TSA agent accused of harassing 15-year-old girl over shirt

[reflection]

Source: NBC News

A popular blogger and publisher has accused a TSA agent of criticizing his 15-year old daughter for having clothing the agent said was too revealing.

On Sunday June 16, Mark Frauenfelder, co-founder of the Boing Boing blog, posted that a TSA agent at LAX had "shamed" his daughter, Sarina, for the outfit she wore that day while traveling.

Based on text messages he received from his daughter, Frauenfelder posted that "she was at the station where the TSA checks IDs. She said the officer was "glaring" at her and mumbling. She said, 'Excuse me?' and he said, 'You're only 15, COVER YOURSELF!' in a hostile tone. She said she was shaken up by his abusive manner.”

"It's the TSA's job to ensure the safety of passengers," Frauenfelder told NBC News. "It is not to judge teenage girls on the kind of clothes they’re wearing and make them feel shameful.”

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/tsa-agent-accused-harassing-15-year-old-girl-over-shirt-6C10353666?lite&lite=obnetwork

---

There is a picture of the outfit at the article. I don't see what the fuss was about, not that it's any of the TSA's business. Hell, they pretty much strip you naked at the airport anyway, so what do they care? Less work for them.

[uppityperson]

1. Too many goons in jobs like that make it really difficult for the decent ones. Uncalled for.

[reflection]

2. I wish the girl had read him the riot act.

Of course, they would have just ended up harassing her and making her miss her flight, I'm sure.

[Psephos]

24. Which is exactly the argument against NSA, CIA, and the rest of them. n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

3. They don't strip us as naked as they used to.

The last of the nudie scanners was removed in May. Now the full body scanner render a generic gingerbread man image.
Small victory thanks to consumer complaints that the other imaging went too far.
Now if only travelers would balk at the shoe removal.

[giftedgirl77]

4. She handled it a lot better than I would

have at 15. I was a bit of a hot head & according to Faux should have been executed a long time ago. Those ppl really need to learn their place & it's damn sure not giving out fashion advice or making judgments.

[reflection]

5. Oh yeah.

I'd have probably popped off too at that age. My mouth was ahead of my brain sometimes. It still is to some degree, but I'm getting better at knowing when to just let a nice controlled rage fly.

[giftedgirl77]

9. Mine too

You would think by 35 I have gotten better at using my filter but not in situations like that. People have lost their damn minds.

[AsahinaKimi]

6. You gotta be kidding me...

Cover up? What's he want? A burka?

[brett_jv]

13. I wonder if the flannel was on at the time?

W/o the flannel that top could be pretty revealing.

I could also imagine that if she were bra-less, that top would be ... awfully revealing, even w/the flannel.

For a 15yo I mean.

Still not the guy's place to pipe up like that, but ... this pic may not tell the whole story is all I'm saying.

[pnwmom]

15. What would a bra have to do with it? Do TSA agents scold young guys for wearing

wearing light colored tops without bras? In case you're not aware, guys have nipples, too.

[reflection]

19. WHAT!

(checks chest)

Oh man, you're right.

[marshall]

56. Guys get scolded for wearing sagging pants

It exposes a different part of the body, but draws similar scorn.

[pnwmom]

60. Not wearing a bra does NOT expose more of the body.

It just adds a layer of material that guys are never expected to add, no matter what the size of their breasts or how prominent their nipples. (Of course, even large breasted men can go shirtless without fearing arrest; women cannot.)

And any woman who wore her pants low enough to expose a crack would get the same reaction as men who do so.

[marshall]

62. I don't think her breasts are the issue

It is her belly that is exposed in the photo, and what I suppose the worker took umbrage with. That is what I was equating with sagging pants. They are both fashion statements that for the most part are gendered in their choice and expression. Boys could expose their bellies and girls could expose their behinds, but usually they stick to the habit of their gender.

[pnwmom]

63. I disagree. If that girl had been exposing her behind

the TSA worker would have been just as obnoxious -- and probably more so than if a guy wore sagging pants.

[marshall]

64. And done the same to a boy with a bare midriff

I agree the worker, in spite of being low paid, seems to be going out of his way to add his own unnecessary fashion advice to travelers. If anyone is truly exposing themselves in an unlawful manner the police should be called.

[pnwmom]

65. GET REAL! You're saying that if a 15 year old boy had a slightly bare midriff --

a male who could walk around in public with no shirt at all -- the TSA guy (a guy!) would have said: "You're only 15. Cover yourself!"

When do men tell each other to cover their midriffs? What planet are you living on?

[marshall]

67. Shirts are required in most airports

But I was referring to this man, who would probably tell a boy to pull his pants up. I think sagging pants on boys is the fashion equivalent of a bare midriff on a girl, both of which this man would be likely to comment on

[pnwmom]

68. Yeah, right, because there are no sexist men who pick on girls and women. n/t

[marshall]

69. It seems like more of an age issue for this man

Granted all we know is this one incident, and as told by the father of the girl, but he made specific reference to her age. I've seen that type before, who feel like the country is going to pot because of the younger generation.

[RILib]

74. I think that top

probably leaves nothing to the imagination. The photo is a little unclear. If a 15 year old in my family went out in public like that, I'd have a few words to say too, but it's not anyone else's business.

[MillennialDem]

17. Requiring bras should be illegal. I never wear one.

[ornotna]

20. According to the photo caption

That is the outfit she wore at the time. Seems ok to me.

[lbrtbell]

39. Did you even READ the original blog post?

This picture was taken by her father, and those are the exact clothes she was wearing when the TSA creep said that to her. So yes, of course the flannel was on.

The picture does tell the whole story, and even without the flannel, the shirt is not revealing. You'd have to stand right above her, even to see her cleavage. The fact that you think an ordinary summer top is overly revealing says more about you than it does about her.

[marshall]

57. Maybe it was the exposed midriff that was the issue

And likely she had to take off the flannel at the checkpoint.

[Beaverhausen]

61. It sounded from the story that they were not together

it says the daughter texted her father about what the TSA agent supposedly said.

I agree with other posters. This story doesn't add up.

I've been through LAX plenty of times. You wouldn't believe what people wear.

[Warren Stupidity]

44. Wtf?

I know, let's just get right on with the slut shaming.

[Bradical79]

71. Well, really the pic is irrelevant

How revealing her clothes are have exactly zilch to do with TSA. So the pic shouldn't even really be involved in the story, though the blogger is just pointing out just how off his rocker this agent is. Unless the blogger is flat out lying about the agent commenting on his daughter's clothes, then the TSA agent is 100% in the wrong. That's the only other part of the story that could be missing.

[Orrex]

21. You can totally see her wrists in that picture.

Shame! Shame!

[AsahinaKimi]

33. Maybe this is how he thinks, she should dress...

Of course than again, some yahoo..would probably shoot her as a terrorist. STUPID REPUBLICAN VALUES.

[Warren Stupidity]

45. I see wrists and eyes. That is way too revealing.

[Locut0s]

70. My guess is this was his way of hitting on her...

I know 15 is too young but it's what makes sense to me. She is fairly attractive from that shot. It's sick but that's my guess.

[VA_Jill]

7. Just one more

guy in a uniform who thinks it makes him a Little Tin Jesus. I wish he'd get fired, the heck with apologies.

[blackspade]

8. TSA should be disolved.

[sofa king]

10. That amuses me.

I used to fly with long hair, which invariably singled me out for lost luggage and invasive public searches (edit: the lost luggage thing existed long before 9/11, which is why Mo Atta had his luggage "lost" on 9/11).

Several times, I made my flight because after I was put in the "fish tank" and told to loosen my belt and unzip my pants in front all other flyers, I'd drop 'em entirely, turn a slow circle with my hands up, and show the crowd my American-flag underwear.

That would always instantly end my search, and my time would no longer be wasted.

The key to getting through security, if your appearance is being used against you, is to make security regret that they singled you out for harassment. So more power to this young gal.

[Psephos]

25. love your story n/t

[RedstDem]

11. I love people like that TSA agent

oh the fun at their expense i could have.

usually I'll start off with a wag of the finger, in a facetious tone, tell them their opinion matters and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
play it by ear from there, but don't stop till their cheeks are red and head ready to explode..

don't forget to chuckle as you walk past...lol

[Auntie Bush]

12. I guess he didn't like the fact that she didn't have a bra on. Her nipples scared him!

Lot's of teenagers don't wear bras these days.

[reflection]

14. I've got two daughters

and I've told them both whether or not they wear a bra is completely up to them. Sounds like a lot of girls are going without, I say more power to them. Whatever makes them comfortable.

[MillennialDem]

18. Down with bras! (from this 32 year old). I never wear one either. They do nothing

[Butterbean]

16. Oh ffs. That outfit is TAME. Clearly that TSA agent doesn't get out much. n/t

[AAO]

22. Nothing like a peodphile with a badge.

[struggle4progress]

23. 15yo says somebody criticized her clothing is now breaking news of national importance?

[reflection]

29. You know, I thought about that when I posted it

but it is the pattern of overreaching by TSA, as well as their unaccountability, that makes it relevant to me.

[jberryhill]

52. What is the "pattern"?

I don't know how many people go through LAX every day, let alone all US airports every day.

I have long hair and a beard and I've been through LAX several times this year. Have you ever just looked around LAX and appreciated what a broadly diverse bunch of people go through there every day, and dressed in all kinds of ways?

Anyway, I'll probably look it up, but I'll bet it is one metric shit ton of people.

So what makes news among those kinds of staggering numbers? I would guess it is things that are unusual, and not things that are broadly representative of a pattern.

In that huge flow of numbers, all it takes is one human who is not having the best day of his or her life, or just a momentary lapse of impulsive thoughtlessness, to fire up the rage machine.

[reflection]

58. A pattern

doesn't have to be a large percentage of the data in order to be a pattern.

I do agree with you that when you take the number of people going through the airports compared to the number of these type of incidents, it is probably a very small percentage.

But time and time again, we read about these folks being told this is your job, here are the parameters, and every week a few pop up and decide they're going to push the envelope. It's the flat tire theory. A tire blows out on your car every 10,000 miles, what do you do? Do you hop out and praise the other 3 tires, or tell yourself how great that tire was for the last 9,999 miles? No, you say "it's unacceptable for a tire to blow out every 10,000 miles" and figure out what the problem is.

Cops behaving badly is probably a low percentage also, but we sure raise hell when it happens. And we should.

Your points are well taken, but please consider your last paragraph. If I was the one human who was not having the best day of my life at an airport, at best I stand a chance of missing my flight and at worst, being tased and arrested. The TSA doesn't put up with nonsense. Why should we?

[DRoseDARs]

30. Your username is terribly ironic right now. How dare we brng further light to the abuses of the TSA?

Step back for a moment from your gut reaction to the thread and think about the larger picture it's pointing out. The poor training and power-tripping of TSA agents. The absurdity of the "security" they provide. You know, all the bullshit our taxes are paying for. There are people struggling to make progress in either reforming or removing the TSA, but it's monolithic, secretive, and boy-howdy a cashcow.

[Bandit]

32. It is stuff like this that feeds the Tea Baggers and their hatred for Government...

There has to be accountability, afterall as a Liberal I believe the Government is of the people and for the people. If it gets to the point where the people no longer have any say then we all lose.

[grantcart]

40. A teenager complaining to her Father

not only is it trivial, I doubt that the Screener knew her age and said "your only 15".

[Inkfreak]

59. But I read about it on a blog....

that some random person wrote.

[JoePhilly]

26. Maybe he was allergic to flannel?

[robbob]

27. If you really want to get your blood boiling

....read through some of the comments. Esp. if you can find the "Yahoo" versions of the story where I first saw it (sorry, can't seem to track it down); things like "Oh well, this girl learned that if you dress like a slut...." and "I don't get it, girls dress like this to get attention, and she got it..."

etc. etc. etc.

What's wrong with people?

[One_Life_To_Give]

28. For the sake of argument, rules for wearing leggings as pants

http://the-frenemy.com/post/4601143861/leggings-as-pants

Anyway, back to the number one rule of leggings and covering your ass: Don’t show your ass. NOBODY WANTS TO SEE YOUR ASS EXCEPT PERVERTS AND FRAT BOYS. This is a family establishment, why do you think I want to see the the outline of your butt in cotton and spandex? I do NOT want to see your butthole, and you should know that people can see it because leggings are like the saran wrap of all clothings. A saran wrap that is attracted to butt things and crotch things. I also do not want to see your crotch. Do you think your crotch is prettier than mine? Mine is just really nice, never did nothing to nobody. News flash: I can totally see the outline of your rising-from-the-phoenix vagina, trying to claw its way out of oppressive pants. And it’s gross. Other newsflash: I don’t want to see your butt, because MINE is so great. Stop showing off. It’s gross.

There are similar sites I have seen. If the shirt front was buttoned it would be OK by these fashion sites. Unbuttoned not so much.

[BadgerKid]

31. Funny how a minor is named, but the TSA agent is not.

Another hit-and-run brought to you by the TSA.

[HuckleB]

37. Well, her father publicized the alleged incident.

[nomorenomore08]

34. Nothing at all "revealing" about that outfit. Creepy that the guy went there.

nt

[MindPilot]

35. In LA that is "business casual".

Hey republicans (and democrats) wanna save a few billion a year AND get rid of some big intrusive government?

Defund TSA!

[HuckleB]

36. Something smells about this story.

It does not add up.

[jberryhill]

54. There are some interestingly dressed people at LAX

What I don't get are the folks who wear thigh high stiletto fetish boots to a place where you know everyone is going to have to remove their shoes in a line.

It's like.... Why?

Or guys with big ass belt buckles and gold chains who are shocked, shocked that the metal detector goes off.

[Bradical79]

72. Why?

Wouldn't exactly be the first person with no filter between brain and mouth. Especially when combined with looking at a teenage girl.

[dbackjon]

38. So we are just taking this girl and her publicity hungry's dad word

And putting up the Crosses for the TSA?

[reflection]

41. I don't know what 'putting up the crosses' means

But for the time being, I'm taking it at face value. All I have to go by is my experience. The last time I was at Hartsfield the very attractive young lady in front of me was put in that glass box and made to disrobe to a ridiculous degree. Everyone around me that was not one of the two leering agents was mortified for her.

That being said, yes it could be false. Hopefully we'll find out.

[dbackjon]

43. People are ready to crucify the TSA

I don't find the story that believable.

[CreekDog]

47. because you don't experience such treatment from TSA?

what if all discrimination was believed only by people who experienced that particular discrimination or mistreatment?

[jberryhill]

55. White teen upper middle class girls

If she was kidnapped, Nancy Grace would be all over this.

[Tom Ripley]

42. That's not revealing; they should see some of the things her aunt Christy Canyon wore...

or didn't wear.

[rug]

46. How did he know she was 15?

[question everything]

49. As it says: she was at the station where the TSA checks ID (nt)

[rug]

50. Another reason why the government should not have extraneous personal information.

[LisaL]

48. Shouldn't TSA be happy? You can't hide anything under an outfit like that.

[BarbaRosa]

51. Small people with big badges.

[diabeticman]

53. Oh great the American version of the modesty police. What's next TSA agents not allowing

people on board for wearing tank tops or a bra strap is showing.

[hedgehog]

66. News flash: TSA agents are human!

The girl is wearing a skin tight, low cut, possibly translucent shirt over skin tight leggings. Her outfit would not be acceptable at most high schools in this country.

It isn't the TSA agent's job to enforce a dress code, but occasionally people's attitudes do break through.

[HoneychildMooseMoss]

73. Newsflash: Some people get whacked out

about a little skin.

[marshall]

75. And remember, it takes a village, as a wise woman once said

The village has boundaries, and also responsibilities. We are all connected.

[suffragette]

76. Security and fashion police rolled into one

I've noticed security agencies like the Border Patrol taking on additional roles such as administering 911 services since they have had a hard time justifying all the extra funding they receive. But dictating what females should and should not wear opens up whole new avenues of ventures for them to say why they need ever more funding and personnel.
Next up, TSA lists of "What Not to Wear."