Anyone flying in this heatwave may find themselves having an unexpected run-in with airport secutiry. According to the past experiences of travellers shared on social media, if you’re even slightly perspiring, particularly in your private areas, airport body scanners may flag it.
One holidaymaker shared their perplexing experience on Reddit after being stopped for a pat-down in the same area, not once, but twice, at a US Transport Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint, as reported by UNILAD. Describing themselves as a “5’8″, 169lbs, midsized adult woman”, they revealed: “My crotch was flagged twice.” They added that they were dressed in “bike shorts and normal underwear”. Another Reddit user asked “were you sweating?”, to which the woman replied honestly: “Probably a little, I’m terrified of flying, so I was nervous.”
Although she wasn’t offended by the pat-down, she couldn’t help but question why she was singled out while her wife wasn’t.
She’s not alone in this predicament. One man recounted a similar ordeal online after noticing his “sensitive area” kept triggering the scanner regardless of his attire.
He tried everything from double-knee trousers to pyjama bottoms in an attempt to pass through undetected. However, he had no luck and was subjected to a pat-down each time.
Eventually, someone in the thread did offer what appeared like the most plausible explanation.
They said: “I’ve flown a lot over the last few years. I’m a bigger guy, and I’ve had that problem. My unscientific testing has told me the following. If I’m sweaty, I’m getting a pat down. The machine triggers on sweat, especially in the lower back and private areas.”
It is claimed sweat can create odd shadows on the scanner image, and that’s when TSA officers step in.
The person added: “Boxer briefs over boxers, the boys need to be high and tight. Pants material doesn’t make too much of a difference. What does is sag. When you get in the machine, pull your pants as high up as you can. Sagging pants make a shadow or something, and it guarantees a pat down.”
For those who might find these tips excessive, the flyer added a comforting note: “The last thing is to be patient. They don’t want to search you down there any more than you want to be searched, but sometimes it’s just going to happen.”
So, before you jet off on your next trip, you may want to avoid wearing clingy trousers if you’re prone to sweating in airport queues. Or you many want to try pulling them up before the scanner. While carrying a fan to keep yourself cool might also be a good idea.
