TSA pat downs on my daughter?

[NavyDad01]

I understand the need for extra security but I don't want my 6 year old daughter having to go through this kind of check is there a way around it or tips to getting my daughter out of it?

I have seen videos online and cant imagine my daughter going through it

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Agree to let her go through the scanner. Have her pockets empty and tell her she has to stand still until they tell her to move. Do it all the time and have never had to do the patdown

The only way to be sure she won't have to is not to fly. But remember the videos are "horror stories" and not what happens in most instances

 

[DebbieB]

I understand the need for extra security but I don't want my 6 year old daughter having to go through this kind of check is there a way around it or tips to getting my daughter out of it?

I have seen videos online and cant imagine my daughter going through it

I've been faced with the choice 3 times. All 3 times I went through the scanner. I went through security this morning at PIT, I was not selected this time but I did not see anyone going for the optional patdown.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd 'went through' a pat down when she was 8..not a big deal. She had to do it again when she was 15. Again, no big deal.
As mentioned already, be sure she carries nothing in her pockets. Let her go through the scan. Chances are that she will be just fine...with no request for a pat down. Generally speaking, pat downs occur when a parent refuses to allow their child through the scanners or if something is detected when the child goes through.

 

[dskib]

I'm not exposing myself to any more radiation than I need to, and these scanners haven't been around long enough for me to trust. I've had cancer TWICE before 40 years old, and I'll protect myself and my son by getting a pat down if necessary.

In answer to your question, there's no way out of it. They will happily lose your business and escort you out of the building.

 

[Jestocost]

FWIW, I travel a fair amount and have had to go through the new scanners exactly once. First, not every airport even has the scanners and at many airports that do they aren't at all of the security lines and, not infrequently, the scanners that are there aren't being used. They're generally pretty easy to spot and it's not hard to just pick a line that doesn't have them in most cases.

Of course this won't hold true for all airports or all situations, so there may be some times that you don't have a choice. However, it's not quite as bad as some accounts would lead you to believe.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I'm not exposing myself to any more radiation than I need to, and these scanners haven't been around long enough for me to trust. I've had cancer TWICE before 40 years old, and I'll protect myself and my son by getting a pat down if necessary.

In answer to your question, there's no way out of it. They will happily lose your business and escort you out of the building.

Just to clarify, the scanners in use at the airports have been in use for over 20 years, just not in the current format. They are not new technology.

Also, it's not the airlines that control the security, so the airlines are not happy to lose your business and the TSA doesn't care either way as you are not a paying customer in the typical sense.

 

[azdizzymom]

My youngest who is 14 forgot to remove stuff from his pockets when we flew in April- I was in front of him and already through. He set off regular scanner. He had to empty pockets and go through full body machine where they 'see' everything. Then they patted him after that. While he didn't enjoy he knew no one else could see the image the security person was seeing. We discussed these things before.
Going through security is a fact of life anymore. We as adults need to teach our children and explain to them what might happen. We need to let them know it is for our safety and the person who is doing it to them is doing their job---that it is not 'bad touching'. There is a correct way to speak about this to kids of every age. If we as parents say I AM NOT LETTING MY CHILD GO THROUGH THIS PAT DOWN then everyone will be afraid to do it. I am sorry but I see nothing wrong with the videos of the kids on you tube that have been patted down. It is for our safety---yes in all logic a child IS NOT GOING TO HAVE A BOMB OR WEAPON BUT....there are kindergarten kids taking guns to school without mom and dad knowing, kids taking drugs to school without mom and dad knowing, etc. The TSA person is doing their job and they don't enjoy having to do it anymore than we like having it done. As parents we just need to go with it and let our kids know why. They can't say we won't pat down kids under XXX age because then someone will cry discrimination!

I would honestly sit with my kid, even at 6 years old, and just say they might have to do it. They might touch places we have told you are wrong but it is their job and for our safety. If we stress and act like it is bad kids will be afraid. We all parent and say different things to our kids---I would explain even at that age. My boys were 6 and 4 on 9/11 I was very open with them and always have been---at their age appropriate level of course. I had friends who hid news and papers from their kids. I would rather they hear it from me than on the playground!

Have a fun trip and enjoy!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Just to clarify, the scanners in use at the airports have been in use for over 20 years, just not in the current format. They are not new technology.

Most airports now have two kinds of scanners. Most passengers go through the traditional walk-through magnetometers. Yes, these are old technology.

However, some passengers are sent to full-body imaging machines (which use either passive millimeter wave magnetic imaging or "backscatter" low-level X-ray imaging). These are much newer.

If you're directed to a full-body imaging machine, you can opt out in favor of a full body pat-down.

 

[ccgirl]

Most airports now have two kinds of scanners. Most passengers go through the traditional walk-through magnetometers. Yes, these are old technology.

However, some passengers are sent to full-body imaging machines (which use either passive millimeter wave magnetic imaging or "backscatter" low-level X-ray imaging). These are much newer.

If you're directed to a full-body imaging machine, you can opt out in favor of a full body pat-down.

Yes. Those are what the PP was referring to. They are not new. Other countries have been using them for years in airports and we have been using them in court houses and elsewhere for years. They are new to U.S. airports, not a new technology.

To the OP:
My DD was 7 when we flew last year. I was very up front with her that she will need to go thru the full body scanner. If they think they see something or they cannot get a clearn picture she will be patted down. She asked me what it was like and I demonstrated on her. I asked if she had any questions. She asked what they were looking for and I told her. I approached the issue calmy and prepared her well. She did go thru the full body scanner and did not get the pat down but she was prepared if she did.

 

[Sandi]

Yes. Those are what the PP was referring to. They are not new. Other countries have been using them for years in airports and we have been using them in court houses and elsewhere for years. They are new to U.S. airports, not a new technology.

To the OP:
My DD was 7 when we flew last year. I was very up front with her that she will need to go thru the full body scanner. If they think they see something or they cannot get a clearn picture she will be patted down. She asked me what it was like and I demonstrated on her. I asked if she had any questions. She asked what they were looking for and I told her. I approached the issue calmy and prepared her well. She did go thru the full body scanner and did not get the pat down but she was prepared if she did.

Your advice to the OP is very good. My DD16 is selected for extra screening quite often and handles it like a pro. I think she was first wanded in early 2002.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I don't think that everyone is on the same page here as far as use of xray technology on people. Things like the RapidScan xray system, newly in use at airports, was not in use at public buildings in the US "for years." It is too new to have any assurance about it's safety.

PPs likely have it confused with the metal detectors. Can any of the PPs provide some links to back up their assertions that xrays and microwaves have been used on people for a long time?

Xray technology has been in use for years, but on inanimate objects, not people!

As for the body searches being performed by Airport Security Screeners, read this take on them by a former Miss USA and then decide for yourself. http://www.susiecastillo.net/blog/2011/4/25/my-tsa-pat-down-experience.html

 

[ccgirl]

I don't think that everyone is on the same page here as far as use of xray technology on people. Things like the RapidScan xray system, newly in use at airports, was not in use at public buildings in the US "for years." It is too new to have any assurance about it's safety.

PPs likely have it confused with the metal detectors. Can any of the PPs provide some links to back up their assertions that xrays and microwaves have been used on people for a long time?

Xray technology has been in use for years, but on inanimate objects, not people!

As for the body searches being performed by Airport Security Screeners, read this take on them by a former Miss USA and then decide for yourself. http://www.susiecastillo.net/blog/2011/4/25/my-tsa-pat-down-experience.html

No, I am not confused with metal detectors. Here are some articles about the existence of the backscatters:


http://www.brighthub.com/science/medical/articles/61045.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_body_scanner (this specifies it was developed and used as early as 1992)
http://epic.org/privacy/airtravel/backscatter/

If you google you will find even more.

As far as Susie Castillo, I am from MA and it was all over the news. She went into it knowing she was not going to do the full body xray. She should have prepared herself for what the pat down was. It is not merely a wanding. My DH has experienced the enhanced pat down and there was no groping at all. Did they pass over his "privates" most certainly. They did not grope.

 

[brenda1966]

We recently came through the Tampa airport and the way they have it set up is that they switch back and forth between the newer scans and the older scans. So, you cannot pick your line based on what kind of contraption you want to go through, because they switch back and forth.

So, when our turn came and they sent us toward the scatter one I merely said "I'd rather my daughter not go through that one" and they sent us both off to do a pat down. Honestly the pat down was a breeze! Two women patted us down quickly and with respect. Knowing how easily this went, I may do it more often.

My only complaint about the pat down as well as the new scanners is that both of them take longer so all of your valuables are sitting over on the conveyor belt waiting to be picked up much longer than when they just use the regular x-ray machines. I have a feeling thefts will be on the rise as our stuff sits there basically unattended.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would find a normal video of the patdown, then practice with her. Show her how to stand, know what to expect, etc. The chances of her being picked are low, but it's good to go through it with her, just in case.

 

[CPT Tripss]

No, I am not confused with metal detectors. Here are some articles about the existence of the backscatters:


http://www.brighthub.com/science/medical/articles/61045.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_body_scanner (this specifies it was developed and used as early as 1992)
http://epic.org/privacy/airtravel/backscatter/

If you google you will find even more.

As far as Susie Castillo, I am from MA and it was all over the news. She went into it knowing she was not going to do the full body xray. She should have prepared herself for what the pat down was. It is not merely a wanding. My DH has experienced the enhanced pat down and there was no groping at all. Did they pass over his "privates" most certainly. They did not grope.

None of your links say that these technologies have been in use on humans for "a long time." One simply says the technology (mircowave) was invented 10 years ago, the other two say nothing about this question. Ironically one of the links is to EPIC's page about their lawsuit to have the government stop using these technologies.

As for the body search you describe that your DH experienced - what exactly do you mean by "... pass over his privates..."? Did the Airport Security Screener make contact, using the hand, with DH's genitals?

 

[CPT Tripss]

We recently came through the Tampa airport and the way they have it set up is that they switch back and forth between the newer scans and the older scans. So, you cannot pick your line based on what kind of contraption you want to go through, because they switch back and forth.

So, when our turn came and they sent us toward the scatter one I merely said "I'd rather my daughter not go through that one" and they sent us both off to do a pat down. Honestly the pat down was a breeze! Two women patted us down quickly and with respect. Knowing how easily this went, I may do it more often.

My only complaint about the pat down as well as the new scanners is that both of them take longer so all of your valuables are sitting over on the conveyor belt waiting to be picked up much longer than when they just use the regular x-ray machines. I have a feeling thefts will be on the rise as our stuff sits there basically unattended.

That is said to be a problem.

Another technique that some people use is to pick a lane that has a WTMD in use and then just go to it.

 

[2binak]

I would find a normal video of the patdown, then practice with her. Show her how to stand, know what to expect, etc. The chances of her being picked are low, but it's good to go through it with her, just in case.

Great advice bumber! Our DD will be almost 4 on our upcoming trip and before we leave, we plan to do just what you've outlined so that she knows what to expect should she be screened. We also plan to ask for a private screening to avoid any video taping or comments from other passengers.

I have surgical metal in my back and I've been through at least 15-20 pat down screenings (both old & enhanced) in the last few years. I've never been inappropriately groped or treated poorly.

 

[ccgirl]

None of your links say that these technologies have been in use on humans for "a long time." One simply says the technology (mircowave) was invented 10 years ago, the other two say nothing about this question. Ironically one of the links is to EPIC's page about their lawsuit to have the government stop using these technologies.

As for the body search you describe that your DH experienced - what exactly do you mean by "... pass over his privates..."? Did the Airport Security Screener make contact, using the hand, with DH's genitals?

Actually, the article said it was 20 years ago. I don't have the time to find more articles but I know they are out there as to other places they have been used.

As for the body search, it is the same as has been described as others. I mean they brushed over his privates. Groping to me would mean to grab hold of his privates. They brushed by them like brushing a crumb off your lap.

I know one of them was a link to the EPIC lawsuit. I have no problems linking to both views. As with everything, there are two sides to every view.

 

[kaffinito]

I was picked to have the enhanced pat down on my last flight. There isn't any groping involved, and I didn't find it too intrusive. I had it done right in the security area near my things so they weren't left unattended.

It would be good to prepare your daughter before your flight. I explained the procedure to both my boys before they flew, and they were fine with security. The oldest goes through the body scanner, and the youngest has a pat down. He was fine with it too. I think he would have been freaked out if I hadn't explained it to him beforehand.