Having my vagina touched in security, aibu to feel pissed?

[sadiesnakes]

Just back from a short break to New York. I brought my 7 mth old dd, who is being fed aptimil formula, so purchased the individual 7oz bottles to cut out having no proper sterilized water facility’s in the hotel we stayed in. On the out going flight I packed 6 bottles and 4 baby food pouches which were put through a scanning machine thingie in security to detect whatever bad things it is they are looking for, reassured it was perfectly safe for the baby food, no problems. On the way back we had a short stopover, flying from LaGuardia to Dulles to Dublin (home). I had 6 milks in carryon and went through security, which is understandably very tight, no complaints there. All bags were scanned and again baby food was flagged. It was explained to me, since the bottles of formula were 7oz and not smaller I had a choice to either have them confiscated or accept an invasive 4 minute pat down. Since the trip was expected to be at least 12 hours I had no choice but to accept the pat down as my baby would obviously be starving and needed to be fed without question. It was thoroughly explained to me exactly how long it would take and what would happen, my sensitive areas would be gone over with the backs of the female security officers hand, I accepted and the pat down began, I was totally fine with everything, slightly embarrassed as it was done in front of a lot of other travelers but wanted to get it over with as pushed for time. She checked hair , neck, arms, chest, back, breasts, stomach, backside, up and down the insides of my legs, both front and back, so four times, but each time touched my vagina. Now im not prudish etc and understand they need to be very comprehensive in their searches, but this made me so uncomfortable I felt like bursting out crying. My Dh was holding the baby and all our luggage and was looking at me concerned and I felt so embarrassed. Basically I am saying aibu in being angry and humiliated that in order to have formula food for a 7 mth old baby for a 12 hour travelling period I have to have my vagina searched 4 times and does this actually make any sense, security wise? Sorry this is actually quite long😳.

People hide things in the gusset of their briefs ( where the little double layer pocket is) and then tuck it up in a bit

What if you were wearing a liner or pad? Full cavity search?

Love how there are a few posters on here who are suddenly instant experts on security techniques and the best ways to catch bombers.

You should all get jobs for Heathrow, you'd revolutionise the security industry.

Love how there are a few posters on here who are suddenly instant experts on security techniques and the best ways to catch bombers.

I can't play an instrument or sing but I can tell when someone's out of tune.

ForgivenessIsDivine

Thanks for your insights.

It's quite different whether the search was external or internal so the vulva/vagina thing is completely relevant.

Thank you BeyondAssignation :-)

wasonthelist

I can't play an instrument or sing but I can tell when someone's out of tune.

I used to have perform gate guarding duties as part of my military service. Often I would be asked to search vehicles upon entry and exit. Even for something as simple as that I recieved a full days worth of training on where to look, what to look for, MO of common explosive concealment methods etc.

The amount of wankers interested parties who would stand there and criticise/offer their 'thoughts' on what i was/wasn't doing wrong used to be the highlight of my day.

Aircraft and airline security are far more complex than the stuff I used to do. But I'm sure you know better than the professionals. Keep the useful input coming though.

It's the reason I'm glad don't have to travel to the US any more on business. The security staff are mostly ignorant, arrogant goons. I've met a couple of intelligent pleasant ones but I don't know how they managed to slip past the vetting process and imagine they might have been weeded out by now.

This is not keeping us safe; airport pat downs and the ritual of taking your shoes and belt off is a charade, but at least it's not that bad. What US security does is meant to be intimidatory, humiliating and also doesn't work. I agree with everything ForgivenessIsDivine says. What works is intelligence surveillance but that's expensive and labour intensive.

If they really wanted to be serious about this, they would delve into your vagina, not your vulva, go into your anus and take some x-rays for good measure in case you'd swallowed something.

It's just a futile show.

The vulva/vagina police commenters should really wind their necks in. On reading the OP, it sounded like fingers had been inserted, which is a very different kind of situation and actual assault, rather than being patted down.

I get that this may be uncomfortable (I've been through it a number of times) but it shouldn't be a surprise. If it's too unpleasant, then don't fly.

I fly in the US both domestic and international. Most of the TSA staff are polite and kind. I can only think of 2 in the many flights I’ve taken that were unpleasant.

I find the majority WAY nicer than Heathrow staff.

So what you are ssying wason is you can criticise without offering anything constructive as to how the situation might be rectified. Well done.

Polly I’m sorry but vulva is rarely used even by gynaecologists.

Well thank god mine manages to use the right words. Not sure about the ones you've met.

Are you one? If so, I pity your poor confused patients.

MN is the only place where posters like to make a virtue out of ignorance.

I work with a few two are really really well known and have awards, I wouldn’t pity their patients.

I’m a Med student though and have been told to refer to it ‘overall’ as the vagina mostly.

I pity anyone who comes into contact with you In general.

The vulva/vagina police commenters should really wind their necks in. On reading the OP, it sounded like fingers had been inserted, which is a very different kind of situation and actual assault, rather than being patted down.

Exactly this ^

OP is being disingenuous, I think she used 'vagina' to direct traffic to her thread.

And my comments about this are not aimed at the OP anymore, but at the vulva police who want to keep bleating on about how they are in the right to call vulvas vaginas. I hope you teach your children the right words.

Oh FFS Dipping you are really lowering yourself now. A med student. So you are about 20-something? And you think you are the only one here who has contact with 'award winning gynaes'? Back to your text books darling.

I’m 27.
I don’t recall saying I’m the only one had contact with award winning gynaes, why are you making that up?
How patronising and childish are you? But I’m only in my 20s what do I know...

she used 'vagina' to direct traffic to her thread

What like a rally for vulva drivers?

Beep, beep. We're over here. We're the ones with our side lights on even in the daylight.

limited

Well, it was thoroughly explained to you exactly how long it would take and what would happen, your sensitive areas would be gone over with the backs of the female security officers hand and that's what happened. Is is their policy I'm afraid, for obvious reasons.

So what you are ssying wason is you can criticise without offering anything constructive as to how the situation might be rectified. Well done.
Cheers.

OP I feel for you.

I have been patted down at airports 1000+ times at airports all over the world.

Only once have I had the “intimate” pat down. They explained to me what would happen and I cried after. I never cry.

It was horrible and you have my sympathises. I can only assume that a lot of the people coming mmenting have had the mild version only.

Is is their policy I'm afraid, for obvious reasons.

I agree. They obviously want to put on a charade of security without doing anything meaningful except to intimidate and harass people.

I went through London city airport recently and had to stand in the scanner and be patted down. I stood there in front of everyone, and went through it without moaning as I'd rather them check people out properly than have the wrong person get through. I don't see the problem with it at all.