AIBU at airport security asking me to remove cardigan

[Saavhi]

Yesterday I went through security at Stanstead and was asked by a staff member to take off my cardigan in order for him to check me. I have never been asked this or seen anyone have to remove an item of clothing. I was wearing a very strappy form-fitting top with a cardigan on top. I felt extremely exposed when stood there as my tits/side boob were basically on show (had used top buttons for modesty). I'm not sure why this was necessary as I had not set off the machine and in no way could it look like I was concealing anything.

I have disproportionately large breasts which I have always been very self-conscious of so I accept that I may have been oversensitive. AIBU to think it was odd? I wasn't pat down or anything!

I'm a Muslim, so pretty used to being asked every single time to remove my shoes, outerwear etc. Have even had to remove my toddlers outerwear and shoes too. It can be embarrassing and demeaning, especially if other passengers are looking. Unfortunately it's a sign of the times we live in.

I was asked to do this when pregnant. The security guard then proceeded to tell me that my breasts were unequal sizes. I said "yes you're absolutely right" and went on my way.

YABU it’s very normal, storing things in bras is an age old trick so they want a better look. Why were you wearing a top you were so uncomfortable in. What if you’d got too warm in your cardi?

To those saying it ISNT normal behaviour remember this is being done in front of countless colleagues and hundreds of passengers so I doubt it was anything out of the ordinary or untoward

Jihadi bombers have been known to wear a cardigan. When I was a London taxi driver, I personally apprehended one once. He had the audacity to ask about his zip-up cardigan: "Does my bomb look big in this?" I promptly made a citizen's arrest. I had Lord Cardigan in the back more than once. Though I've never seen him wear a cardigan: plus fours and a waistcoat usually.

I was pulled to one side and asked if I was wearing an M&S bra. Apparently they 'set off' the machine!

I get stopped and checked 9 times out of 10 these days and Im in my 60s. I take off jackets/cardigans/jewellery and put it in the tray. Yet to asked to remove shoez but am usually in flats. I get pattex down which is excruciating for me as I am very ticklish. I do tell them as they approach me and I start to squirm dosnt bother me rather they check than find im on a flight with a bomber

You’re not being over sensitive at all . I work as cabin crew and go through security in many airports. Occasionally there is a member of security staff who is just officious . I have a cardigan as part of my uniform and I have to undo the cardigan if the machine beeps when I go through so I can be checked . I have to remove my jacket but I’ve never been asked to remove my cardigan . I’ve been flying for more than 20 years .

Wish my keypad was as big as my fingers, and yes i have increased the size on my phone

Yes
I have been asked before
It was also before I’d gone through the scanner

Wasn’t best pleased as had been flying a day, hadn’t shaved armpits or had a shower
Also remember , I think on the same occasion having to take my minging sweaty shoes off too
It seems to be different in every airport

You are lucky, I get full body searched each time, even my baby gets patted down and swabbed for drugs. Been like this since I was 3. They always say random, it's not.

Well, now you know they can check you at security you can dress appropriately next time.
Why do some people think the rules don't apply to them? Such entitlement.
You'd think being safe was such an inconvenience to them.

Not read all the thread. I think the op wants us to say it must be because she’s so gorgeous and super hot that she was asked to take her cardi off so they could have a perve and it’s not normal?? Maybe they thought you were smuggling water melons in (I feel I can say this as I also have disproportionate very big boobs). Who knows? I guess smugglers can hide stuff anywhere.

Sb74 how about you read the bloody thread, before making your ignorant comments?

My god it’s a joke. Don’t think I will. But thanks. If there’s a drip feed that’s not my fault.

I’m glad I’ve read this thread as I often wear very thin cardigans or jumpers instead of a blouse or t shirt with nothing but a bra underneath.

They would not ask a woman to remove her sweater in public so I'd have told him I just had underwear underneath my top. He treated it as if it were a jacket.

I get the patted down and wanded every time I fly because I have replaced joints.

I've never been asked to remove a cardigan, and I wear them quite a lot. Coat or jacket yes, but not a cardigan. It's comparable to a jumper and you'd never be asked to remove that.

Hi there! I had the same issue last week, felt really violated... is there a phone number to complain to? It was at Gatwick Airport.

How can you tell the difference between a sexually motivated "coped a look" and just looking at you for security purposes ?

No you don't. I've never seen anyone asked to take a shirt off, even though they all button up.

No. I meant OVER something. Obviously if you’ve nothing underneath then it’s not to be removed. I fly from many different airports and they’re all the same in what they ask for.

I have to say I hate being patted down by female guards in london airports. It only happens to me in london and they go very intimate

More unacceptable IMO is when I have been travelling alone with a baby, carrying him in a baby carrier along with his changing bag, my backpack and my handbag, and then been asked to remove him from the carrier to go through security (o rly? and to put him where?).
(I wouldn't mind so much perhaps if all airport security points were actually consistent so I could plan for this. But plenty allow me to keep him in the carrier while going through security so to be asked to go through the rigmarole of removing him is a total curve ball.)

I'm confused OP, you said you were checked at Stanstead Airport? But later say you were dressed in the strappy top as you had just left hot country, are you saying you were checked like this on arrival to Stanstead? Apologies if I have that wrong.

You said you have a disproportionately large chest, maybe that is why they asked you. I have a tiny chest which doesn't get bigger until after my baby is born (yes I'm strange 😁) so when I went through security at Stansted at 30 weeks pregnant, I had to lift my shirt and lower my leggings under my bump to prove it was real pregnancy belly.