Sorry I’m late replying. What you saw IS disturbing. I’m just imagining plane after plane full of passengers, who have just been groped and are feeling demeaned by the experience.
Most every flight I’ve taken was with a sense of excitement for a pleasure trip, or to go visit relatives, etc. Going through what you saw would certainly take the ‘bloom’ off of that!
Why don’t they at least use a curtained area!!?
If you are selected for the “enhanced patdown” they do give you the option of going into a private room. When I was watching, no one took this option (I think it would likely take longer).
And yes, it does put a damper on the fun factor. Because everyone is treated with suspicion, it is natural for people to feel uncomfortable with the whole process.
Most Americans are not used to being treated with suspicion, and it can be demeaning to be treated as a suspected terrorist.