Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Another Day, Another TSA Groping Nightmare


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Mar 27, 2011

Modified Apr 26, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Mar 27, 2011

Modified Apr 26, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Since the Transportation Security Administration rolled out their new full-body scanners in November, they've received over 1,000 complaints about TSA agents getting a little too friendly during "enhanced" pat downs, which travelers can opt for if they don't want to go through the scanners. And now they're apparently doing them just for kicks? Nancy Campbell, 33, tells the Post she was groped during a pat-down at LaGuardia Airport last week after she had cleared security.

Campbell says she was approaching her gate when a female TSA agent told her to drop her bags and stand spread-eagle. For three minutes the agent patted her down, touching her breasts, thighs and crotch. When Campbell protested, the agent told her, "You can either continue on flailing about, or you can let me do my job. If you don't, you can't fly." Campbell also says she was not given an option to pass through a scanner at the gate. Christopher Calabrese, legislative counsel for the ACLU, called it "very, very strange" that the TSA would be giving random pat-downs after passengers cleared security.

A TSA spokeswoman said, "We will certainly look into the specifics of this passenger's complaint. Officers are trained to conduct these pat-downs in a professional manner," but wouldn't give details on whether the agent's alleged actions violated protocols. And as with most things, Bloomberg says "deal with it."

Tagged

grope

laguardia airport

pat down

tsa

tsa follies


Jaya Saxena

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC

The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.

By

Brigid Bergin

,

Elizabeth Kim

and

Ben Feuerherd

Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET


Three people critically injured in Bronx vehicle crash

When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD.

By

Kaya Laterman

News

Three people critically injured in Bronx vehicle crash

When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD.

By

Kaya Laterman


NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says

By

Jon Campbell

Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill

By

David Brand

Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione

By

Samantha Max


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .