Patted at airport..felt very wrong. Where to report? What to do

LegacyUser

I was recently traveling back from France and the metal detector went of (ie beeped), I was asked if i could be searched and I said yes.

I was searched other times, the normal thing of you stand there they sense your arms, armpits, side of torso, hips etc before, this time it was kinda different, she took a long time , did went through all the spots twice, it felt wrong I was nearly in tears.

The next woman in the line had the same problem she was searched too and I could see she was not comfortable either.

I felt so bad afters, ie went to grab a coffee waiting for the plane but I just felt like what just happened was wrong, I felt invaded, I understand the searcher was doing her job and I didnt perceive that she was enjoying it in any way, but I think this kind of things shouldn't happen. I want to take action, for a start, I want to complain to the airport . Is this the best way to go about this?

I am very angry every time I think about this.

I have no idea if this is the right place to post it, but any advice or direction is very very welcome
Cheers

ABajaninCork

I don't think there's a lot you can do. I presume you're a woman and were searched by a woman?

It happens to me all the time as I wear silver bangles which I refuse to remove. The sensors go off, and I just move over to be searched. Happens so often, I don't even wait to be asked!

It's not nice. But it's in the interests of security which is why you were frisked. Don't take it personally, and certainly don't waste your time making a complaint. It'll only be ignored....

Blisterman

I'd just put it down to the person being overzealous and forget about it to be honest.

yawha

You're not really explaining what happened that was so wrong. Some airport security is stricter than others. If you're uncomfortable with being searched, make absolutely sure you have no metal on you next time.

Firetrap

To be honest, I think you're being a bit OTT about it unless there's something you didn't tell us. Unfortunately for us all, because of the terrorism in this decade, getting through airport security has turned into a big deal. They've gotten more thorough in the United States - there was a guy last year who famously said "Don't touch my junk". Some airports are more thorough than others and the woman in question was more than likely just following orders. For all you know, there could have been a security alert at that airport in the past and that is why they are more thorough. It was nothing personal and I doubt the security woman was getting kicks from the patting down.

Shelli2

I've been there too, been patted down in Dublin on numerous occasions, quick pat of pockets and sides of torso, job done. But once I was frisked in a Spanish airport, and they were alot more thorough, up and down each leg, right up into where my leg meets my groin area, right up under my bust and along the bra seams and under the seat of my trousers too. It was uncomfortable yes, but I chalked it up to a nasty experience and left it at that. I would much rather have someone do the job properly and be as safe as possible on the flight I'm about to board.

LegacyUser

If you want to travel by air you will be searched. That is not something you can complain about.

I understand the searcher was doing her job and I didnt perceive that she was enjoying it in any way

Well then tough. She did nothing wrong, you have no grounds for complaint. Diana Ross tried the same thing, she ended up in a cell.

tenchi-fan

I think airport pat-downs have got a lot more intrusive that to what most people are used to. i.e. quickly running their hands from your arms to the outside of your upper leg, almost as a formality knowing that a white person is unlikely to be a member of al queda.

In future, dress appropriately for airport travel. I recommend runners, no belt, no buckles and no crap in your pockets. You can leave all your coins and keys in your bag which goes through the machine, but make sure you are free from metal.

Morag

If you want to make a complaint to do to the airport management company.
Write down the details that you remember of the person who patted you down so that you have a record. You should not be made to feel they way you do.

IrishEyes19

this post is very vague. To be honest, you havent described how you felt invaded so to speak, but if Im being honest, its their job to check everywhere, not just for weapon like items, but signs of narcotics, offensive materials, ect. Tiny packages have been found that are illegal in the strangest of places, ie watch Airport security programs

Having said that, its your body and if you feel abused, you can make a complaint, but in light of the offences committed in today's world with terrorism, and so on, Im not sure it will stand. And I understand the idea that you would hardly look like someone who would be a terrorist or carry offensive materials, but who on earth can tell who does in all honesty. If we start listing possible look alikes here, there'll be an anti racist campaign started in seconds and rightly so.

Also, Im sure there are videos where you are searched and frisked, so maybe you can request to see that perhaps to prove your point if you follow up with a complaint

Azureus

I dont understand what upset you to the point of 'nearly in tears' ?
As you said yourself, you got no impression that the woman was enjoying it or anything, and it is just her job. A job which anybody who travels knows the importance of. Unless something untoward genuinely happened then I would just chalk this up to experience and let it go.

The fact that the woman behind you also looked uncomfortable means that this staff member was most likely just being very conscientious, she could have been new and trying to do everything by the book (whereas a lot of seasoned staff members would jsut do a quick run-over, what you were more used to) or they could have been on a higher security alert.

The way she was doing it sounds more like the correct way of searching to be honest, far too many staff are so lax when doing these searches that even if a person did have metal/narcotics/whatever on their person it would be missed.

By all means if you feel violated, complain, I dont think anybody should be made feel this way, but I genuinely I dont think that anything will come of it because thats what you should expect when you travel in this day and age, especially if you have metal etc on your person. If your post was a little clearer on the reasons you feel this way then maybe I would alter my opinion but from your description of events it sounds fairly standard. Nobody enjoys being searched, it can be anything from humiliating to a non-event depending on the type of person you are, but its part and parcel of modern day air travel.

Diddler1977

I think in different airports they have different ways of doing the pat down. When I was going through Brussels Airport I was patted down in a way that was much more thorough then in US Airports. The lady put her hands down the top of my trousers and felt all the way round the waist band on the inside. I was quite surprized as I was not expecting this. However, it was a lady who did the security check and I know that this is just the job she has to do.

prinz

scaredByscannign wrote: »

I just felt like what just happened was wrong, I felt invaded, I understand the searcher was doing her job and I didnt perceive that she was enjoying it in any way, but I think this kind of things shouldn't happen.

What kind of thing shouldn't happen? A thorough search? Security personnel doing their job and not getting any particular kick out of doing it properly? The fact that it wasn't just you singled out for 'special attention'? Yes, how dare you be treated the same as the next passenger, and presumably the ones who went before...

scaredByscannign wrote: »

I want to take action, for a start, I want to complain to the airport . Is this the best way to go about this?

On what grounds? Somebody just 'doing their job'? What do you suppose would come of it if you do complain? Just because you felt 'invaded' does not mean I will. How are they going to search anyone in future?

scaredByscannign wrote: »

I am very angry every time I think about this. I have no idea if this is the right place to post it, but any advice or direction is very very welcome
Cheers

Let it go. You really have no grounds to complain. Yes you felt uncomfortable, that's just something you are going to have to deal with. The next person is going to feel uncomfortable having their bags searched, it's all very subjective.

Oryx

I get patted down every single time I go through security in Gatwick. I joke with the staff now that it must be my metal fillings setting off the scanner, and I line up for my 'massage'. Yes, its thorough, and seems to be getting moreso over the years. But the staff are only doing their job, which is in our best interests.

I can understand that if you are uncomfortable with close touch like that, it can be a very unpleasant experience. But youve got to let it go. Noone did anything wrong. Airline travel is getting more unpleasant generally anyway, as airlines deal with tighter margins and airports have to manage us all as potential security threats.

Theres no point being angry. I was furious once at almost having my toiletries thrown away because I had forgotten to put them in the plastic bag, (thankfully I had one on me) it seemed a stupid rule. But the staff have to do their job by the letter, because if a breach is made to security, one bad call on their part could be the reason.

Ive found, especially with the staff who do the pat downs, that chatting to them normally has helped the whole experience. They are human, you know, and can empathise with your discomfort if you mention it, even though they have to do their job.

LegacyUser

Sharrow wrote: »

You should not be made to feel they way you do.

Actually, if the search was carried out fairly and politely then it doesn't matter how the person felt -his/her feelings are actually not the problem of the Airport Security.

They won't take the complaint seriously at all if the OP is just a sensitive person who 'felt invaded'. Unless there is something you are not telling us OP then you really won't get anywhere.

WindSock

It really depends on how you percieve the person on how they carried out their job. Did it feel to you like she was searching for anything that may be concealed, or that she was touching you in ways you deem inappropriate, ie rubbing, stroking, carressing in a manner in which she would get some sort of enjoyment out of?

How do you feel in general when strangers touch you, as in go to hug you or touch your shoulder? If you don't like the idea of physical contact then you would of course have an issue with being searched. But you need to know what is appropriate or not before you jump the gun and potentially cost someone their job.

Imhof Tank

WindSock wrote: »

It really depends on how you percieve the person on how they carried out their job. Did it feel to you like she was searching for anything that may be concealed, or that she was touching you in ways you deem inappropriate, ie rubbing, stroking, carressing in a manner in which she would get some sort of enjoyment out of?

How do you feel in general when strangers touch you, as in go to hug you or touch your shoulder? If you don't like the idea of physical contact then you would of course have an issue with being searched. But you need to know what is appropriate or not before you jump the gun and potentially cost someone their job.

You must not have read the OP, no?? It couldn’t have been made clearer that the OP did not feel the guard was “enjoying herself”

The notion that this incident could potentially cost someone their job – if you believe that then you badly need a reality check. Any letter of complaint in relation to this incident will go straight in the bin so don’t waste your time OP.

I used to set off the detectors in frankfurt every single time I went though, or so it felt like! Got a lot of pat downs and they were very thorough. They were very businesslike about it though and I mean, it is their job. One of them clearly didn't find anything (except underwire bra) and asked a colleague did they think the detector was too sensitive.
By comparison with dublin airport they were clear in explaining I was just a random check, asked me outright "do you mind if I pat you down now" and went through it like a formality... I'd say maybe other airports are more thorough than ours.

I think all you can do is make sure to avoid metal in future going through the machines and move on from it. I am sorry you felt so badly about it but judging by what you've said it looks like the problem here is yours and not theirs.

ztoical

Without the OP coming back and expanding on their first post it's hard to say in relation to their case what was wrong and what wasn't. How often does the OP travel and have they been patted down before is a major factor as if you've nothing to compare to then it was going to feel wrong no matter what but if the OP has been patted down before and really feels this time was different then I think they should write a letter to the airport managment.

I don't get this attitude people have that it's not worth the effort and it's all in the line of airport security so we shouldn't complain. If you really felt what happened was no right then you report it. Yes they might ignore one letter but if several people report the same person then it will be looked into. Airport security is a job like any other and if retail staff were rude to you you'd ask to see a manager and/or write to head office. Frankly I find alot of airport security people to be some of the rudest people going mainly because people won't say boo to them because they feel they've got some sort of control over you. I travel alot [had 6 flights in April just gone] and have been patted down a number of times and have reported one person who slapped me across the leg and yelled at me when she wasn't happy how I was standing. And it doesn't matter about what your wearing, I've had the alarm go off when wearing flip flops, a skirt and a t-shirt and nothing else. When I asked why it went off they just said it goes off randomly during the course of the day.

prinz

ztoical wrote: »

I don't get this attitude people have that it's not worth the effort and it's all in the line of airport security so we shouldn't complain...

Complain if you've been mistreated. Nothing in the OP sounds remotely out of the ordinary. That's why people are advising the poster to get over it.

ztoical wrote: »

Airport security is a job like any other and if retail staff were rude to you you'd ask to see a manager and/or write to head office..

Agreed, but there is no suggestion of that here whatsoever.

WindSock

Imhof Tank wrote: »

You must not have read the OP, no?? It couldn’t have been made clearer that the OP did not feel the guard was “enjoying herself”

The notion that this incident could potentially cost someone their job – if you believe that then you badly need a reality check. Any letter of complaint in relation to this incident will go straight in the bin so don’t waste your time OP.

Yes I read the op, there is no harm in asking the question again of the op to re confirm, and yes it may be taken seriously if there is a letter of complaint that someone was touched inappropriately, I for one would hope so anyway.

LegacyUser

Im mid 20s female. Flying through Copenhagen I was searched by a man in his 50s with giant hands. (I would have gotten a woman if i asked, but I had no time to wait) Thorough search... up and down arms and legs, around my boobs and down my waist in a nice firm stroking gesture. 5 seconds felt like 5 hours. It was horrible. However it was completely professional and I just tried not to think about it. They need to do it and I prefer them being too thorough than the opposite!

I think your experience sounded pretty average.

tinkerbell

What's the problem here - where did the searcher touch you? I got patted down the last time I was travelling and it was just hands out, and they checked down my sides and down my legs. There's nothing inappropriate about it.

Now if the woman was feeling up your boobs, front parts and your ass then obviously there'd be a problem but without you expanding on your original post, then we don't know what happened. I have read about episodes going through security in various countries throughout the world of people being touched down there during security checks which is obviously completely inappropriate and that would be a massive reason to report it. Clearly that would be the person abusing their authority to cop a feel.

I think that airport searches need to happen, however you should not be made feel like you are a criminal just because you are at the airport. So if you are made feel that way, then you should report it.

gosuckonalemon

OP the women was doing her job. They would laugh at such a complaint.
If something upsets you like this you should really just take the boat instead.

amdublin

necessary evil wrote: »

Im mid 20s female. Flying through Copenhagen I was searched by a man in his 50s with giant hands. (I would have gotten a woman if i asked, but I had no time to wait) Thorough search... up and down arms and legs, around my boobs and down my waist in a nice firm stroking gesture. 5 seconds felt like 5 hours. It was horrible. However it was completely professional and I just tried not to think about it. They need to do it and I prefer them being too thorough than the opposite!

I think your experience sounded pretty average.

This is complete bullsh1t my dear. Unless you look like a man and a male official searched you in error. Do you look like a man?

Op - some airports are more thorough than others. I was searched recently in London. The lady put her hands together as if she was praying and went down the middle and under my breasts. Got the shock of my life! But I appreciate she was just doing her job.

deisemum

Are security allowed to put their hand inside your bra and feel around to see if you've anything concealed?

Earlier this week I read about a 65 year old woman who got the shock of her life when the security person put her hand inside the woman's clothing and inside her bra while being checked. This was in Schipol airport.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Dilynnio

A mate of mine travelling on her own from UAE awhile ago was stopped and searched there the only reason being that she was alone!

They literally rolled up two make shift curtain rails against the wall in full view of everyone in the airport and a make shift cold metal table.

Got her to strip off all her clothes and searched her.

No one spoke or asked her questions. Treated horrendously.

Then told to dress and they pulled the curtain away and left her standing there in full view of everyone.

Now that is invasive and frightening!

Firetrap

The OP said "I was searched other times, the normal thing of you stand there they sense your arms, armpits, side of torso, hips etc before, this time it was kinda different, she took a long time , did went through all the spots twice, it felt wrong I was nearly in tears."

So is she getting upset because the woman took longer to search her than the customary pat-down that a lot of us have had in airports? I'm not seeing anything in that regarding being groped or asked to strip.

Miaireland

To be honest with you I think that you are over reacting. I have been frisked down many times in airports and never had a problem with it. I remember being frisked in Edinburgh once and not to be gross but the woman who carried it out could probably tell that I was wearing a tampon and she actually lifted my bra to check under the wire part.. It wasn't pleasant but she was just doing her job.

I just try to avoid wearing anything that has metal in it and remove my shoes at security now.

I can't see you getting anywhere complain. As you said she got no pleasure in doing it.

JimmyCrackCorn

It happened to me years ago.

I got touched where i wasn't expecting and my automatic reaction was to prep to swing at security out of shock.

Ill never forget the look on the poor guys face when he saw me standing over him saying "what the helll aaa ammmm....." with a clenched fist not knowing what just happened but knowing what happened all at the same time. The other security panicked two getting ready to jump me.

Luckily I was confused/shocked and just took a step back and looked around took a deep breath and everyone relaxed.

A little warning would have been nice so I didn't panic and knew what to expect.

LegacyUser

Thanks all for answering, OP here

to sum up it seems like you are saying : get over it, you are oversensitive.

Just to note: I was wearing trainers, jeans and a t shirt, I dont wear any kind of jewelry.
I didnt have anything obvious that would trigger the metal detector.

banie01

scaredByscannign wrote: »

Thanks all for answering, OP here

to sum up it seems like you are saying : get over it, you are oversensitive.

Just to note: I was wearing trainers, jeans and a t shirt, I dont wear any kind of jewelry.
I didnt have anything obvious that would trigger the metal detector.

Which in fairness is an excellent reason for the security guard to ensure they did a thorough search don't ya think?

The scanner went off without an obvious trigger!
I'd expect that a close search be undertaken to rule out anything hidden.

O.P Noone likes having their personal space violated....
Its an intrusion!
But its the price to paid for flying these days, while the likelihood of being unlucky enough to be on a flight taken by terrorists is even more remote than the likelihood of being in a plane crash....
If I was in such a situation....
I'd be fair pissed of if one of the hijackers got on my flight armed with anything because they

scaredByscannign wrote: »

didnt have anything obvious that would trigger the metal detector.

And security thought 'ah well.....Sure they don't look like they're a threat' and left them off!
If being subject to that level of scrutiny is an issue for you then maybe don't fly?
Because I can't see security standards lessening anytime soon

Elessar

OP I work in aviation security and this girl was just doing her job. The metal detectors randomly select people to search as well as detecting objects. So if you didn't have any metal on you you can still be searched.

We do this hundreds of times a day. Everyone has different standards of what is and is not uncomfortable when it comes to being frisked. But realise that we are not there for the fun of it, but to protect you and everyone else flying with you from people who would seek to harm you. A lot of people either don't care or don't realise this.

Without sounding harsh, you did agree to be searched. You cannot be touched without your consent. I won't get into specifics of where or how you were searched as that is a security issue. But realise everyone get's searched the same, without exception.

Karen23

A group of us we travelling through Liverpool Airport recently and one girl had dungarees on and the buckle set the detector off , there were male searchers and one female , the female called her over to be searched and her male collegue pointed out she was 15 and couldnt be searched unaccompanied , the searcher said she didnt care how old she was and proceeded to search her in a very forceful manner and put her hand down the inside of her waistband and when an adult went over she told her to back where she was. After a very thorough search she let her go. Then my Aunt went through and she was also stopped and searched by her. She had been searched before so she knew the procedure but she also felt the search was way too intrusive. I've no problem with being searched and completely understand the security measures but I've never seen anyone being searched the way those two were that day.

taram

amdublin wrote: »

This is complete bullsh1t my dear. Unless you look like a man and a male official searched you in error. Do you look like a man?

Not true, I went through Copenhagen last weekend, was searched by a man, they have signs asking if you want, you can have your own gender search you. Have had a man in Stansted search me to, but he asked first if I wanted to wait for a woman.

Lorrrrraine

scaredByscannign wrote: »

to sum up it seems like you are saying : get over it, you are oversensitive.

I don't think you're being over-sensitive. I think the some of the responses have been a bit harsh. People need to take into account that, though something might not impact on them, it can be a massive deal for another. For instance, it's noted victims of sexual abuse can have negative reactions to being touched regardless of how much time has passed since the incident/s. (OP, I'm not suggesting that you might be a victim, just trying to give some people the idea that not everyone takes things the same way, with good reason)

In general, I think it's very understandable to be uncomfortable with a stranger getting this up close and personal; I had an american pat-down at the end of last year and it made me squirm.

If you don't think that the guard went too far then it wouldn't be right to report the incident. Also, a letter of complaint about searching in general will not do much good. Can you maybe be more precise about what aspect of it got to you, if you think it was just a standard procedure?

RandolphEsq

JimmyCrackCorn wrote: »

It happened to me years ago.

I got touched where i wasn't expecting and my automatic reaction was to prep to swing at security out of shock.

Ill never forget the look on the poor guys face when he saw me standing over him saying "what the helll aaa ammmm....." with a clenched fist not knowing what just happened but knowing what happened all at the same time. The other security panicked two getting ready to jump me.

Luckily I was confused/shocked and just took a step back and looked around took a deep breath and everyone relaxed.

A little warning would have been nice so I didn't panic and knew what to expect.

lol "what a psycho" would be my thought if I was in the queue behind you.

Lorrrrraine wrote: »

I don't think you're being over-sensitive. I think the some of the responses have been a bit harsh. People need to take into account that, though something might not impact on them, it can be a massive deal for another. For instance, it's noted victims of sexual abuse can have negative reactions to being touched regardless of how much time has passed since the incident/s. (OP, I'm not suggesting that you might be a victim, just trying to give some people the idea that not everyone takes things the same way, with good reason)

In general, I think it's very understandable to be uncomfortable with a stranger getting this up close and personal; I had an american pat-down at the end of last year and it made me squirm.

If you don't think that the guard went too far then it wouldn't be right to report the incident. Also, a letter of complaint about searching in general will not do much good. Can you maybe be more precise about what aspect of it got to you, if you think it was just a standard procedure?

By flying one accepts there are certain security procedures to undertake. Don't like them? Don't fly. It is that simple. But if a person is felt up as opposed to patted down then obviously there is something wrong but unfortunately the victims of sexual abuse will be overly sensitive to any sort of touching from another person so it should be backed up by a witness, or else there is zero chance of any recourse.

Lorrrrraine

RandolphEsq wrote: »

lol "what a psycho" would be my thought if I was in the queue behind you.



By flying one accepts there are certain security procedures to undertake. Don't like them? Don't fly. It is that simple. But if a person is felt up as opposed to patted down then obviously there is something wrong but unfortunately the victims of sexual abuse will be overly sensitive to any sort of touching from another person so it should be backed up by a witness, or else there is zero chance of any recourse.

Okay, some victims of abuse may cope perfectly with being touched. Others might have a one off bad reaction. Others might not be able to cope it. It's wrong to assume what you've assumed. I realise that my post is an off topic reponse to an off topic response but I don't want the OP, or others who are reading this, to feel like they're being told to put up or shut up.

Lorrrrraine

Lorrrrraine wrote: »

I don't want the OP, or others who are reading this, to feel like they're being told to put up or shut up.

It's not that it's a case of put up or shut up. If it was out of order behaviour then fine. But what's being said is that without actually saying what the security guard did wrong, it seems that maybe the issue is with the OP and not the guard, and that it's wrong to potentially cost someone their job (extreme scenario, I know) because someone is uncomfortable with a procedure that they're accepting might happen to them when they buy a plane ticket.

In an ideal scenario, the OP would have refused to be frisked as soon as she felt she had a problem with it. I know she probably felt awkward, etc., and wouldn't have wanted to give up her ticket, but I don't think it would be fair to report someone to their boss unless there was a clear breach of professional procedure.

Lorrrrraine

true-or-false wrote: »

It's not that it's a case of put up or shut up. If it was out of order behaviour then fine. But what's being said is that without actually saying what the security guard did wrong, it seems that maybe the issue is with the OP and not the guard, and that it's wrong to potentially cost someone their job (extreme scenario, I know) because someone is uncomfortable with a procedure that they're accepting might happen to them when they buy a plane ticket.

In an ideal scenario, the OP would have refused to be frisked as soon as she felt she had a problem with it. I know she probably felt awkward, etc., and wouldn't have wanted to give up her ticket, but I don't think it would be fair to report someone to their boss unless there was a clear breach of professional procedure.

Yes, I totally agree that the OP should not report the guard unless there was a clear breach and I said that above.

amdublin

Would be helpful if the op would outline specifically what the official did that they felt uncomfortable with.

Pwpane

Elessar wrote: »

OP I work in aviation security and this girl was just doing her job. The metal detectors randomly select people to search as well as detecting objects. So if you didn't have any metal on you you can still be searched.

We do this hundreds of times a day. Everyone has different standards of what is and is not uncomfortable when it comes to being frisked. But realise that we are not there for the fun of it, but to protect you and everyone else flying with you from people who would seek to harm you. A lot of people either don't care or don't realise this.

Without sounding harsh, you did agree to be searched. You cannot be touched without your consent. I won't get into specifics of where or how you were searched as that is a security issue. But realise everyone get's searched the same, without exception.

I've been searched several times. I've never been informed that I have a choice. What do you mean? If I don't agree, what then?

A group of us we travelling through Liverpool Airport recently and one girl had dungarees on and the buckle set the detector off , there were male searchers and one female , the female called her over to be searched and her male collegue pointed out she was 15 and couldnt be searched unaccompanied , the searcher said she didnt care how old she was and proceeded to search her in a very forceful manner and put her hand down the inside of her waistband and when an adult went over she told her to back where she was.

This doesn't sound like agreeing to be searched!

amdublin

By entering the airport and the security area you are consenting to being searched.

The only sure way not to be search is not to fly.

Elessar

Pwpane wrote: »

I've been searched several times. I've never been informed that I have a choice. What do you mean? If I don't agree, what then?

What do you think?

Then you are not permitted through into the Security Restricted Area (airside) and subsequently do not board your flight. You are always asked (read: should always be asked) whether it is ok for you to be searched.

amdublin

I've just noticed the ops username/guest name.

"scaredbyscanning"

Op - did the searcher physically touch you or just scan you with wand??

Pwpane

Elessar wrote: »

What do you think?

Then you are not permitted through into the Security Restricted Area (airside) and subsequently do not board your flight. You are always asked (read: should always be asked) whether it is ok for you to be searched.

As already mentioned, in the case of the young girl in Liverpool there was no permission sought. A teacher in school is not allowed touch the child's shoulder but this is acceptable and praiseworthy?

The problem, I suppose, is not whether searches should be carried out but the manner of them. People willingly allow a search, but have not bargained for the type of search that sometimes happens which is experienced as an assault. Travellers are not convicted prisoners. If there is a security query about what is behind the wire of your bra or inside your underpants, there are other ways to find out than sudden man-handling.

Over 'zealous' security personnel should not be exempt from criticism.

lynsalot

Hi OP,

You've not given much detail into the actual search so I can't advise on whether it was inappropriate or not to be fair.

However if you are angered by it then you should complain and why not? Perhaps the sec staff was only doing his job, perhaps not. If you felt violated let the airport know. What's stopping you?

If it turns out, that the person in question was only doing her job then they'll tell you that. Nothing ventured nothing gained. You've nothing to lose by complaining.

I'd start by contacting their website... otherwise give citizens advice & they might have some details on whose in charge there.