[After a handheld detector beeped when it passed over Mandi Hamlin's chest, the female TSA agent using the wand] called over her male colleagues, one of whom said she would have to remove the jewelry, Hamlin said.Despite the fact that the TSA's website says passengers "may ask to remove [their] body piercing in private as an alternative to a pat-down search," and Hamlin was never offered a "pat-down" in the first place, which she says she would have accepted, had it been offered. Instead, she was then taken behind a curtain and, after she was unable to successfully remove both piercings, began to cry and requested pliers, which the officers provided. Hamlin heard the male TSA agents snickering as she wrenched apart the other piercing with the pliers. She was then allowed to board the plane, even though she was still wearing a navel piercing.
Hamlin said she could not remove them and asked whether she could instead display her pierced breasts in private to the female agent. But several other male officers told her she could not board her flight until the jewelry was out, she said.
TSA officials said they are investigating whether the agency's policies were followed.Really? Doesn't sound like it.
"Our security officers are well-trained to screen individuals with body piercings in sensitive areas with dignity and respect while ensuring a high level of security," the agency said in a statement.
Hamlin's attorney has sent a letter to the director of the TSA's Office of Civil Rights and Liberties requesting an apology.
Shakesville is run as a safe space. First-time commenters: Please read Shakesville's Commenting Policy and Feminism 101 Section before commenting. We also do lots of in-thread moderation, so we ask that everyone read the entirety of any thread before commenting, to ensure compliance with any in-thread moderation. Thank you.
blog comments powered by Disqus