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Another Day, Another TSA Groping Nightmare


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Mar 27, 2011

Modified Apr 26, 2012


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By

Jaya Saxena

Published Mar 27, 2011

Modified Apr 26, 2012


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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

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