Traveling with Kids & TSA Concerns

TSA made my 90 year old grandmother get up out of her wheelchair and stand spread-eagle while they patted her down. It was very painful for her and very traumatic for me. Just how many 90 year old grandmothers in wheelchairs have been terrorists? Come on! This was unnecessary.

I am frankly distressed to think that either we will be subject to invasive pat downs or fried in the machines (my family has a history of skin cancer...fun stuff). I am going to keep an eye on this thread, too, because this pertains to us. My DD will be nearly 3 when we travel this summer. My stepson has recently been abroad and has not reported an issue, but what is comfortable for one person (like him) may not be for another (like his baby sister). I don't necessarily feel that all the stories are drama and I want them to be frank about what they're limits are for children. If someone is likely to grope my child between her legs, I need to know. SHE needs to know.

I have also heard (in general) not to wear skirts.

If I could drive across the ocean, we'd be driving.

I wouldn't worry about it. I got a pat down last time we flew because I forgot to take the change out of my pocket and the metal detector went off. However, it really wasn't a big deal. Keep in mind that they are just doing their job.

My 4yr old was patted down because I went off thru the detector, left my cell phone in my bra. They put him in his car seat while they patted me down then they patted him down ... not a fun experience at all he did not understand what was going on. However, I still travel frequently (3-4 times a year) ... it's annoying but they have not crossed a line with me yet but if they do I won't hesistate to call the news media and make a big fuss personally.

For those who think this is a rare occurance ... go to you tube and do a video search for kids pat downs w/ tsa and see what comes up.

We flew in March with our 8 yo and 2 yo and no issues with TSA except with our stroller going thru the xray machine. It was very funny because they thought they saw something which was just a metal piece part of the stroller.

I have never seen a child go through a pat down usually they check the parent. I agree with the other person about putting your child in shoes that come off easily. Also if they want to pat down your child ask them why. If they are being a pain, ask that they pat you down first than your child so they can see it really isn't that big of deal.

I think it is now part of our culture in today's world and we need to be more accepting because in reality it is for our safety.

Personally, I wouldn't let a pat down of my child stop me from flying. But it's really up to you. I think you'll find this issue has been overblown.

I would not give it a second thought. Can't stop living!

We're flying with baby next week. I don't mind a baby pat down. Safety first.

If you are concerned with her reaction, just play a game of airport a few times before going, so you can set her expectations. have daddy, find a bell cap, check his luggage, get his boarding pass, take off shoes, belt, wallet and put into a bin. send the bin along an imaginary conveyor, walk through a metal detector, have it beep, use a fake wand, do a pat down, walk to the gate buy cofeee and a newspaper and wait patiently in the terminal, board the airplane, de-board the airplane, collect luggage, hail a cab.

If you set her expectations, it won't come as a shock or surprise, and she can anticipate and look forward to what might be coming next.

i wish i could say something reassuring, but i'll be taking MY first trip since all the groping and X-raying went into effect and i'm worried about it for my own sake. i too would be very anxious about having a tiny put through it.
khairete
S.

Unfortunately, it's the world that we now live in. A terrorist wouldn't hesitate to put a box cutter or gun in his child's clothes. So if it needs to be done for everyone's safety, then it has to get done.

Just explain to your child what will happen - maybe do a fry run at home. I know it's tough to explain to a three year old but it's a must for any child to understand what is happening and why it's appropriate in such a setting.

Communication goes a long way!

Enjoy your trip!

I just took my grandkids on a trip and TSA was very, very nice at both airports and neither girl was subjected to a pat down at all. I think the ones we've heard about in the media are very rare.

We have flown with our kids about 4-5 times in the last 2 years with our kids and NONE of us have had the pat down. Be prepared...shoes and coats off, no belts. Take DVD palyers out of the bag and move right along. We have been moved to the front of the line twice because were were with young children which was AWESOME. No worries at all!

This was not TSA but we just went to the State Capitol building and my daughter forgot to take off her blinggy belt so when she went through the scanner it went off and they had to wand her. Our 5 year old granddaughter go mad because they didn't scan her like mommy, so the gracious DPS trooper wanded her and made sure we we able to get plenty of pictures.

When we fly, the TSA agents are usually super great with all the kiddos we see. Most of them are parents too!!!

We've flown on at least 15 roundtrips with our daughter (2) in the last 2 years and we've never had any problems. The one time I was in line for the full screen machine as opposed to the regular metal detector, I simply asked to go through the regular detector with my daughter and they immediately let me into the regular detector line, no questions or fight. You hear the horror stories, but personally, I've only heard of 2 involving kids (there could be more, but this is what I've heard). Imagine how many people fly a day, the chances of an incident are really slim.

Hi E.,

You know how there are some mom's who 'threaten' their kids with a trip to the Dr or Dentist.... and then they are mad at the Dentist because their kid gets all physco before a visit.... like its the Dentists fault?

I think it's the same thing with airports and the TSA.

That news media story of the hysterical kid that got the pat down.... his parents went into that looking for a fight - you can tell by the GMA interview. They disagree with the process, didn't communicate with their kid and were looking to give TSA a hard time.

Yes, if you don't communicate with your child in terms they can understand what is going to happen and why... then yes... if all of a sudden your child is separated from you and someone is running their hands up and down their leg anyone is going to become hysterical.

We flew A LOT after 9/11 with my daughter who is now 10 1/2. We still fly 4 or 5 times a year. From the very begining of all the new regulations (and at that point we were in Connecticut, so sometimes we flew out of NYC) I just communicated with her, role played with her and let her know what was going to happen. I let her know that she needed to do exactly what they said - just like at the pool with the lifeguard.

Personally.... I am not concerned about the radiation (I know a lot of moms are) but it's the equivalent of the radiation you get anyway by extending your flight by 2 minutes!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure where you are flying... but we have ALWAYS had TSA agents who are extra communicative with my daughter. They speak directly to her and give her almost her own set of instructions to make sure she understands so she WON"T get selected for the patdown. We flew last week and the guy was real specific.... do you have paper in your pockets... that can get you flagged... do you have a belt on.... any added decorations to your bra (not the bows and stuff, but like if you have a safety pin holding it together).... Believe me, they don't WANT to pat you down any more than you want to be patted down.

To go through the scanner..... you walk in (I would use the doorway for role play) and have her put her hands up (not straight up... kinda bent at the elbows). Then have her stay completely still until you say OK. vary the time (usually it's 10 seconds, but it could be longer so you don't want to get her used to 10 seconds and then she gets scared when it's 30). And then have her walk through the other side.

Have a good trip!

I don't think there is any reason to be concerned. Go and travel with your daughter and enjoy!

We travel about 4-5x a year with our kids (now 7 yrs and 18 months) and it has always been fine. The TSA people are always very nice. There has never been a problem. I think you are worrying too much. Go and have fun. :)

No need to be overly concerned...to make things go more smoothly, just make sure you have packed your carry-ons properly, as far as liquids are concerned, and wear easy off/on shoes, "crocs" or something similar. This probably won't be an issue, but also take off jackets or sweatshirts...put them in your carry-on. Take her out of her stroller, if applicable before you get to the front of the line...it has to go thru seperately! No need to worry, just be prepared! TSA agents have always been just fine with our kids, now 7 & 11!

I have flown several times with my children and neither of them were patted down. I have been patted down a couple of times when I am traveling alone on business, and the female agents have always been very professional. I have observed some agents who aren't very friendly but have noticed it's usually with people who are not following the rules or are being disruptive.

I think the key is to be polite and follow the rules. Make sure your daughter doesn't have anything metal on her.

The TSA agent out of Orlando Airport are the nicest ones! They were so helpful. I think it's because they have so much experience with families.

I wouldn't give it a thought. The news stories are overblown. As Kristin C. said, there are just a few incidents whereas a ton of people travel daily with no incident. DFW especially is pretty organized and friendly. I have travelled 3 times in last year with babies by myself and the TSA have been nothing but helpful. Now - carrying all that stuff and dealing with a mobile 3 year old on a plane might make me want to take a road trip instead but airport security - not a factor ! Good luck!

Would not worry at all. I have flown 4 times with DS (5) just this year and absolutely no problems. My 73 year old mom just had the pat down on her last flight and honestly - no big deal. Have her wear velcro or slip on shoes - not laces - they just take too long to get on and off.

Just got back from a cross-country trip. TSA was a non-issue for us, neither me nor my kids got patted down. I was nervous too, but I planned on staying calm, respectful and attentive. Just remember that they are people just doing their jobs, and they are not actually hoping to harass anyone. Chances are if you approach it with respect and patience, they'll do the same.

Last time we flew we got picked out to be specially screened. It was kinda funny because my husband is adamant that he does not want to go through the machine. So the guy points at us and says step forward. I was holding my daughter, I gave her to my husband and told him to go through the normal metal detector with my daughter and I would go through the XRay thing. The TSA guy kinda gave me a funny look but didn't argue. To this day I don't know if he wanted to scan all of us or one of us, or what, but he seemed to be O.K. with what we did. :)

We have never experienced a pat down and have traveled with our 5 year old twins every year. Don't worry . Have a great time !

We've traveled by plane least a dozen times, including internationally, with our now 4 year old and have never had a problem. TSA is usually extra nice to our daughter - and us.

Like others, I travelled with my two kids this year (2 and 7) and I had a great experience. I did prepare my kids ahead of time that they would have to take their shoes off and not have anything in their hands (DS, games, etc). They went through the process really well and the agents were all super nice. I even completely forgot about my diaper creme being more than 3 ounces and it was in my diaper bag - they just asked me what it was and why I was carrying it and then they let me keep it - they did not confiscate it or even yell at me because it was not in my quart size bag of liquids.

So, we had a good experience.

-L.

I fly frequently and have flown several times with my kids. I have never had an experience with my children being patted down or even wanded but personally, I'd be fine with it. Who says a terrorist isn't going to use their own child as part of a plan - most of the so called suicide bombers are doing so as "martyrs". The stories in the media are overblown; TSA agents have never been anything but pleasant and even (GASP!) helpful when I've had a stroller, booster seat or car seat, game player, diaper bag, and two kid back packs to get on the conveyors for the x-ray machines. And almost every time I can think of somebody in front of me or behind me in line has been very helpful and patient ;-). If you're organized and treat it as a normal event - which it is when you fly now-you'll have absolutely no problems. There is no way I would avoid air travel just because I was afraid to get through security with my kids, believe me, we do the 12-16 hour drive to our hometowns at Christmas and I'd fly in a heartbeat over the drive. Yes it's a hassle to take everyone's shoes off, and keep track of your belongings and the kids but it's life as they know it when it comes to flying even though you knew it as different.

We took a trip to Orlando a few months ago out of Detroit with our 3 year old DD and did not have any issues - we just went through the metal detector/x-ray but did not have any pat-down. DD did fine and flying was way more convenient and less time consuming than driving would have been!

We fly quite a bit and my son has never had to go through the machines nor be patted down. Unfortunately because of my underwire bras, though, I have been patted down a few times- always by a woman, though. It is kinda' weird to be "felt up" in public, but I guess it is just part of the times we live in. :( Also, I have never seen a child be patted down- I'm hoping it is a low percentage for children as compared to adults.
Just my two cents,
R.

I have been taking my kids over seas (more than once a year) since their were born (they are now 4 and 6) and never a problem. Don't let people scare you and please don't scare your kids. The kids have never been searched or patted. We have always found them very nice with the kids.

You only hear about the drama on the news. You don't hear about the hundreds of thousands of people who travel with no incident whatsoever. I travel with my kids all the time and have NEVER had anything but a normal, boring experience with the TSA. NOT traveling *just* because something *might* happen with the TSA is like not going outside to play *just* because you *might* get stung by a bee. It's irrational.

I just traveled with both my kids (3.5/1.5) and it was fine. I actually was very thankful that most of the TSA people we dealt with were very nice and helped me get them through security without a lot of issue. In fact, we even had one TSA agent go out of his way to be helpful with a situation that arose...GASP! ;) I think you'll be fine with the kids. Frankly I'd be more concerned about yourself, but even then I would stick with flying...it might be cheaper than driving with the way gas prices are going!

Dress your child in a swimsuit and there won't be any questions!

Flying is a bit of a challenge today with all of the cutbacks and extra fees. But with just 1 three year-old, you should be fine. We flew in November and again in April (a few weeks ago) with our 4 year old and 2 year old. November to Mexico; April to Florida with a layover in Atlanta. No issues at all flying internationally. On our florida trip the story about the child who was patted down literally had just come out...and I was paranoid about it too. When my son (the 4 year old) went through security, the agent said he needed to see my son's shoes when they came through the belt. Huh?? But they looked at his shoes and didn't pat him down or anything. I think given the stink that the situation in the news caused, they are doing that on kids as a last result only. I wouldn't worry about it and travel whichever way makes more sense financially and logistically.

we travel all the time with the kids - with no concerns. we have found that people are very kind - and understanding. it is better to get kids used to it while they are young. good luck.