Last Monday, I took my son to the airport to fly down to see my parents. I am happy to say he got down there safely and is having a blast, but that wasn’t before he got to watch Mommy get violated by TSA at the airport!
NOT SURE WHICH IS WORSE, MR. BOOT OR TSA!
You guys have already met Mr. Boot. He and I have a love/hate relationship, and after my dry clothes strip search at the Indianapolis Airport, I am not sure whom I have a distaste for more, him or TSA.
You see, because I was in a wheel chair, thanks to Mr. Boot, I couldn’t go through the metal detector. I didn’t even think anything of it. They ushered my kids through the detector with my friend, and they waited on the other side. That’s when the fun began.
YOU CAN ASK FOR A PRIVATE SCREENING
They wheeled me into this plastic semi circle thing, and asked me if I could stand. Sure, why not. I figured it would make this all go faster. It did that alright, but it also gave TSA more access to grope me. (Some how they seem to think touching your boobs with the back of their hands makes it less ackward)
So imagine me standing up, with a gigantic boot on my right foot, hands in the air while a female TSA office whips out gloves and feels me up and down. Telling me that I can ask for a “private screening”. Um, no I think I will pass, but thanks for the offer.
DOES TSA REIMBURSE FOR THERAPY?
My kids’ eyes were about the size of saucers. Bayla, my youngest, asked “What are they doing to my mommy??” It was fun trying to explain why this was ok for a stranger to touch you there when she had been taught otherwise. I think there might be some need for therapy for her down the road.
This whole ordeal took about 15 minutes. I felt like a freak on parade. Even got to get tested for gunshot residue, I think THAT was my favorite part.
My friend wasted no time asking me if I was going to recover from the experience. Haha, very funny. At least something good came out of it. My friend was having a spectacular time telling everyone how this hot TSA agent felt me up. (Sigh)
THERE HAS GOT TO BE ANOTHER WAY!
All joking aside, what it really made me realize that there HAS to be another way to search people that are in wheelchairs or disabled. I only had to go through this because of my injury. I can’t imagine being permanently disabled and having to go through this “fun” search every time you go through an airport. I know keeping our country “safe” is important, but I don’t think searches like this are doing much other than making people uncomfortable.
What other ways can you come up with, because honestly I have no suggestions. One thing I can tell you though is when I go back to get my son, I am hobbling my happy butt through the metal detector, so Helga doesn’t have a chance to frisk me up again!
About Ashley Sears
I have never been through airport security but I hear it is a nightmare. I agree there has to be a better way.
I promise you aren’t missing much lol. It’s getting worse and worse every year I think.
My husband always opps for the “frisk”. He refuses to go through the machine. If I am with my kids, they never frisk me and I usually don’t have to go through the machine either, just walk right through the metal detector. Lucky I guess!
This is the first time I have been “frisked”. I just think it’s nuts because if I hadn’t been able to get up it would’ve been a lot more uncomfortable lol
Oh my. I totally understand the necessary checks, but does that seem a little excessive. I agree, there’s got to be another way!!!
Yeah I think there has to be, but I have no idea what would be better and still effective.
ah the TSA nightmares! so much fun! my mom has to carry her medical papers with her every time she flies because she has a metal pin and screw in her knee. She’s chosen not to fly anywhere over the past 2 years because of this total invasive and violation of personal space that the TSA seems to think is okay. um … NOT!
I have made a conscious choice to take the train if I travel with the states. The only way I will put myself through this invasion of my personal space is if I travel internationally. I can’t take a train to the UK .. although I could take a boat … but I’d rather be fondled by the creepy TSA then be lost at sea … yes, I know the odds of that happening are probably zero .. but … well, I have issues with the ocean! HAHA
Both of my parents have mechanical parts that make them set of the metal detector. I am sorry to hear your mom won’t fly anymore because of all the nonsense. I get that they need to keep us safe, but I still feel bad for those that go through it EVERY time they fly.
When ever we fly they don’t ask to pat me down. I did once when pregnant and they were gentle and non-gross
I have heard of others getting a lot of pat down. Glad I didn’t! LOL
Yeah I have been patted down before TSA stuff started, but it didn’t require gloves and the back of the hands lol. Glad you got to miss out.
I’ve gotten patted down my last two trips because of buttons on my skin tight skinny jeans – I mean really – what is going to go in this little tiny button and I can ASSURE you nothing else is fitting in those jeans. Sigh. It’s frustrating – but also better than letting stuff that could hurt you get in the airport I guess!
Isn’t that what the wand is for to realize it’s a button making things beep lol.
That sounds a bit extreme. I remember going through security in NZ after my divorce. I was travelling with a small backpack as I was staying with family. I was skinny at the time and my hair was a crazy mess. I must have seemed like I was taking drugs because they checked me for drugs three times. The reason they explained to me … A woman never travels so light and that made them suspicious … lol
I think that’s about the dumbest reasons I have ever heard for someone to be searched. Wow!! That must’ve been awful!
I had the same thing happen to me going through the CA airport. Thankfully mine were very respectful. No idea what happened. The TSA person said it must *be your jeans*.
At least they seemed to be nice. Don’t get me wrong mine was nice it was just well, um ackward.
So, imagine this: it’s New Year’s Eve and the airline has lost any record of your flight and they’re booked. After threatening the wrath of the NY Times and every lawyer you can call, your husband’s running like a maniac through the terminal looking for 3 1-way tickets to NYC from Orlando (traveling w/mom, the most glamorous 80 year old you could possibly imagine). Finally, he scores the most expensive tix and you approach security, going to NYC, one-way, on New Year’s Eve. Just imagine what TSA thought of us……………. Oy, the brave new world needs a lot of bravery!
Wow, now that sounds like it would’ve been interesting to watch! I can’t believe you were flying to NYC on New Year’s Eve! Talk bout TSA being on high alert!
Oh my goodness! I agree, there HAS to be a better way! So sorry you had to go through that!
Thanks Melissa. Just think about the people that are permanently in wheel chairs!
If I had known you were traveling, I would have warned you to hobble through the screening. I was in a wheelchair for a couple of years, but luckily didn’t have to fly but a couple of times. It’s also easier if you’re wearing an Army uniform.
I went back to get my son from the airport, and I learned from my mistakes! It was a breeze the second time!
TSA is completely useless except as a device to harass innocent Americans for politiocal purposes.
There is a TSA screener charged with a crime or misconduct at least once a week.
In the past two months 35 TSA workers fired or arrested and 66 more disciplined for misconduct. Two more were arrested in the past week for theft from passengers and assault with a handgun. A known pedophile, Thomas Harkins, was exposed two months ago but remains employed as a TSA Supervisor in Philadelphia and allowed to grope children at the checkpoint.
There were a total of 94 TSA workers arrested in the last 20 months including 12 arrested for child sex crimes, over 26 for theft, ten for smuggling contraband through security and one for murder. The most recent were a drunken lead TSO, Milagros Casanas, arrested for beating a woman and trying to steal her cell phone in Key West this week and Robert Don Jensen was charged last week with felony terrorizing, assault, and ingestion of a controlled substance.
A sampling of the other fine TSA folks searching your child at the airport:
TSA agent Jose E. Salgado among 55 caught in child pornography arrests
The Boston Herald – Christine McConville – Wednesday, April 11, 2012
TSA agent Paul David Rains charged in online child-predator sting
Orlando Sentinel – Arelis R. Hernandez- December 15, 2011
Harold Rodman, TSA worker, arrested for sexual assault
WJLA News – Gail Pennybacker – November 21, 2011
Orlando airport (MCO) TSA employee Paul David Rains faces child pornography charges
Orlando Sentinel – Jeff Weiner – November 1, 2011
TSA Manager Bryant Jermaine Livingston Arrested for Running Prostitution Ring
MyFoxDC – John Henrehan – March 28, 2012
Md. TSA Agent Michael Scott Wilson Charged With Child Pornography
ABC2News – Joce Sterman – March 18, 2012
Nashville TSA Agent Clifton Lyles Charged With Statutory Rape
WTVF – Staff – September 20, 2011
TSA employee Andrew W. Cheever faces child pornography charge
MyFoxBoston – Staff – September 2, 2011
TSA Screener David Ralph Anderson Charged with Lewdness and Child Molestation
Elko Daily Free Press -Jared DuBach – August 26, 2011
TSA Screener Randall Scott King arrested for kidnapping and attempted rape of 14 year old in ATL
Lagrangenews – Staff Reports – November 23, 2010
PHL TSA Screener Thomas Gordon Jr Charged with Child Pornography
Fox Nation – John Shiffman – The Inquirer – April 23, 2011
Orlando TSA agent Charles Henry Bennett Arrested For Attempting To Make 15 year old Girl His ‘Sex Slave’
The Huffington Post – Staff – May 25, 2011
TSA Agent Dwayne Valerio Arrested for Rape of Juvenile in Londonderry NH
Eagle Tribune – Jillian Jorgensen – April 2, 2011
Logan TSA employee Sean Shanahan accused of raping 14-year-old girl
WHDHTV – Staff – March 9, 2011
Disgraced Catholic priest who was defrocked after ‘sexually abusing two young girls’ now works as a TSA airport screener
CBS3 Philadelphia – Ben Simmoneau – May 24, 2012
That’s a lot of scary statistics. Thanks for sharing. I will have to read up.
I’ve gone through the “pat down” process several times over the past couple of years; Voluntarily…. When the only other option is the Full-Body scanner they have now implemented; I’m not willing to take the risk to my health.
I know that just because of the extra issues with flying, that’s one more reason a trip has to be justifiable for me. I know there are times when it can’t be avoided; but I’ll drive or take the train as a first choice…
I never thought about health hazards being involved with the scanner thing. Have you read anything about that that you could share?
I’ve been through that before but sounds like you were traumatized. I would rather have them check everything even knowing I’m totally safe and let other people even thinking to try to get through with something tht there’s no way it’ s gonna happen. I want to feel safe when I fly so whatever it takes
I get the wanting to feel safe when you fly, but I still think at some point we have to wonder where the line can be drawn between keeping people safe and invading people’s privacy. There has to be a happy medium somewhere.
I think this is horrific. There has to be a better way. People who are injured or disabled should not be put through this, nor should children for that matter! Well, honestly, no one should be. That’s horrible. Makes me not want to fly anywhere anymore.
It was definitely, um, interesting. I am glad to say though the second time I was able to hobble through the naked screener xray machine. (Not sure if that’s better or worse) and didn’t have to have my kids watch me get felt up again