Warning: delicate subject.
Due to multiple pelvic radiation treatments for the treatment of uterine cancer, I have partial urinary incontinence and must wear adult hygiene products, especially when traveling when access to restrooms are sometimes limited. I’d never had a problem with the full body scanner and these products before my last flight from Austin to Atlanta last year. I’m sharing my story so others in similar situations can be prepared. (And, for the record, I’m a pretty easy going person who’s not particularly modest.)
On this day, I passed through the scanner, and a female TSA agent approached me on the other side. She directed my attention to her monitor, pointed directly to my crotch, and indiscreetly asked, “what is this?” I quietly told her I was wearing an incontinence pad. She then informed me she’d have to conduct a pat down and asked me if I wanted to go to a private room. Since I’d had plenty of pat downs previously, I wasn’t bothered and gave her permission to conduct the pat down right there in the security line. She proceeded to give me the pat down, then without warning, pulled the back waistband of my pants and underwear open and peered inside. Then she did the same thing in the front. Frankly, I was too shocked to protest or say anything. She then told me I was clear and could go into the secure area.
After reflection on this incident, I realized I felt like I had been publicly violated, and I filled a complaint with TSA. This is part of the response I received from them:
“Advanced Imaging Technology
Personal Hygiene Products - AIT Alarms
The Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machine, also known as the body scanner, may identify sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult diapers as potential threat items. The machine will indicate the location of a potential threat item on a generic, computer-generated outline of a person that appears on a monitor outside the machine. You will see the monitor when you exit and it is the same monitor the TSA Officer views. If an item causes an alarm, you will undergo additional screening, which includes a patdown.
If you are required to undergo a patdown, it is important to know the following:
An officer of the same gender will conduct your patdown
The officer will offer a private screening or you may request one at any time
You may have a companion with you during the private screening, but they will be rescreened once your patdown is complete
You should not be asked or required to remove or lift any article of clothing to reveal a sensitive body area
For more information on our screening procedures, please visit www.tsa.gov.”
Note the next to the last paragraph:
“You should not be asked or required to remove or lift any article of clothing to reveal a sensitive body area.”
TSA went on to advise me that I should have asked for a supervisor to intervene so the issue could have been addressed on the spot, but, as I said before, I was too shocked to do much of anything.
I will never again go through a body check without that TSA statement on my person. I’m flying again next month, and I’m very concerned about this happening again. At least I’m forewarned that this can happen and hopefully can react in a timely, effective manner.
I hope no one else has received or will receive this type of treatment.