In worrying news for menopausal women, nervous flyers and anyone who easily tends to get hot under the collar even when the mercury is low, sweaty patches on bodies and clothes can set off airport scanning machines and trigger a security inspection, United States Transport Security Administration (TSA) staff have explained to CNN Travel.
“Added moisture from a person’s body can alter the density of clothing, so it is possible perspiration may cause our Advanced Imaging Technology machines to alarm,” a spokesperson said, speaking to the global outlet. As a result, “the passenger may need to undergo additional screening, such as a pat-down in the area of the body where the AIT alarmed, to ensure there is no threat.”
The last thing anyone wants is any attention drawn to an area of their person where they are experiencing perspiration and dampness, let alone any intimate contact, yet it seems these nightmare scenarios are a likely outcome due to the way the security equipment works.
It’s an issue that has animated users on the social discussion forum Reddit, where one message asks baldly: “My crotch got flagged twice, thoughts?” The Redditer goes on to explain: “I flew for the first time in 15 years this week and both airports flagged my crotch at the arms-up scanner.”
My crotch got flagged twice, thoughts?
byu/ominous_pan intsa
Another platform user replies with a theory that matches the TSA explanation. “It can alarm on heavy sweat (experienced that once myself), which will probably be somewhat more common now that we’re in the summer months.”
Asked whether or not perspiration was part of the problem, the original poster confirmed: “Probably a little. I’m terrified of flying, so I was nervous.”
As if being swiped with security wands when one is already nervous and uncomfortable is not bad enough, another unfortunate social media user described receiving personal remarks from the TSA staff about their bodily hygiene. “The guard said something unnerving like ‘swamp rot’ or ‘swamp crotch’ or something similarly embarrassing.”
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For those hoping to avoid any such interactions, it’s worth following the top tips for making it through security unscathed. Apart from ensuring there are no banned items in one’s luggage or about one’s person, things to avoid include: baggy clothes or excessive layers of attire; clothes with zippers; poor foot positioning as one passes through scanning areas; and reflective patches or motifs.
And another bit of insider knowledge doing the rounds in the US press that should help any hotties stay cool while travelling is that bottled water can be taken on planes, as long as it has been frozen and remains in icy form.
