Now I'm Terrified of some Airports As Much As Flying

I am a horrible "flyer" and when a flying trip is imminent I feel much anxiety and don't even get me started on what thoughts go through my brain during a flight, especially if there is any turbulence.

And then added to my flying experience--ever since this past fall--is the fear of the airport having only body scanners.  Last September I was at the Atlanta airport with my boss and not paying as much attention as I should have and the next thing I knew as I was putting my shoes on the security belt, is that I was in line for one of the few body scanners in place at the huge airport.  Fortunately it seemed as if the TSA workers were just learning about the machine and perhaps it malfunctioned because they turned it off a few passengers in front of me.

I had to fly again in November but I knew to just get in a security line that did not have one of the body scanners.

But then in December I had to fly to Tulsa, OK and this airport has ONLY body scanners--the former metal detector scanners are there but they have a sash in front of them to show they are not being used.  I was with my boss again on this trip and he looked ahead and stated that it looks like this is the day we have to "take nudie pictures".   I stated that I would opt out.  I told the TSA worker in the "shoe/luggage conveyor belt" area that I was opting out and she thought of many things to tell me to try and dissuade me and asked if I still wanted to opt out and I said yes.

Fortunately a different worker was summoned over past the body scanner machines (and there are only 3 or 4 at the Tulsa airport) to do my pat down, which is more of a rub down.  Of course, having a rub down I feel is completely wrong, as is having to be radiated from head to toe in a body scanner.  However, it was very brief, and I am sure that I share the same mental state as many in this position--there is a plane to catch, the other anxiety of flying itself, and the focus on Getting Home to my family.

Since December I have had to fly to Jackson, MS and Albuquerque, NM and fortunately those airports only have a few body scanners so I make sure I am not in that security line.

Interesting incident: there was an incident at a nearby high school in which a male student was dared by another student to touch a female student on the breast as he walked by her at school.  The male student was suspended from school for a week, the police showed up, and who knows what else resulted.  I said, “See, Son, it is against the law to touch someone without their consent.  You’ll learn at work that you cannot touch someone even if it is to pat their shoulder, and you certainly cannot touch someone in a private part of their body – Oh, unless it is the TSA.” (my kids know how I feel about this).  I continued, “For some reason a TSA agent is allowed to touch anyone of any age on their private parts and not get in trouble, but on the other hand as you have learned in all other areas of our law it is Not OK to touch someone in any other capacity.”

And then in April I had to go to Tulsa, OK again for business.  I told the male TSA worker by the conveyor belt that I was opting out.  I was brought over to the area past the body scanner for my pat down and the female TSA worker was NOT nice and asked several times if I had opted out before and I told her yes, here a few months ago. 

This time I was violated even more than the last time because it really stands out in your brain when someone touches your outer labia and vulva.  Even if it is on top of your clothes.  Last time this did not happen--last time I was told every move that was being made and the agent seemed apologetic that she had to run her fingers inside the waistband of my pants.   These rub downs are not consistent at the same airport.

I was left standing there while the TSA worker went over to an area and wiped lord knows what all over her gloves.  Then she tells me I am done.  Of course I should have reported her but the thing with traveling for business is I have a plane to catch that was paid for by my company, and somewhere to be for work the next day, a paycheck to earn, and most importantly, a family I wanted to see that night.

I am supposed to be in Tulsa again in a few months.  I will choose to fly into a different city, such as Oklahoma City, and drive the two hours to and from the meeting to that airport.  I will make sure I research that airport and any other new cities I may have to visit and learn if like at Tulsa there are ONLY body scanners.

This violation was not a quick thing that that was over when it was over.  It has really affected me emotionally and mentally.  If it ever has to happen again I now need to plan in advance that I will not have it done.  I understand that I will not be able to fly.  Luckily for me I am old enough to rent a rental car and am able to drive long distances.

This week I have to go to Orlando.  Who can advise me if there are only body scanners and not any "old fashioned" metal detectors there?  Note: It is only a 7 hour drive home.