TSA - Jacksonville, Fl. 94 Years Old Woman Accosted

article source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/28550323/detail.html

94-Year-Old Complains Of TSA Pat-Down

Woman, Son Say 'Embarrassing, Too-Thorough' Pat-Down Not Necessary

POSTED: Thursday, July 14, 2011

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 94-year-old Jacksonville woman says the Transportation Security Administration crossed the line and went too far during a recent pat-down she was given.

Less than a month short of 95 years old and not even 5 feet tall, Marian Peterson, of San Pablo, is far from threatening.

So she wants to know why airport security agents at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina put her through what she calls an embarrassing and too-thorough pat-down.

"Why would I look suspicious?" Peterson said. "I'm very happy to have them do as much for safety as necessary, but I think there are many people they could pay more attention to than 95-year-old ladies."

Marian Peterson demonstrates how she says TSA agents made her hold out her arms for an extended period of time.

Peterson was returning to Jacksonville after visiting her daughter and granddaughter last week. She said that after being pulled out of line, she had to go through an extra screening.

Peterson said security officers made her stand with her arms out as her whole body was searched.

"If I started to put my arms down, they told me to leave them up, and probably a good 10-15 minutes, and for a 94-year-old lady, that seems like hours," Peterson said.

"It wasn't necessary, picking a lady like that, having her stand there, groping her body, her breasts," Peterson's son, Joe Peterson, said. "And what were they looking for? They never said."

A TSA spokeswoman said the agency doesn't comment on specific cases, and Peterson hasn't yet filed a formal complaint. Agents said that in general, even the most thorough of pat-downs only lasts two to three minutes.

"If someone is unable to stand or hold out their arms, they should tell our officers, and we will work with them to get through the process in a comfortable manner," the TSA said in a statement. "While every person and item must be screened before entering the secure boarding area, TSA works with passengers to resolve security alarms in a respectful and sensitive manner."

The Petersons are from New York City, and given the Sept. 11 attacks, they say they appreciate heavy security.

"I want to be secure on that plane, too, but I think there are many better ways to handle people," Marian Peterson said.

The Petersons said they are in the process of filing a formal complaint with the Department of Homeland Security, and they said they will get a lawyer, if necessary, because they don't want what happened to Marian Peterson to happen to anyone else.

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