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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:
Yourstupidityexhaustsme · 17/10/2021 08:06

The limitations on liquids is also because in foiled terror plots the most popular incendiary device was found to be fuel disguised in a fake bottle.

I’d take decanting some foundation and taking travel shampoo over someone setting off a petrol bomb on my flight any day.

Fridafever · 17/10/2021 08:09

There is some weird advice on this thread. It’s totally fine to say to security that you only have underwear on underneath and so it’s not a coat type layer. I’ve done it myself and they’re fine with it. She doesn’t need to change what she’s wearing but rather speak up (which I understand is difficult in itself). I personally would not strip to a strappy vest in public and they’d have to scan me with the handheld or take me somewhere private if they felt strongly about it.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 17/10/2021 08:11

I’d be asked to remove a hoodie too, it’s no big deal. Wouldn’t cross my mind to be worried about just a vest top underneath whether male or female. If she’s not comfortable wearing a vest top maybe she needs to change her wardrobe.

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Flying Holidays
Glitterybug · 17/10/2021 08:13

Don't worry about xenia, he/she just says shit to wind people up. Best to ignore.

Beautiful3 · 17/10/2021 08:13

It's normal to ask for hoodies to be removed.

Geamhradh · 17/10/2021 08:14

@Fridafever, it wasn't a vest though, it was a vest top.

This is the sort of entitlement that actually gives women, and the fights we are still embroiled in to not have to be subject to male power, a bad name. And I hate myself slightly for saying that.

Nomorepies · 17/10/2021 08:14

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

Fridafever · 17/10/2021 08:16

This is the sort of entitlement that actually gives women, and the fights we are still embroiled in to not have to be subject to male power, a bad name. And I hate myself slightly for saying that.

I’d really think this through again. It’s honestly fine - they say can you take that hoody off, I say “sorry that’s not a coat I’m not wearing much underneath” they say “ok please wait there a second” then scanned me with a handheld. I don’t think that’s a terrible entitled thing to do.

Fridafever · 17/10/2021 08:17

I don’t think not wanting my underwear on show in Heathrow means I’m giving women a bad name FFS.

Bigeggsinapackoften · 17/10/2021 08:18

@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
I don’t even know where to start with this. You’d rather increase the risk of terrorist arrack that leaves people dead or maimed than have to take your jacket off because you choose to wear a vest top?
Simonjt · 17/10/2021 08:19

You always have to remove outerwear/large baggy clothes at security, it has been that way the entire time I have been flying.

If she forgets to put a larger top on next time she can just say shes wearing very little underneath and they’ll use the wand.

Dontknowwhatsnext · 17/10/2021 08:20

they say “ok please wait there a second” then scanned me with a handheld. I don’t think that’s a terrible entitled thing to do.

Personally, I think its op is the issue. The projection that he was allowed to do his job and it was worth a complaint.

YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 17/10/2021 08:20

Presumably it was only to go through the scanner and security check? Not for the whole time she was in the airport or the plane?
Massive overreaction, ridiculous.

FuckeryOmbudsman · 17/10/2021 08:20

Your DD needs to chalk this up to experience.

People are often asked to remove outer layers when going through security. She will now be better prepared in future to dress for the activities of the day when travelling

Twentypast · 17/10/2021 08:21

I work at Heathrow. There are always female security agents on duty along with male. There has to be. Males can't do female pat-downs or vice versa. Removing bulky outer layers is normal. Next time your daughter needs to say she's uncomfortable due to a skimpy under layer and they'll get a female agent. They're not psychic so won't know if they're not told.

TirednWorried · 17/10/2021 08:22

Security trumps snowflakes

Geamhradh · 17/10/2021 08:23

@Fridafever

I don’t think not wanting my underwear on show in Heathrow means I’m giving women a bad name FFS.
No it isn't. Obviously. That's not what the OP says. The OP's daughter wasn't wearing just underwear.
Mummyoflittledragon · 17/10/2021 08:24

@SW1amp

I think some of the responsibility sits with you also, OP

If you’re going to expect your daughter to fly as an unaccompanied minor, you should make sure she has packed and dressed appropriately for the flight, and is prepared for the process of getting through security and to the gate

This. The man didn’t know your dd was only wearing a tiny top underneath.
nordicnorth · 17/10/2021 08:24

@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'd rather have the threat of and mass murder of people in airports and on planes by terrorists, than get your vest out? Are you on this planet???!!!
Bigeggsinapackoften · 17/10/2021 08:25

@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?
Mummyoflittledragon · 17/10/2021 08:30

@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
Shame on you David Amess was murdered less than 2 days ago.
Shadedog · 17/10/2021 08:32

She needs to speak up. It’s not unreasonable to assume people have something on under a big jumper. I’ve been caught out before with patients at work when I’ve asked them to remove a jumper for cannulation. 99 times out of 100 they take of their jumper and have a shirt or t-shirt on. Occasionally people will say that they don’t have anything on so I get them a gown and they go off to a changing room. A couple of times people have whipped of their jumpers and stand there topless. I ask now “do you have anything under that jumper” but that’s probably quite a creepy thing for a man to say to a teen girl at an airport and it took me a few topless incidents to realise that A - people are wondering around with thick jumpers with just skin beneath them and B - some people will just get half naked in front of you rather than say anything.

Dinosauria · 17/10/2021 08:35

@sofato5miles

She flies about 6 return times a year 3 of those by herself. Had survived her grandfather dropping her at the wrong terminal, which she took in her stride. 🤦🏻‍♀️ it is a teenage body conscious thing combined with not thinking. Not a massive drama but since i have never worn a baggy hoodie i was just curious from a UK perspective. I am also tempering my protective response with being realistic and you have all reassured me that this was us dropping the ball and nothing sinister. Thank you
I do love mn for this, sometimes we do just need somewhere to think things through where other people give honest responses. Not everyone can take it when they ABU, so fair play to you.
OverweightPidgeon · 17/10/2021 08:41

Slight over reaction, she was asked to take a hoodie off , which is normally a top layer , not strip naked . The security guard wouldn’t have known what she had on underneath. He was doing his job and in the light of recent events they are probably on high alert.

TravelLost · 17/10/2021 08:45

When was she asked to remove her hoodie? When going through security/scanner?
In that case, I can see why even though I have never seen anyone been asked to do that tbh.

I also suspect that the security guy expected her to have a Tshirt underneath, not a small strappy top.

At any other time when she didn’t have the hood on? I would have found that very surprising and I’d question it.

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