Airport scrutiny

Submitted by Roberta Wenger (United States), Dec 21, 2005 at 07:33

If you think the airport scutiny is becoming lax, I've got a lesson for you!
At 75 years of age, in a wheel chair, I was nearly refused admittance on an airplane to Tampa from Milwaukee by security. Granted I am more bionic that most people, with an artificial left shoulder and both hips are artificial, making the bells at the check point start ringing.
The first lady to pat me down decided that there was something wrong. She called on another to come and pat me down. Then they called their supervisor as they didn't feel comfortable making the call themselves. All this time the gentleman who was guiding my wheelchair had to sit and just wait. The supervisor took me to a secluded area and patted me down. They finally let me in on why they were concerned about me----The artificial hip on the right side didn't "feel" the same as the one on the left side. A quick X-ray would have assured that I didn't have any explosives sewn inside my body. They wouldn't accept the explanation that the right hip was put in 4 years earlier and tissue and fat had grown around it. The left side was brand new, so it was a hard metal feel, with no overgrowth. I had cards showing the hips styles, but they no longer accept the cards showing the surgical procedures as they did prior to 9/11.
Finally, so that I wouldn't miss my plane, the supervisor gave me a reluctant clearance. She said that she hoped she wasn't making a terrible mistake and I went on my way.
How many handicapped very old ladies go around sewing explosives or whatever inside their bodies? I would say that after my experience, they are definitely not getting more lax in their airport security, but more strict!!
Being a blue-eyed blond (now snow white)haired Swede, I can't very well accuse them of profiling. I didn't complain to anyone since (1) I'd have missed my plane (2) I realize they were just doing their job & (3) I'm not a trouble-maker. But my son, a major in the army, was more upset about it than I was.
But to calm your current fears about lack of security here, considering that Pres. Bush is using any and all means available to him to check on our citizens, I think you are pretty safe.
p.s. I am also one of those who realize that the aim of Islam is the death of all non-muslims.
I am a Christian by faith.
Bobbe

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".