Enhanced pat-downs and latex gloves — how often do screeners change them?

The Hill ^ | 11.20.10 | Carol Felsenthal

[Citizen X_Area 51]

Anyone who has visited a fast food joint, a doctor’s office or a hospital has watched as workers change gloves between servings or exams. And if they don’t, the customer/patient would surely say something.

How often do the TSA agents doing the “enhanced pat-downs” change gloves? And would most cowed flyers who just want to make it through security and advance to their gate ask them to do so? Or would passengers fear that such a request would invite more enhanced scrutiny?

[Citizen X_Area 51]

Yuck! Think how many times the screeners use the same gloves for touching the outside of bags, the soles of shoes, as well as other unsanitary objects and surfaces, only to then use these same gloves to perform physical contact with the clothing and intimate areas of a traveler's body.

And don't forget the potential to pass infections, std's, crabs, etc. from one person to another.

Insist they change gloves!

[humblegunner]

Insist they change gloves!

Yeah, shoot me with a clean bullet.

That'll really show 'em! Maybe you can bring some new gloves for them to wear when they feel you up.

[wolfcreek]

Especially in light of recent reports of TSA agents actually going inside your clothing and physically grabbing/touching your genitals. Also, a number of folks have latex allergies which can be fatal after contact.

[Citizen X_Area 51]

Forgot to add, imagine them pawing through your clothing and other belongings with filthy gloves.

Ever think about the coats, sweaters and pocket items you plop into the the box that have had hundreds of shoes in them earlier?

[LibFreeOrDie]

“I got an STD from the TSA!”

[ProudFossil]

Especially in light of recent reports of TSA agents actually going inside your clothing and physically grabbing/touching your genitals. Also, a number of folks have latex allergies which can be fatal after contact.

Our son had participated in the work-study program in high school as an assistant in one of the local emergency rooms. He graduated, entered UNM studying Biology with the intent of becoming a doctor. He continued at the emergency room advancing to a tech when he realized he had the allergic reaction to the latex gloves. It was devastating. He had an awful rash and had to change majors and career paths.

So the allergy does exist and is very potent.

[SilverKing88]

Not only should they change gloves for every traveler but they had better not be latex. There are millions of people who are allergic to latex.

[MsLady]

I didn’t even think about that, or the fact that some people are highly allergic to latex.

[RC2]

Are you saying you don’t want to share someone elses skin problems? Shame on you. I’m more worried about the skin cancer those machines could cause. If the operator wants to see more, they just have to crank up the radiation level.

[I see my hands]

"Yeah, shoot me with a clean bullet."

That isn't what the poster said. The poster offered practical advice that at once protects the flier and hassles the TSA. How will you protest?

[Redcloak]

Heh, heh, heh... Those traveling on “Opt-out” day should not only insist on a fresh pair of gloves, but insist that the TSA perv put them on in front of the traveler. That’ll toss another nice monkey wrench into the works.

[wolfcreek]

My SIL who is RN and my Wife’s aunt both have severe latex allergies.

There are alternatives but, way too many latex parts in medical products.

[Judith Anne]

The reaction gets more serious over the years. Even several years without contact, the allergic reaction can progress.

Several food allergies accompany latex allergy: Kiwi, avocado, and bananas. I didn’t realize that until it happened to me. You might want to let your son know.

[wolfcreek]

OFN!

[Citizen X_Area 51]

Heh, heh, heh...I like your creative thinking!

[humblegunner]

How will you protest?

I don't fly anywhere. Moot point.

The state of the gloves would not be a key element to me though.

Does it matter more about the gloves or the fact that you'll be felt up?

[B4Ranch]

DON'T JUST DECIDE NOT TO FLY. CALL YOUR REP AND COMPLAIN

INFO & ARTICLES ON TSA PERVERTS

FLYERTALK.COM -

Travel/Safety/Security Section
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-safety-security-222/

Thread dedicated to TSA Criminal Activity -
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-safety-security/1149208-tsa-criminal-activity-thread.html

NEWS ARTICLES -

Young Boy Strip Searched By TSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skkCpnCm7iM

1- Former Orlando TSA officer gets probation in sex-slave case -
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-06-15/news/os-orlando-tsa-officer-arrested-sex-t20100615_1_charles-henry-bennett-sex-slave-sex-offender-probation

2- TSA airport screener arrested for child porn also worked at Catholic school; Questions remain -
http://www.examiner.com/la-county-libertarian-in-los-angeles/tsa-airport-screener-arrested-for-child-porn-also-worked-at-catholic-school-questions-remain

3- TSA Agent Arrested at LAX (TSA using drugs at a party)
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/TSA-Security-Agent-Arrested-at-LAX-80858482.html

4- TSA Agent Accused of Harboring Fugitive
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/TSA_Agent_Accused_of_Harboring_Fugitive_091809

5- TSA officer at DIA arrested in connection with luring child online
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080711/NEWS/999462965

6- TSA screener arrested for drug theft at Little Rock airport
http://www.fox16.com/mostpopular/story/TSA-screener-arrested-for-drug-theft-at-Little/oMbCSazQZkOUkvmyCKn03Q.cspx

7- TSA officer charged in boy's kidnap attempt - Police in Idaho say man also possessed documents for 5 separate identities
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12302041/

8- TSA Worker Arrested On Drug, Gun Charges
http://www.wftv.com/news/19130582/detail.html

TSA pat-down leaves traveler covered in urine
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40291856/ns/travel-news/

- Memos Detail TSA Officer's Cocaine Pranks Worker joked about finding drugs in luggage
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/stupid/memos-detail-tsa-officers-cocaine-pranks

- TSA screener arrested for beating co-worker
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/05/latest_tsa_screener_drama_noth.html

- TSA Agent: "I am god, I'm in charge"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f187t-OF_j0

- TSA officer among duo arrested for stealing from fliers' luggage at JFK
http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/legacy/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=68494489.blog

- Child rape charge rocks TSA
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1238602

Tsa- Screener Charged With Raping 14 Year Old Girl
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/tsa-screnner-charged-with-raping-14-year-old-girl-25-apx-20100310

- TSA Agent arrested for sex crimes www.privateofficer.com
http://privateofficernews.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/tsa-agent-arrested-for-sex-crimes-wwwprivateofficercom/

- TSA Employee Steals Over $200,000 in Electronics
http://notalemming.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/tsa_steals_200000_gadgets.jpg?w=609&h=608

- TSA Forces Woman To Remove Nipple Rings
http://notalemming.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/tsa_nipple_rings.jpg?w=640&h=556

Compliments of BossLady Friday, November 19, 2010
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2629918/posts?page=23#23 & 65

[Gritty]

“MRSA is not a problem. Get in line, Peasant - or get your $11,000 fine!"

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

They follow my “Take A Shower” schedule! Once a month, whether I need it or not!

[ProudFossil]

Thank you.

I will pass that on to him.