TSA: 4-Year-Old Gives Grandma A Hug, Becomes A "Suspect"
Chris Morran on Consumerist excerpts a Facebook post from a Montana mom, Michelle Brademeyer, who was flying home from Kansas with her two young children and their grandmother. Grandma apparently triggered some alarm at the checkpoint, and was forced to have a seat and wait to be groped by an agent. That's when the 4-year-old ran over to give Granny a hug. Sweet -- until the TSA went all police state on them. The mother writes:
They made very brief contact, no longer than a few seconds. The Transportation Security Officers(TSO) who were present responded to this very simple action in the worst way imaginable.First, a TSO began yelling at my child, and demanded she too must sit down and await a full body pat-down. I was prevented from coming any closer, explaining the situation to her, or consoling her in any way. My daughter, who was dressed in tight leggings, a short sleeve shirt and mary jane shoes, had no pockets, no jacket and nothing in her hands. The TSO refused to let my daughter pass through the scanners once more, to see if she too would set off the alarm. It was implied, several times, that my Mother, in their brief two-second embrace, had passed a handgun to my daughter.
My child, who was obviously terrified, had no idea what was going on, and the TSOs involved still made no attempt to explain it to her. When they spoke to her, it was devoid of any sort of compassion, kindness or respect. They told her she had to come to them, alone, and spread her arms and legs. She screamed, "No! I don't want to!" then did what any frightened young child might, she ran the opposite direction.
That is when a TSO told me they would shut down the entire airport, cancel all flights, if my daughter was not restrained. It was then they declared my daughter a "high-security-threat".
Two TSOs were following her and again I was told to have no contact with my child. At this point, I was beyond upset, I disregarded what the TSO had said to me, and I ran to my daughter. I picked her up. I hugged her. I tried to comfort her...
I was forced to set my child down, they brought her into a side room to administer a pat-down, I followed. My sweet four-year-old child was shaking and crying uncontrollably, she did not want to stand still and let strangers touch her... A TSO began repeating that in the past she had "seen a gun in a teddy bear." The TSO seemed utterly convinced my child was concealing a weapon, as if there was no question about it. Worse still, she was treating my daughter like she understood how dangerous this was, as if my daughter was not only a tool in a terrorist plot, but actually in on it. The TSO loomed over my daughter, with an angry grimace on her face, and ordered her to stop crying. When my scared child could not do so, two TSOs called for backup saying "The suspect is not cooperating." The suspect, of course, being a frightened child. They treated my daughter no better than if she had been a terrorist...
A third TSO arrived to the scene, and showed no more respect than the first two had given. All three were barking orders at my daughter, telling her to stand still and cease crying. When she did not stop crying on command, they demanded we leave the airport. They claimed they could not safely check my daughter for dangerous items if she was in tears. I will admit, I lost my temper.
Finally, a manager intervened. He determined that my child could, in fact, be cleared through security while crying. I was permitted to hold her while the TSO checked her body. When they found nothing hidden on my daughter, they were forced to let us go, but not until after they had examined my ID and boarding passes for a lengthy amount of time. When we arrived at our gate, I noticed that the TSOs had followed us through the airport. I was told something was wrong with my boarding pass and I would have to show it to them again. Upon seeing the TSO, my daughter was thrown into hysterics. Eventually, we were able to board our flight.
Photo of the little suspect here:
UPDATE: Lisa Simeone posted this at TSANewsBlog:
Another commenter, on November 21, 2011, posted this at a public travel forum:Travelled Denver to San Francisco in November 2011 on government business. Had to go thru x-ray scanner. There was a girl about 5 or 6 years old in the scanner before me. Big woman TSA Agent barking at her "put your hands over your head!! Hands over your head NOW!" Just like the police on a cops episode. Little girl was sobbing. Finally let through. I got through alright, but was seriously disturbed by this. Is this what America is now? I drive whenever possible. Very sad.This isn't about security. This is about power. Power and control. The TSA's absolute power and control, and passengers' lack of same.
As I asked yesterday, I ask again today: how are parents dealing with this? And why are they putting up with it?
via @DebWilker
"That is when a TSO told me they would shut down the entire airport, cancel all flights, if my daughter was not restrained."
That would be a temptation I could not resist.
Ken R at April 24, 2012 1:29 AM
I'm with Ken R on this one.
Go ahead, shut down the entire airport. I will be more than happy to tell CNN, Faux, Reuters in great detail exactly what happened.
When my kid was young, someone would have done something like that, they wouldn't be threatening anything. It would be unpleasant, mostly for them.
DrCos at April 24, 2012 3:59 AM
It is a sign of the pussification of America that we don't hear stories about random assaults against these fucking mall-cop rejects when they are off-duty.
Apparently, the goal of the TSA is to make us safe from terrorists by demonstrating to them that we are already such whimpering cowards that trying to terrorize us further is pointless.
Dwatney at April 24, 2012 4:28 AM
Every time I read a story like this, I wonder: Do these TSA guys really know what they're doing? Do they have a standing operating procedure? Are they trained to follow it?
Then a worse thought crosses my mind: Yes. And this was it.
Old RPM Daddy at April 24, 2012 4:50 AM
It's really quite simple: If you want a job done badly, have the government do it. Government is all about bureaucracies, empire-building and power. The government has zero incentive to worry about customer relations.
Airport security should be privatized (read: should never have been taken over by the government). If the airports and airlines pay for it, they will have some incentive to treat their passengers nicely.
The second most disturbing thing about this story are the comments on the article that support the TSA's actions and blame the parent and child.
a_random_guy at April 24, 2012 6:52 AM
Thanks, Amy. Here's the link to TSA News:
http://tsanewsblog.com/2572/news/yet-another-child-abused-by-tsa/
I heard from two parents in answer to my question yesterday. I'm still waiting to hear from more today.
Lisa Simeone at April 24, 2012 6:52 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/04/24/tsa_2.html#comment-3157573">comment from Lisa SimeoneVery, very important that people understand how our civil liberties are being eroded and the kind of America we're becoming. This would have been unthinkable in 2000, and it should be unthinkable now.
Amy Alkon at April 24, 2012 7:26 AM
Sometimes I think a revolution may be the only way we will remain free. This is DISGUSTING. I don't fly now due to this stuff, but talk about it to anyone and everyone. Most people think it's ok that this crap happens. These are people who really don't want to live in America, at least the America that is home of the free and brave. I am truly frightened for our future here.
Melody at April 24, 2012 7:31 AM
As a parent, I am terrified of something like this happening to them. I would like to make the choice not to fly, however I have family 2000+ miles away and I would like my kids to know their aunts/uncles. By myself, I feel like I would stand up and make a fuss (make them change their gloves & saying what a crock it is), but provoke them and possibly have my kids pay the price? No. This story is heartbreaking! What can we do? Not much when in that situation, but right NOW we can all share these stories with all our friends & family, on facebook and in person. Send them to your congressman & state officials. Normally I would not say that lawmaker action is ever the answer, but in this case that the only way I can see to rein in this abuse, this window dressing, this sorry excuse for harassing children and everyone, pretending it makes us safer.
All that said, I have never had an incident - the last time I flew with my 9 month old we were in a line into the new scanners and I started to get upset & anxious, thinking about the grope-down (which I have not experienced yet) that I would probably get when I refused to go through that device, and how Lily would react and how I would handle my stuff and a not-walking baby if the TSA led me off to a screening area . . . but there was NO WAY I was taking her through that thing. Then just before they got to us they rerouted the line and we were going through a regular old line. WHEW! So a confrontation is postponed for another day -- maybe August when we're all flying again.
Lynn at April 24, 2012 8:34 AM
Privatizing isn't the answer. Privatizing prisons has made them worse, not better. Nobody's accountable. The abuses at private prisons are off the charts. Yes, I know that all prison are potentially abusive. But private ones are worse.
Can't post multiple links here, so please go to link I provide at bottom, which contains all the others:
Suicide reveals squalid prison conditions
Detained and at risk
The Prison Labor Complex
ACLU stats
Privatizing security won't help. It's the mentality in this country that has to change. Otherwise, no matter what security system is put into place will be abusive.
http://www.travelunderground.org/index.php?threads/john-stossel-on-privatizing-screening.2870/#post-30237
Lisa Simeone at April 24, 2012 8:50 AM
"How are parents dealing with this? And why are they putting up with it?"
I'll play. As a new mommy (my lil' guy is turning 1 next month!), when I hear stories like this, I simply think "we won't fly". Ever. Until it's over. I know Amy says that's not the way to affect change, but it is the way to minimalize risk to my kid, and that's my number one priority as a parent. If we have to go somewhere distant, we'll drive. It'll take more time and be a bigger hassle, but I won't have to worry about someone threatening me or my child, and pretending that I stuck a handgun in his diaper. It's worth it to me.
I'm a bit like Melody, in that I often start these conversations, and I'm appalled at how many of my friends and family think it's okay. There are two reasons. 1) "The government will take care of us. If a couple of people have unpleasant experiences, it's worth it to catch a dude with a bomb in his shoe." or 2) "I'm too scared that they'll put me in jail to protest." Those people have are afraid that they'll be held indefinitely, arrested, charged with some BS crime and have their lives ruined because they didn't want to go through a scanning machine. The scan/pat-down is the lesser of two evils for them.
cornerdemon at April 24, 2012 9:58 AM
I won't fly, either. I haven't been on an airplane since 1998. My first child was born in 2000, and flying with tiny kids was never my idea of a good time. Now my kids are 12 and 9, and I'd love to take them somewhere, but I just can't do it. I literally am overcome with fear at the thought of going through airport security. I would probably have an anxiety attack while in line before anything would even happen.
If it was just the protesters who were being mistreated, I would still be disgusted, but at least I wouldn't worry that it would happen to me. But what I'm hearing is that even going through the scanner obediently is no guarantee against a pat-down or worse. For me, flying is a huge luxury, not a neccessity. If I never do it again as long as I live, so be it.
KarenW at April 24, 2012 10:24 AM
Because they know that if they react as this bullshit deserves, they'll be in a federal prison on bullshit charges, and their life will be ruined.
I'm not sure what's going to actually fix any of this. Well, that doesn't involve tar, feathers and the occasional whipping post use, that is.
Firehand at April 24, 2012 10:41 AM
i have not flown since the late 80's when a she**** in a security uniform in a Tn airport tore my backpack apart because there was a handful of penny's, nickles, and dimes in one pocket and started howling "what you need this fo'!, i call de ****** "unintelligible"!" on and on and on...
(i guess she was upset that there weren't any drugs to steal)
everyone else in the line was going WTF!...
the she**** finally figured out she'd overreached herself when she saw the expressions on their faces,and let me go thru the checkpoint...
i have heard too many horror stories of the mentally deficient hominids currently employed by T S A to ever set foot in an airport again...
i will never fly again for any reason, i can only hope every airline goes broke from this stupidity...
v at April 24, 2012 11:15 AM
a few comments:
I am glad that this never happened to us, I would end up in a federal prison for some time.
I never had any problem on flight, as recently as last month, but we only do international flight for which the TSA does give a shit? and in the way back they are not there. Soon we'll travel to japan with a stop-over in Los Angeles, so I hope not to experience this kind of thing.
If less people use planes, it will be good foor global warming, and the price will lower. Seems good to me :)
BTW: does someone know the punishment for slapping a TSA agent? I expect it to be a federal offense, but have no clues on the consequences.
nico@hou at April 24, 2012 12:06 PM
nico, lucky you, Japan is becoming just as paranoid as the USA:
Japan to start random body searches
http://www.travelunderground.org/index.php?threads/japan-to-start-random-body-searches.2882/
Lisa Simeone at April 24, 2012 12:27 PM
If that were my kid, not only would they be shuting down the enire airport they'd be arresting my for multipule murders
lujlp at April 24, 2012 2:07 PM
Obama sez the War on Terror is over so maybe it's time to shut down Security Theater and make the gropers get real jobs.
Amartel at April 24, 2012 2:48 PM
While thinking about this, I figured out what my biggest fear is that keeps me from flying. It is that in a situation like this, one of two things would happen. Either 1) I would get arrested because of how I'd react or 2) I'd never be able to look myself in a mirror again because I didn't do what would have gotten me arrested.
Dwatney at April 24, 2012 4:35 PM
I don't think the private prison comparison is good because what happens behind bars is not generally public knowledge and if it became public knowledge, the average person would probably say "well, they probably deserved it". Mall cops or other private security that deals with the public is a much better comparison.
Dwatney at April 24, 2012 4:38 PM
Just for the hell of it I sent my canned response to Napolitano and the TSA Contact Center. I wonder what the response will be.
Jim P. at April 24, 2012 8:56 PM
"As I asked yesterday, I ask again today: how are parents dealing with this? And why are they putting up with it?"
They're scared of ending up in a cell while their kids are in "protective custody". Child services and the gov security thugs will make sure mommy and daddy never see the kids again.
Sio at April 24, 2012 9:25 PM
Have you recently graduated from law school and can't find a job? Here's a business idea for you.
Set yourself up an office in an airport, as close to the security line as you can get. Post prominent ads near the line with your phone number, offering to intervene immediately for anyone experiencing TSA shenanigans. Make it cheap, like $30 per intervention (most of them probably won't take more than a few minutes). Do some background research on the TSA employees manning the checkpoint; find out who they are, what they are supposed to be doing, and who they work for. Have their manager's number and the number of the TSA regional office on speed dial.
If anyone experiences trouble at the checkpoint, they call you. You're only a few steps away so you come right over, immediately assert your client's rights, and be sure to mention the legal penalties for false arrest, false imprisonment, and kidnapping. Have cameras on you and record everything.
Cousin Dave at April 25, 2012 4:29 AM
Cousin Dave, I have no idea if your idea is legally feasible, but it sounds awesome. Bonus points to you!
cornerdemon at April 25, 2012 9:48 AM
Would any of you be outraged if they had been a moslem family? Or would you be gloating over their distress?
JoJo at April 25, 2012 10:04 AM
JoJo,
I wasn't aware that TSA is allowed to frisk Muslims... I thought that was racial profiling... thus the need to frisk grannies and children.
sheepmommy at April 25, 2012 11:35 AM
"Would any of you be outraged if they had been a moslem family?"
Yes, you fucking muppet.
"Or would you be gloating over their distress?"
What an awful place your mind must be that you can imagine people gloating over children being terrified and groped. It makes me think there's a class of people who you wouldn't mind seeing their children terrified and groped.
Elle at April 25, 2012 12:38 PM
Seriously. This never-ending erosion of our civil liberties really is making me want to go to law school.
And sad to say, the thought of the government taking my child IS enough to send me into tranquilized-sheep mode.
Sosij at April 25, 2012 4:49 PM
From the Associated Press comes this bit of info:
She also said TSA agents wanted to screen her granddaughter alone in a separate room.
There is no -- no -- reason on earth why they would ever need to screen a child alone without his/her parents. This is sick. It's criminal.
http://news.yahoo.com/tsa-defends-pat-down-4-old-kan-airport-231522461.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CVkiJhP2S4AInDQtDMD
Lisa Simeone at April 25, 2012 7:40 PM
Ahem.
These are the people who will be running "affordable" health care. They're just getting practice doing physicals.
Radwaste at April 27, 2012 4:26 PM
Leave a comment