will separate you from your child or children.
http://tsa-7.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/t...nBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

Their idea of "seperate" and most parents idea of "seperate" are two different things.

Anne

 

[hentob]

We flew last week , at the airport we were screened on the security checkpoint , my husband my oldest and I were picked for additional screening which we had no problem with , they allowed my 9 year old through without further screening. When we got to the boarding gate my youngest my husband and I went right infront of my 13 year old and led into the plane, I looked back to make sure we were all going together and realized that they were pulling my 13 year old to the side and they were not letting her on the plane , she was frantic , did not know what they were doing and couldn't see us. I asked the lady at the boarding gate what they were doing with her and she said she needed further screening , I asked to be able to be with her and they denied my request. I yelled at my daughter to cooperate and not be afraid and that I could see her and I would not leave her. The same two agents that did the first screening came and did the second . The problem was originally the metal hooks on her bra , but also the problem was that they never punched her ticket as the additional screening having been performed.
I do not have a problem with the screening , I am all for security and safety however I believe that when it comes to minors , parents or guardians should be allowed to be present during the screening. On the other hand my friend was traveling with us and she was able to get on the plane with a tube of lipgloss that was not in a ziploc bag , go figure !

Which airport was this? Please call and complain. Don't forget to tell us what they said. I would ask why they don't follow their own rules Make sure to tell them that they did indeed try to separate you from your minor child. They told you to board while she was being interrogated.

Your poor daughter

 

[MushyMushy]

In America under the Patriot Act?

Nah, I'm being facetious. When I traveled with my kids, then aged 4 and 8, they were pulled aside for additional screening too. It's insane.

There's no facetiousness in that statement. We're losing more and more of our rights every day.

Where's the outrage until it happens to you? (general you)

 

[ducklite]

Which airport was this? Please call and complain. Don't forget to tell us what they said. I would ask why they don't follow their own rules Make sure to tell them that they did indeed try to separate you from your minor child. They told you to board while she was being interrogated.

Your poor daughter

I"m wondering if they knew she was a minor? A LOT of 13 year old girls can easily pass for 20 year olds these days.

Anne

 

[Bob Slydell]

In the future you might want to have one of the adults in the party board last in line after the rest of the party to be sure that everyone gets on OK.

Anne makes a good point that's being overlooked. I always make sure that I'm behind my kids as we board the plane, so if something like that happens, I'm with them and not walking toward the plane.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

1) Never board before your children,as has been mentioned.
2) Pretty much consider the Constitution thrown out when you enter the sterile area in an airport. Sad but true.

 

[Maleficent13]

So, to sum up: if a total stranger came up to my 13yo at the airport, took her from me without my permission and removed her from my vicinity, I could have them charged with kidnapping.

But if said stranger is wearing a TSA badge, I wave bye-bye prettily and move on with life.

Interesting.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

When I got searched at the age of 16 they required that my mom was there to watch and if she got uncomfortable with any part of it (which she did) she could ask them to stop and they would. It was a random screening so I don't know if that would make it different.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

You have to be careful with those TSA people. Everytime we fly DS (15) insists on bringing as a carry-on his XBOX-360 (or whatever videogame system he has). It goes through the X-ray machine and they stop it and they get all wigged out about what is inside while looking at the monitor. They take it and him asside which I hate because sometimes they tell me to go away and I tell them I am his mother and he is 15 but they don't care. You should hear the way they question him. Unbelievable. I keep telling him to pack it in a suitcase and check it but he is afraid it will be stolen then I wish he would just leave it home. They seem to have this attitude that they can do whatever they want.

Next time your son wants to take a game system with him in his carry on, he may want to remove the system from the bag and put it through the machine seperately, as if it were a laptop. The TSA wants to screen those items seperately, and wand them. I had brought a portable DVD player with me last time and I had to open up the whole case for them and explain how it wasn't a laptop. It might just make life easier next time.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

So, to sum up: if a total stranger came up to my 13yo at the airport, took her from me without my permission and removed her from my vicinity, I could have them charged with kidnapping.

But if said stranger is wearing a TSA badge, I wave bye-bye prettily and move on with life.

Interesting.

No, then you say, I know TSA procedures and make a stink. TSA loves to make power plays. If push comes to shove, I would also request that airport police come on the scene (usually there is tension between the police and TSA and you can use that your advantage).

 

[Maleficent13]

No, then you say, I know TSA procedures and make a stink. TSA loves to make power plays. If push comes to shove, I would also request that airport police come on the scene (usually there is tension between the police and TSA and you can use that your advantage).

Hmmm...good to know about the tension. It is very sad to me that the TSA is taking advantage of people's fears with power plays.

 

[mrsltg]

I HATE the TSA and the ridiculous rules that go along with them. That said, my dd was about 3 when she pulled aside for extra screening. I watched her and them like a hawk. The screener put her hand and my daughter and I very firmly said, "DO NOT TOUCH MY CHILD without my consent." We were good to go from there. I don't care if it were Christ himself - no one puts their hands on my child without me there.

To the OP - you did a great job!

 

[Mono~rail]

I'm always "on guard and ready" when we fly because dh *always* gets pulled to the side and searched extra heavily. When I say always, I mean literally every single time we have flown it has happened. I make sure to check the rules of what is and isn't allowed so that we don't have any extra trouble.

Dh has never been detained or denied boarding after they do their extra heavy search. The only thing we can think of that makes them take notice is that he shaves his head (he's bald on top so he just shaves the rest because it looks better).

 

[pumba]

when we took the grandkids ......our group of four was screened.......I informed the tsa that my gd was a minor and I was allowed to stand right to her side as she was being frisked.......no problems at all.....this was in the Orlando airport too..
our gs was right to the side of his gf and we had not problems at all......

 

[mrsltg]

I'm always "on guard and ready" when we fly because dh *always* gets pulled to the side and searched extra heavily. When I say always, I mean literally every single time we have flown it has happened. I make sure to check the rules of what is and isn't allowed so that we don't have any extra trouble.

Dh has never been detained or denied boarding after they do their extra heavy search. The only thing we can think of that makes them take notice is that he shaves his head (he's bald on top so he just shaves the rest because it looks better).

More than likely his name is on the list. A bald head won't stop him - that's profiling.... My dh has a bald head as well - he has never been stopped.

 

[ducklite]

I'm always "on guard and ready" when we fly because dh *always* gets pulled to the side and searched extra heavily. When I say always, I mean literally every single time we have flown it has happened. I make sure to check the rules of what is and isn't allowed so that we don't have any extra trouble.

Dh has never been detained or denied boarding after they do their extra heavy search. The only thing we can think of that makes them take notice is that he shaves his head (he's bald on top so he just shaves the rest because it looks better).

With the number of men who shave thier heads these days, I highly doubt that's the answer. My guess is that his name is the same as someone on the "No-Fly" list.

Anne

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am no fan of the TSA. I am badged so I do not have to submit to screening if I need to be on the concourse for a work matter. However, our TSA creates a huge stink if we bypass (which we are legally allowed to do). In order to keep peace, our boss has asked that we submit to screening. One time I believe I was searched in an improper manner and I am still mad at myself for not reporting it. Lets just say the wand was in a place where it really had no business being. And I think I was treated that way because of some personal circumstances. And I also decided not to complain because of those same circumstances. UGH


Many, not all, TSA agents will push the line of their authority. Do not let them!

 

[Mono~rail]

More than likely his name is on the list. A bald head won't stop him - that's profiling.... My dh has a bald head as well - he has never been stopped.

With the number of men who shave thier heads these days, I highly doubt that's the answer. My guess is that his name is the same as someone on the "No-Fly" list.

Anne

We've flown five or six trips since 9/11, and it happens going and coming. I always wonder why they search him but not me and DD14.

 

[ducklite]

We've flown five or six trips since 9/11, and it happens going and coming. I always wonder why they search him but not me and DD14.

It's got to be his name.

Anne

 

[RadioNate]

Children under the age of 12 won't be picked out for the extra screening, anyone above 12 will... I think it's outrageous what they did to your daughter, especially without anyone in her family there

I'm not sure that is true...I know my DS was pulled away for extra screening when he was 3 or 4. It was at O'Hare and they wouldn't let me close enough to touch him. I had to stand behind a plexiglass partician while he underwent further screening.

While it was horrible the TSA agent did apologize to me. They both said they knew it was unnecessarily stressful of DS and me.