TSA Chases Down Passenger at Airport Gate for an Enhanced Pat-down

March 28, 2011 at 3:36 PM | by Omri | Comments (9)

So far this month, our TSA stories have focused on how the agency's full-body scanners are more dangerous and less effective than the public was led to believe. We've also discussed how security officials tried to cover up those problems, in yet another example of TSA responding to criticism with "we know what's best for you so shut up" condescension. So focused have we been on the scanner issue that we've let a month go by without a story about how TSA bad apples abuse their power and humiliate passangers. Obviously things couldn't stay that way indefinitely.

Meet Nancy Campbell, a 33 year old woman who was reduced to tears after LaGuardia TSA tracked her down at her gate to give her a very public, three minute grope search. As is typical of TSA abuse stories, the agent made a point of patronizingly reminding Campbell that she was powerless, telling her "you can either continue on flailing about, or you can let me do my job. If you don't, you can't fly."

No one at the TSA has explained why a passenger needed to undergo an enhanced patdown after clearing security or why it had to happen that way, by that agent, with that treatment— but you'll be happy to know that they're looking into it.

The only thing we can imagine is that Campbell was supposed to get plucked out for a random screening, but for some reason she slipped through. Maybe someone was distracted, maybe there was a miscommunication, or maybe TSA agents picked out the wrong person, whatever. Then a supervisor told one of the agents "well you were supposed to search her, so go track her down and do your job," and that agent walked off in a huff and took her frustration out on Campbell. But the TSA website contradicts itself on whether randomly screened passengers get enhanced patdowns—no vs. yes—so who knows?

In any case, if the ultra-petite and obviously-not-a-threat Campbell had to get searched, it should have been done apologetically by someone who acknowledged that TSA had screwed up. She should have been given the option to go back to the screening area, which would have made the groping a normal search. Instead an ungracious agent turned her into a public spectacle, and had the nerve to tell her to behave better in the process. Typical.

[Photo: TSA]

Related Stories:
· Flier's TSA 'grope' nightmare [NY Post]
· LGA [Jaunted]
· Airport Security [Jaunted]

Comments (9)

Return to » TSA Chases Down Passenger at Airport Gate for an Enhanced Pat-down

Where are you getting that this passenger was "chased down" by TSA? And what's with the unbridled speculation...MAYBE someone was distracted, MAYBE there was a miscommunication, or MAYBE TSA agents picked out the wrong person??!! You have no idea what you're talking about. TSA has been doing random screening at gates for YEARS...it was well publicized and info is on the TSA website about it. This woman also said two other people were getting screened at the gate just like her...she was obviously not singled out. Stop speculating and "imagining" what might have happened and get your facts. If the pat down was too aggressive, she should absolutely complain. But who says she's "obviously not a threat." You know what terrorists look like now? Your coverage of this matter is a disgrace.

So, JJ Dillard, how long have you been working for the TSA?

Right on, @kweena!

@disgrace? - I don't work for TSA, but I am in the aviation industry. Though it hardly matters. My points are sound and someone needed to call Jaunted out for this ridiculous article. I'll be the first to criticize TSA when they screw up and if they did here, the officer should be held accountable. But this rabid speculation and "the only thing we can imagine..." is unprofessional.

What kind of TSA agent would go after passengers after they've cleared security? And does so at the gate? What would they have done if they found something - put her on display for public stoning?

sorry, but i'm going to take issue with the: "ultra-petite and obviously-not-a-threat Campbell." singling out people who "look like they might be a threat" is the first step down a slippery slope to a) racism and b) mistakes. i'm totally behind random screening. having said that, they definitely should have handled it better. i don't mind them at all, and i don't think they're "grope searches" but i wouldn't want to have it at the gate in front of everyone. i want some privacy/dignity.

I was travelling from BOS to India 2 Months back and TSA screwed up big time in my case in Boston. Apparently, the story they told me was, if one needed a special screening, the first TSA agent to check your ID will make a mark on the Boarding Pass. Then the security people will do a full screening. Having no clue of this, I cleared security without any special screening and was standing next to the security area for a full 1hr for a flight in the first gate next to the security area.I boarded the Jetblue flight and just sat in my seat, when the jetblue agent came running and asked me to come out with my baggage with little to no explanation. The flight was fully boarded & was ready to take off. She took me to the security area & the TSA did a full screening for 20mts or more while the flight waited.I just want to make my international connection and so I did not say anything. I feel it was stupid of TSA to let go of their duty and it then fell on the gate agent to find the mistake and clean it up, all the while keeping a fully boarded flight waiting.

This is just another incident displaying TSA employee arrogance! Anybody in the security field or with a brain knows this TSA is a charade!

jj dillard if you can rationalize the grope down of young children than you can rationalize anything...pathetic

Jaunted

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