TSA "Pat Down" - Any Gender Choice?

[Jerry]

Has anyone gone through the new TSA "pat down" lately?

I am wondering if the traveler has a choice of same or opposite sex agent to touch your junk?

Would you prefer the same or opposite sex?

Would it matter if you're single or married?...traveling alone or with your partner?

[justagirl]

I'll let you know Wednesday evening. My basic line of thought for Wednesday is whatever gets me through the line the fastest.

I am curious though, and not to be gross, but can they distinguish between a tampon and a bag of explosive convienently located in the same area? Not that I'm taking explosives on the plane via my 'junk' or anything.

[flyinbayou]

TSA Bumper Stickers
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[flyinbayou]

I am curious though, and not to be gross, but can they distinguish between a tampon and a bag of explosive convienently located in the same area? Not that I'm taking explosives on the plane via my 'junk' or anything.

Well, they're not allowed to perform cavity searches so the answer would be "no". However, the TSA, as most federal institutions, are always steps (or miles, years, etc) behind. It is perceivable that in the near future (or "rear" future if you prefer) this tactic may be incorporated by our enemies.

As for gender choice, I know that currently it is same sex pat-downs (except at smaller airports where TSA staff is limited). I'm not sure how they will handle the homo/bi-sexual issue that will be tested.

Personally, like my masseuse, I would prefer my agent to be female. The thought of being patted down by, say, Barney Frank, nauseates me. I am sure some females prefer male OB/GYNs so I see no difference here. The choice should be up to the customer/flyer.

[LauraMc]

JAG, I never thought of that. What if you're a maxi-pad person, they could think that was something.

[Suzy Wong]

Interesting comments from Rafi Sela who has been working in Israeli security for 30 years and at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, which has some of the toughest security in the world:


http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Full ... story.html

[justagirl]

I was thinking more of the "mass" that would show in the scanner....how would anyone know the difference?

[Yvette]

I was recently patted down and "carresses-ness of the boobs" in San Diego on a return flight here. I was not happy, but I figured the alternative would be too time consuming. My scotch in the crown room was waiting for me.

I was more disturbed when the made me take off all my jewerly. diamond watch, two diamond rings, three diamond bracelets, diamond necklace.... then put me in an about face to a scanner, back to the jewerly, then on to the women scanner/ feeler upper, all the while my diamonds were sitting in a bowl. I was screaming to my husband to collect my jewerly while they had their way with me.

My friend (a male) had this happen recently, and guess what, he turned around and the Rolex was gone. TSA....huh...not our problem.

Many of ya'll here know me, do I really look like a terrorist????? I was a little pissed, but the scotch helped matters out.

[bam bam]

After 9/11, I attempted to support the Bush Administration's legislative initiatives to help the government support the war on terror. The one thing I refused to support was the TSA. This was more of Bush's "work with the Democrats" by creating a boatload of federal employees.

Little did I know that less than years later this agency would be the biggest threat to our freedom since Pearl Harbor.

It is clear that the only solution is a private sector security team paid for and hired by the Airlines.

[Suzy Wong]

@Yvette, With all the security cameras inside, aimed on passengers and employees and outside of airports even, there wasn't one where someone places their valuables and /or on the agents themselves. Sounds odd....At the very least his watch was no doubt insured.