TSA pulled my 6 year old for additional screening

[maxiesmom]

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.

Not sure what I was debating. You think you experiences were odd but they seem normal to me. Whatever.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

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.

I think that you are confused. I assume you mean your children had "cleared" on their boarding passes, not tickets. TSA doesn't put this statement on boarding passes, so I still don't know what you're talking about. They also don't do finger scans when you go through security. Are you thinking about going through Customs and Immigration? They do fingerprint scans there for non-citizens (I don't know your nationality).

I'm not debating either; I'm just trying to figure out what you're talking about.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think that you are confused. I assume you mean your children had "cleared" on their boarding passes, not tickets. TSA doesn't put this statement on boarding passes, so I still don't know what you're talking about. They also don't do finger scans when you go through security. Are you thinking about going through Customs and Immigration? They do fingerprint scans there for non-citizens (I don't know your nationality).

I'm not debating either; I'm just trying to figure out what you're talking about.

Didn't you know? Customs = TSA = Airport Security

Just read previous posts.

 

[wilkeliza]

I think that you are confused. I assume you mean your children had "cleared" on their boarding passes, not tickets. TSA doesn't put this statement on boarding passes, so I still don't know what you're talking about. They also don't do finger scans when you go through security. Are you thinking about going through Customs and Immigration? They do fingerprint scans there for non-citizens (I don't know your nationality).

I'm not debating either; I'm just trying to figure out what you're talking about.

Doesn't seem like she is confused to me. Sounds like her kids got TSA precheck which is listed on the boarding pass (which some call tickets). They can randomly assign it sometimes so thus why some of the family got it and not others.

We got pulled into the PreCheck line at MCO and don't remember being finger printed but that doesn't mean they don't do it. We just had the bomb swipes and that was it. Then when we got to the actual precheck line we didn't have to take off shoes or jackets and didn't have to remove laptop or 311 bag. It was such a smooth process that my BF and I have been debating just paying to always have PreCheck. His parent's have it and love being able to get through security in under 5 minutes since we all fly so much.

 

[Mommytwotwins]

OP as a mother of a child with autism I get it! I am all for extra security and being safe as we all are I am sure but I find it hilarious that some have said you should have prepared him for being taken away from you even if just a few steps away. I think any 6 year old may be nervous but a child with special needs or autism can totally have a meltdown in this situation. Luckily it seems your son got through it pretty well and I hope there are no lasting effects for him. Most people will not get it unless they live it everyday. I hope things go smoother the next time around.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

No. The entire post I quoted, and the first complaint in the previous post, referred to your experience with Customs.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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 found two reports, in 2008 and 2009 (aka not recent) of passengers with underwire bra issues. TSA didn't request removal. One woman voluntarily took hers off instead of going for the patdown.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nope.



...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.

Facts are wonderful things. Chertoff left that position after less than four years. He's been gone longer than he was there.

The current Secretary ("head") of the Department of Homeland Security hss a background in law.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

No. The entire post I quoted, and the first complaint in the previous post, referred to your experience with Customs.

That wasn't all I said on this thread, which is exactly why I quoted my original post that you clearly hadn't read. That particular comment was about Customs and in at least 80% of countries these are all under the same umbrella . However I provided very specific examples of TSA such as those who had a fun time opening a while packed of sanitary napkins. What they were hoping to find is still beyond me and I work security for a living.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That wasn't all I said on this thread, which is exactly why I quoted my original post that you clearly hadn't read. That particular comment was about Customs and in at least 80% of countries these are all under the same umbrella . However I provided very specific examples of TSA such as those who had a fun time opening a while packed of sanitary napkins. What they were hoping to find is still beyond me and I work security for a living.

It actually is all you complained about in the thread I quoted:

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.

Yes, I did read both posts on page ten. The first one, which I didn't quote, indicated (1) a general attitude toward TSA, (2), followed immediately by a complaint about treatment by Customs not TSA, followed by (3) an experience with TSA which you didn't like but which doesn't indicate any rude treatment.

The post I did quote and respond to was clearly primarily entirely about rude treatment by Customs not TSA. That's the incident about which a supervisor was demanded from the (ideally) appropriate agency, correct?

I don't know why you think the TSA Officers - the correct designation - were enjoying opening a whole packet of pads.

I see one common denominator, one constant.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Doesn't seem like she is confused to me. Sounds like her kids got TSA precheck which is listed on the boarding pass (which some call tickets). They can randomly assign it sometimes so thus why some of the family got it and not others.

I think saying your "ticket" is printed with "cleared" when you are (possibly) referring to a boarding pass with TSA Pre✓ printed on it is confused. I simply wanted a clarification. I do understand how the TSA Pre✓ process and clearing security works; I am a 1K on United and also have Global Entry. I was just wondering if the TSA had started something new which had not been publicized.

The TSA does not fingerprint you when you go through security. Posting many times that this happens doesn't make it true. I still wonder if this poster is recalling what happened when going through Customs and Immigration, not security. Two different things.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.... Women with under-wire bras are often told to remove them. They go inside underwear when they check waistbands.

Why would you post this? It is absolute nonsense. Women are not asked to take off their bras and if a TSA agent ever put his/her hands inside your underwear waistband when doing a pat down, it was accidental

 

[kaytieeldr]

I still wonder if this poster is recalling what happened when going through Customs and Immigration, not security. Two different things.

So me repeating the, "I'm smart enough, I'm good enough, and gosh darn it people like me!" mantra...?

Yes, she is clearly describing a Customs and Immigration issue in the incident she describes two separate times, in which she ultimately got a supervisor involved. Despite claims to the contrary, she is combining or confusing the two - possibly inadvertently, but seemingly to obfuscate.

Again, the common denominator when a single passenger has issues at multiple airports is the passenger.

 

[CPT Tripss]

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.

I think you meant to say, "no child under the age of 12 is required by regulation to remove shoes." Even supporters of Airport Security screeners" acknowledge that they make mistakes.

Facts are wonderful things. Chertoff left that position after less than four years. He's been gone longer than he was there.

The current Secretary ("head") of the Department of Homeland Security hss a background in law.

Facts sure are wonderful, except when they are incomplete and gloss over important points.

Pistole, who has resigned, had a career in law enforcement with the FBI. He only practiced law for two years before being hired by the FBI.

As far as Chertoff's employment, he simply took advantage of the inside the Beltway "revolving door" to found The Chertoff Group. His firm represents the manufacturers of the whole body imagers. Saying he is profiting from his former public work seems accurate.

Why would you post this? It is absolute nonsense. Women are not asked to take off their bras and if a TSA agent ever put his/her hands inside your underwear waistband when doing a pat down, it was accidental

Since you use the present tense in your remarks about bras, you may be correct, it has been a while since all the bad press about bra removal and women's clothing being deemed "jackets" by the Airport Security Screeners. Not a problem? Well it is if the "jacket" isn't a jacket, but is on over an undergarment as with a zippered top over a sports bra or some two piece blouse less business apparel.

Be certain, an Airport Security Screener did put his thumbs inside my underwear elastic when he made me hold out the waistband of my pants so he could feel inside the waistband lining. I can assure you that with my gut it was no accident. It was a "random" check, the WTMD did not alarm.

 

[wilkeliza]

I think you meant to say, "no child under the age of 12 is required by regulation to remove shoes." Even supporters of Airport Security screeners" acknowledge that they make mistakes. Facts sure are wonderful, except when they are incomplete and gloss over important points. Pistole, who has resigned, had a career in law enforcement with the FBI. He only practiced law for two years before being hired by the FBI. As far as Chertoff's employment, he simply took advantage of the inside the Beltway "revolving door" to found The Chertoff Group. His firm represents the manufacturers of the whole body imagers. Saying he is profiting from his former public work seems accurate. Since you use the present tense in your remarks about bras, you may be correct, it has been a while since all the bad press about bra removal and women's clothing being deemed "jackets" by the Airport Security Screeners. Not a problem? Well it is if the "jacket" isn't a jacket, but is on over an undergarment as with a zippered top over a sports bra or some two piece blouse less business apparel. Be certain, an Airport Security Screener did put his thumbs inside my underwear elastic when he made me hold out the waistband of my pants so he could feel inside the waistband lining. I can assure you that with my gut it was no accident. It was a "random" check, the WTMD did not alarm.

I'm sorry what you described there I would have demand a female TSA agent. Did you ever ask for one or report it to the TSA that a male guard felt under your clothes? The fee times I have been pulled aside they always call for a female agent to do any extra checks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I believe the poster you're addressing appropriately had a male TSA officer do the inspection.

 

[TCups4Me]

OP as a mother of a child with autism I get it! I am all for extra security and being safe as we all are I am sure but I find it hilarious that some have said you should have prepared him for being taken away from you even if just a few steps away. I think any 6 year old may be nervous but a child with special needs or autism can totally have a meltdown in this situation. Luckily it seems your son got through it pretty well and I hope there are no lasting effects for him. Most people will not get it unless they live it everyday. I hope things go smoother the next time around.

 

[cmwade77]

I still think the OP should have gone first and informed the TSA agent that her kid has Autism. The agents can't possibly know everything about everyone and what they can or can't handle.

 

[TCups4Me]

I still think the OP should have gone first and informed the TSA agent that her kid has Autism. The agents can't possibly know everything about everyone and what they can or can't handle.

I agree that I should have gone first but I disagree that I should have told them he has Autism up front. Nothing in our prior experiences would have made that disclosure necessary.

I know Autism is confusing but I can only sum it up by saying that it can be vastly different for every child. His abilities are such that we are teaching him to handle unexpected situations. This one, however, threw us all for a loop! That is why I posted it. Hopefully others can be helped by our experiences and mistakes.

 

[dmband]

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.

Exactly why I question how come kids don't have to remove their shoes.
Do people really think a terrorist wouldn't put so etching in a kids shoes to get by.
Most security measures are bs feel good things over true security.