TSA pulled my 6 year old for additional screening

[DebbieB]

The hand swabbing is for explosives. Most likely the shoe bomber had traces of explosives on his hands.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yep.

I refuse to fly.

I will drive. Yes. It will take longer. But I don't have to agree to be sexually assaulted, when I drive. No one asks me to remove a prosthetic, cast or brace. No one swabs my hand to see if I fired my gun. In fact, when I drive I remain totally unmolested.

I have no problem with someone electing to drive. I agree with goofy4tink, if TSA security procedures bothers you that much, that's what you should do. What I *DO* take issue with is implying "sexual assault" or "molestation" is "normal operating procedure."

HAVE TSA agents assaulted or molested passengers? Possibly. But that doesn't mean it's normal.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

........
My 9 year old son and I were pulled out for "extra screening." (Pat down, wand, etc.) Why? Because we changed our ticket to fly home, "same day." My husband had a medical emergency back home, and we needed to rush home to speak with his doctors. I guess the 9/11 nuts only bought one way tickets, so now, if you buy a one way ticket, they screen you.

It seems that the TSA is 10 steps behind the nut jobs. We get extra screening with a one way ticket. We have to take our shoes off because of the shoe bomber. They check out your privates because of the underwear bomber......

Please explain how a TSA agent at the airport knows you have a one way ticket. It is completely untrue that you are selected for additional screening because of this. And TSA agents do not "check out your privates."

OP, I agree with many other posters here. Why are you upset? If your son is autistic, you should have informed a TSA agent before your son went through the line.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/autism-or-intellectual-disabilities

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

My husband got swabbed on our last trip. No particular reason, just random checks. It took a few seconds and we were on our way. No big deal.

When I started reading your post, you sent your two sons through first and told them to wait for you on the other side. So I'm thinking, well, she's traveling alone with them, this is what she had to do. But then I read your husband was there, too. Why on earth didn't one of you go through first? That's what we've always done when traveling. One adult, then the kids, then the other adult. That way there is always an adult on either side to help if there's any issues at all. Then you or your husband would have been there to help your son through the extra step. Please keep that in mind on future trips!

 

[TCups4Me]

I want to clarify a few things.

1. I clearly stated, "I have always been of the opinion that the minor airport security intrusions are well worth any inconvenience if they keep the public safe." Having my small kids pulled for additional screening was something that never even crossed my mind. I had never seen it happen. That one is on me for not thinking about it. I'm assuming I'm not the only parent that hasn't considered this, so that was the main reason for my post in the first place.

2. "We have flown with our children about a dozen times and the TSA agents have frequently been sensitive to the fact that the security process can be disconcerting for kids." Our past experiences with TSA agents have been great up to this point. Another reason that I was surprised by our experience. The FLL agents were abrupt and shuffled the kids around as if they were adults. Kids are not mini adults. The agent could have easily stood there with my son while I went through and then sent us to the side. It also would have been very easy for the agent to say, "we are going to swab his hands by wiping them". Those very simple steps are not too much to ask.

3. My family has a security routine where I take care of getting the kids through security and my husband brings up the rear. He takes longer. I'm pretty efficient and don't want to hold up the line so we go ahead and go through. The TSA agent is the one who wants the kids to go first. Usually they are great about it and have the kids give them a high five and tell them to watch me to see if I do it right. The kids think it's funny. (And before the haters start to hate, I know that TSA is not there to entertain us. But we are not living in a military state where people can't be friendly, especially towards kids.) Again, it never occurred to me to have DH go first and then the kids and then me. That's also on me. You offered great suggestions about this that we will definitely implement next time. Thank you.

4. I wrote to the TSA and my government officials to express my dissatisfaction of how this was handled. TSA responded quickly stating that " You are correct, a 7 (he turned 7 right after we got home) year old should not have been selected for random screening. " From what others have posted and my own experience, I know now that this can happen and we should prepare for it.

5. Never said I don't want my family to go through security. We will continue to fly and live our lives. The information in this post is going to be helpful for some families to prepare.

Sharing our experiences and strategies can only help each other!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

HAVE TSA agents assaulted or molested passengers? Possibly. But that doesn't mean it's normal.

Sorry, but the only person that is allowed to place their hands near my crotch is my husband and my doctor.

Anyone else that does it, it isn't with my permission. Touching my private parts, even through clothing, without my permission, is sexual assault.

Please explain how a TSA agent at the airport knows you have a one way ticket. It is completely untrue that you are selected for additional screening because of this. And TSA agents do not "check out your privates."

They mark it on your boarding pass. Or at least they used to. In fact, at one point my husband was told by the ticket agent that he would end up in the extra screening because of the one way ticket.

Full disclosure. I haven't flown in a couple of years. Like I said, I refuse to fly.

But the last time I flew, the TSA agent's hand was pressed against my breast and later against my crotch. Now it was the back of the hand, but their hand was pressed there, nonetheless.

It is fine that people are willing to go through that to fly. I just won't. I've been through the extra screening one too many times, and I don't plan to do it again.

 

[robinb]

Please explain how a TSA agent at the airport knows you have a one way ticket. It is completely untrue that you are selected for additional screening because of this. And TSA agents do not "check out your privates."

When I flew one-way on SWA a few years ago my boarding pass was marked for extra screening. I was told it was because I was flying one-way. I have also requested hand-screening in the past when whole body scanners where the "naked" variety. The TSA agent does run her hand up your inner thighs, on the buttocks, feels inside your waistband all around and between and on your breasts with the back of her hands. I do not recall her actually touching my crotch but she got really, really close.

 

[sam_gordon]

Sorry, but the only person that is allowed to place their hands near my crotch is my husband and my doctor.

Anyone else that does it, it isn't with my permission. Touching my private parts, even through clothing, without my permission, is sexual assault.

They mark it on your boarding pass. Or at least they used to. In fact, at one point my husband was told by the ticket agent that he would end up in the extra screening because of the one way ticket.

Full disclosure. I haven't flown in a couple of years. Like I said, I refuse to fly.

But the last time I flew, the TSA agent's hand was pressed against my breast and later against my crotch. Now it was the back of the hand, but their hand was pressed there, nonetheless.

It is fine that people are willing to go through that to fly. I just won't. I've been through the extra screening one too many times, and I don't plan to do it again.

I think you missed my point. Let me try again... I have NEVER had a TSA officers hands near my groin. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's the exception rather than rule.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Yep.

I refuse to fly.

I will drive. Yes. It will take longer. But I don't have to agree to be sexually assaulted, when I drive. No one asks me to remove a prosthetic, cast or brace. No one swabs my hand to see if I fired my gun. In fact, when I drive I remain totally unmolested.

I think it's relative that one feels "sexually assaulted" while going through TSA screening. I understand people may have some trauma in their life that the thought of anyone touching them at all is frightening. If the thought of a stranger touching you in any way makes you feel uncomfortable, then traveling in your own car is a good choice for you. But I'd be careful throwing that claim around as you may set yourself up for liable.
I've been patted down, my then six year old DD was patted down, my DS has been patted down twice, once while his was an infant. No one touched our privates. We never once felt like we were being assaulted. Maybe because we all knew what to expect. Maybe it was because we had well trained TSA agents. But we have yet to experience a negative experience while being screened.

 

[sam_gordon]

I want to clarify a few things.

1. I clearly stated, "I have always been of the opinion that the minor airport security intrusions are well worth any inconvenience if they keep the public safe." Having my small kids pulled for additional screening was something that never even crossed my mind. I had never seen it happen. That one is on me for not thinking about it. I'm assuming I'm not the only parent that hasn't considered this, so that was the main reason for my post in the first place.

2. "We have flown with our children about a dozen times and the TSA agents have frequently been sensitive to the fact that the security process can be disconcerting for kids." Our past experiences with TSA agents have been great up to this point. Another reason that I was surprised by our experience. The FLL agents were abrupt and shuffled the kids around as if they were adults. Kids are not mini adults. The agent could have easily stood there with my son while I went through and then sent us to the side. It also would have been very easy for the agent to say, "we are going to swab his hands by wiping them". Those very simple steps are not too much to ask.

3. My family has a security routine where I take care of getting the kids through security and my husband brings up the rear. He takes longer. I'm pretty efficient and don't want to hold up the line so we go ahead and go through. The TSA agent is the one who wants the kids to go first. Usually they are great about it and have the kids give them a high five and tell them to watch me to see if I do it right. The kids think it's funny. (And before the haters start to hate, I know that TSA is not there to entertain us. But we are not living in a military state where people can't be friendly, especially towards kids.) Again, it never occurred to me to have DH go first and then the kids and then me. That's also on me. You offered great suggestions about this that we will definitely implement next time. Thank you.

4. I wrote to the TSA and my government officials to express my dissatisfaction of how this was handled. TSA responded quickly stating that " You are correct, a 7 (he turned 7 right after we got home) year old should not have been selected for random screening. " From what others have posted and my own experience, I know now that this can happen and we should prepare for it.

5. Never said I don't want my family to go through security. We will continue to fly and live our lives. The information in this post is going to be helpful for some families to prepare.

Sharing our experiences and strategies can only help each other!

The bolded is 100% true. I think the problem is your OP read as you were somehow "wronged", but many of us couldn't see what was so "wrong". You even made the claim that your experience must be the "new norm" with nothing to base it on. In fact, the TSA even said it shouldn't have happened.

You might have ran into an agent that was having a bad day, or was just being a jerk because they could (not excusing that).

 

[MaleficentRN]

Anyone else that does it, it isn't with my permission. Touching my private parts, even through clothing, without my permission, is sexual assault.

But you do give permission. The minute you step into the screening area. You can refuse screening and leave the airport and find another way to travel.

 

[TCups4Me]

The bolded is 100% true. I think the problem is your OP read as you were somehow "wronged", but many of us couldn't see what was so "wrong". You even made the claim that your experience must be the "new norm" with nothing to base it on. In fact, the TSA even said it shouldn't have happened.

You might have ran into an agent that was having a bad day, or was just being a jerk because they could (not excusing that).

By "new norm" I meant that young children being screened is now normal. Call it naive, but I just never thought about it. To be perfectly honest it makes me sad more than anything.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I think it's relative that one feels "sexually assaulted" while going through TSA screening. I understand people may have some trauma in their life that the thought of anyone touching them at all is frightening. If the thought of a stranger touching you in any way makes you feel uncomfortable, then traveling in your own car is a good choice for you. But I'd be careful throwing that claim around as you may set yourself up for liable.

That would be an interesting case.

And no, I haven't had "some trauma" in my life. I just don't think that people I don't know should be giving me a rub down. Even the police need probable cause.

I think you missed my point. Let me try again... I have NEVER had a TSA officers hands near my groin. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's the exception rather than rule.

The last two times I flew, it happened. And not just to me.

But maybe it was an anomaly. And they didn't do it when the shift changed.

 

[MaleficentRN]

By "new norm" I meant that young children being screened is now normal. Call it naive, but I just never thought about it. To be perfectly honest it makes me sad more than anything.

I can't tell you how overwhelmed with grief I was as I watched the WTC fall, while holding my newborn son as my 2 year old daughter played at my feet. Because I knew they would never live in a "normal" world as I had.
Having to teach them about TSA screening, how to "shelter in place", where to go if the family is separated. It is sad, but necessary.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

But you do give permission. The minute you step into the screening area. You can refuse screening and leave the airport and find another way to travel.

Actually, if you try to leave AFTER being selected for enhanced screening, you are not allowed. They will hold you. And you can be arrested.

So, yes, I could have chosen to not fly, and never shown up. Which is what I do now. But once I showed up and got in line, I was stuck.

I really have no problem that others are willing to go through the screening. I simply refuse to give up my privacy and personal space, just so I can fly.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Actually, if you try to leave AFTER being selected for enhanced screening, you are not allowed. They will hold you. And you can be arrested.

So, yes, I could have chosen to not fly, and never shown up. Which is what I do now. But once I showed up and got in line, I was stuck.

I really have no problem that others are willing to go through the screening. I simply refuse to give up my privacy and personal space, just so I can fly.

Not true. Police will be called to escort you from the airport, but you will not be arrested.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yep.

I refuse to fly.

I will drive. Yes. It will take longer. But I don't have to agree to be sexually assaulted, when I drive. No one asks me to remove a prosthetic, cast or brace. No one swabs my hand to see if I fired my gun. In fact, when I drive I remain totally unmolested.

Alrighty then....I'm going to be the one that 'goes there'. Are you seriously saying that you were sexually assaulted during a security screening? Because if you are, you are doing a great disservice to those people that have truly been sexually assaulted. That's just cruel. And swabbing for gun residue? Nope, it's for bomb material residue.
It's comments like this that inflame a conversation. I have been through a TSA pat down multiple times...as has my dd from the time she was 6. She hasn't been traumatized, neither have I. I have had hands run beneath my chest and along my waistline and up and down my legs. I have never had a hand placed in my crotch or on my breasts...beside them and in between them, but never 'on' them.
OH, and as soon as you go to security, you are giving permission to be touched....it's a given.

Please explain how a TSA agent at the airport knows you have a one way ticket. It is completely untrue that you are selected for additional screening because of this. And TSA agents do not "check out your privates."

OP, I agree with many other posters here. Why are you upset? If your son is autistic, you should have informed a TSA agent before your son went through the line.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/autism-or-intellectual-disabilities

Actually, it is true. We were told when we deplaned that night, to expect security to take a bit longer because we would all (those of us that flew back to FtL..about 20 of us) have to go through a pat down. If you fly that often in 24 hrs, it flags you. They apologized to us when we got to security the next day, but it wasn't a big deal. I have no idea how they know...but they did.


All this inflamatory talk about something that just doesn't happen all that often. I fly more than most of the people I know...I have gone through 'extra' screening about 4 times in 20 years. It's just not a big deal. But, as someone already said..if the idea of someone 'touching' you makes you uncomfortable, then you are better off driving.

 

[disney world dreamer]

I think it's terrible that people think this kind of heavy handed approach to security is tolerable and "normal". This is "security theater" designed to make it seem like they're actually doing something productive.

There are other countries where security agents are better trained and use different procedures. We should definitely speak up and complain whenever these things happen. It's the only way things will change for the better.

while i'm not a fan of the way TSA runs things i also understand that its their way or the highway.
if you don't like it then i suggest you pick the highway.
literally drive instead of fly.
i'm not gonna make a huge deal during security theater cuz that will more headache for myself than i want.

 

[goofy4tink]

while i'm not a fan of the way TSA runs things i also understand that its their way or the highway.
if you don't like it then i suggest you pick the highway.
literally drive instead of fly.
i'm not gonna make a huge deal during security theater cuz that will more headache for myself than i want.

I have a feeling that's exactly how the majority of us feel.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I think you missed my point. Let me try again... I have NEVER had a TSA officers hands near my groin. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's the exception rather than rule.

If you were selected for one of the hands on body screenings and the airport security screener did not go up the inside of each of your legs until they felt what they call "resistance," that is where you legs join your trunk, they were not following the protocols properly. In your situation, the airport security screener would have missed an underwear bomb.

Theater for the masses.