Perhaps the most insidious component of the TSA’s enhanced pat-down procedure rolled out in October 2010 was the part where TSA screeners were required to “meet resistance” between your legs. That is, they would cup your ankle with their hands and move their hands upward until “something” stopped them. That “something” being your genitals, of course.
The last few pat-downs I’ve had, however, have taken a different approach: instead of starting at the bottom and moving up, they’ve started at the top (front or back of thigh) and moved down. This makes it significantly less likely for them to bump into “sensitive areas,” whether by accident or as part of the procedure.
I tried asking two of the screeners if things had changed (they’re not supposed to say — that’s a secret, you know! — but I figured I’d ask anyway). One of them replied that some screeners do it differently, and that was just how he did it, and the other said it’s been that way for years. So, I’m curious: those of you who have had pat-downs within the last 6 months, did they start from the top or botttom of your legs?
Professional Troublemaker ® 
November 25, 2013 at 5:41 pm
We flew in Aug. of this year and I opted for the pat down. This was the first time I had flown since they instituted the scanners. I do not remember the order they used but they definitely didn’t “cup” me anywhere. Btw, we flew to Jamaica and on the way back Jamaica’s security procedures only included metal detectors and the plane somehow survived a terrorist attack.
November 25, 2013 at 5:55 pm
I have flown internationally between South America and the US several times and the most recent was about 2 years ago. I’ve been fortunate enough that I haven’t had a “pat down” as I’ve heard about so many having and I haven’t felt violated…but it doesn’t mean I don’t think its happening across the nation or that I’m not tapped into what’s really going on. It just means I’ve been lucky. I’ve also been fortunate enough, for whatever reason, that they haven’t completely searched my luggage when re-entering the US on my trips home.
I can say, however, that coming back into the US is a terrifying experience. Even being born and raised here, the questions they ask you feel like you should have WMD’s or heroine in your luggage. The procedures you have to go through sometimes are very dramatic. While I wasn’t “patted down” or anything on my last trip home from Peru, I saw plenty of people being subjected to it as well as having their suitcases completely dumped out and disheveled out in the open in a large room on large tables, which was uncomfortable enough. I thought that’s why they had scanners? I feel like a lot of times they go to these extremes as a kind of psych-warfare, but that’s just my opinion.
I’m too afraid to fly now honestly and I’ve had many opportunities to do so recently. If I do fly again anytime soon I’ll be sure to report my findings.
November 26, 2013 at 7:35 am
TSA Spent $900 Million on Behavior Detection Officers Who Detected 0 Terrorists:
The TSA spent approximately $900 million over the last 5 years for behavior detection officers to identify high-risk passengers but, so far, according to the General Accountability Office (GAO), only 0.59% of the passengers flagged were arrested and among those not one was charged with terrorism – zero.
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/tsa-spent-900-million-behavior-detection-officers-who-detected-0
November 26, 2013 at 7:49 am
TSA latest B/S claim: ‘Exploding boobs’ are the #1 terrorist threat in our airports:
http://www.guns.com/2013/11/25/funny-die-exploding-boobs-tsas-number-one-terrorist-threat-video/#!
November 26, 2013 at 9:26 am
Maybe it’s boredom with the procedures (which we complained would happen when they rolled out these stupid procedures), and more likely it’s just TSA’s famous consistent inconsistency to keep “terrorists” on edge. I haven’t entered an airport in some time, though I would add that your experience mirror mine when these offensive assaults began. Sometimes the really zealous ones who take this job way too seriously would really jam their hands in to my resistance, and sometimes the really fat ones that didn’t want to be on their knees would slide their hands down. Apparently I didn’t need to be taught a lesson that day.
IOW, like everything with TSA, YMMV. TL; DR: what you describe was going on 2 years ago, as well.
November 28, 2013 at 12:42 am
i always get the pat down since i have had a knee replacement. this pat down is very invasive and they touch parts of me that are biblically reserved for my husband. these nazi gestapo need to be stopped and arrested and also for their thievery from suitcases. the tsa all need to be rounded for the perverts they are and put in jail.
November 29, 2013 at 10:57 am
Coming soon to an airport near you: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to be used on bottles
http://www.lanl.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2013/November/11.25-magray-screening.php
November 29, 2013 at 10:57 am
Espy and the MagRay team explain how the new technology works:
November 29, 2013 at 1:35 pm
(VIDEO) Protected by TSA on Thanksgiving Week? A Storybook Fairy Tale
November 29, 2013 at 4:23 pm
Grandma Got Molested At The Airport:
December 2, 2013 at 9:31 am
DHS Googling Travelers Before They Enter U.S.?
An online search leads to Richardson’s book that documented how she became paralyzed and about her bouts of depression. So are CBP agents “Googling” people, or checking social media posts to vet visas? DHS isn’t saying anything other than privacy laws prevent the agency from discussing specific cases. Richardson said she’s “been on several cruises since 2001, all of which required U.S. flights, with no problems.”
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/84360
December 2, 2013 at 9:56 am
Crony Capitalism Drives Airport Security:
http://intellihub.com/2013/12/02/crony-capitalism-drives-airport-security/
December 3, 2013 at 2:40 pm
TSA Go Away Day:
http://www.infowars.com/tsa-go-away-day/
December 4, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Domestic July 2013 round-trip flight. Pat down started from ankle and worked up to genitals at both airports.
December 5, 2013 at 6:59 am
No-Fly list lawsuit takes bizarre turn as gov’t put witness on no fly list, then denies having done so:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20131204/10434025453/dhs-puts-witness-trial-over-legality-no-fly-list-no-fly-list-making-her-late-her-testimony.shtml
December 5, 2013 at 7:00 am
Witness in “no-fly” trial finds she’s on “no-fly” list too:
http://www.papersplease.org/wp/2013/12/02/witness-in-no-fly-trial-finds-shes-on-no-fly-list-too/
December 5, 2013 at 9:13 am
Existing airports through futuristic glass pods:
The supplier of the portals, New York City-based Eagle Security Group, Inc.,has confirmed that other airports are looking to adopt the pods. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania), who wants to keep the TSA in charge of monitoring airport exits, says that shifting the responsibility to local airports could cost Philadelphia International Airport about $2 million a year.
Syracuse airport has installed eight portals earlier this year at a total cost of roughly $750,000, a savings over time, since it would cost $580,000 per year to staff each exit with a security guard.
‘‘So when compared with the cost to install the portals, they will have paid for themselves and begin saving the airport money in little over a year,’’ said Syracuse aviation commissioner Christina Callahan. ‘‘Certainly funding is limited for staffing,’’ she said. ‘‘Airports are going to have to find other ways to keep up with mandates.’’
Atlantic City airport saves an estimated $300,000 a year, according to South Jersey Transportation Authority spokesman Kevin Rehmann. The airport installed five portals in 2009, but upgraded the portals last year as part of a $25 million terminal renovation.
http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20131205-existing-airports-through-futuristic-glass-pods
December 6, 2013 at 10:03 am
More Airports Set to Install TSA ‘Detention Pods’
Atlantic City International Airport has installed five cylinder-shaped glass exit portals since 2009, which save about $280,000 a year in staffing, said airport spokesman Kevin Rehmann.
Other airports, including those in Philadelphia, Seattle and Las Vegas, are also a step ahead of the issue. They have some unmanned portals that replace paid officers.
The American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International-North America petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit asking the TSA to delay implementation until the court ruled on the “merits” of the legal challenge.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/atlantic-city-airport-ahead-of-the-curve-on-controversial-new/article_3d0abaaa-5e1a-11e3-bf3d-001a4bcf887a.html
December 6, 2013 at 10:17 am
House Bill to stop TSA from stealing loose change from passengers:
The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) have been collecting change left behind by travelers at airports and using it toward the civil aviation security (CAS).
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the CAS is an international security agency that relies on intelligence on passengers to determine an individual’s threat level.
In 2012 the TSA have an estimated $531,395 in dimes, pennies and nickels that have not been attributed to the CAS.
In fact, only about $6,500 has been spent toward the CAS, according to a report by the House of Representatives.
It will take legislation by the House to force the TSA to give this change to non-profit organization. HR 1095, entitled, “TSA Loose Change Act” has been approved by the House and is being considered in the Senate.
H.R. 1095: TSA Loose Change Act
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1095
December 6, 2013 at 10:18 am
TSA loose change act 2013:
Click to access CRPT-113hrpt274.pdf
December 12, 2013 at 8:49 am
Under the guise of terrorism: Counter-terrorism teams will be on patrol at shopping malls and commuter trains stations:
http://massprivatei.blogspot.com/2013/12/under-guise-of-terrorism-ny-counter.html
December 20, 2013 at 10:41 am
Opted out of a body scanner in Kansas City a few days ago. A trainee gave the pat down which is a good opportunity to see what is actually being required. She was very thorough. In terms of starting position on the legs, she started near the top and raised her hands until she met resistance and then worked her way down. Just went through security in Ft. Myers and luckily met a metal detector (didn’t even need to remove my shoes). They did have a body scanner in use for a different line though.