TSA pulled my 6 year old for additional screening

[AJsMomma]

I did not read through all the pages of comments here but wanted to mention that on our last flight they swabbed my hands...while I had my infant (5 mos) in a front carrier. The time before that they tested my daughters liquid Prevacid for something. I feel it's par for the course. When my daughter questions it we just say they are keeping us safe.

 

[achinfeet]

Yes you can argue it. I'd like to see your proof that the TSA hasn't made a terrorist think twice. You can't prove it just as I can't prove they have.

I don't think it is a joke. I think you just don't like it, therefore, you have decided it must be a joke.

Security is just an illusion.

2014
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/07/1...on-passengers-boarding-separate-london-bound/

2013
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/14/tsa-says-it-missed-bomb-because-its-hard-spot/

2012
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29420044

there's just too many to post and I'm tired.

From none other then the Huffington Post: We try to post a little from the right and a little from the left to keep it balanced!

“Checking luggage is very nice, it looks great, taking away the breast milk of the mother of a one month old baby, that looks great,” said Rafi Sela, the president of A.R. Challenges, a transportation consulting firm based in Israel. “It does nothing for security. It’s just a show.”

“I don't want to frighten anybody, but today even the stupidest terrorist can circumvent the airport security in two seconds,” Sela said.

I'm glad the TSA is making you feel more secure. Fear is very destructive. We live in a culture of fear.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I'm so sorry that happened to your family OP. Having experienced airport security far too many times within the USA, I know they are generally the rudest security of any country I have ever visited. I often get flagged due to certain places I'am travelling or lengths of stays. Only last year I was held for over an hour because I was $50 over the threshold. Eventually I got an apology for the extreme over reaction. This isn't the first time I've experienced ridiculous security measures. The worst was probably being held for over an hour because two male TSA's officers decided to go through absolutely everything in my bag, including opening my sanitary napkins (what exactly they were hoping to find is beyond me and I work in security for a living)

At the end of the day, their security is mostly there for show. All they are actually wanting to do is slow you down and have people to watch for certain behaviours. Very few people are actually picked up from this method and those that are, are drug mules not terrorists. What is interesting is that most people are worried about terrorists being picked up and these aren't the people being picked up at the airport screenings.

Unfortunately this is part of our daily lives now. As clearly seen on this thread, people are very happy to give up their freedoms for perceived protection.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's not that I'm ok with 'giving up my freedom', but more of a 'not much I can do about it'. I don't see it as a loss of freedom if I have to go through security. I can only imagine the extent of security if Israeli procedures were put into effect. But, only time will tell.
Also....I have not experienced rudeness from any security person here in the states. Not yet any way.
I do get tired of the 'giving up my freedom' argument though. What freedom? The freedom to just walk onto a plane, with no checks if any kind? The freedom to bring 12 ozs of shampoo?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm so sorry that happened to your family OP. Having experienced airport security far too many times within the USA, I know they are generally the rudest security of any country I have ever visited. I often get flagged due to certain places I'am travelling or lengths of stays. Only last year I was held for over an hour because I was $50 over the threshold.....

I'm guessing that you have never traveled through Charles de Gaulle airport,

I travel a lot and rarely encounter rude TSA personnel. When they are short with a traveler, it's usually because the passenger is being extremely rude or argumentative (not talking about you).

I have no idea what you mean when you say you were held for being $50 over the limit.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Indeed I have and still US security is the absolute rudest security I have encountered.

I'am never rude to the security. We let them do whatever they have to do. However I have found many of them to be extremely rude.

The limit is for International Visitors, you have to fill out extra paperwork if you are over the threshold. We always have some money in our own currency to use when we are at the airport. As we had used less than we normally do, I had $50 remaining. As this put us over the threshold, we had to fill out another form. I had no problem with this (which you can't do until you arrive in the US) What I had a problem with was the female security guard who demanded we get out of the line, marched us over into a corridor, was rude and attempting to be intimidating. Made us literally wait over an hour to fill out one form when there was no need. We ended up with an apology when I demanded to see her supervisor. She was entirely in the wrong for her behaviour and making us wait so long (there wasn't anyone else waiting, it was just more of her "intimidation" tactics clearly) Over $50. Not once we were rude, however once it got to the hour, I asked for a supervisor as we were going to miss our next flight (we made it with 10 minutes to spare - and our gate was only upstairs!) We hadn't been rude, hadn't lied about the "extra" money, but apparently because we hadn't filled out the form (which we actually couldn't have done before we saw her anyway) we were somehow in the wrong?

If this was a long incident, it wouldn't overly worry me. However this happens constantly and I have had it happen to me more times than I care to think about.

I'm guessing that you have never traveled through Charles de Gaulle airport,

I travel a lot and rarely encounter rude TSA personnel. When they are short with a traveler, it's usually because the passenger is being extremely rude or argumentative (not talking about you).

I have no idea what you mean when you say you were held for being $50 over the limit.

 

[cjbcam]

I'm guessing that you have never traveled through Charles de Gaulle airport, I travel a lot and rarely encounter rude TSA personnel. When they are short with a traveler, it's usually because the passenger is being extremely rude or argumentative (not talking about you). I have no idea what you mean when you say you were held for being $50 over the limit.

I know for Canadians you have to fill out forms if you have more than ten grand. This is because having huge amounts could mean you are selling/ buying illegal drugs/guns etc.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Indeed I have and still US security is the absolute rudest security I have encountered.

I'am never rude to the security. We let them do whatever they have to do. However I have found many of them to be extremely rude.

The limit is for International Visitors, you have to fill out extra paperwork if you are over the threshold. We always have some money in our own currency to use when we are at the airport. As we had used less than we normally do, I had $50 remaining. As this put us over the threshold, we had to fill out another form. I had no problem with this (which you can't do until you arrive in the US) What I had a problem with was the female security guard who demanded we get out of the line, marched us over into a corridor, was rude and attempting to be intimidating. Made us literally wait over an hour to fill out one form when there was no need. We ended up with an apology when I demanded to see her supervisor. She was entirely in the wrong for her behaviour and making us wait so long (there wasn't anyone else waiting, it was just more of her "intimidation" tactics clearly) Over $50. Not once we were rude, however once it got to the hour, I asked for a supervisor as we were going to miss our next flight (we made it with 10 minutes to spare - and our gate was only upstairs!) We hadn't been rude, hadn't lied about the "extra" money, but apparently because we hadn't filled out the form (which we actually couldn't have done before we saw her anyway) we were somehow in the wrong?

If this was a long incident, it wouldn't overly worry me. However this happens constantly and I have had it happen to me more times than I care to think about.

Please. That's Customs, not the outbound TSA.

 

[Ero_FL]

I have always been of the opinion that the minor airport security intrusions are well worth any inconvenience if they keep the public safe.

Nope.

However, this crosses the line. He should not be subjected to this kind of treatment. He should not have been separated from me, even for a minute. As his mother, my permission should have been sought before anyone touched him.

...and now you know one reason why it's not a good idea. Because it happened to you. Just be thankful they didn't go inside his underwear.

It's not actually security. It's security theater. And it lines the pockets of the head of Homeland Security- who had a vested interest in the full-body scanners and pushed for their use in airports. Even though it's been proven that both the "shoe bomber" and "underwear bomber" would have been able to pass through them with no problem.

 

[Ero_FL]

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.

Then you must always choose the full-body scanners and maybe not fly into areas where they use them a lot? Tampa, FL uses them a lot. I flew to Vegas with my husband in 2012. They definitely run their hands up your thigh into the crease and depending on the agent, will run the back of their hand up your crotch and down the side, front, and under breasts. Women with under-wire bras are often told to remove them. They go inside underwear when they check waistbands.

 

[Gracie09]

Then you must always choose the full-body scanners and maybe not fly into areas where they use them a lot? Tampa, FL uses them a lot. I flew to Vegas with my husband in 2012. They definitely run their hands up your thigh into the crease and depending on the agent, will run the back of their hand up your crotch and down the side, front, and under breasts. Women with under-wire bras are often told to remove them. They go inside underwear when they check waistbands.

I never opt for scanners and always wear underwire, never had a problem

 

[goofy4tink]

Please. That's Customs, not the outbound TSA.

Thank-you.

Then you must always choose the full-body scanners and maybe not fly into areas where they use them a lot? Tampa, FL uses them a lot. I flew to Vegas with my husband in 2012. They definitely run their hands up your thigh into the crease and depending on the agent, will run the back of their hand up your crotch and down the side, front, and under breasts. Women with under-wire bras are often told to remove them. They go inside underwear when they check waistbands.

I always wear underwire bras....have for as long as I can remember, even back when they were actually metal wires, which they aren't anymore for the most part. I have been the lucky recipient of the infamous 'pat-down'....backs of hands went down the side of my chest, and the side of the hand went down the exact middle. Back of hands went up the inside of my thigh, on the panty line to my waist. then along my waistband, one or two fingers inside that waistband...since I tend to wear higher waisted pants, it isn't a big deal.
I have never felt violated or touched inappropriately. And I have certainly never been told to remove my bra! And I have never heard of it happening to anyone I know...and I know quite a lot of air travelers!!

I'm not sure what all you 'security theatre' people propose we do. Is it making us any safer? I have no idea. Is it a pleasant experience? Doesn't bother me either way. I like going thru the precheck line since I can leave my shoes on....I just hate walking on those floors shoeless!!
It is what it is. I refuse to stop flying.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Please. That's Customs, not the outbound TSA.

The TSA are worse than any customs officer I have ever met. That comment was a general airport security. And I have encountered some BAD customs officers. Hence my first example.

"The worst was probably being held for over an hour because two male TSA's officers decided to go through absolutely everything in my bag, including opening my sanitary napkins (what exactly they were hoping to find is beyond me and I work in security for a living)"

 

[avery619]

I don't understand the process but I go with the flow. One of our recent flights, two our our children were told they were TSA cleared and they did not have to take off their shoes. My other child, my husband and myself were sent through full body scanners. Then my husband was sent to the people with the blue gloves. Everything was OK but it was odd. Our next flight the entire family was deemed TSA cleared, told to get in the special line, did not take off shoes show gel bag, etc. Then they finger scanned me. I just cooperate and keep moving.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Please. That's Customs, not the outbound TSA.

That's right; TSA agents don't work for customs and immigration.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't understand the process but I go with the flow. One of our recent flights, two our our children were told they were TSA cleared and they did not have to take off their shoes. My other child, my husband and myself were sent through full body scanners. Then my husband was sent to the people with the blue gloves. Everything was OK but it was odd. Our next flight the entire family was deemed TSA cleared, told to get in the special line, did not take off shoes show gel bag, etc. Then they finger scanned me. I just cooperate and keep moving.

No child under the age of 12 has to take off shoes going through security.

I don't know what you mean by "TSA cleared." Did you mean to say that you were randomly selected for TSA Pre-check? Also what do you mean by "finger scanned?" I have never heard of such a thing.

 

[TCups4Me]

I don't understand the process but I go with the flow. One of our recent flights, two our our children were told they were TSA cleared and they did not have to take off their shoes. My other child, my husband and myself were sent through full body scanners. Then my husband was sent to the people with the blue gloves. Everything was OK but it was odd. Our next flight the entire family was deemed TSA cleared, told to get in the special line, did not take off shoes show gel bag, etc. Then they finger scanned me. I just cooperate and keep moving.

These are the types of anecdotes that I believe help those of us who don't fly frequently. We only have a handful of experiences to relate to and there are a number of exceptions and inconsistencies.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't understand the process but I go with the flow. One of our recent flights, two our our children were told they were TSA cleared and they did not have to take off their shoes. My other child, my husband and myself were sent through full body scanners. Then my husband was sent to the people with the blue gloves. Everything was OK but it was odd. Our next flight the entire family was deemed TSA cleared, told to get in the special line, did not take off shoes show gel bag, etc. Then they finger scanned me. I just cooperate and keep moving.

As an fyi you are not supposed to wait for them to ask to show them the 3-1-1 bag, if that is what you mean by gel bag. You are always supposed to have that pulled out and on the top of whatever is in your bin going through the scanner.

I don't know what you mean by finger scan either.

 

[avery619]

No child under the age of 12 has to take off shoes going through security.

I don't know what you mean by "TSA cleared." Did you mean to say that you were randomly selected for TSA Pre-check? Also what do you mean by "finger scanned?" I have never heard of such a thing.

My children who were considered cleared (it said it on their ticket for some reason and I did not notice until they told them to go into another line) are over 12. At MCO, they did a finger scan or some type of finger printing on me in the TSA cleared line. You may not have heard of it but it is a fact.

 

[avery619]

As an fyi you are not supposed to wait for them to ask to show them the 3-1-1 bag, if that is what you mean by gel bag. You are always supposed to have that pulled out and on the top of whatever is in your bin going through the scanner.

I don't know what you mean by finger scan either.

I know how to go through security very well. We fly often and internationally. I have had many interesting expereniences that I could share but chose this in particular because I thought it was relative. Not interested in a debate. They do have finger scanners at MCO. I was stopped and they asked me to put out my hands and scanned my fingerprints into a machine. I did not question and kept moving.