Strip-Searched Grandma Says TSA Removed Her Underwear

[Shadow]

An 84-year-old New York grandmother says she was “mortified” after being strip-searched by TSA agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport last week.
Lenore Zimmerman of Long Island said she was on her way to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., when security whisked her away to a private room without explanation after she asked to forgo the full-body scan, fearing it might interfere with her defibrillator.
“They took me into a private room and pulled down my slacks and pulled down my underwear” without explanation or apology, Zimmerman told ABC News.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headline...her-underwear/

[Noir]

That is unbelievable, if true.

[jimnyc]

That is unbelievable, if true.

Agreed, but I'm leaning towards not true. Not only does the TSA deny it happened, the only footage available supports their story, including the timeline. I believe a lot of the shit being blamed on the TSA, but this one seems to odd to be true. The video "should" show her in the screening room a lot longer, and a fuss about the place afterwards, which it doesn't. And if she was in/out fairly quick as the TSA and footage suggest, then why is she stating she was in there forever and missed her flight as a result?

The TSA needs SOME sort of oversight as to what happens in these rooms, to protect not only the passengers but also themselves.

[Shadow]

Agreed, but I'm leaning towards not true. Not only does the TSA deny it happened, the only footage available supports their story, including the timeline. I believe a lot of the shit being blamed on the TSA, but this one seems to odd to be true. The video "should" show her in the screening room a lot longer, and a fuss about the place afterwards, which it doesn't. And if she was in/out fairly quick as the TSA and footage suggest, then why is she stating she was in there forever and missed her flight as a result?

The TSA needs SOME sort of oversight as to what happens in these rooms, to protect not only the passengers but also themselves.

I'm surprised they haven't thought of doing that already. Unless they think it has the potiential to backfire on them.

[cadet]

I'm surprised they haven't thought of doing that already. Unless they think it has the potiential to backfire on them.

Well, then they could be sued for filming people being searched, and of course, somebody would claim they're selling sex tapes.

[Kathianne]

Well, then they could be sued for filming people being searched, and of course, somebody would claim they're selling sex tapes.

and you can bet that some idiot would be taped watching such searches and laughing or jerking off. Seriously.

[Psychoblues]

I'm certain the TSA agents really got off looking at that 85 year old woman. I was once a Security Manager at a casino. I often responded to various situations involving women. If I needed to be in a private situation with her I always had a female officer with me. If the situation was of a personal nature I turned the matter over to my female accomplice and got another female to accompany her. I don't think we ever encountered a single problem with that policy.

Psychoblues

[Noir]

I'm certain the TSA agents really got off looking at that 85 year old woman. I was once a Security Manager at a casino. I often responded to various situations involving women. If I needed to be in a private situation with her I always had a female officer with me. If the situation was of a personal nature I turned the matter over to my female accomplice and got another female to accompany her. I don't think we ever encountered a single problem with that policy.

Psychoblues

If you read the story you'd know the TSA agents invloved were women. And in any case you can't just assume they're in the wrong with no supporting evidence.

[Psychoblues]

If you read the story you'd know the TSA agents invloved were women. And in any case you can't just assume they're in the wrong with no supporting evidence.

Noir, I haven't assumed anything at all and I am in agreement with all you and others say here. I was simply sharing my own personal experiences and that we never had a single problem with it. What if those TSA agents were geezer dykes and were lusting after the old broad?



Psychoblues

[ConHog]

This story stinks to high heaven.

PS I would be SHOCKED if there isn't a video of the woman being searched. That's pretty much standard operating procedure for 2 reasons.

1. Provide video evidence in case a trial is necessary

2. Provide video evidence in case of claims like this.

[Psychoblues]

This story stinks to high heaven.

PS I would be SHOCKED if there isn't a video of the woman being searched. That's pretty much standard operating procedure for 2 reasons.

1. Provide video evidence in case a trial is necessary

2. Provide video evidence in case of claims like this.

You would be very wrong, CH. There is video like that in jail, prisons, military interrogation and other formal detention entities but simple airport screening, incident interviewing and the likes are almost never videotaped and I know of none except in jails and prisons that would videotape anyone in their most private or naked conditions. And like you, I think the story stinks to high heaven.

Psychoblues

[ConHog]

You would be very wrong, CH. There is video like that in jail, prisons, military interrogation and other formal detention entities but simple airport screening, incident interviewing and the likes are almost never videotaped and I know of none except in jails and prisons that would videotape anyone in their most private or naked conditions. And like you, I think the story stinks to high heaven.

Psychoblues

I have no idea what you're talking about PB, but when the TSA takes you into a private room to search you, you are in fact formally being detained. I say again, I would be SHOCKED if such searches aren't recorded, and I don't believe ANYONE has ever been told to strip down without VERY good cause IE a dog hit for drugs or explosives.

[Psychoblues]

I have no idea what you're talking about PB, but when the TSA takes you into a private room to search you, you are in fact formally being detained. I say again, I would be SHOCKED if such searches aren't recorded, and I don't believe ANYONE has ever been told to strip down without VERY good cause IE a dog hit for drugs or explosives.

Those people are not, I repeat, are not under arrest of any kind and TSA would be taking on a tremendous risk and responsibility that they DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE if they were to be caught videotaping these exams. This does not prevent them from being sued anyway but with more than one agent in the examining room the burden of proof will lie on the complainant to credibly dispute the eyewitness accounts, notes and narratives of the examiners and that would be a tough nut to crack for any legal team.


Psychoblues

[ConHog]

Those people are not, I repeat, are not under arrest of any kind and TSA would be taking on a tremendous risk and responsibility that they DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE if they were to be caught videotaping these exams. This does not prevent them from being sued anyway but with more than one agent in the examining room the burden of proof will lie on the complainant to credibly dispute the eyewitness accounts, notes and narratives of the examiners and that would be a tough nut to crack for any legal team.


Psychoblues

detained =/= arrested. And certainly when you are taken into a backroom for questioning and or searching by the TSA you are being detained, legally no different than if you are pulled over by a police officer. You're not under arrest then either, but try driving away and see what happens.

[revelarts]

I'm not sure why this story isn't credible to some, based on what we already seen the TSA do before it;s not far fetched.
And the woman doesn't seem to have an agenda. I'm mean is she just a crazy old biddy or something?
either way the TSA has done enough other dirty deeds that this is just another log on the fire.
I hope the TSA is abolished soon.