Was pulled aside at the Portland Maine airport because my purse had “too many clumping coins” (their words) in my COINpurse in the bottom of my regular purse. It was $4.67. The male screener demanded to know why so many coins? I told him my teen daughter and I had done laundry halfway thru our week long trip. He spent the next 10 mins. lecturing me on how to “properly pack” and then he swabbed the entire contents of my purse. At the time, I didn’t know that the female TSA screener at the nude-o-scan machine had told my 15-yr-old daughter she either had to go into the nude-o-scanner or be subjected to a thorough and invasive pat-down. My daughter had a maxi-pad in her pocket (need I explain further?) and the female screener demanded that my daughter hold up the maxi pad above her head in the machine, thoroughly embarrassing my teen daughter. The female screener never came to get me (the mother) and tell me any of this was going on (I was stuck in another area with the Coin Czar), and after the scanning, the female screener then went ahead and touched my daughter’s shoulders with the back of her hand, citing the excuse “we may have seen something on the monitor), um, yes, it’s called a bra and a tshirt, you moron. My daughter told me what happened, and I calmly approached the female screener and asked her why it’s necessary to look at he naked body of a teen girl on her period, and the screener practically screamed at me, “Because we CAN, that’s why”. I’ve written a complaint to the TSA and received a very canned reply of “sorry for your experience”. Okay, well, I Guess as long as it’s TSA screeners looking at a teen girls’ naked body and then touching her, that makes it all okay. They can all kiss off in my opinion. Give someone a badge and a $10 an hour job and they think they’re hot crap.
By: DebA

TSA heffer at the North Terminal probably with a GED being a bossy bitch made me throw away my face scrub because it was an ounce over their regulations…. I hate their stupid rules and more importantly I hate their attitudes.

Screw the TSGAY.
By: Nicole

My first time travelling abroad after 20 years of community service. 

As an African American Female, I was subjected to a search because I was wearing all black including a black hair piece. I was then questioned on how much money I had. I had 2.00. The male TSA officer then opened my bag and had a firm grip on my adult clothes and stated I wear a lot of Black. He seen the other adult figures in my bag and then asked if I was alone and who was coming to get me, how was I getting home with 2.00? He total the cost for a metro card and stated I wasn’t getting home with 2.00. I told him I was disabled and I pay half fare. He then asked who paid for my ticket and I told him God paid for it. He said God did not pay for the ticket. I would not change my answer. The male TSA officer then told me to wait on a female officer and to follow her when she come. I was told to pack my things. I asked what was going on and I was told by another male TSA officer jokingly that I had to be patted down to ensure TSA that I wasn’t carrying extra money on my persons. When the white TSA female arrived she started yelling in front of the general public with her hand in the air and stated tonight is not your night, you not gonna have your way tonight. She was not interested in helping with my 44lbs bag so I had to swing it a certain way to shift the weight. I did this in light of my chronic pain from muscle, skeletal and joint disease, lack of nutrition based on my recent two surgeries for gastro bypass sleeve and infectious skin irritations due from previous surgeries. I also suffer from PTSD. No one offered medical attention before or after the pat downs. 2 women, 6 TIMES, stuck three fingers in my vagina, through my pants, between my labia. She stayed there fondling me on my clitoris and repeated this process even though no threat was found. I went through PSTD and had Flashbacks to match, I started praying and crying telling them I am disabled. Both female officers invited the 4 male TSA officers as they smiling watching, They invited them because they said I made a false move. One thing I learned from being repeatedly raped and molested to prevent a false move be still and let the person or persons take what they want and it will end quick. Just because I was praying and crying doesn’t say I made a false move and the process did not end quick. The 8-10 officers standing outside look like they wanted to hurt me physically so I allowed her to finish the unwanted touching while the guys was standing there. She then repeated the same aggressions on my breast which them to are tender from past assaults. She repeated this 3 times. Although my hair was already checked the woman charged at me stating we got to check your hair. I felt further humiliated so I knew what she was hinting at because I am Black that of course my hair was not real so I pulled it off and handed it to her. She then got scared and called her supervisor in the room. The touching of the body had stopped and a whole new line of battery began.

Now there are at least 4-6 officers crowed in the room as if I was their only source of entertainment with others gawking at the door requesting to join. TSA officers knew they was overwhelming me with their brutality and they was enjoying the effects of my outbursts. The white male TSA officer whispered crocodile tears and then stared me in the face until he knew for himself he caused me pain. I then felt I needed God more than ever to speak for me because I was getting abused and bullied for being Black, alone, disabled and believe in God providing for me. He has helped me through all my past rapes, molestations, series of incest, etc. He did come and protect me because I could answer the slew of shocking questions and endure the mental and emotional torture several TSA simultaneously placed upon me that had nothing to do with National Security. What’s my phone number, which villa did I stay in, what’s my boyfriend’s first, name and then what’s my boyfriend’s last name, where he from, then I pointed to my bag and told him that I carry all papers around just in case you cannot understand how I articulate my words or freedoms of religious expressions. He then started another search of the bag and found my itinerary for flight, who paid for what, how long I stayed, map inquiries, host’s addresses and numbers, land transportation booking information and prepayments thereof. He then left the room and repeated coming in and out of the room with new line of questionings pertaining to my relationship with my presumed boyfriend. He repeated the questions he first asked and I had this time given him the first name of the alleged boyfriend because the TSA officer would not conclude the pat down search if I did not answer. I eventually asked is the adult toy that belonged to me necessary for you to make fun and humiliate me when I been cleared already? He then through it back in my bag like trash after he had his conversation with the female TSA worker for about 2 mins with his backed turned to me. He then asked aggressively again who is he and what did you do with your boyfriend in Jamaica. TSA officer stated that I wasn’t leaving until I told him what I did with him intimately on my vacation. I crossed my legs because the supervisor confirmed with the TSA officer suggestions on further detaining me. I told him that my friend broke my heart and I began to cry out loud because the line of questioning was deliberate to cause this known reaction from me. He knew I wanted to go home and grieve over the boyfriend issue but that answer was not enough he kept going with the mental and phycological assaults along with his buddies. He then started asking me about my work. I told him that I donate items  to people in need. He yelled at me and said I could had done it here (USA). He made me feel like my religious jobs was nothing. Made me feel limited as to who I give my things and time to. Then the supervisor offended me and told me how vicious Jamaicans was and that they only use women like me. He offered to go find him and hurt him (asked me twice) that made me cry more. Then the other white officer then asked one of his final question to excite pain what was I gonna do, how long he stayed with you, I said the whole ten days. He asked why I did that and I cried out loud I do not know.

The supervisor then stated that I had 28.00 instead of 2.00 and laid the law down why I had to sign for it. He then asked is there anything else he could do for me and I stated I wanted names. He then try to bribe me with a gold pen which I have in my custody currently so I would not collect names. Then the other white officer popped his head in the room jokily to remind me that I am not leaving  till I answer his questions. Who paid for your ticket and I said God with the clearest voice I had in  years and told him God paid for the ticket. He then badgers me and said God don’t write no checks and repeated the question and looked at his peers like he was going to call the ambulance on me. I then explained the line of work I do and to answer his question I went to Jamaica for Love and Religious purposes. He then left and came back in the room giving an illusion that the meeting was over to only prolong it. He then made fun of my God and requested a trip to Tahiti. The Supervisor forced me to change my answer in order to go home and I did because they would not leave me alone. They asked about my income and I told them my church family pays my way. The supervisor searched my purse and found licenses from Real Estate Sales, CDL, 3 credit cards, NY State ID, Cosmetology School Card, USA Passport Card, USA Passbook Card, 3 disability passes, 2 local gym cards and a health insurance card. I was well documented and was still harassed about my identity, address and phone number. I told them I did not know my number unless I reach in my contact book on my cell phone. He yelled at me before he finished I said I have 3 business lines and cannot remember. He then told me if I did not recite my address I could not go home. I answered grungily. The supervisor also went through my medications and could not find them on his drug list. He had the prescription bottle in his hand and still refused to confirm my meds belonged to me. I explained all my meds. You could see they still wanted to hold me for nothing. The supervisor then asked me again why I was in Jamaica and I repeated love and religious purposes, how do I know who to help, what dates I purchased the tickets, why I just get up and get a flight so quick, why I gotten an expedited passport? I told him I been doing this for years and I repeated my steps of how I find people to help. I then pointed to my baggage handle as proof that I had to check in my bag for excess, showed him the paid check in bag, told him why I had to change my dates due to the airline threaten to take all my money if I did not have a passbook instead of the passbook card. The reasons I do not carry cash is because I stay in a dangerous place such as Brownville notorious for robbing innocent neighbors and lonely travelers. My paperwork was in his hand he could no longer hold me, that’s when he offered a bottle water and bribe me with the gold pen so I will not talk about what transpired in the room. I was free to go after that.     

This violated my right to be searched in front of females only. No Passenger Support Specialists was offered or even heard of until I filed my first complaint. I was in full pain and was not offered to be seated or offered water for the excessive trauma they was putting me through before I was released. My rights was not written on a wall or pamphlet, TSA material online does not explain my rights as a victim in recovery  TSA notification card.

As a rape and incest survivor, a person suffering from vaginal infections since a child due to objects inserted in my vaginal for years, TSA restarted the vaginal infections by inserting their fingers in my vagina roughly. I only had a half day of relief before I came back to the states. I had just found a plant in Jamaica that heals this symptom I am chronically going through because of my history of assault. 

I was not offered a witness to join me, I had to relive and suffer alone in the late night hours of how much healing I really have to do. They made me miss my ride for persons with disabilities and I had to find my way home alone. I didn’t make it home till 2 in the morning. I was afraid for my life and safety. I was not offered a reasonable accommodation in concert with a civil pat down.

I was unfairly discriminated against me because I am Black, with a White Woman’s Hair Piece wearing all black that Loves God and believes He provides as a disabled woman traveling alone to and from Jamaica around Thanks giving and Christmas looking for love, peace, health and religious happiness.

I had to change my statement about God so I could start my journey of recovery, nourish my body since I did not eat for 2 days or more due to medical issues on top of what happened with TSA and find my way home from my first visit at JFK and flying for the first time internationally. TSA hurt me in the worst ways possible by taking what I believe in and used it against me. I suffer everyday since this happened. I cry and can not move until the shock is over. This lasts for several mins a day.

The trip was supposed to represent new freedom from assaults, and welcome my womanhood free to make fashion, career and love choices without the presence of societies’ norms and abuses that I have encountered over a lifetime. I just wanted to be myself, talk/travel with God and heal for the holidays.

Now I sign this complaint on Christmas Day hoping that I receive an answer that these violations are wrong in sight of humanity, African American Women, Low Incomed, Victims of Rape, Disabled People  not only against me.

By: Angel Golds

I am reposting because my font appeared small, and nearly unreadable. Admins, feel free to delete my previous post.

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On December 14th, I arrived at PDX airport for my 4:00 flight on Alaska. Snow had started falling before I left home, and was getting pretty thick by the time I got to the airport. This flight had already been delayed until 4:30, and was the last direct flight of the day. 

Having checked in on the app, I proceeded to  the Alaska counter, because I needed to check my walker, and I needed a wheelchair. My cat Bagheera was in her carrier on the seat of my walker, it’s handles velcroed around the front strap so it would not fall off of my walker. I had no bags that I was checking, but told the agent that I was checking a walker. He asked again  to confirm that I was checking no bags. I told him again that I was checking a walker. He made no move to take it, just told to go sit in the chairs around the corner to wait for a wheelchair. When I had flown out of PDX a few weeks earlier, the desk agent had followed me, and  then taken my walker to check it. That did not happen this time. My wheelchair came, and I could not leave the walker. So I had to carry Bagheera’s carrier, AND my walker on my lap. The man pushing my wheelchair (let’s call him Linus) took me through the security line, everything was fine. I put  my jacket and my hat, my shoes, and backpack up on  the X-ray machine conveyor belt. Linus asked an agent what he should do with my walker. I think the agent told him to just leave it next to me while I waited for a female agent since I can’t go through the scanner. At this point I should probably mention that my walker has three custom made pieces of leather covered in spike snapped securely around the front tube, and the front part of both handles. I fly fairly frequently, and often gate check it with no problem. I couldn’t get Bagheera out of her carrier by myself. So the female agent (referred to as Lucy) came to push me through to the screening area. She tested my hands, and went to start the pat down procedure. As far as I knew, everything was still fine. Then this other agent (referred to as Charlie Brown) walked over holding my spikes. Note: the snaps are fairly secure, and the the leather pieces fit fairly snugly. The agents conferred for a few minutes, and Lucy told me that it wasn’t allowed. The walker should have been checked. I would have to either go back out, and check it, or give up the spikes. For some reason, on this  particular day, after years of travel, my spikes were considered a weapon. It became clear to me that Charlie Brown, and Lucy were not going to let me through. Also, since I couldn’t get Bagheera of her carrier by myself, I would need a private screening. By  this time my plane was supposed to be boarding, as far as I knew.  I didn’t know it had been delayed again. Lucy asked me who was traveling with me. I imagine she thought I couldn’t possibly be  traveling alone.  By this time I was very upset, and afraid that I’d be stuck in Portland for days, possibly in the airport since the city pretty much shuts down when it snows.

My mom was meeting me at the airport in Orange County, and I needed her to know what was going on.  I called my mom on my phone so Lucy, and Charlie Brown could talk to her. I wanted to record what was happening but couldn’t since Lucy had my phone. I was just sitting there in the screening area with Bagheera on my lap, unsure of what to do next. Lucy talked to my mom for awhile, but I couldn’t really hear much of what was being said. My mom told me later that Lucy said that the decision had already been made- I could go back through, and miss my flight; or I could give up the spikes, and go through…but she could talk to Lucy’s supervisor. I guess Charlie Brown was Lucy’s supervisor since he got on the phone next.  I wasn’t really paying much attention, I was busy trying not to completely freak out, and I was watching the dark haired guy a few feet in front of me (Let’s call him Steve) pacing while he was talking on his phone-Steve turned out to be Charlie Brown’s supervisor. 

My mom talked to Charlie Brown for awhile.  From what I could make out so far, my walker should never have been allowed, and it could not go up under the plane with the spikes on it. I’d probably already missed my flight, and his hands were tied, and there were no options other than going back out or throwing away my spikes..  She asked to his supervisor and Charlie Brown handed Steve the phone. He was reluctant to talk to my mom. I later found out about the scenario that Steve was describing to my mom about what could happen if I were allowed to gate check my walker with the spikes. He was describing a scenario in which I suddenly decided to leap up, run through the plane, and was perfectly able to crawl into the baggage compartment, locate the walker, rip the spikes off it, and use the spikes to overpower the flight crew. Apparently, he thought I was an able bodied ninja, who didn’t actually need the walker or wheelchair?  My mom asked again if there were no other other options,  and Steve said “she could mail them, but I don’t even know if she has a credit card.”  So….. An able bodied ninja, who probably did not have a credit card?

We finally got everything mailed, and the agents called over someone else to run me to the gate. I still did not have my shoes on, and this woman had to run back to get the orthotic that was missing when I finally got my shoes back. I was still surrounded by people, though. By some miracle, I finally made it onto the plane.

By: Serenity Ebert

Today I was subject to an awful pat down. I was selected for random screening. I had already removed my coat and shoes when the random alarm went off. I was then told I had to remove a cotton vest I was wearing and I refused. I said, I removed my coat and I am not removing this cotton vest. The first TSA agent said I had to. I refused. They called a supervisor who came after making me wait 10 minutes and said I had to removed my scarf around my neck. I then entered the machine. I think they have buttons in the back where they can select to give you the yellow boxes because I JD one on my left shoulder and left hip
THERE WAS NOTHING ON MY SHOULDER AND NOTHING IN MY PANT POCKETS. I was wearing a watch on one hand and a bracelet on the other and yet neither on those rendered yellow boxes.
The agent then placed their hands inside my waistline all around. Now what does the inside of my waistline have to do with a yellow box on my left hip
She then patted down my crotch from the front and the back. Moved her hands all up and down my crotch and patted the front of my vagina as officer Swain and others watched strattera dosage. Seriously. This is what is keeping us safe in America? We have serious issues here if we continue to allow these TSA agents to exert their ignorances. TSA is an embarrassment to the USA
By: Angela Zotos

The stupid tsa employees are in LAX they don’t know passports from other countries
By: Ralph scott

I am so glad I found this site!! I’ve lived in East Boston for the majority of my life (33 yrs now) and I gotta say some of these TSA agents really lack common sense, tack professionalism and just manners. Where in the world do they hire these pervs and low life’s from!?! I fly out of Logan at least once a year to visit my brother in Florida and each time some of these TSA agents ask you the most obvious questions, “do you live in East Boston?” Yes sir I do, that’s what my Drivers License says, you know, the one you just saw…I had a female agent about the age of 50 slowly creep up to me while I tackle with the removal of my shoes and jacket to add to the mass of piled bins on their conveyer belt due to the lack of Supervision…she squints her eyes and proceeds to tell me to “pick up my pants!”. Yea granny give me a moment so I can collect myself…I am short and a little hefty, it’s gonna require a little work for us chubby guys.. you un-educated tack-less old shoe!! Massport or whomever please hire folks with at least a GED! Some of these clowns can barely contain their hatred of their position never mind their disdain for the sea of humanity that flow day in day out. Its like we’re cows being packed for the slaughter for their amusement!! Sick!!!
By: Sophal

(The problem is global. I will better if I can finally publish this)

I am not going to exaggerate or embellish at all here: truth is stranger than fiction.
Having already passed through the metal detector on my way through the security screen at the airport in Panama city, I watched people, men and women, in line ahead of me opening their pants for a dark haired, nervous   gentleman with an excited and happy look  on his face. One by one, every man and woman compliantly and readily opened the buckles and grippers at the front of their pants. The security inspector would lean forward slightly, look down the open pantolenes and then send the passenger on to the secure area and gates. How ridiculous, I thought. Is the metal detector ineffective? Then why use it? Does looking down a persons pants front at their underwear constitute a search? If only, I thought, I had Not worn undershorts that day – what a thrill the inspector would be treated to then. Perhaps that is what he was hoping for – a person, like a sockless Einstein, who does not wear underwear.
I understand that logic and common sense have no role in Security theater, but I was too disgusted to remain silent. When  I  had advanced to about 5th or 6th in line and saw clearly what was happening at the front I began guffawing and objecting loud enough to be heard well. ” Bullshit! Stupidity! Not me, Buster! Sickness and Insanity!” The nerrvous pervert at the front stepped back to me and asked confrontationally, “What’s your problem?” I told him, “Don’t touch me. This is sick!”  ” Come with me,” he ordered. I was taken to a small cubicle adjacent to the line and ordered to stand.  I told him, “No tocar!” The security inspector knelt down on his knees before me and an armed and uniformed security guard stood behind the inspector, looking over his head watching me. The inspector, on his knees in perfect position for giving a blow job, look up at me unwaveringly in my eyes as he then reached behind me, placed his hands on my buttocks, on hand on each side of my ass, and made gentle, circular motions with his hands, caressing my ass for about 6 or 7 seconds in this manner and looking up into my eyes the whole time. Needless to say I was shocked and disgusted by every aspect of this sick proceeding.
The inspector then rose to his feet and ordered me to drop my pants, which I did. What  would you do? I had a flight to catch,  a $900 nonrefundable ticket and serious business thousands of miles away. So I dropped my pants. The security inspector AND THE ARMED GUARD BEHIND HIM then stared intently and silently at the manly bulge at the front of my undershorts. Wordlessly, they both stared directly at my bulge steadily for a solid 30 seconds.  I was then told that I  pulled up my pants and walked out. Outside the cubicle I told the weirdo that he was crazy, and he asked me again, “What’s your problem?” I told  him I  had no problem, I have an opinion. I looked carefully at his name tag and told him that I wanted his name so I could write about him on the Internet. “I don’t care.” I forget his name, but he is one asshole whose face I will never forget.
I’ve been waiting a few months now to write my story as soon as I saw an appropriate article and had  the time. On my return trip, I  avoided passing through security in Panama by reserving a seat on a connecting flight instead of spending the night in Panama and continuing the next day. I sat instead in the Panama airport for 2 or 3 hours waiting for the connecting flight and letting the ticket for last leg of my return flight expire unused.
By all rights, in a normal world, I should have demanded that the creep summon his supervisor. I should then have demanded that the supervisor call for a city police officer – policia de Ciudad de Panama – and I should the have made a formal legal charge against both of the two creeps who abused me. Sexual assualt. And then of course I would be forever banned from every airport in theworld and unable to return home.
I told this story to a few people during thecourse of my travels exactly as I have here. Maybe nowthat I have made an Internet record of it I will feel a little better.

By: Marcos

Never seen such a bunch of hateful, mean TSA agents as I did at DFW Terminal D on 9/22/16. They were rude to everyone who didn’t go exactly to their expectations. You can tell they spend their break-times bitching about how much they hate travelers. 

F you TSA Dallas, you guys suck. 

By: Chris

LAX 2/22/2016

When I was sent though the 360 xray. They wanted to take me into a private room I as a stronge headed woman said no click this. What ever you do, do it here in the open. I did not realize the blouse I was wearing had metal threating running through it. I guess they were as blind as me.  To make a long story short, they found nothing. But when I went to retrieve my carry on items in my bind was a cell phone that was not mine. I brought it to the agent checking my laptop.  I handed it to him he said ok with his back to me he threw the cell phone into my case.  I found it when I got to New Zeland.  For whoever the phone belongs to I am sorry you lost it.  I was also told that 360 machine does off falsely quite often. 

Sorry again for the lost of cell at LAX, notiy me if it is yours that you lost on the same evening and I will return it to you,.. So much for these agants doing their job correctly now I wonder what I am missing.

Sincerely

B. Bowman

By: Barbara Bowman