Of Prostheses and Urine Bags: Airport Pat-Downs Push Limits for Cancer Survivors

Many travelers are balking over the Transportation Security Administration's anti-terrorism procedures at airports, namely, the full-body scanners and invasive pat downs. But a few recent cases indicate that people with illnesses may be forced to undergo particularly humiliating treatment due to their conditions.

First, there's Tom Sawyer, a former high school teacher from Michigan, who recently spoke out against a troubling exam that he had to undergo in the Detroit Metro Airport. Sawyer is a bladder cancer survivor and after having treatment for the disease he now has to use a urostomy bag, which collects urine.

After going through the full-body scanner, TSA agents requested Sawyer undergo a pat-down. He knew why and tried to explain his condition to the agents. However, they didn't listen and proceeded to administer a rough pat-down that ended up taking the cap off the urostomy bag, spilling urine on Sawyer.

According to an article by WLNS.com, Sawyer says that the biggest nightmare for people using these bags is that something will happen in public, and on that day, "my nightmare came true." At the time, there was no apology or offers to help. Instead, Sawyer had to walk through the airport and board his plane with urine on his clothing.

Yesterday, the head of the TSA called Sawyer to offer an apology for the incident.

He's not the only one whose medical equipment posed a particular problem for the T.S.A. In August, a flight attendant and breast cancer survivor had to remove her prosthetic breast during a search.

A flight attendant for over 30 years, Cathy Bossi didn't initially want to go through the full-body scanners for fear of the radiation, but eventually agreed. She was then asked to go to a personal screening area where she underwent an "aggressive" pat-down by two female TSA agents.

Bossi says that the agent "put her full hand on my breast and said, 'What is this?'. And I said, 'It's my prosthesis because I've had breast cancer.' And she said, 'Well, you'll need to show me that'." She then had to remove it from her bra. Bossi describes the incident as "horrific" and notes that as a flight attendant, she was just trying to get to work.

According to the TSA website, "security officers will not ask nor require you to remove your prosthetic device, cast or support brace." They will, however, "need to see and touch your prosthetic device." These contradictory policies surely contribute to traveler's angst.

It's clear that airport security needs to make flying as safe as possible, but it seems like searches could be done with a tad more respect for the individual and their situation. Another woman whose metal plates in her artificial knees set off security detectors had to go through  a pat-down which she describes as a "horrific" experience, likening it to sexual assault. She complained to the ACLU and the TSA supervisor.

The flood of complaints over invasive pat-downs isn't going to end. While some would advocate that the controversial full-body scanners are a way to avoid having a pat-down, those with medical devices and implants may be forced to undergo both.

To let TSA know that intrusive searches aren't the way to assure travelers of safety, sign this petition.

Photo credit: charlesdyer