May amuse you: I've found that when I wear a kilt, and clearly indicate that no I can't take my belt off, I've still gotten frisked… but they've been rather less eager about being thorough.
Yeah, that's what I figured. Do you keep track of which airports have which scanners? I doubt that info is available from the TSA.
I've found that when I wear a kilt...
The social constructs of gender and power around the TSA in the USA as compared to China are fascinating to me. I'd be curious to know how their behavior is different if you're wearing a kilt and tell them you are vs. are not wearing underwear. (Not that I'm saying you really shouldn't since they may very well "go until they meet resistance", I just want to know what they'd do differently if they *think* you aren't.) You could write whole theses about going through security lines (though it'd be an expensive one since you need a plane ticket each time).
I had a weird exp in la guardia. I was about to be harassed by a big tsa agent for not wanting to use the back scatter until he saw I was very pregnant. Then I didn't even get a pat down.
In dfw I got a pat down and it was similar to yours except my lady was very friendly.
I can't believe how rude the TSA agents were to you about opting out! Then they shouldn't offer it as an option if they don't want to do it... (Although, I know that there is a lot of pressure of them to offer this option, so not having it as an option would never happen).
When I went through the airport in Helsinki a couple summers ago, they also gave me a pat-down (there were no other options; if you were coming from a foreign flight and transferring to another, you had to get a pat-down). And it was a true-pat down, to the point that the TSA agent had her hand against my crotch in front of other passengers. I did feel uncomfortable, but I'd rather feel safe that all the passengers are being carefully checked. That said, I do agree with opting out of the microwave machine line as it is unclear what the dangers are of using it, but getting a pat-down certainly doesn't seem to pose any danger to the person receiving it.
I'd rather feel safe that all the passengers are being carefully checked.
I am not convinced that all this security theater really does make things safer. Did you see spazzy444's comment above that despite the policies she didn't get any screening at all just due to appearing pregnant? And they don't make scanners yet that will search cavities (and if they did I'm sure I'd be flagged whenever I use a menstrual cup).
. I did feel uncomfortable, ... but getting a pat-down certainly doesn't seem to pose any danger to the person receiving it.For most people a pat down does not pose any physical danger and minimal psychological danger (though you yourself have acknowledged the discomfort). My TSA agent did ask me whether I had any sensitive areas, and I had to think a moment to recall if I was currently having an HS flare-up (since I'd recently had a bad one). Had I had one, it would have caused significant pain had that area not been avoided scrupulously
( ... )
I do want to clarify that I was just discussing my reflections about the Helsinki airport, not airports in general, and this is just based on one experience at Helsinki. I do agree with spazzy444 that not every airport is thorough.
You're also right about pat-downs not being 100% safe either, and that I neglected to remember your HS and the CNN articles about medical accidents that occurred when TSA agents were dealing with those who have medical conditions (such as a case in which one agent broke a urine bag when inspecting a person).
Sorry that my comment was so obtuse. (I'm usually a bit more poignant about my comments, but my stomach is killing me right now).
Comments 6
May amuse you: I've found that when I wear a kilt, and clearly indicate that no I can't take my belt off, I've still gotten frisked… but they've been rather less eager about being thorough.
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Yeah, that's what I figured. Do you keep track of which airports have which scanners? I doubt that info is available from the TSA.
I've found that when I wear a kilt...
The social constructs of gender and power around the TSA in the USA as compared to China are fascinating to me. I'd be curious to know how their behavior is different if you're wearing a kilt and tell them you are vs. are not wearing underwear. (Not that I'm saying you really shouldn't since they may very well "go until they meet resistance", I just want to know what they'd do differently if they *think* you aren't.) You could write whole theses about going through security lines (though it'd be an expensive one since you need a plane ticket each time).
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In dfw I got a pat down and it was similar to yours except my lady was very friendly.
Reply
When I went through the airport in Helsinki a couple summers ago, they also gave me a pat-down (there were no other options; if you were coming from a foreign flight and transferring to another, you had to get a pat-down). And it was a true-pat down, to the point that the TSA agent had her hand against my crotch in front of other passengers. I did feel uncomfortable, but I'd rather feel safe that all the passengers are being carefully checked. That said, I do agree with opting out of the microwave machine line as it is unclear what the dangers are of using it, but getting a pat-down certainly doesn't seem to pose any danger to the person receiving it.
Reply
I am not convinced that all this security theater really does make things safer. Did you see spazzy444's comment above that despite the policies she didn't get any screening at all just due to appearing pregnant? And they don't make scanners yet that will search cavities (and if they did I'm sure I'd be flagged whenever I use a menstrual cup).
. I did feel uncomfortable, ... but getting a pat-down certainly doesn't seem to pose any danger to the person receiving it.For most people a pat down does not pose any physical danger and minimal psychological danger (though you yourself have acknowledged the discomfort). My TSA agent did ask me whether I had any sensitive areas, and I had to think a moment to recall if I was currently having an HS flare-up (since I'd recently had a bad one). Had I had one, it would have caused significant pain had that area not been avoided scrupulously ( ... )
Reply
You're also right about pat-downs not being 100% safe either, and that I neglected to remember your HS and the CNN articles about medical accidents that occurred when TSA agents were dealing with those who have medical conditions (such as a case in which one agent broke a urine bag when inspecting a person).
Sorry that my comment was so obtuse. (I'm usually a bit more poignant about my comments, but my stomach is killing me right now).
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