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!

They actually pick out every 5th or 6th person, I can’t remember which. This is indicated by a light on metal detector. It doesn’t matter if you’ve set it off. So you have been chosen randomly so to speak.

A few years ago, I was going through security with 3 adult DS who each had bags of electronic gear, plus cables and chargers etc. (phone, tablets, battery pack, etc). Their bags were opened, with a cursory search through. (in those days the chargers were not universal). They were in trainers, but I was wearing flat strappy sandals, but it was me, who was asked to remove my 'shoes'.
I did not particularly like walking through security in bare feet (my feet are ugly, but it feels like walking down the high street in bare feet, so not very nice).
Since then, I always dress expecting to be asked to remove various items. e.g. I always wear comfy shoes and socks.
Last time, I was taken aside and asked to completely unpack my hand luggage for their inspection! (which was found to be OK). So I am prepared for anything

So how do people who wear full coverage items for religious reasons get on at airports? If you were asked to remove a cardigan then I wonder what would happen there?

Standard.
In America I had to explain to a female staff member I wear two bras and that’s why the scan looked odd.

They ask you to remove any extra layers of clothing.

Have had to remove cardigan. Really no worse than the belt ( leaving you trying to hold up your trousers)
I don’t think they have to explain why and whether you feel it’s necessary or not, you’re not going to get through if you refuse. Also if they had to explain to everyone or have a debate with each customer, everyone would be delayed.

Had a situation after Christmas when my 80 year old mother missed her flight home because it took 2 hours to check in and clear security so am rather sensitive about anything that could make the system even slower

Op these people are doing their jobs and keeping us safe. Seriously dress appropriately in future and stop being so infantile and thinking i was so he could look at your breasts,

I've been asked to show my bra in one European country, and I'd avoid Israel if I was you, they wrote the book on security.

Seriously. Dress appropriately and do as asked.

A bravissimo lady here and have walking problems and I have lost count at the times I have had to remove cardigan shoes you name it. Dh has almost had red face many times when he removes his belt .
They are just doing their job .

I have reported this post as I am concerned at the op intent given the story doesn’t add up. I would personally suggest no-one else advises op what uk customs does during security checks.

Wearing a vest top and tight fitting cardigan is dressing appropriately.

In fairness, there is nothing on this thread that isn't common sense.

Maybe to us but we don’t know who is enquiring do we? It’s all very strange. I think we need to very careful here in this day and age.

Sb74, you have to be kidding. There's absolutely nothing here that's a security risk!

I think there is if you read back. I don’t think it’s funny in the age we live in and I’ve requested it be removed.

Good lord, how on earth could this thread pose a security risk? Get a grip.

I think you are being very naive thinking it doesn’t. You are not thinking like those that would find this information useful.

I used to fly on a weekly basis so was practised on what was best way to dress. On one occasion I kept setting off the detector and was taken to side room for strip search. They couldn't find anything and I almost missed my flight. I was flustered and red faced getting to the flight. The lovely BA stewardess brought me some water and said "don't worry it happened to me yesterday and the only thing different was I was wearing a new M&S bra". Funnily enough I was wearing a brand new M&S bra too!!

Sb74 they could learn more about getting around security, on YouTube! Calm down.

Yes the OP is probably a terrorist who was posting on MN about her Bartholin's cyst as part of an elaborate long con to gain information entirely available to the public anyway.

In my experience, unfortunately, if you are overweight, you tend to get extra checks through security as they want to be sure you really are fat and not just concealing something untoward under your sizeable chest! I always get frisked!!

My embarrassing one was flying back from Portugal wearing a denim skirt with a sort of belt but attached.. They were asking me to remove the belt and I was trying to explain it was part of the skirt.. I thought I was going to end up walking through in my knickers! Learnt my lesson though and didn’t wear that one to travel again..

I can see why posters might be worried that some could be too revealing as regards security. But from what I have read it is passenger speculation about how security works and why they do the things they do. What has been posted is inaccurate. I would not worry.