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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:
WorraLiberty · 17/10/2021 10:22

My gut feeling if she felt uncomfortable it was because something felt wrong. WWYD? Would you make an official complaint?

And this is why not everyone should trust their gut feelings.

I know you've said you won't be making an official complaint, but to even consider it in the first place was ridiculous.

ilovebrie8 · 17/10/2021 10:24

You’ve no grounds for complaint, she is perhaps not ready to be flying alone.

LaBellina · 17/10/2021 10:25

I completely understand why it made your DD feel uncomfortable, tbh I would feel the same as an adult woman in her situation. However, they’re just following procedures so there isn’t much to complain about.
This is why I always wear a T-shirt under hoodies or jumpers when I’m flying.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Flying Holidays
Noname1999 · 17/10/2021 10:25

You are always going to be asked to remove a bulky overgarment of any type at Heathrow. They are super strict with everyone including airline workers. However, they aren't mind readers - like others have said if you're wearing something skimpy underneath you need to speak up.

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 17/10/2021 10:28

We flew through Gatwick recently and had the same- all of us were wearing hoodies and were asked to remove them. That included me who had a zipped one on which was open! We did as we were asked - no drama, just followed the rules. My husband was selected for the body scan and myself for a drugs wipe. It's just part of keeping everyone safe.

YoungGiftedPlump · 17/10/2021 10:29

@PennyPooBags

Whenever I travel through Heathrow airport I assume that the security/immigration/customs staff are going to be rude and unhelpful, as that’s what I’ve encountered in the past. I also take off as much as I can to put in the tray, when going through security, I don’t wear a watch or a belt or boots, and make sure any electrical equipment is charged so it can be demonstrated it works.

Gatwick is a nicer experience!

Heathrow staff are not rude or unhelpful in my experience (200 flights a year). Manchester are appalling.
Twentypast · 17/10/2021 10:29

@CharityDingle

As has been said, yes, it's standard, not just at LHR. There are recorded announcements at some airports as you go through the security queue reminding people to remove stuff, belts, jackets and so on.

A hoodie is, to all intents and purposes a jacket, so I would expect to have to remove it.

(I sometimes set off an alarm, despite ever being fine, and I have no idea why. That's by the by.)

10% of passengers are selectees. Chosen at random for a patdown. The metal detector does it automatically to avoid any discrimination (conscious or unconscious).
YoungGiftedPlump · 17/10/2021 10:31

@PegasusReturns

OP you’re not being unreasonable and neither you or your DD are to blame for her feeling of discomfort.

Prior to covid I flew out of LHR about 2 x per month. There are some very obnoxious power hungry security attendants outside of the terminal 5 fast track.

DD had a very similar experience being asked to remove a hoodie by a female attendant and was given short shrift when she said she had nothing underneath. When she removed it the male attendant was very apologetic and told her to put it back on she could cover her sports style cropped bra immediately.

I flew 4 times a week and not my experience In either fast track north or south or 1st wing. Always polite and helpful
girlmom21 · 17/10/2021 10:32

10% of passengers are selectees. Chosen at random for a patdown. The metal detector does it automatically to avoid any discrimination (conscious or unconscious).

I did not know this! I'm always in that 10%, I'm sure of it!

MrsLargeEmbodied · 17/10/2021 10:32

you and she can chalk it down to experience, for the next flight, be prepared, and better dressed.

Twentypast · 17/10/2021 10:34

@girlmom21

10% of passengers are selectees. Chosen at random for a patdown. The metal detector does it automatically to avoid any discrimination (conscious or unconscious).

I did not know this! I'm always in that 10%, I'm sure of it!

So am I, and I bloody work there Hmm
diddl · 17/10/2021 10:36

@girlmom21

10% of passengers are selectees. Chosen at random for a patdown. The metal detector does it automatically to avoid any discrimination (conscious or unconscious).

I did not know this! I'm always in that 10%, I'm sure of it!

Wow!

I often have my bag swabbed/looked in!

WeAreTheHeroes · 17/10/2021 10:42

I went through security at T1 Manchester recently and the staff were lovely - no rudeness at all. I got patted down after the scanner fairly brusquely by a female security officer. She was just doing her job and it's to keep us all safe. I didn't give it another thought until I read this thread.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 17/10/2021 10:47

@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 have been involved in one of the London terror attacks. Trust me, you do not want the increased risk of a terror attack especially because someone wants a certain item of clothing.
HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 17/10/2021 10:51

@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 think any sane person would agree with you! Hmm the only reason I feel semi safe flying post 9/11 is because of all the extra security checks that are now in place. Perhaps you should try wearing something more than just a skimpy vest under your work top. You might just thank me one day when you aren't freezing your tits off 35,000ft up in the air!!
deleteasappropriate · 17/10/2021 10:52

When I was 15 I told my Mum the cookery teacher had put me in the cupboard and made me stay there till the end of the lesson. Mum stormed off to the school only to be shown the 15 x 10 provisions cupboard complete with window, table and chair. I was selective for dramatic purposes. So was your daughter when she told you her story.

Justlovedogs · 17/10/2021 10:53

@Fridafever

I don’t think not wanting my underwear on show in Heathrow means I’m giving women a bad name FFS.
Not wanting your underwear on show - agreed, but one assumes a 'vest top' is a top that you would wear in public. I have several for the summer. So removing a jacket shouldn't be an issue.
Twobirdsinatree · 17/10/2021 11:00

Big baggy clothing should be removed before going thru.
I dont think there's any reason to complain at all.
Its understandable shes self conscious because she's a teenager but that isnt actually the fault or responsibility of the staff.
Tell her next time to either wear something less big and baggy or to have already removed it to go thru security so they dont ask her
Unless he was rude to her or touched her or something theres no reason to complain at all

FinallyFluid · 17/10/2021 11:00

Hopefully when she put her jacket back on, she found her grip in one of the pockets and used it for the rest of the trip.

Old enough to fly, old enough to use her words, Hmm as we used to say to our then toddler. Now teen.....

Toooldforthis321 · 17/10/2021 11:10

I worked at Heathrow pre 'wand' and had the 'pleasure' of being hand searched if security needed to.
I was a 15 year old girl at the time. All part of securing airside. I left just before 9/11 so am imagining that staff had to take off work jackets etc too, just like passengers.

Oblomov21 · 17/10/2021 11:10

I too think this is standard. Maybe she's too young to fly alone, or needs to consider more what she chooses to wear when flying. Why did she feel uncomfortable. She shouldn't do, if she'd chosen to wear such a small strappy top?

Schoolchoicesucks · 17/10/2021 11:11

Sorry that your dd was uncomfortable.

On the face of it, it doesn't sound as though the security guard was in the wrong though. Empowering your dd to know that she could explain she was uncomfortable doing so and could she go to a more private area with a female security officer would be a good idea.

She should be able to wear what she likes and is comfortable in - but clothing choices should also reflect the situation she is in - for weather, comfort, practicality.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/10/2021 11:12

@FinallyFluid

Hopefully when she put her jacket back on, she found her grip in one of the pockets and used it for the rest of the trip.

Old enough to fly, old enough to use her words, Hmm as we used to say to our then toddler. Now teen.....

Grin
bumblingbovine49 · 17/10/2021 11:18

This is good to know actually because DS wears only very baggy over the head hoodies at the moment with nothing under them . He refuses to wear t shirts for some reason nowadays ( sigh!). So I'll make sure he has something on under his hoody if we fly this coming year ( which we might do) . He'd be mortified to remove his top if he didn't have a t-shirt on and in fact I think he'd probably have a meltdown ( he has ASD) so this is good to know so I can prepare him. I imagine the t-shirt will be tolerated for the flight if the alternative is being asked to remove his hoody and being beat chested.

I knew zip up hoddies might need to be removed but since he only wears over the head ones I think I assumed he'd be ok . So whatever else op, I'm grateful for the heads up on this

bumblingbovine49 · 17/10/2021 11:19

Bare chested - not beat !!