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Original poster

Male security at LHR asked my 15 daughter to take off her hoodie when she was travelling alone

243 replies

sofato5miles · 17/10/2021 07:10

Am i over reacting? She was upset. She had a large but thin hoodie on and only a strappy top underneath. No female officers and she was properly unnerved by it. She was flying home alone for half term. She is a shy but capable girl. My gut feeling if she felt uncomfortable it was because something felt wrong. WWYD? Would you make an official complaint?

I have spoken to her about finding her voice before ( though in this specific case, requestiing a female officer). The hoodie was mostly zipped but you could see her straps.

OP posts:
Dontknowwhatsnext · 17/10/2021 07:49

You have to take off coats and blucky items and out through the scanner.

She was expected to take off the hoodie in public view of everyone. Like everybody would have to have. I find it very unlikely Heathrow had no female staff working.

But I don't understand why the request should have to specifically come from a woman?

The security guard asked her to to follow the same rules as everyone else. He didn't take her somewhere private and ask her to remove it or ask her to do something that no one else was asked to.

I am not sure we want a situation where only female can work as security officers in airports. Especially if there are so few and entire shift doesn't have a woman.

Had this man's partner been female, he could have still been the one to ask, what difference would it make?

Dizzy1234 · 17/10/2021 07:49

Hardly something to make a complaint about, a security man doing security checks at an airport in full view of 100s of people.
If she's mature enough to fly alone & assuming that your DD has been through an airport before, she knows what the protocol is.
Removed bulky outer clothing, shoes, belts etc, electronics out of bags and in the tray.
Making a complaint is not going to get you anywhere, don't make a big deal out of it to your DD, she felt uncomfortable but the rules are the rules and there's not always a female available so the onus is on your DD to ensure she's comfortable with whatever she's wearing under her hoodie when securing asks her to remove it

Dontknowwhatsnext · 17/10/2021 07:50

Not a massive drama

But enough of one to consider complaining this man just did his job.

Lots of us are body conscious. We still have to follow the security rules.

Interested in this thread?

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Flying Holidays
SheWoreYellow · 17/10/2021 07:51

I think the decision about what to ask to be removed is subjective. I think she was unlucky.

Xenia · 17/10/2021 07:51

Happened to me a lot when flying alone at Heathrow (our nearest air port) and I always wear just a vest top under my work jacket. It does feel rather exposed and I would prefer we increased the risk of terrorist attack than had quite a few of the measures we have in place but sadly most people do not agree with me. I really don't think a complaint is needed here

Summerfun54321 · 17/10/2021 07:52

You’re being ridiculous sorry.

Ozanj · 17/10/2021 07:53

I was wearing a hoodie dress 3 days ago through LHR. Was asked to take it off. I told the security guard I didn’t have anything on underneath and so they did a scan with a handheld thing instead. If your dd is a regular traveller then she needs to learn how to speak up.

notimagain · 17/10/2021 07:53

Not a massive drama but since i have never worn a baggy hoodie i was just curious from a UK perspective.

FWIW the requirement to remove outer layers (everything from bulky anoraks right down to lightweight jackets and even some cardigans, pullovers) is not just a UK requirement, it’s unfortunately pretty much standard worldwide…

..

GoldChick · 17/10/2021 07:54

Perfectly normal request. I'd make sure she's wearing something underneath that she's happy to be seen in next time

onelittlefrog · 17/10/2021 07:54

It's a bulky layer like a coat/ jacket. They would have assumed she had something substantial on underneath.

If she was uncomfortable she should have said and they would have taken her somewhere more private or just waved her through.

I really don't think there was anything untoward here, but I think she needs some support with finding her voice/ speaking up for herself.

Dontknowwhatsnext · 17/10/2021 07:54

@Xenia

Happened to me a lot when flying alone at Heathrow (our nearest air port) and I always wear just a vest top under my work jacket. It does feel rather exposed and I would prefer we increased the risk of terrorist attack than had quite a few of the measures we have in place but sadly most people do not agree with me. I really don't think a complaint is needed here
You would prefer to increase the risk if a terrorist attack rather than wear something you feel less exposed in? Confused
ILoveJamaica · 17/10/2021 07:54

Airport security doing their job. Shocker. Why do you think your daughter should breeze through security without the normal checks? I just can't believe the entitlement of some people. You do know that females could be carrying something dangerous, just as easily as men could? Your daughter can't go through life expecting to be treated differently just because she's a female wearing a strappy top. Get a grip.

Xenia · 17/10/2021 07:56

Dont, I think the damage caused by all the checks at air ports including on liquids is higher than the risk of catching a terrorist. It is a balance.

Yourstupidityexhaustsme · 17/10/2021 07:57

I’d say completely normal.

We have always been asked to remove hoodies - even the children. Perhaps it’s to do with the zips?

Geamhradh · 17/10/2021 07:59

Yes, unfortunately, you're over-reacting.
It's perfectly acceptable for security staff to want to be able to see people's faces.
I don't think I've been through an airport once in the last 15 years or so where I haven't had to remove bulky coats/jumpers etc.

Yourstupidityexhaustsme · 17/10/2021 07:59

@Xenia

Happened to me a lot when flying alone at Heathrow (our nearest air port) and I always wear just a vest top under my work jacket. It does feel rather exposed and I would prefer we increased the risk of terrorist attack than had quite a few of the measures we have in place but sadly most people do not agree with me. I really don't think a complaint is needed here
Increased the risk of terror attacks?!

What the fuck is wrong with you is quite frankly the only response I have to that statement.

Dontknowwhatsnext · 17/10/2021 08:00

@Xenia

Dont, I think the damage caused by all the checks at air ports including on liquids is higher than the risk of catching a terrorist. It is a balance.
Yes, it's balanced. Taking into account risk.

You wanting to wear a vest under your jacket, even though you know it makes you feel exposed isn't part of balancing it.

karmakameleon · 17/10/2021 08:00

I’ve been asked to remove a hoodie when I didn’t have a proper top underneath (end of holiday and not many clean clothes left). When I explained they said it was fine and I could leave it on. I think she just needs to explain and they’ll work around it.

Geamhradh · 17/10/2021 08:01

Please do not complain.
The security staff have better things to do than be told off for effectively doing their job.
As others have said, next time she'll say "I've only got a vest on underneath" and they'll probably let her through.
Lesson learned.

GoldChick · 17/10/2021 08:01

@Xenia

Dont, I think the damage caused by all the checks at air ports including on liquids is higher than the risk of catching a terrorist. It is a balance.
What damage is caused by checking liquids?
QueenDanu · 17/10/2021 08:01

If it had a zip down the front then I think she should have had another layer underneath but if it didn't have a zip down the front, then I think she was basically asked to strip down. Not good. But it really depends.

Clymene · 17/10/2021 08:02

I frequently travel with teenagers wearing hoodies. They always make them take them off, male or female

Geamhradh · 17/10/2021 08:03

@Xenia, behave.

I've defended you for years (if that's really you, because frankly, some of your recent posts would stretch the patience of anyone) but you don't really think that, so stop trying to shock people. That ship sailed about 15 years ago.

Chemenger · 17/10/2021 08:03

@Xenia

Happened to me a lot when flying alone at Heathrow (our nearest air port) and I always wear just a vest top under my work jacket. It does feel rather exposed and I would prefer we increased the risk of terrorist attack than had quite a few of the measures we have in place but sadly most people do not agree with me. I really don't think a complaint is needed here
You would prefer that people are injured or die than to be seen in a top that you have chosen to wear? Is that really what you are saying? Just wear a less skimpy top when travelling by air.
Goatinthegarden · 17/10/2021 08:06

@Xenia

Happened to me a lot when flying alone at Heathrow (our nearest air port) and I always wear just a vest top under my work jacket. It does feel rather exposed and I would prefer we increased the risk of terrorist attack than had quite a few of the measures we have in place but sadly most people do not agree with me. I really don't think a complaint is needed here
What??!?

Why not just wear a T-shirt or long sleeved top instead of a vest top if you feel exposed?

Why should everyone else’s safety be compromised because you choose wear clothes that you feel exposed in?