TSA pulled my 6 year old for additional screening

[Yellowjj]

It's very interesting to read TSA 'policies' on one-ways. I fly one ways all the time and have never been pulled for any additional screening even when doing international flights. Maybe it's something else that triggers the additional screening.

I can tell you that our TSA officers give every 12th person in line additional screening, or if they found something during the x-ray or if the Airline put something on your boarding pass to indicate additional screening.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Who said anything about TSA people going inside underwear? Oh, that was someone who has a TSA person for a friend, and who was telling the story of her TSA friend scanning a person with firecrackers in their underwear! You have an issue with the inside if underwear being checked in that situation?

Again.....my dh, dd and myself were all pulled aside for addtl screening that one time. We had a one way flight, technically, going home. I'm not sure why some of you don't believe what I was told by flight attendants on our flight.

And I'm sorry....but having the back of someone's hand run beneath the bottom band of your bra, or along your panty edges just doesn't qualify as sexual assault. Nor is it touching your 'privates'.

Does all this 'touching' actually make us safer? Who knows. But if one person with a weapon hidden on their person is stopped because of this screening, then so be it.

Where did I say going inside clothing? One can manually check the outside to determine if anything was inside as referred to by a PP

It's all perception, though. That poster feels that they are touching her privates. I don't. Neither does goofy4tink. It's not that the agents aren't doing their jobs when they are doing the patdown, it's not that they are doing anything different...but I feel that they are touching legs and checking out underwear (bra) because those are good hiding places, while another person feels that they are touching "privates".

Some of reasons for the hands on body checks do involve the front of the hand and more involved touch . . . Airport Security Screeners will not perform these hands on body checks in public even when that is requested by the passenger. Not surprising that no one on here has seen one. But lack of you seeing this doesn't mean it never happens.

Just know that if the back of the hand "swiping" does not contact the underside and sides of the breast as some seem to be saying is what happened when they were given the hands on body check, it is not being performed properly and is ineffective for its state purpose.

 

[Michblue]

Op, I can relate to your story. In April of 2013 we were flying out of MCO. My husband went through screening first, then my 13yo, then my 11yo. 11yo son set off machine, he was sent back, asked to check pockets, and went through again. Again he set something off, was sent back again. This time I walked up and started patting him down. We found a Cold Calm packet. A cold remedy with foil backing he forgot about in a cargo pants pocket. Third time he went through fine. Then I went through and on the other side the attendant says follow me please, and leads me over to a glass phone booth looking thing. I am told to step inside, turn and face the door. She then shuts the door and walks away. I am looking over to where my husband and kids are gathering belongings wondering what the heck? My husband looks around and spots me in the glass booth. I'll never forget the look on his face. Shocked and concerned. Now it's funny. At the time not so, it was scary for all of us.

Attendant returns and askes me to hold out my hands palm side up. She wipes them, shuts the door and leaves. When she comes back she says I am all set. She then explained that since my son set off the detector multiple times additional screening was required. But he is a minor so I was chosen to do the screening for him.

Maybe things have changed. But if they did not do additional screening on a minor that actually tripped their machines multiple times, why are they doing that to a minor because of random screening?

 

[Jedana]

Surprising? Maybe. But, you said that you prepared your ds for flying and security proceedures. Did you not think to explain to him that he could possibly be taken out of the line for addtl screening? It doesn't happen often. But, it can. Kids need to be told about it. It doesn't sound as if anything 'out of line' happened and that your ds was treated with respect.

Here's the thing. It is theater a lot of the time. I get that. But...there have to be some proceedures in place. I would like to see trained dogs in the airports, but people respond to that with 'But, I'm allergic' or 'But my child is afraid of dogs'. Or having seriously armed agents roaming around...'But my child will be frightened if he sees people with guns'.

It's tiring to constantly hear the security bashing. People just sit here and complain and bash what the TSA does. Most TSA people are good people, trying to do their jobs. If you don't care for what happens, start writing to your congressmen. Start refusing to fly...and be sure to let airlines and politicians know why. Terrorists are not above using children and the elderly in their planning. So no, no one gets a pass.

Funny thing...right after 9/11, no one was complaining about the security proceedures. They almost welcomed them. And there were armed personel in the airports as well. No one had anything bad to say. But after a year or so? Yep, the complaining started.

I flew in Oct 11, and there were armed personal everywhere. Freaked me out a little bit.

No need to panic here, OP. It's part of the process now.

 

[TCups4Me]

I flew in Oct 11, and there were armed personal everywhere. Freaked me out a little bit. No need to panic here, OP. It's part of the process now.

I also flew right after 9/11 and remember the armed guards. My kids are not scared by service members because they come from a family of veterans and and an uncle who currently serves. However, I'm sure that would unsettle quite a few other kids who are not familiar with that appearance. Everyone's experiences are different.

 

[DebbieB]

I also flew right after 9/11 and remember the armed guards. My kids are not scared by service members because they come from a family of veterans and and an uncle who currently serves. However, I'm sure that would unsettle quite a few other kids who are not familiar with that appearance. Everyone's experiences are different.

I remember the first time I flew after 9/11, it was early December 2001. I knew about the increased security but to experience it was unsettling. I remember getting off the tram at MCO and seeing the guns on the sides of the armed guards.

I was an almost weekly flyer between 2005 and 2008, less frequent after that and I only remember being patted down once. I got the hand or computer swab a few times. Nothing that would make me want to get into a car for hours. Now that would be torture.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I personally can't stand flying. I don't understand why they would rather spend billions of dollars funding the TSA when they could just make cockpits of airplanes inaccessible to the cabin. Problem solved. Billions saved.

 

[DebbieB]

I personally can't stand flying. I don't understand why they would rather spend billions of dollars funding the TSA when they could just make cockpits of airplanes inaccessible to the cabin. Problem solved. Billions saved.

How would that stop someone from blowing up the plane? How would it stop them from taking hostages?

 

[BigAlsGal]

How would that stop someone from blowing up the plane? How would it stop them from taking hostages?

TSA was a result of 9/11. They hijacked the plane with a box cutter then took over the cockpit and flew it into the WTC. We could easily have another 9/11 based on that criteria. How hard do you think it would be to sneak a box cutter on a plane?

Sure they might have reduced the risk of a bomb or gun getting on board but none of those things were used in 9/11.

The only thing that will prevent another 9/11 is eliminate cockpit access.

 

[DebbieB]

TSA was a result of 9/11. They hijacked the plane with a box cutter then took over the cockpit and flew it into the WTC. We could easily have another 9/11 based on that criteria. How hard do you think it would be to sneak a box cutter on a plane? Sure they might have reduced the risk of a bomb or gun getting on board but none of those things were used in 9/11. The only thing that will prevent another 9/11 is eliminate cockpit access.

Security and metal detectors existed before 9/11. The cockpit doors have been strengthened and locked. Not sure what else can be done there. The pilots have to be able to get out in an emergency. There are threats to security other than cockpit access. Look at the shoe bomber, he could have blown up the plane.

 

[delilah]

I travel fairly frequently, at least 3-4 times a year, by plane, and over time, I've learned ways to not trigger the detector. I don't wear an underwire bra onto the plane. One time, the little plastic loops that are sewn into tops to keep them on hangers show up on the detectors, so, I cut them out of my clothes. Zippers trigger the detectors, so, I try to wear pull on pants, etc.

But, in April, I took my recertification exam in family medicine. We take the exam every 7 years, and it was the 4th time I'd taken it. This was the first time it was computer based. We were inspected before going into the exam room in a more intrusive manner than TSA. We were wanded and patted down. We weren't allowed to wear jackets into the computer room. We couldn't have a water bottle. Couldn't have a pencil or paper other than a dry erase board that was provided by the test site. Had to turn any pockets inside out, and lift our pant legs and sleeves to prove we didn't have the answers to the exam questions in invisible ink there. We were allowed to go to the restroom, but, there was no drinking fountain. I was so thirsty that I cupped my hands to get a drink in the restroom. It was a 7 hour exam, so, of course, we had breaks, but weren't allowed to talk to others. So, after all that, going through the TSA security was no big deal.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Security and metal detectors existed before 9/11. The cockpit doors have been strengthened and locked. Not sure what else can be done there. The pilots have to be able to get out in an emergency. There are threats to security other than cockpit access. Look at the shoe bomber, he could have blown up the plane.

Honestly my feelings on the subject won't change. The TSA is a knee jerk reaction to 9/11. Even with TSA in place as it stands today the exact same scenario could happen again. I don't feel safer knowing that they're pulling small children aside and swabbing their hands for powder or that they're making some 80 year old lady remove her shoes.

Short and simple I don't feel one iota safer with TSA in place. In my eyes it's a $8,000,000,000 a year (that's eight BILLION a year) pain in everyone's behind. YMMV

 

[sam_gordon]

TSA was a result of 9/11. They hijacked the plane with a box cutter then took over the cockpit and flew it into the WTC. We could easily have another 9/11 based on that criteria. How hard do you think it would be to sneak a box cutter on a plane?

Sure they might have reduced the risk of a bomb or gun getting on board but none of those things were used in 9/11.

The only thing that will prevent another 9/11 is eliminate cockpit access.

And they've done the bolded already. Cockpit doors are strengthened and locked. So we should do away with all the extra security? What happens if a passenger sneaks a weapon on board and threatens to blow up the plane unless allowed into the cockpit?

Oh, I know, according to some here, other passengers will overpower the hijacker. So what happens when there are MULTIPLE hijackers onboard (as there were on 9/11)?

Do I feel "safer" because of the TSA? If I'm honest, probably not. But many people do. Do I think we need something like the TSA? Yes.

 

[goofy4tink]

I also flew right after 9/11 and remember the armed guards. My kids are not scared by service members because they come from a family of veterans and and an uncle who currently serves. However, I'm sure that would unsettle quite a few other kids who are not familiar with that appearance. Everyone's experiences are different.

We flew in Nov that year. We flew out of a small area airport, even there they had armed guards. We flew into Sanford. It was on PanAm..yep, PanAm! I called PanAm several times to check on my dd being able to carry her stuffed bear on the plane with her...she was 7 at the time. No problem I was told....by 3 different people. No issue heading to Sanford. BUT...when we got to Sanford, the PanAm person at the checkin counter said that the bear had to go in checked luggage. I told her that dd had carried it with her on the flight down with no issues, and that I had been told by 3 people at PanAm that she would be able to do this. Nope, it wasn't going to happen. My dd was a very nervous flier at that point...especially after 9/11!! She was really upset as we stuffed that poor bear into her checked bag...she just stood there and cried! The woman behind the counter just rolled her eyes! Very nice customer service. I was really apprehensive about what was going to happen when we went through security...they seemed to be wanding everyone that went through, and in my dd's state of mind, that could have been nasty! But, she had no issue...even the armed people didn't bother her too much. It was all about that darn bear. I had no issue if they had allowed the bear extra screening. But no.
PanAm got a very terse email when I got home. That bear has been on every single flight my dd has been on, since the age of 4, up to last June, at the age of 20. Only that one flight was an issue...although we had been told it wouldn't be an issue.
Guess you have to be prepared for anything! And do I feel safer? Not really. But I guess I never felt all that unsafe to begin with. I have a bigger fear of just good old mechanical issues! I choose not to think about terrorism....just can't give in to that fear.
I accept that, at this time, security is what it is. I do what needs to be done. There are a lot of things in life I don't particularly agree with, but it's just the way it is. But I refuse to tar and feather an entire group of people because there are a few bad apples in their masses. Most TSA workers are good, upstanding, compassionate people, with kids of their own. I can't even begin to know the situations they have to deal with on a daily basis. I have seen some...and those situations were not of their making, but of the passenger who decided to be argumentative or nasty! I always try to be pleasant and cheery when dealing with the TSA...and I've always had that same response from them.

 

[TCups4Me]

I accept that, at this time, security is what it is. I do what needs to be done. There are a lot of things in life I don't particularly agree with, but it's just the way it is. But I refuse to tar and feather an entire group of people because there are a few bad apples in their masses. Most TSA workers are good, upstanding, compassionate people, with kids of their own. I can't even begin to know the situations they have to deal with on a daily basis. I have seen some...and those situations were not of their making, but of the passenger who decided to be argumentative or nasty! I always try to be pleasant and cheery when dealing with the TSA...and I've always had that same response from them.

 

[Tisha_PA]

Op, I can relate to your story. In April of 2013 we were flying out of MCO. My husband went through screening first, then my 13yo, then my 11yo. 11yo son set off machine, he was sent back, asked to check pockets, and went through again. Again he set something off, was sent back again. This time I walked up and started patting him down. We found a Cold Calm packet. A cold remedy with foil backing he forgot about in a cargo pants pocket. Third time he went through fine. Then I went through and on the other side the attendant says follow me please, and leads me over to a glass phone booth looking thing. I am told to step inside, turn and face the door. She then shuts the door and walks away. I am looking over to where my husband and kids are gathering belongings wondering what the heck? My husband looks around and spots me in the glass booth. I'll never forget the look on his face. Shocked and concerned. Now it's funny. At the time not so, it was scary for all of us.

Attendant returns and askes me to hold out my hands palm side up. She wipes them, shuts the door and leaves. When she comes back she says I am all set. She then explained that since my son set off the detector multiple times additional screening was required. But he is a minor so I was chosen to do the screening for him.

Maybe things have changed. But if they did not do additional screening on a minor that actually tripped their machines multiple times, why are they doing that to a minor because of random screening?

When we flew down to Orlando in February, my 9 year old daughter was randomly selected to have the hand swabbing done. The TSA agent told me that since she was a minor I would have to have it done in her place. I have to admit that I'm surprised to find out that my children can be selected to have this done - I just assumed after that experience that if they were selected either DH or I would do the screening.

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

My DD (9) got pulled for additional screening this summer and last fall. The first time last fall I felt the same way, but was expecting it since she had two casts on. I was able to go with her while she was swabbed and tested. The second time she was fine since she knew the drill but I was given the option of going with her at watching. They did have a female TSA official do the testing (they pulled her from other line). They were very nice to her (MCO) and told her what they were doing and why, which I appreciated. I did prep her beforehand that this might happen and told her why they do it too. She was ok with it, but it still bothered me a bit.

 

[TCups4Me]

My DD (9) got pulled for additional screening this summer and last fall. The first time last fall I felt the same way, but was expecting it since she had two casts on. I was able to go with her while she was swabbed and tested. The second time she was fine since she knew the drill but I was given the option of going with her at watching. They did have a female TSA official do the testing (they pulled her from other line). They were very nice to her (MCO) and told her what they were doing and why, which I appreciated. I did prep her beforehand that this might happen and told her why they do it too. She was ok with it, but it still bothered me a bit.

It is interesting to hear about the experiences others have had with their kids. Obviously, the response I got from TSA that a kid shouldn't be randomly selected for additional screening was not accurate. It sounds like it is happening fairly frequently and I hope more parents become aware of it so they are not caught off guard.

 

[Gamegrl1]

OP - I can't stand the TSA. They don't seem well-trained at all and although I am not a parent, I agree that what they did was completely wrong and inappropriate. I thought they had rules about children not being subject to the same things that adults do for the screening?

All they gave you was an apology? How about promises to train their people better so they don't freak out small children or anyone with autism, for that matter?

I've been stopped any number of times because I fly occasionally for work - it's usually been metal on my clothes, like rivets or rhinestones (one time it was metallic paint on my skirt). Once they pulled me aside and passed a wand over my PlayStation, of all things. Yeah right, people...it's secretly a bomb. (And no way would I say the b-word in the airport! )

You did great as far as how you handled it and tried to prepare your children and cooperate with the stupid TSA. I swear that some of the ones I've encountered think their job is to prevent me from getting on the plane. I hope it goes smoothly for your family next time. Ugh.

 

[Gracie09]

http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-kids/parents-page

I know the TSA webpage is hit or miss but the first line says "TSA is required to screen everyone, regardless of age,..."
I would read that as including random screenings. Further down it goes into the details about when a patdown will be required etc.

I'm not going to go into whether the TSA is effective or just window dressing but this is what they say on the website