Cancer survivors say TSA screenings humiliated them
In this Nov. 17 file photo, a Transportation Security Administration agent performs an enhanced pat-down on a traveler at a security area at Denver International Airport in Denver.
AP Photo | The Denver Post, Craig F. Walker
Outrage over TSA screenings has reached a fever pitch — at least in the media.
A number of cancer survivors are speaking out, saying TSA screeners humiliated them.
New this month, individuals who refuse a body scan that uses advanced imaging technology to see through clothing are subject to a more aggressive pat-down.
A Lansing man who survived bladder cancer said a TSA pat-down at Detroit Metro left him covered in his own urine, humiliated.
Thomas D. Sawyer, of Lansing, wears a urostomy bag as a result of cancer treatment. That bag broke during the screening, the Associated Press reported. According to the AP, the screeners did not apologize, and he plans to file a formal complaint.
A woman who survived breast cancer said she was humiliated when a TSA screener asked to see her prosthetic breast.
Cathy Bossi, a flight attendant from the Charlotte, North Carolina area, said the experience was horrific.
Not up to speed on the TSA outrage?
Here are a few of the latest links:
- Detroit Free Press: Body scans go too far, some say
- Wall Street Journal: TSA pat-downs here to stay
- Associated Press: TSA chief says body scan boycott would be mistake
- Huffington Post: TSA strip-search vids, parodies, flood the web
Take our poll and tell us what you think about body scans and pat-downs in the comments section below.
Juliana Keeping is a health and environment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
Ken
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 10:59 p.m.
Righthaven LLC has aquired the copyright to this image from the Denver Post and is now suing blogs and sites that have it on their sites. Remove the image quickly before it is too late. Your site comes up high in google search for the image so you are at a high risk of being sued.