How invasive are pat downs at the border screening?

I have had a few pat downs over the last few years last time was 2 weeks ago at Prague airport.,no problems at all,my genitals have never been touched.

I travel to Europe 1-2x a year and never have encountered any thing like you describe!

Unclegus, we are in agreement.

I had pretty thorough pat-downs plus electronic wanding recently at security in both Paris CDG and Paris Orly. To avoid those, don't wear any metal through their metal detectors (e.g., no underwire bra).

What you are describing is airport security NOT border screening. Airport security happens before takeoff at all airports, regardless of whether it is an international flight or one inside the same country.

My experience at European airports you only get searched if the walk-through metal detector beeps at you. Then it is usually the metal detector wand, rarely a hand "pat down".

Border screening (aka immigration aka passport control) happens (if it happens at all) after you land. It is nothing to do with flying, it happens because you want to enter a country, same if you are crossing the border by land, sea or air. Immigration never involves a pat down. Customs may search you if they think you are carrying drugs or other illegal substances. but that is very unlikely (it has never happened to me).

I've been patted down on a handful of occasions over the years, never considered it a sexual assault.

I recall being patted down at FRA a few years ago, and never felt it was too intrusive. The agent was very quick and very thorough. I'm sure the experience is equally uncomfortable for the screeners. Such are the realities of air travel these days.

I can just imagine what Ed would have replied to this question ;-)

At one European airport I had the agent run her fingers along the lower edge and slightly upwards into my bra--I always wear underwire, not sure why that one time caused a pat-down. It was brief and not bothersome. Sometimes my legs would be patted, but not if I'm wearing skinny jeans. My hair almost always gets frisked.

Just as likely in the UK at any rate these days that you would be invited into whole body scanner.

One of the great things about this forum is that it reminds me of how many things I've never thought to worry about!

Instead of going through the "peek-a-boo," machine, I tell TSA I am opting out, to use their lingo, ie I want the "pat down"...much rather have that than the peek-a-boo machine. Never had a problem with TSA guys doing that pat down, all professional, some just perfunctory but no matter.

In Europe I have had the pat down in Frankfurt, Paris CDG, LHR and Gatwick, since these are the only airports I fly out of back here....again, no problems. I never saw any of these pat downs as intrusive.

Never had an invasive pat-down; might be the highlight of my trip!

I've only been patted down a couple of times when getting on planes in Europe - both times it was handled professionally and was over quickly. If it makes us all safer then I really don't care...it is always so impersonal that, even if it does happen to you, just think about the hundreds and hundreds of people this poor screener has to run their hands over every week. I don't envy them!
The most intrusive pat down I ever had was in Thailand...I was flying out and selected to go behind a screen and got a very thorough going over by a quick and efficient woman! That was an experience.

Never had an invasive pat-down; might be the highlight of my trip!

Hahaha Laura, I swear I got to second base last fall, with an over zealous patdown. And she didnt even buy me dinner first.

I have experienced a pat down, or rather up, up to the point of resistance on multiple occasions. Worst ever was in Palm Springs last December, but have also experienced this in Europe (can't remember which airport). I am a little sensitive about being touched by others in any way, so that it in that context.

I have (yet) to have an issue with security in Europe. I sometimes suspect that our local US airport is a training site for TSA personnel. The number of 'random' pat downs for people with PreCheck seems...excessive.

I had one of those random pat downs at the local airport courtesy of TSA. It the person doing the pat down had been male, I could be pregnant by now. There was groping. I'll spare the actual details b/c I think this place is rated PG-13, but for those people who say that intimate screening doesn't happen in public...well...lucky you.

Kevin, I see this is your first post ever on this board, and you have NOT returned to the conversation. Do you have a reason for asking, such as an upcoming trip to ... , or just general modesty issues?

Ever since I had my knee replacement I end up getting hand wanded AND a pat down every single time I go thru airport security. I haven't detected any significant difference in the techniques used, regardless of location. They've been impersonal and professional; although some have been more perfunctory than others. Can't say that any have approached groping the naughty bits. But I don't consider momentary contact by the outside edge of a hand to be groping.

There is no pat down at the border screening. On arrival you just go through passport control (agent may ask questions and then stamps your passport and you are in, assuming your passport is valid and such). No metal detector, removing shoes, or anything like that, just a counter to stand at. The line to get there may be long but the time at the counter is super short. After that you go through customs which is just walking thru a door, no screening, unless you have things to declare. Then you’re on your way as a legal visitor.

When you board a plane in Europe (to go home or fly elsewhere leaving from a European airport) you go through security. Like TSA. I have not had the pat down there, and haven’t seen people being pulled aside as much as in the US. But it does happen. I don’t know if it’s as invasive or more or less than the TSA version. But if there’s a pat down in Europe that’s where - at airport security before boarding a plane.

But if your question is actually about a pat down at Customs, you won't get one unless you are suspected of carrying contraband or drugs inside your clothing or attached to your body. If the dog indicates on you there is a good chance you will wind up with a pat down, a strip search or an internal investigation.

"internal investigation"

That brought up an image I really didn't want to think about. So much for lunch today.

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like the pat down procedure varies widely, but is not common to begin with. I asked because I always opt out of the body scanners. Also, I noticed some moderator has edited my original post to remove my comment about sexual assault. I suppose users of this forum are not allowed to discuss sexual assault that may occur during their travels. FYI

Seriously? You are really equating incidental contact where your inseams meet with sexual assault? Maybe you just shouldn't fly, since there is no guarantee that you would never be subjected to a pat down.

Kevin,

Sadly, it's a way of travel life since 9/11.

At Logan (or any airport), I have not had any "invasive until resistance is met" pat downs. At Heathrow, most are calm. Keep in mind, that is an extremely busy airport - Grand Central Station x 10!

Some years ago, at Heathrow, passengers were getting a more thorough/intense body and bag search/pat down because the airport was on high alert due to some threat. That is what the agent told me.

At Milan Linate and at Rome Leonardo da Vinci, the agents were very kind, careful and very polite.

As a rule, I don't wear any jewelry to the airport (it's in my purse in my carry on.) For women who wear Alex&Ani jewelry, the detector is always set off. To minimize the time and search, it's advisable for people to prepare ahead (while waiting.) And, it also affords a peace of mind to "not forget or lose anything in those airport bins." Of course, you still need to keep eyes on your electronics that you have to take out and put in a bin.

ETA: Oh, and I think if you "opt out" of the scanner, they will do a more thorough search of your clothing and perhaps your carry on. Out of curiosity one time at the airport, I asked the agent what if I opted out of the scanner....she told me that the body search would be more intense and that they would have to empty my carry on and "check everything." So, I either take her word on that or maybe she was trying to deter my option? lol. Who knows? But, "doing a deeper check of me or my carry on" would hold me up and the agent too. The checks are done quickly, almost like seconds, if you will. Never had a problem.

I don't know if all airports have the new machines, but most scanners are now only an outline of a generic body form. It does not show your exact body and every little scrape or scar you may have. It is targeted to highlight "out of the ordinary" on the form. People who wear pacemakers and the like should advise the TSA first. If you have metal in your body - a plate, a hip or knee joint replaced, it will show as a "foreign substance." This is what I was told.

This thread reminded me of this short Saturday Night Live clip from a few years back.

For some of the people I know, going through the peek-a-boo machine at security is the lesser of two unpleasant choices. True, it is matter of choosing the lesser of two evils as I would rather not do either one. At least, I am offered the choice of avoiding the machine

I'll take the pat down over that machine any day. Certainly the pat down is not intimidating....doesn't bother me.

The patdowns at the entrance at Citifield are more personal and extensive than the ones at LGA and JFK. The opening up of my carryon bags in European airports are what is extensive -- much more so than physical patdowns if I even have one.

I always opt out of the body scanners

Well, if you choose not to go through the scanners, then what choice is left?

No sympathy here.

When I was pregnant the metal in my underwire bra kept setting off the metal detector. They had to physically pat or push down on my underwire bra to make sure that was it. Whenever they did that it really tickled me. I was very ticklish when I was pregnant. But what was really funny was watching the TSA agent try to maintain their sternness and professionalism when they were tickling a very pregnant lady and making her laugh. I remember agents pressing their lips together and trying not to crack a smile.

I’ve been through a full body scanner a couple times ( twice in my own hometown airport!) . What’s the big deal with them ? They are fast and no one touches you !

How invasive are the pat downs? Let's just say sometimes I count them as dates.

Nothing better than a good pat down! Gotta love em.
Seriously, in over 55 years of traveling and 35 years very extensively, I never experienced a pat down that passed for anything even remotely awkward...ever..and that includes going in and out of some very carefully secured places. Why would this be a concern?

Eric! So funny!