how far can they go?

After reading Cathryn's post about airport security, I was reminded of an incident that happened to me. Two years ago, I was traveling to Jamaica with a mission group from my church, and I was fine with the US security checks. When we got to the Jamaican airport, I was taken into a closed room and patted down. The female agent then asked me to show her my scar. I was wearing a t-shirt and had to pull it up to show her. I thought this was uncalled for, but I needed to board another flight with my group, and was anxious about causing a hold up! Is this an unusual request?

3 Comments

Airport Security

by Ripple - 2007-05-07 11:05:01

Bambi, you asked if being asked to pull up your t-shirt to show the agent your pacemaker scar was unusual. It probalby would be in most of the world, but remember you were Jamaica, the real home of Voodoo medicine. By following that request you may have very well given that agent some new powers. Most of us cannot come close to comprehending how Voodoo conrols the marjority of the population in Jamaica. I know because I lived and worked there for a short while. Rip

airport Security

by lady4law - 2007-05-13 12:05:58

I just returned from 3 weeks in Euope and thought the ariport security was humilating. My first experience with APS occured when departing Los Angeles. First I was told to step aside, brought into a back room, patted down, told to remove my shoes, had my feet patted. After about 5-10 minutes I was allowed to return to the oringinal place where, thank goodness. Not only was my being patted down, in a not so nice way, insulting but my carry on items had been left at the oringinal screening and may have been stolen
It got worse as I went on. Heathrow Airport in London put me thru 3 separate times before boarding my plane... each time in front of all the other passengers. I was forced to remove my shoes 2 times! I was very imbarraced as other passengers looked on.
However when I visited Winsor Castle, the gaurd asked me what procedure I normally went thru. I told him the normal pat down. He smail and said as I was female and him male, he'd just let me go thru. I guess there are some kind people in the world.
Jean

Wear a loose neck

by Blueaustralia - 2007-07-12 05:07:06

On my first flight in Australia 2 years ago they patted me down and then asked to see my pacemaker. I had a looose necked shirt on and just pulled it down and over to the left. The guard then asked me if she could feel my pacemaker. I said: " No,you can look but you can't touch. " Fortunately she accepted that.

When I fly I give my carry on things to my husband to take through on the security belt with his and he waits for me to join him otherwise I am frightened someone will pick up my goodies and walk off with them. It takes a bit of figuring out.

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You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.