TSA pulled my 6 year old for additional screening

[TCups4Me]

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

Thanks for including this info.

 

[Yellowjj]

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!

Pan Am III.

Third attempt of six at an airline using the name. None held a candle to the original though. Ah Memories

 

[jdb in AZ]

I saw a baby (less than a year old) being wanded at an airport. The parents were good sports about it. When I asked them why, the parents said it was possible a baby's diaper could have drugs in it. whatever. Of course the wand wouldn't have responded to any drugs. The mom said they had been scheduled on a flight the day before, but it was delayed so long that they decided to just call it a night and get a hotel room. Since they flew out the next day, that supposedly raised red flags with TSA so they were subjected to extra screening.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Honestly, I hate to say it, but I think TSA did the right thing. Unfortunately, the terrorists out there are not above using and murdering children.


Saddly this really is the bottom line!

AKK

 

[goofy4tink]

Honestly, I hate to say it, but I think TSA did the right thing. Unfortunately, the terrorists out there are not above using and murdering children.


Saddly this really is the bottom line!

AKK

And because of who we are, decent, upstanding, loving people, we can not wrap our heads around that mentality. The idea that someone would use a child or elderly person to achieve an act of terrorism is incredibly outrageous to us. BUT..it is a very real threat.
So, our children and elderly continue to deal with these security measures. Do they work? I don't know....I have no way of knowing what the TSA is finding at their security points. And yes, I fully realize that some here will say they find nothing other than water bottles and bottles of shampoo!!! But, perhaps that's due to the security rules being in place? I know....wishful thinking on my part. I truly believe that a terrorist that wants to do damage, will do damage. They are not stupid people....just crazy. The security proceedures pretty much keep the honest honest, so to speak.

It's the cargo that is in the belly of my plane that I worry about, not the carry on bag of the person three rows in front of me! Who is screening all that cargo..who is screening all those people that handle the cargo? That's my big issue.

 

[DopeyDame]

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

The second bullet in the general info list, though, says:

"TSA will not ask travelers to do anything that will separate them from their child."

Sounds like the OP's kid shouldn't have been taken from her. Screening is one thing, but I'd be livid if my kids were removed for screening without me, and the TSA's own website says it shouldn't happen.

I also don't actually see on that website where it specifies when a patdown will be required. I see a line about trying to avoid a patdown by allowing kids to go through the imaging twice. Can you point it out? I would really like to have those guidelines. Because I have no problem with my kids hands being swabbed or a metal detector wand being used. But no way no how will an "enhanced patdown" be performed on my kids. (And yes, we are willing to be escorted by police out of the airport if it comes down to that. Well, I'm willing. The kids are little and they'll just go where I take them.)

 

[Gracie09]

The second bullet in the general info list, though, says:

"TSA will not ask travelers to do anything that will separate them from their child."

Sounds like the OP's kid shouldn't have been taken from her. Screening is one thing, but I'd be livid if my kids were removed for screening without me, and the TSA's own website says it shouldn't happen.

I also don't actually see on that website where it specifies when a patdown will be required. I see a line about trying to avoid a patdown by allowing kids to go through the imaging twice. Can you point it out? I would really like to have those guidelines. Because I have no problem with my kids hands being swabbed or a metal detector wand being used. But no way no how will an "enhanced patdown" be performed on my kids. (And yes, we are willing to be escorted by police out of the airport if it comes down to that. Well, I'm willing. The kids are little and they'll just go where I take them.)

He was separated from her (via a window so in her view not in a separate area) because he went through first. Instead of sending Adult, child, child, adult through she send child child adult adult through, which honestly makes no sense to me. If she went through first she would have been next to him.
Immediately upon passing through, the female agent announced that DS6 was chosen for additional screening and sent him to the side of the monitor where he was separated from me by a window. The look on his face was dreadful. DS4 passed through and was told to stand by his brother. Once I passed through I was able to stand with DS6 while DS4 went with my husband. bolding is her post. As soon as she went through she was able to stand with her son. The TSA seemed to make an effort to keep the family together and let the father take the younger child away.
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/pat-downs

here is your information on patdowns. If you want more check out tsa.gov.

 

[Casemily]

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!

Yep the wand was to make sure you didn't open up the playstation and add C4 inside. The scanner couldn't see thru it. Also the reason why laptops are asked to be removed from baggage.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yep the wand was to make sure you didn't open up the playstation and add C4 inside. The scanner couldn't see thru it. Also the reason why laptops are asked to be removed from baggage.

I thought the wands were for metal, not explosives.

 

[Yellowjj]

Sounds like the OP's kid shouldn't have been taken from her. Screening is one thing, but I'd be livid if my kids were removed for screening without me, and the TSA's own website says it shouldn't happen.

They were never taken from her. They were simply pulled on the side until the parents came through. She maintained full sight of them at all times and then stood alongside the one who triggered the swab.

Because I have no problem with my kids hands being swabbed or a metal detector wand being used. But no way no how will an "enhanced patdown" be performed on my kids.

Children do not get enhanced patdowns or patdowns of any kind. They are swabbed and/or wanded when they trigger an alert.

He was separated from her (via a window so in her view not in a separate area) because he went through first. Instead of sending Adult, child, child, adult through she send child child adult adult through, which honestly makes no sense to me. If she went through first she would have been next to him.

This!

 

[Casemily]

I thought the wands were for metal, not explosives.

I'm not sure what you mean by the wands being for metal, sorry. All I know is the machines are called ETD machines which stands for explosives trace detection. But maybe you have an experience with a different machine, just not sure.

 

[lylone]

My last trip to the airport was probably the first where I haven't had something patted! It was actually a treat!

I have had legs(they were bare as I had shorts on), belly, backside, hair (which I wear straight), hoodie, and hips all patted down. And this is after going through the large body image scanners.

I guess I must have areas that they can't see on those scanners.
This last trip when I didn't get a pat down I actually let out a "YAHOO"! They had never seen anyone so happy to have been through security!

And no, I am not a 7 year autistic child, but the patdowns do get to be embarrassing.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm not sure what you mean by the wands being for metal, sorry. All I know is the machines are called ETD machines which stands for explosives trace detection. But maybe you have an experience with a different machine, just not sure.

You mentioned the "wand" being used to check for explosives. I was picturing the hand held metal detector wand. Like this:

If you were referring to a machine checking for explosives, that I can understand.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I think it's the wand someone picked up at Olivander's over in Universal...

(Considering the overall effectiveness of the Thousands Standing Around it might as well be)

Just yesterday I discovered how you get your Giant soda past the screeners. Don't put in the bin just walk through the machine holding it.... Woman in front of me did this, none of the Thousands Standing Around noticed LOL! (Note: This only works if you don't get the full body scan thingy)

 

[Casemily]

You mentioned the "wand" being used to check for explosives. I was picturing the hand held metal detector wand. Like this: If you were referring to a machine checking for explosives, that I can understand.

Ok, that makes sense now.
And the wand I was referring too looks similar, only at the end is a small pad that is wiped over the area to test and then the pad is tested and tossed.

 

[achinfeet]

***[u-r-l]w-w-w.youtube.com/watch?v=sTVLqTfcJ7g[/u-r-l][/***

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." says you 100 dollar bill.

 

[achinfeet]

Oh and Isaac Yeffet says your NOT more secure - he minces no words that it is just an illusion. Israeli Security = PROACTIVE......American "Secuity" = REACTIVE.

They have an excellent track record - none other than the Huffington Post speaks highly of it - there is NO dispute here.

Bring on those 3 year old's crying for "Lamie" during a pat down or that 95 year CANCER patient in an adult diaper. Sad and pathetic.

If full body cavity searches made you "safer", would you all agree to it? From what I've read on this thread, there may be a majority that would agree. Would you??

 

[CPT Tripss]

My last trip to the airport was probably the first where I haven't had something patted! It was actually a treat!

I have had legs(they were bare as I had shorts on), belly, backside, hair (which I wear straight), hoodie, and hips all patted down. And this is after going through the large body image scanners.

I guess I must have areas that they can't see on those scanners.
This last trip when I didn't get a pat down I actually let out a "YAHOO"! They had never seen anyone so happy to have been through security!

And no, I am not a 7 year autistic child, but the patdowns do get to be embarrassing.

A hands on body search of bare skin is stupid and worthless. The scanners that go through your clothes can be rendered ineffective by sweat, pleats and thick or loose clothing, necessitating a hands on body search according to TSA protocols.

 

[sam_gordon]

Oh and Isaac Yeffet says your NOT more secure - he minces no words that it is just an illusion. Israeli Security = PROACTIVE......American "Secuity" = REACTIVE.

They have an excellent track record - none other than the Huffington Post speaks highly of it - there is NO dispute here.

Bring on those 3 year old's crying for "Lamie" during a pat down or that 95 year CANCER patient in an adult diaper. Sad and pathetic.

If full body cavity searches made you "safer", would you all agree to it? From what I've read on this thread, there may be a majority that would agree. Would you??

Who is Isaac Yeffet?

Folks who bring up Israeli security I don't think consider the SCOPE of what we have here. Israel has FOUR(?) airports. All of which COMBINED handle less passengers than our 20 (or more) busiest airports.

Last but not least, if a full body cavity search was required to fly, *I WOULDN'T FLY*. If you are that against the existing security, don't fly. "But I have to fly for work.", "But I can't get where I need to be quick enough" are common excuses. You know what, too bad. It's still a CHOICE to fly. Back up your words. If you're that offended by going through the body scanners and don't want to submit to a POSSIBLE "hands on" inspection, the solution is simple... don't fly.

Those of us who choose to fly obviously, even if we disagree with the procedures, aren't inconvenienced enough.

Look at Disney... their "bag checks" are nothing but "security theater" also. So why not protest that? Stadiums do bag checks. More "theater". It doesn't stop people from going to Disney or go watch their favorite sports team. The "line" hasn't been crossed for most.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just yesterday I discovered how you get your Giant soda past the screeners. Don't put in the bin just walk through the machine holding it.... Woman in front of me did this, none of the Thousands Standing Around noticed LOL! (Note: This only works if you don't get the full body scan thingy)

Now that's painful.

Bring on those 3 year old's crying for "Lamie" during a pat down or that 95 year CANCER patient in an adult diaper. Sad and pathetic.

So are you saying that in Israel those people wouldn't be checked out at all? I feel like that wouldn't be the case.

I guess I'm heartless because I don't trust any of my fellow travelers in an airport, and I want them checked out. If there's an elderly person that is wearing something on them that could be used to conceal something, why not make sure of it? Why blindly trust that they actually are dealing with cancer and that the diaper isn't hiding something.

While no one wants a 3 year old crying, and yet 3 years cry for just about any reason under the sun, I'm assuming you're talking about a 3 year old whose stuffed animal is going through the xray machine? I just find it sad that maybe his parents didn't let him know about it having to go through the machine. But it has to. I might trust the toddler, but when I'm going on a plane with the 3 year old's parents, I do not trust them. I want that item to be checked.

And since I recognize that to my fellow travelers (that I don't trust), I'm just another fellow traveler (that they don't trust), and therefore I should be checked out just as much as I want them to be.

Even my 10 year old thinks it's weird that he can leave his shoes on. Even he sees that they don't know him, they don't know how he's being raised. We could be deep undercover evil people. Why should we be trusted enough for him to leave his shoes on when they don't trust me? Silly. I've been coaching him to take his shoes off through security since he was first capable of walking through the metal detector. On one trip there was some hesitation on his part (when he was 3? maybe 4?), but oh well!