photo: pixabay
Today, I was reminded that there are some issues specific to female frequent flyers and airport security. Yes, I’m talking about bras. Underwire bras to be exact.
An American friend of mine who lives in Egypt, posted this on Facebook:
Anyone traveling out of Cairo today, leave the bras at home. Machines set too high, and they can’t handle underwire.
A hysterically funny series of comments followed, but this actually brings up a real issue. Underwire bras are common, but they can sometimes set off metal detectors or show up on other airport security scans. Even if you don’t wear an underwire bra, the metal hooks or clasps in bras or on regular garments can make a detector go beep!
Jeanne at Le Chic Geek experienced this a few years ago and concluded that TSA doesn’t understand women’s undergarments.
So, here are some questions for the ladies:
If you normally wear an underwire bra, do you also wear one when traveling by plane, or do you purposely wear a wire-free bra when traveling?
If you have worn an underwire bra through airport security, has it set off a metal detector alarm or shown up when passing through an airport security scanner?
Was this in the USA or elsewhere?
Were you patted down?
Did you feel the treatment you received was appropriate or inappropriate?
Do you have any opinions on how these issues should be handled?
You can leave your shoes on, but should you have to take off your bra?
How about metal body piercings?
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
More proof that women aren’t involved in the creation of airport security rules.
I always wear underwire and have never thought of changing my style for plane journeys but then I have never been caught at security in the US or elsewhere because of by underwires.