Patdown Procedures Modified for Women

[emad]

Guardian

Thursday December 23, 2004 1:47 PM


By SIOBHAN McDONOUGH

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - In response to numerous complaints from women, the government has ordered airport security personnel to avoid touching female passengers between their breasts when performing patdowns.

Security screeners now will keep their hands to the ``chest perimeter'' of women unless detection equipment picks up the possibility that they are hiding explosives between their breasts.

The new method takes into consideration passenger discomfort while remaining steadfast in mitigating risks, said Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mark Hatfield.

The nation's 45,000 screeners are being told to pat down the perimeter of the chest, backsides and abdomen, effective Thursday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4690216,00.html

SO....breasts out, testicles in?