I don’t know if you’ve heard the stories, but I have, and they’re very disturbing to me. The new airport pat-downs are invasive for everyone, but they seem to be even more potentially devastating for cancer survivors.
Cathy Bossi, a flight attendant and cancer survivor, says TSA agents stopped their pat down when they got to her right breast. “She put her full hand on my breast and said, ‘What is this?’ And I said, ‘It’s my prosthesis because I’ve had breast cancer.’ And she said, ‘Well, you’ll need to show me that.’”
According to the TSA website, security officers aren’t supposed to require you to remove your prosthetic device, but these agents did.
“I do believe in security,” Bossi said. “But I do believe it has gone too far.”
Tom Sawyer, a former high school teacher from Michigan, is a bladder cancer survivor and thus wears a urostomy bag. During his pat-down, agents didn’t listen to his explanations, squeezed the bag until it ruptured and ended up spilling urine on him. The TSA later apologized to the man, but it was a case of too little, too late. He had to go onboard and travel with no bag and urine all over his clothes.
I wish I had an easy solution for anyone with medical issues going through these new invasive pat-downs, but the only thing we can do now is voice our opinions. This is all supposed to be about safety, but so many Americans are questioning whether or not these measures are really making us any safer. Texas Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has called on TSA officials to soften their approach. “We’ve got to do more,” she said. “The outcry is huge.”
If you want to speak out against the new pat-downs, you may want to review this petition to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Otherwise if you have a bad experience, report it to airport security and/or the TSA.
Some airports insist you go through either the body scanner or the pat-down. Others, however, won’t pull you aside unless you fail the metal detector. Whatever you experience, here are some tips to help you out:
• If you are wearing a medical device, warn the agent ahead of time. TSA says a very small percent of people actually have to go through a pat-down. Remember if you are required to go through the pat-down, you can always request a private room and a same-sex agent. You can also request that a witness be present.
• Don’t wear anything with metal that could set off the detector. If you have a belt, take it off and put it through with your shoes. Also remove metal watches, jewelry, pens, hair accessories, eyeglasses, keys, and anything in your pockets.
• Avoid big, bulky clothing, like flowing skirts or multiple layers, as it looks like you could be carrying something underneath. If you need that extra sweater, take it off before you go through the metal detector.
• If you have to choose between the electronic body scanner and the pat down, consider this: the scanner is faster, but it does expose you to a very low level of radiation. The pat down is quite intrusive and takes more time, but it does save you the radiation exposure. Consider what you would prefer ahead of time.
• Choose your top carefully-if you have to go through the body scanner, you’ll have to put your arms above your head. Depending on how you feel about your underarms, you may want to wear shirts with sleeves, and shirts that will stay down over your tummy when your hands are up.
• For more information, check out the TSA’s website.
How do you feel about the new pat-downs? Do you have any recommendations?
Photo courtesy Crazy Lady Rocks via Flickr.com.
