Security checks at US airports to get more ‘touchy’

WASHINGTON - Security checks at US airports are set to get more ‘touchy’ for those who opt out of full-body scan, as TSA is set to change its pat-down procedure.

TSA officers used to pat down passengers with the backs of their hands, but now they’ll use the fronts of their hands to search more than ever before, in some cases touching body parts that once were off limits.

“You go down the body and up to the breast portion,” ABC News quoted Charles Slepian of the Foreseeable Risk Analysis Centre, as saying.

“If it’s a female passenger, you’re going to see if there’s anything in the bra,” said Slepian.

The new pat-down protocol could be used at any of the nation’s 450 airports on passengers who require additional screening.

However, critics pointed out that even a more invasive search won’t catch everything.

For instance, would it catch someone like the underwear bomber? Does it catch explosives?

“Not likely. The underwear bomber had powder in his underpants. You really don’t know if there is an explosive there,” said Slepian.

Kate Hinni of FlyersRights.org said: “It’s intrusive, it’s unnecessary and it’s too much.”

A Memphis pilot who recently refused the pat down and the body scan was barred from flying entirely said: “They subjected me to multiple layers of absurdity. In the current world we live in, it doesn’t require stripping away our rights and liberties.” (ANI)