They FRISKED my BABY.
That's right. They pulled me out of line for the dreaded pat-down. When I tried to hand Abigail to J, they told me, "NO. She needs to be checked, too."
WHAT???
I was SO blown away, stunned and upset about the fact that someone was touching my baby, that I hardly noticed the fact that a stranger's hand was in my waistline. I told the very nice agent, "TSA...not you, personally, but TSA HAS LOST THEIR MINDS. Again...not you." I. WAS. MAD. I also told her I'd be writing to my Congressman, which my wonderful brother has already done.
Then the real kicker: after she had checked us both, she asked, "Is your baby ticklish?"
Are you kidding me????? Are you going to attempt to touch her some more????? BACK OFF, WOMAN!
The thing is, I felt no safer for having my privacy so invaded. I just felt violated. Let's be honest- there are places in my body that I could have hidden something. They did not check EVERYWHERE. Would a t.er.r.orist be above that?
TSA continues to violate our rights by chasing previous attempts. We had the sneaker bom.ber, now we take off our shoes. We had the crotch bom.ber, now we're becoming objects of porn or pat-downs. Always a day late and dollar short, TSA fails to keep us safe and continues to treat passengers like criminals, when in fact it was passengers who stopped both potential disasters from happening. (Source) Director of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has already speculated expanding these procedures to trains, ships, and mass transit. What's next? Schools? Churches?
For more information on TSA:
- Why is there a TSA?
- A Libertarian Perspective on Airline Security
- Are Air Travelers Criminal Suspects? by Ron Paul
Until this changes, we are done with flying. I will not subject myself and my child to this outrageous behavior!
29 comments:
What a shame, what airport was this? we are flying to Orlando in January.
Coming soon, to an airport near you: the terrorist with the tampon bomb.
So sorry that you and Abigail had to experience that.
Seriously. The new imaging scanners are basically a detailed, naked picture of you and the pat downs are incredibly invasive. It is a violation of human dignity! And I'm sorry, but TSA workers involved in that security should quit because their work has become immoral!
Gosh, don't get me started on this whole thing; Ryan and I RANT about it!
I agree, it is a violation of human dignity...I think we'll just be driving from here on out. So sorry you had to go through that.
Lauren, you totally hit on my not-so secret hatred of the TSA. It's a joke what they do to the flying public. I'm so sorry that happened to you.
The SOLT Sister that comes to stay with us is totally upset about this and I don't blame her. The TSA told her that anyone with baggy clothing would be treated to a "4 minute invasive pat down." Can you imagine? TSA patting down the babies AND the nuns! Ridiculous!
oh no!!!!! I don't know if I could have handled it!! :-/ Eeeckkk...I do not want anyone touching my children like that. (I mean, I don't have any children yet, but I KNOW I don't want them touching them!!!)...Sigh. So sorry you had to go through that, how stressful!!!
Yes, if we get a placement soon (please God!) I have been dreading the airport experience.
What the HECK?! I am SO mad for you! Ughhh!
Um, it seems to me they crossed the line. BIG TIME.
They have never once even hinted at taking L out of my arms as I walked through the scanner. She is always just grinning away, and a great distraction too.
I cannot BELIEVE they would man-handle a newborn. That is criminal in and of itself. You need to write an email to foxnews. I KNOW they'd want to have you on.
That is so upsetting. I flew with Miriam after 9/11--and they took her from me and laid her on a table to check her. I was furious.
Then it seemed to calm down awhile.
Now its insane. The nude body scan wasn't enough? Why did they have to do the "pat down" too?
I'm such a germaphobe, I would have had to holler for clean gloves. The thought of them rubbing someone with the gloves then rubbing me--they do not change every time, or so I have heard.
We will not be flying anytime soon either.
Oh no! I am so sorry this happened!
We made it through on our last trip without pat downs thankfully. I was worried how Caleb would handle that. He wouldn't handle it well I can tell you that. I should probably prep him somehow for the potential in case it were to happen since we fly so often. Pen did have to go through the body scans but it wasn't a huge deal, in and out and actually much much much faster than the huge line for the regular scanners.
That is awful!! I would have felt so helpless and you are right how far will they go if they are just given the freedom?! BTW Lisa cracks me up!! Love you girl!! Can't wait to hold that baby again!!!!! Ou ou!!
and yes I agree that is awful that Abigail had to go through it! First removing a 10 month old's shoes and now patting down infants. So sad.
Okay, Lisa, again, you are hilarious. :)
Lauren, I'm so sorry that happened! Good for you for saying something! That is ridiculous. :( Poor sweet Abigail!
Us, too.
We drive everywhere. Unfortunately, I work at an airport, but I do not go through security anymore. Why bother? Too much hassle. I just stay in my office.
Oh, and they took sealed water I had to mix with formula when my daughter was 2 months old.
I am still livid over that.
To be clear- we did not go through the scanner. This airport didn't even have a scanner, so I didn't have to deal with that. However, I absolutely, positively would NOT go through the scanner! I think the invasive pat-downs are to get the public to "give-up" and accept these pornographic scanners. Here are the two reasons scanners are worse than the horrible pat-downs:
1) Radiation. Some reports say it's up to 10x what TSA estimates. http://www.physicscentral.com/buzz/blog/index.cfm?postid=7860075384480603221 If the pilots don't want to use the scanners, why should we?
2) Saved images. Sure Napolitano claims the machines aren't capable of saving images, but that's what the Federal Marshals said, too, yet they were just convicted of storing 35,000 images from a single courthouse in Florida. If they found a way, why can't TSA? http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20012785-504083.html
No to pat-downs. Only under protest.
HECK NO to scanners. Absolutely not!
That's so sad and disturbing!!! TSA is getting out of control!!!
As an Arab myself, I will say it again: We need to be profiling!!! Where the heck did common sense go????? I am so glad I rarely fly.
What gets me is their (TSA's) utter lack of creative response to what is clearly a creative and resourceful enemy. Do they really believe these ridiculous measures are keeping us safe??
Excellent article here:
http://www.askthepilot.com/essays-and-stories/terrorism-tweezers-and-terminal-madness-an-essay-on-security/
make sure you handwrite the note to your congressman/woman. They are legally required to read handwritten notes and response to them. That is terrible you and Abigail had to go through this at the airport.
I had to have a pat down over the summer. It wasn't bad. But the reason was funny. I carried breast milk in freezer baggies that couldn't be open. The against couldn't test. She didn't have a hand-held scanner to do it.
they would have had to remove me from the airport because I would have probably hit that woman. You have more restraint than me; good for you!
I'm so sorry that happened to you and your baby. :(
Where has liberty gone?
Ha! Great article, Maria! This was my favorite part:
"Whether out of confusion, sympathy, or embarrassment, she was allowed to pass with her murderous marinara."
Murderous Marinara! HA HA HA!
There's another reason to quit flying... as your family grows, it just gets TOO DARN EXPENSIVE.
I won't be flying anytime soon if I can avoid it. This is absolutely ridiculous!!! I flew to Phoenix earlier this year and watch a TSA agent go through everything a young mother and baby had. They opened, and tested babyfood, formula and everything else. The mother had on a very long denim skirt. I think I remember that her husband was dressed as an Orthodox Jew.
Why are they pulling people out of line for a pat down when they have the porn scanners? Or was this an airport not yet equipped to show porn?
So, how does the TSA handle muslim women/children? Do they x-ray and pat them down? Or do they let them pass through so as not to "offend?"
I can't wait to see what happens we fly in Dec Caleb is going to let them have it, he will not take it well at all. What will they do not let him fly when he starts crying and pushing them away because he is a mommas boy.
Did you see the photo on Drudge awhile back where the Muslim TSA agent was frisking a NUN??? He had the caption, "The ter.orr.ists have won." Frightening.
I was seriously concerned about flying over Christmas. I told my husband that if they even so much as looked at my 4 year old wrong, they'd have to lock me up.
My first leg from BWI to IND was painless and actually quite comfortable. Then the return flight, in which I was angry about a baggage fee, and the agent told my mom he was going to call the police on me...I was a SECURITY RISK!!! So I nearly got locked up anyway. http://momandthensome.blogspot.com/2010/12/traveling-while-angry.html
Threats like this whether from airlines or the TSA CANNOT continue to go on. WE SHOULD BE PROFILING!!! God forbid we offend someone who actually MIGHT be a threat.
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