Posted on 11/19/2010 8:35:02 AM PST by markomalley
(CBS) A flight attendant and cancer survivor said she was forced to remove and show her prosthetic breast to a TSA agent during a security pat-down.
Cathy Bossi of Charlotte, who has been a flight attendant for the past 32 years, told CBS Affiliate WBTV that in August she was asked to go through the new full-body scanners at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
As a 3-year breast cancer survivor Bossi said she didn't want the added radiation through her body, but reluctantly agreed.
"The TSA agent told me to put my ID on my back," Boss told WBTV correspondent Molly Grantham. "When I got out of there, she said because my ID was on my back, I had to go to a personal screening area."
Bossi was taken to a private room where two female Charlotte TSA agents began what she calls an "aggressive" pat-down.
Bossi said the exam halted when they got around to feeling her right breast - the one where she'd had surgery.
"She put her full hand on my breast and said, 'What is this?' Bossi recalled. "And I said, 'It's my prosthesis because I've had breast cancer.' And she said, 'Well, you'll need to show me that.'"
Bossi was asked to remove her prosthetic breast from her bra and show it to the agent.
She said she did not take down the name of the agent because of the "horrific" nature of the experience.
"It just blew my mind. I couldn't believe that somebody had done that to me,'" she told WBTV.
Bossi has since contacted the flight attendants union's Legislative Affairs Team.
She says there are better alternatives to such intrusive examinations.
"There are blowers and there are dogs that could sniff out bombs," she said. "There's no reason to have somebody's hands touching your body parts."
A TSA representative told WBTV that agents are allowed to ask to see and touch any passenger's prosthetic, but aren’t supposed to remove them. Later, the TSA contacted the station and said they would review the Bossi matter.
Not entirely fair. Many seem to respect their position.
ML/NJ
I DON’T WANT THUGS MOLESTING PEOPLE MAKING A LIVING ON MY TAX MONEY!
I can’t believe you’re whining about the thugs “just trying to earn a living” - they are “EARNING” a living tormenting people and being paid with TAX MONEY! That’s not earning a living, that’s living on the Gov teat!
The entire Xray/grope crap is useless! USELESS! TARGET FREAKING MOSLEMS!!!!! That is the ONLY SOLUTION!
Sorry for the caps but yes I AM YELLING!
NO NON-MOSLEM HAS COMMITTED A TERRORIST ACT IN THE US!
I’ve been on and off today - what’s the total now? Did you get weed-weed? (I’m sure you did). DJ’s working on JohnnyM. They are crawling all over like cockroaches in Hawaii!! ick!
Yup. Got him and more.....
I’ll FReepmail you the updated list.
Sometimes I check a website Professional Pilots Rumor Network I think it’s called - and they don’t like this at all. They don’t want to go through unproven Xray technology all the time when just by flying they get a lot more radiation than most people.
Right here. I have been lobbying hard for defunding ever since they tricked my wife into one of those Nude-O-Scopes. They did not offer her an opt-out, in fact they told her there were no other options.
The TSA is filled with Brownshirted thugs and it has to go. If you want to defend them, then explain why my wife had to have the radioactive strip-search and why her right to opt-out was denied. Go ahead, try it.
Classic. How presumptuous can one get? DU...Im sure Im everybit as republican as the rest of you ,if not more but like DWTS..I dont see what all the fuss is about. I understand that this is a very conservative site but is this small amount of dissent and look at the hypocrisy being displayed about freedoms.Do any of you see the irony here?
I fly all the time (about once a month). Im sorry I dont feel like Ive lost my American patriotism because I dont care that the TSA is thorough in their efforts to protect ME while Im flying. Your arguments can be applied to many other existng protocols that have been around for years and years (and hardly commented on)...but this is the final straw?
TSA stories have been around for years and years. While theres little doubt the TSA should be vetting and hiring only professionals,an area they could do much much better on,that is not a policy issue,thats a personell issue.
I see the trains dont have scanners or pat downs....all aboard.
They dont intimidate me either. Ive got nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed about. Hes the one thats going to be standing next a radiation emitter 40 hours a week...not me.
If you think making sure explosives arent on the plane youre flying on is an illusion of saftey,Im curious to what REAL safety is to you.
Its your right not to submit to the TSAs regulations...and you will not have the privilege of flying that day.
There are devices that will detect explosives. These Pornpmeters wouldn't even be amongst the top 5 of said devices. Dogs are one of the best at sniffing out explosives, but we won't see them in widescale use because it might offend some moon-worshipers.
Its your right not to submit to the TSAs regulations...and you will not have the privilege of flying that day.
Ah yes, another one who thinks our common-law right to travel has been converted into a priviledge by the almighty state. May your chains rest lightly upon you.
So you dont mind having your junk sniffed by a dog? Ok then.
Ya,Im one of THOSE..lol
Flying is not a right,the freedom to go where you like is, provided you follow protocols,just like driving a car ,it is a privilege,its the truth...go look it up.
Perhaps pilots should be able to drink when they fly? After all as legal adults its thier right to indulge in alcoholic beverages when they like right?
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