This Is Too Stupid...Is Airport Security Going A Bit Far?

@pyewacket (43903)
United States
August 26, 2008 2:41am CST
I just heard this story on World News Now, that a woman named Nancy Kates went to the Oakland International Airport to board a flight to visit her mother in Boston. When she went through the metal detectors the alarms went off. She was pulled aside by a female TSA agent and had the metal detector wand waved over her body....the wand alarm went off as soon as it hit her body area of her breasts...Being a buxom woman she was wearing an underwire bra..THAT'S what set the alarms off. Here's an excerpt of the article I found: (Quote) [i]"The woman touched my breast. I said, 'You can't do that,' " Kates said. "She said, 'We have to pat you down.' I said, 'You can't treat me as a criminal for wearing a bra.' " Kates asked to see a supervisor and then the supervisor's supervisor. He told her that underwire bras were the leading item that set off the metal detectors, Kates said. If that's the case, Kates said, the equipment must be overly sensitive. And if the TSA is engaging in extra brassiere scrutiny, then other women are suffering similar humiliation, Kates thought. The Constitution bars unreasonable searches and seizures, Kates reminded the TSA supervisor, and scrutinizing a woman's brassiere is surely unreasonable, she said. The supervisor told her she had the choice of submitting to a pat-down in a private room or not flying. Kates offered a third alternative, to take off her bra and try again, which the TSA accepted. "They tried to humiliate me and I was not going to be humiliated over this," Kates said. "If I was carrying nail clippers and forgot about them, I wouldn't have gotten so upset. But here I was just wearing my underwear." So she went to the rest room, then through the security line a second time. Walking through the airport braless can be embarrassing for a large-chested woman, not to mention uncomfortable. The metal detector didn't beep on the second time through, but then officials decided to go through Kates' carry-on luggage, she said. [/i] the entire article is here http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/25/BA2812HVK3.DTL Okay while some might find this a tad funny in a way, don't you think airport security is going a bit overboard?...I mean a LOT of women wear underwire bras...what next? Are airport alarms going to go off say from any metal dental work we have on our teeth..are we suppose to yank our teeth out? How about people who have metal wire or rod hip replacements, in their spine or any other surgical procedure calling for any kind of metal implants? Yes I realize the need for security in these times..but like, sheesh, enough already.
21 people like this
58 responses
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
27 Aug 08
As disconcerting as it is, and embarrassing for that woman, how do they know that she is telling the truth and not carrying a weapon? Isn't that what airport security is supposed to do? They can't catch everything but what's the point of having metal detectors, if you can't check out what's causing it. Now, I would have asked her if she knew what it was, first, before touching her, as security has done with me. Maybe she should get ones with non-metal wires (I use them) when she goes to the airport.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Aug 08
I kind of agree with TheCatLady here...I'm sure there are a lot of non-metal weapons and devices that could easily slip though metal detectors. That in itself is a scary thought, no?
• Israel
27 Aug 08
If someone wants to carry non metal weapon; there are acrylic knives that are extremely sharp. They are expensive, but if you are going to be a terrorist, a few dollars more or less wouldn't matter.
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
27 Aug 08
I think Airport security have been a tad too much for some time now. I feel this terror thing is too much overplayed and the only people really suffering because of this is the common man who is subjected to all kinds of scrutiny. I am actually surprised at how easy it is to really do something malicious even with all this security, because the quality of the security has not increased, but only the quantity has increased. Going forward, I can see that there would be large CT scanners at airport and all passengers would be scanned through CT scanners. Of course, the passengers would take a huge dose of radiation, but what the heck, terror is somewhere out there!! Cheers! Ram
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
30 Aug 08
Neither do I and that is why I mentioned the comment in jest. Hope one of those over zealous security people are not reading this!! Cheers! Ram
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I don't like that idea of the CT scanners either...if one is a real frequent flyer think of all the radiation one will be exposed to...that could raise health risks now
1 person likes this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
26 Aug 08
Like you are correctly pointing out... this is the times we leave in. Fact of the matter... you either have security or you don't. You cannot make exceptions. Makes you wonder who is winning... us or the terrorists? Think of the billions the whole world has been spending on security since the 9/11. Think of the inconvenience they have created for people... like that woman. It has taken some of our freedom away... Governments have passed all sort of new laws restricting our freedom. The world lives in fear... And spending a fortune to protect itself from an invisible ennemy. Makes you wonder why the economy is going down the toilet. Yes... who is winning? indeed... Because of the times we live in... The people demand that we fight a politically correct war against some barbaric terrorists with no respect for life. No wonder they winning...
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 08
There have actually been strict security measures even prior to 9/11, yet if you remember there were still airline bombings...either that or high jackers. All these security measures don't mean crap...if terrorists truly want to create mayhem they'll find a different means to do so.
• Australia
27 Aug 08
The security mesures prior to the 9/11 were a joke compared to those of today. And I don't believe that terrorists today can cause mayem whenever they want to. Because believe me... they want to... but they cannot move without being detected. The secret service from most western countries is on the ball... and all over them. Anything suspect or out of the ordinary gets an investigation into motion. You cannot put the lives of 300 passengers at risk... so that a woman can be free of wearing a steel brassiere. This is the way it is... and we better learn to live with it... as it won't get any better in the future.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Aug 08
But how do you explain what DID happen at 9/11....supposedly our govt KNEW what was going on, yet didn't take measures to prevent it's happening...either that or someone was sleeping on the job...like the entire FBI and CIA
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
26 Aug 08
And when you consider the large number of unpleasant characters airports hire in security... _ There's also been reports of TSA agents stealing luggage, as well...and other such things, like detaining Americans coming back from trips to other countries and holding them for hours before even talking to them. Instead of just being insane, it's been increasingly leaning toward criminal I think... This is why I urge people to find other ways to get where they need to go. Most people weighing other options (trains, boats, or by car) with the airports, that I talk to, decide against airports. Though I think it's all the extra fees lately that topped the whole deal off.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 08
As far as the unsavory characters that work for the TSA...remember sometime back the incident were some TSA agents detained the daughter-in-law of Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum...they roughed housed her, handcuffed her and in an attempt to break free wound up strangling herself....Yes, she was unruly, but they didn't have to treat her like that
• United States
28 Aug 08
excuse me, "the point was, that most people made about it".. Typing when drowsy lol. *shakes head at self*
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Aug 08
If you think that's ridiculous, listen to this one.... My husband is a United States Marine Corps Sergeant. About three weeks ago, he was flying to Indiana for a two week weapons training authorized by his unit. After going through the airport's metal detector (without setting it off-mind you) he was advised airport security was performing random inspections and needed to check his luggage. Out of all the items inside his military sea-bag, believe it or not, the only thing airport security decided to confiscate was personal grooming bag. They claimed items such as shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, plastic scrubber, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic shaver, cologne, hair gel and hairbrush were not safe to carry; so they kept them. Upon arriving at his hotel (in Indiana) my husband wound up having to re-purchase all his personal grooming items. What a crock! If you ask me, someone needs to seriously rework this whole security-check process.
• Israel
27 Aug 08
It's stupid. You can't have a bottle holding more than 3 oz of something because it's dangerous. Since when is Crest and Colgate a danger? But you can has 4 or 5 3.0 bottles of the exact same item and an empty container large enough to empty them into. What a joke.
1 person likes this
• Canada
27 Aug 08
why would they keep that stuff? Do thwey suspect someone is carrying liquid anthrax or something?
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Aug 08
Oh how asinine! I mean of all people to confiscate such items....a United States Marine Corps Sergeant! Like duh?
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
27 Aug 08
They go so far overboard with security it isn't funny. The saddest part is that they still miss the ones that are or could be a real threat! When my 14 yr old daughter flew this summer to visit her brother, I packed travel size bottles of her favorite shampoos and lotions, toothpaste, etc. They threw most of them away. I was so freaking angry. I'm a single mom and the trip, while very important was very costly. Those little travel size things and the bags to ship them in cost me quite a little bit of cash....just to have it tossed? heck...she's 14...it was all so dumb. They also tossed her shaving lotion. I did not send razors with her. I do understand that things can get smuggled in with the little bottles but come on...she was 14 and a first time flyer....a little discrestion and common sense would be good.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 08
That wasn't right...I thought travel sized items like that WERE allowed, that just doesn't make any sense at all. I can't help wonder if they throw out baby bottles filled with milk for those women who travel with their babies?
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I thought so too but apparently not. I really don't understand their logic....i don't think there is any.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Aug 08
Uh - I wonder what would happen if a under-cover Federal Agent or CIA personnel who was wired & on duty walked through ... I mean someone who was really on the job. Good way to get his cover blown. As for the lady, it is a good thing they didn't put her picture up or she'd probably be getting these un-wanted offers from those uh ... Playboy? As well as a few other obscene offers, probably not to mention other obscene proposals. Personally, I think that the female TSA agent was probably jealous.
2 people like this
• United States
27 Aug 08
That would not surprise me if they increased the sensitivity of the alarms for just that reason.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 08
I wonder if TSA agents get a vicarious "thrill" doing body searches..LOL..mabye they set the alarms to be super sensitive every time a buxom woman goes through security just so they can get a feely..
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
26 Aug 08
Tell me more. I traveled a lot this year and I have heard beeping on every other person going through security. It was more often in Europe, where they don't ask people to take shoes off. I took my shoes off to avoid the problem. I have to agree. Security is very mean and they look at you as you are criminal. They are very serious and cold. They are checking my bags every time I am back from Europe. All I have with me are my personal clothes and shoes. One travel bag not even big. I love to fly, I hate going through security.
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
27 Aug 08
I always have camera with me except last trip. There is no problem with digital equipment. I travel with laptop and my camera.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Aug 08
What about your camera equipment...did you take that? I haven't flown in years and years, but when I did fly I had to put my unexposed film in X-ray proof insulated bags to prevent the rolls being damaged by the radiation. I don't even know if they have those types of bags anymore
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
26 Aug 08
yes it is I had the same thing happen to me with the hooks in my bra but when they found that was what it was they let me thru!
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
27 Aug 08
yup they were metal! Now when I go thru the airport I will really set it off for the stints in heart! I have to carry a card with me stateing that I have stents in my heart
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 08
OHG--you're kidding...the alarms went off just because of the hooks???
• United States
26 Aug 08
i probably would have taken it off in line and raised a fit of my own. then called my lawyer cousin and my bro that works at a newspaper. they wanna pull me off a flight,i'll give them a good reason
@BarBaraPrz (45498)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Aug 08
You go, girl!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 08
Here! Here! I think I would put up a real stink too.
1 person likes this
@kaysue4 (951)
• United States
27 Aug 08
I can't beleive this happened, but then again, why should we be shocked anymore with what the airlines get away with for the sake of "security." I copied the link and I have passed it on so more women would maybe take a chapter of this woman's situation and stand up for themselves. Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I just can't help thinking that if a terrorist really does want to create some kind of mayhem that they will find a way to do so...but to think every woman as a potential terror threat cause she wears a certain type bra is nuts
@gemini_rose (16264)
26 Aug 08
I would have been so embarrassed. I think all my bras have wire in them, I need it to push what little bit I have left up into a respectable cleavage! Can you imagine me having to take mine off, mine would not fall down and hit the floor they would just disappear! I guess that they have to follow the rules no matter how inconvenient or embarrassing it is for us, I would have been horrified but I would have just gone with it if they were just doing their job. At least I know now not to wear underwired bras if I go on a plane.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 08
LOL--ah so you're flat-chested too? I certainly don't have a Dolly Parton problem..hey but look at it this way....as we age we won't have to worry about our boobs falling to gravitation and hit our knees...
@gemini_rose (16264)
27 Aug 08
This is very true!
1 person likes this
27 Aug 08
Maybe it is over the top and maybe not but I don't care as long as the flight I am on is secure and safe. Ok so one lady is embarrassed for short time but as long as that means the security staff are doing a thorough job then I am happy
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Aug 08
Only problem is, is that sooner or later if someone really wants to do a terrorist attack other means will be found that aren't detected.
31 Aug 08
Maybe but that is always the case and the better the security the less likely that is to happen. It is some years since we had a successful terrorist incident on a schedual flight and I think this is down to the much tighter security which is a good thing even if it gets a bit silly from time to time
1 person likes this
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
27 Aug 08
I belive it is going a bit too far, but if a terrorist were to think they could get a bomb into the country, they wouldn't be above carrying it in a bra, we do have women terrorists.. But, an American female who is not entering the country, it seems a bit absurd to think that she would be carrying weapons of some type in her bra.. I believe it is going way too far.. We may have to have all of our replacement parts made in good old plastic, no more steel rods for us..
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Aug 08
Of course maybe their rationale in thinking is that a plane could be hijacked to create some terror threat and attack...
• United States
26 Aug 08
I'm not surprised that they stopped her from going through because of her bra. I wouldn't be surprised if those that had metal pins or plates would be stopped and since you can't really test those then that means those people do not get to fly. I think it's sad really. Sure, you probably can't trust anyone today, but I think they search a lot of people unnessecarly.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Aug 08
The sad thing is that they make innocent people feel like criminals when they've done nothing wrong but wear an underwire bra or have metal pins in their bodies from some kind of surgical procedure
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
27 Aug 08
Oh how about this one - my youngest son's father served in Viet Nam - while there he had half his skull blown off and spent months in the hospital during which time they 'rebuilt' his head including inserting a metal plate to fill in what was 'missing'. I can just see Jon walking up and taking half his head off and putting it in one of those little trays... Physically he couldn't do that but it could be a difficult one to get past.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 08
Ewww..my what a vivid description. I would think in his case he would need a note from a doc explaining that he has a metal plate in his head though
• United States
26 Aug 08
I think that some airports must have their systems turned up extra high. I hear stories about body jewelry and underwire bras setting off metal detectors, but I always wear an underwire bra, and though my quantity of large body jewelry is virtually non-existent, my fiance has flown with his industrial, labret, and large gauge earrings in, and had no issues with the metal detector on those items. I've flown through some of the REALLY touchy airports, though (Reagan, for example), and didn't have any problems at all.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Aug 08
I haven't been flying in a long time..but I set off alarms even in stores that have detectors....all that silver jewelry I wear...LOL
27 Aug 08
They are going too far in many cases. It is awful as USA started to became a sort of bad police around the world, too. To be an end for all sort of stupid acts means the best.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I agree that they do go a bit too far here
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
27 Aug 08
Since undewire bras set them off so frequently, you don't think people realize that (BAD people as well as good) and wouldn't take advantage of it? Do you think it still overboard if a plane was found to have been hijacked because of something a woman had hidden in her bra? If she had a problem with it and she asked to be screened privately and they complied, I think it's no longer an issue.
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
27 Aug 08
Hey Pye. I know about this and I definitely didn't find it a bit funny. First, of all I am a large busted woman who wears underwire bras. Second, I am now worried because I will soon be taking a trip to visit my Mom in Florida and will now have to worry about the same thing happening to me! I am also not one to keep my mouth shut so I am afraid what else might happen if they start with me. You might be reading about me in the news too! The only thing is that most of you won't know it's me unless I tell them to put that I am "opal26" for my mylot friends!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 08
LOL...well here's hoping we don't hear on the news of a deranged female being apprehended...heehee....Thank goodness I don't wear underwire bras...never cared for them....so if I ever travel by plane again I guess I'm safe??