Outrageous!

This news is outrageous! The TSA wanted to pat down a woman because she'd had a mastectomy and was wearing a prosthetic breast form?! I am appalled and registered my complaint with the TSA. Click here for a link to the TSA complaint form. Use the section entitled "Inappropriate Screening/Pat Down Screening."

Alaska lawmaker refuses TSA pat-down at Sea-Tac

An Alaska state lawmaker is returning home by sea after refusing a pat-down search at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

By BECKY BOHRER
The Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska — An Alaska state lawmaker is taking a ferry home after refusing a pat-down search at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a spokeswoman said.

Rep. Sharon Cissna underwent a body scan as she was preparing to leave the airport Sunday and was then required to undergo the pat-down by Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) officials, said Michelle Scannell, her chief of staff.

Scannell said the TSA called for the pat-down because the scan showed Cissna had had a mastectomy.

The TSA, on its website, says security officers "will need to see and touch your prosthetic device, cast or support brace as part of the screening process."

Scannell did not elaborate beyond the statement.

TSA spokesman Kawika Riley, after being asked to respond to Cissna's comments, issued a general statement that did not mention Cissna or the Anchorage Democrat's claims.

Scannell, in her statement, said Cissna was ordered to submit to a "very intrusive pat-down or leave the airport." She said Cissna, who had been in Seattle for medical treatment, was scheduled to return to Alaska via ferry.

Scannell could not immediately say how soon Cissna would return. The Legislature is in the midst of a 90-day session.

Riley, in a general statement, said the TSA is "sensitive to the concerns of passengers who were not satisfied with their screening experience and we invite those individuals to provide feedback to TSA."

Riley did not immediately return a phone message Monday.

Both full-body scanners and pat-down searches have come under increasing criticism as the TSA has stepped up its airport-security measures.