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 dont find it odd at all.

I have had to remove jacket, cardigans. For me and the kids and then put it all back in again.

It's a pain. But its fairly normal.

Yes, this is usual.

YANBU I was told to remove my jumper when I had a very skimpy top underneath I'm fat and in my 50s and absolutely refused to do so in front of everyone. It is not reasonable at all. If I had been a Muslim woman I would not have been expected to remove clothing in public. We should be allowed to keep our dignity or be examined privately.

It is not reasonable at all. If I had been a Muslim woman I would not have been expected to remove clothing in public. We should be allowed to keep our dignity or be examined privately.
All airports have facilities to do this but it would make the whole process take longer. I have been asked to remove a cardigan but, as others have said, it's better than being blown up. I dress to travel in suitable clothing for security down to making sure my socks are presentable. A few weeks ago I was patted down and swabbed at Stansted, I don't know why and I didn't ask because they are just doing their job.

‘We should be allowed to keep our dignity or be examined privately.’

Yes. That is why this can all happen in s private room if you request it

Too many drip feeds in this

It's no big deal, different people get asked to remove different items of clothing. I've been asked to remove various items of clothing for airport security - jackets/cardigans, shoes, belts etc. There never seems to be any obvious reasons why some people are asked and others aren't.

It is possible that, because you yourself have said you're disproportionately large breasted, he needed to check that it was 'boob and not bomb'. After all it's perfectly normal for smugglers and bombers to try to hide stuff in their clothes so if you looked very top heavy he may have needed to check it was actually you and not what you'd stuffed down there!

BUT I do agree that it's usually women who check women so if you feel uncomfortable flag it with the airport. They'll either allay your fears or deal with the complaint if they feel it's justified.

I had the same experience recently, had to remove a very lightweight close fit cropped cardigan. I am used to removing jackets ect but was surprised this cardigan counted and like you only had a strappy top underneath so felt embarrassed with my bingo wings and boob areas on show (although to fair, my usual airport is so chaotic I doubt any other passenger even noticed as they'd be too busy trying to navigate security themselves). Oddly enough the woman that told me to remove it then directed me to another woman who looked back puzzled, sort of run her hand down the side of my top (not remotely a pat down at all) and waved me through. I have no issue with airport security measures but lesson learned for me for future airport wear!

Yes this does sound odd

Being taken to one side after going through the machine normal even if you didnt set off the alarm (they do random spot checks) being asked at this point to take off cardigan/outerwear fine. Usually then you are scanned and/or patted down (by a female officer) before moving on

Being asked to remove it at one side after collecting bags is not common at all - I would flag it with the airport

Too many drip feeds in this

Perhaps I should have mentioned the uncomfortable feeling/copping a look in my OP (only potential drip feed IMO). But I posted just to see if my feelings were unfounded/justified.

I now accept it's not an unusual request and I was probably being paranoid due to feeling exposed. I know how to avoid this in future. I don't presume all men are creeps.

Agree with London jax. I'm large breasted and shifty looking so the female guards have a good feel round bra. Quite common.

Are these British airports? I’m only asking as I would be very concerned if that happens to my adult, very well endowed child, as she has special needs and a terrible past. It would be very distressing for her. So far the airport security have been absolutely lovely and even joke with her on the two occasions I had to get double checked, zippers on dress and a belt buckle another time. I’m much more careful now.

Flag it with the airport?

Shock horror, security man actually does his job and checks that bulge under cardigan is boob and not cocaine.

I travel quite a lot, and being asked to remove a cardigan is routine to the point I do it automatically now. As with any scarf, wrap etc.
However I have never been asked to remove something after I'd gone through the scanner. I would guess the person checking before the scanner should have asked you but didn't notice your cardigan, and the post-scanner person saw this. But yes, it is not usual to be asked to remove something after walking through. I nearly always set off the scanner due to underwire bra

YABU for thinking its odd that airprt staff ask people to remove clothing sometimes.

I tend to take all outer ayers off and shove them through the machine with my metal stuff and that

For some reason, neaer everytime DH goes to an airport, he has to take his shoes off But we are used to it now. They don't contain metal so no idea why it happens so much but it does.

If he did stare at your breasts as obviously as you say though, thats a different matter entirely and I would feel justified putting ina complaint like I would any person who is meant to be professional leering at my tits.

We need a AMA from an airport security worker. 😁

@RoseReally I flew a number of times while visibly pregnant and got thoroughly searched each time. After about ten times I made a joke about it to the security guard who said very seriously, she had to check my bump was real and not a fake one stuffed with drugs or a bomb! OP if you are well endowed chest wise they might have thought similar. I fly from Stansted often and have been asked to remove my (light, thin) cardigan so often I take it off before I go through now and I'm very flat chested

Yes been asked loads. I always dress appropriately underneath my cardigan now as also felt uncomfortable the first
Time it happened.

I accept that the man was not acting inappropriately. But what if he was? I'm a bit concerned that someone who was actually mistreated would not be taken seriously. Not everyone acts professionally/is trustworthy. Don't know why some posters assume everyone's experience mirrors theirs.

Would you rather them be super-sensitive to everyone and not check, allowing people to take potentially dangerous items on board? I'd assume not...
YABU - it's standard practice.

No but if someone has a genuine concern I would hope they would not be immediately dismissed.

I was unreasonable as it's clearly a common occurrence. Good to know.

I'm always stopped and have been variously been asked to remove shoes/tops/belts/shoe laces...
A female officer has pushed scanner down my trousers /crotch...etc

I doubt very much this was a cheap thrill and everything about checking I wasn't a bomber

Pretty standard to be asked to remove cardigan, even if it's not oversized.

The being asked for a second check after the scanner and collecting bags, even when u haven't set the scanner off is not unheard of either. Its often random checks. I also think top heavy ladies get checked more vigorously but it makes sense as it's easier to hide something and not being noticed? I have a friend who uses her bra as a handbag: phones, keys, money, lipstick are all things I have seen her pull out of there lol

Like a pp, by far the most uncomfortable security check was in Copenhagen Airport when a female guard run her thumbs inside the top of my knickers..