Simply horrifying. I am a frequent traveler (110 segments per year) with a metal hip. I'm quite used to setting off the metal detector and getting, what I always joke about with the TSA agents, my TSA massage. Inconvenient, sure, but not a terrible experience. Yesterday I flew a day trip from DFW to AUS and had the new pat down in both airports. It was extremely invasive and embarrassing. Contrary to news reports, they DO stroke your genital area, firmly stroke your buttocks area, and stroke their hands all aound your breasts, lift each breast up and squeeze! They make you lift up your shirt to expose skin on your abdomen and back. Everyone was watching. My husband is the only person who should touch me in this way. I was very upset. This pat down is not "okay". I felt violated. Private screening is an option, but that also means you could be asked to remove clothing, and it doesn't prevent the foremost issue of the intrusiveness of the pat down. Neither checkpoint had a body scanner as an option, but even if they did, there is enough research showing potential harmful effects of the scanner that I would still opt out. That means that all US citizens with metal implants will have to undergo this demoralizing procedure every time they fly. If this isn't profiling, I don't know what is. I am all for security, but not at the cost of the right to protect my own body and my Constitutional right against unlawful search. Additionally, I teach my young children 'good touch/bad touch'. Am I now supposed to tell them 'bad touch' is okay if the toucher is wearing a uniform? This is wrong on so many levels. I wrote letters expressing my deep concerns today to my Representative, both Senators, the President, the TSA and the airline. In the end, the terrorists won. They took away my liberty.
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