airport security/underwire bras
 

From an article in the Monterey Herald -<BR> "We have to resolve the source of an alarm [at the security checkpoint]," said Neal, a spokesman for ... corp which handles security at 25 airports. ..."If the source of an alarm is in the bra area, you have to feel it up."<BR> ... Rebecca Trexler, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Admin...."If at all possible," Trexler said, "it might be better for women not to wear underwire bras when they are flying."<BR> Anyone had problems at security with underwire bras setting off alarms?

Yes, my underwire bra set off the alarm. It would be unreasonable to expect woman to not wear underwire bras as that is mosty what is available today and most woman wear them exclusively.

After the increased security since Sept 11, I bought 2 non-underwires to use exclusively for travel. But this can be a problem - one store I visited (Mervyn's) had over 200 styles and except for sports-type bras only had seven (7!) non-underwire styles. And only 3 styles in my size.

Thanks for the update. I am pretty flat chested so I need all the help I can get from the underwire. Fortunately, it hasn't set off any alarms yet and I've flown to Germany and Thailand since September 11th. My convertible pants with the zip off legs did set it off though. I fly again in a few weeks, so I'll see what happens this time.

Anna and Susan: it entirely depends on the equiipment (the wand - not yours:-) and how finely it is tuned. I have flown through several airports recently and some places almost every woman triggered the things while some, none did. I would guess the % of women wearing underwires was the same - so there is a huge variance. So just be prepared to be searched if you wear an underwire - you cannot decline - whether the screener is male or female.

From the same newspaper article: ...the Assn. of Flight Attendants ... has complained to Transportation Secy Minetta that flight attendants have been sexually harassed by security screeners & are being singled out for extensive searches. ...<BR> Women are supposed to be patted down by women & men by men. ... In theory, any passenger or crew member can request a same sex screener, but that might mean a wait - & a missed flight...<BR> "They're not trying to touch the breast ... they're trying to go around it. Maybe the pinkie slips a little."

I found that I can snip the underwires out of my bras and they still hold their shape. I wear Olga underwire bras with padding. Don't know how long it will last in the wash, but seems fine.

This is amazing! I never thought about this and I am so glad that I have read this.We are flying in March and I really would prefer not to have to go through any detailed bra search!So, maybe I won't wear one at all! Wonder if something weird will happen when we get to cruising altitude,will things shift up or down?

There are many styles availble without underwires. And this is a troll. Every man would have been searched because of his zipper fly.

Those guys might be searched because of their zipper "fly"--and they like it and keep their mouth shut;o)

Unfortunately, it is not a troll thread. I have seen it several times myself. Don't know if screeners are simply taking advantage of the situation but it is happening every day.

What about the metal in certain parts of the body that get pierced?<BR><BR>Like south of the ears?<BR>

I actually have some screws in my leg from a very bad break -- haven't set off an alarm yet. Sometimes I wear an underwire bra and sometimes I don't, but all the hooks are made out of metal. Are the metal detectors you walk through and the wands set for sensitivity or quantity of metal?

I don't know about screws in a bone/joint. But people with metal rods or joints are supposed to carry letters from their doctors - Several people (including Congressman Dingle from MI) have made stinks about this. But my doctor says this is very common they have form letters for this very purpose.

What if you had some screws loose in your head? :~) <BR><BR>

Give me a ticket to Paris and I'll check on Capo's question for us :)<BR><BR>I've flown 10 times since December 10 and have run into no problems, questions, untoward feelp-ups from security agents... What am I doing wrong??

&lt;&lt;no problems, questions, untoward feelp-ups from security agents&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>maybe your pups are not worth feeling up<BR>

ROTFL<BR>That remains the question doesn't it :)<BR>Sorry to leave you ... ummm... hanging here... but c'est la vie ;)

Go to TravelSmith and order one of their quick-dry versions of the athletic bra. For larger sizes, try Vermont Country Store. And I know there are others. Hanes/L'Eggs has a discount catalogue also, though I don't know if it's on-line -- with many, many makes and types of bra.<BR><BR>What we used to call a "sleeping bra" might also be exactly what you need, esp. for overnight and/or long flights -- comfortable but not the same as not wearing a bra.<BR><BR>I stopped using underwire bras a while ago and I'm a 36D or 38C (depending on manufacturer and style). There are many, many styles out there, I promise you, that will flatter or that will be comfortable but that won't give the security people a chance to grope.

I have a Medic-Alert bracelet that always sets off the metal detectors, and it's a pain to take off and put back on. Someone showed me that if you put your hand over your wrist, it usually won't set it off. <BR><BR>My earrings don't usually set off the alarms, so doubt if studded body parts will, although who knows if you have 18 in a row somewhere?<BR>

S.Fowler ~ I have to say that Everyone loves to feel my pup and he likes it too~Of course he doesn't fly so I cannot say if he would have problems with the security-but I did just want to weigh in on the side of pups~I wonder if he wore one of my underwire bras? but then that would be for another thread altogether:)

Yeah c -- I was wondering about the "pups" reference -- mine are more like......... hahahaha ... you really thought I would say ;)<BR>

So Cass, applying your solution to this situation, should we all go through the metal detector holding our BOOBS???!!!<BR><BR>Sorry, couldn't resist.

Well, Brabra, that wasn't exactly my intention (I was more responding to the generic issues of jewelry, piercing, etc.), but it seems to me that it might be a matter of age and endowment. If you are young, perky, and only modestly endowed, the metal will be easily picked up by the detector. If gravity has had its way with you, and/or you are excessively endowed, perhaps most of the underwire will be covered!<BR><BR>

My wired bra set off the alarm at JFK coming in from Italy. That was before 9/11 so I just got wanded. I flew to CA from AZ after 9/11 and my bra didn't register. <BR><BR>Now that I know this, I'll have to rethink my travel wardrobe and wear a sports bra on the plane when we go to Paris in May. The detectors may be set higher in international terminals.

Good one, Cass! lol Gave me a laugh. <BR><BR>So, Sue, if the metal detectors are set higher does that mean only tall girls have to worry about setting them off or do the short girls have to heave em up like on a mamogram machine! <BR><BR>I think everyone should just take their bras off and put them on the x-ray belt like men do when they take off their belts. Can't you just picture it! Lines of women leaning over, unhooking bras (ever take off a bra without taking your shirt off - first out one armhole and then the other - VOILA), disgustfully slapping them on the x-ray belt then collecting them at the other end, being sure to get the right one. Women pulling and tugging at bras - "It's mine, no IT'S MINE you can't have it." Ever put a bra on or off under a sweatshirt! Lines of women putting their bras back on again looking like armless women, wiggling around, trying to hook up! What a vision! <BR><BR>(No, no, don't say Bra Bra. The first part of Brabra is pronounced Bra and the second half like the bra in Barbra - long A on Bra and short a on bra).

This is a troll. Most men have a metal zipper, and I haver never seen one stopped.

BraBra, that is priceless, thank you so much for such a good laugh!<BR>

Thank you C. My daughter says I should have used my real name though. Boobbra. Have a fun day.

I was felt up by the Vatican security guard this week! The only place on my entire trip!

Okay, I am not a gal and haven't worn a bra. But this last flight at security, the hand held wand beeped at my tummy.<BR>I had to remove my neck pouch and pulled out my credit cards---the magnetic strip was the culprit.<BR>Has this happened to any of you?<BR>Thus far on our many post 9/11 flights, my sweet wife has had no bra warnings!

Check out the following article for good information on the subject of underwear bras, misc. body piercings, and other things you should know about airport security post 9/11!<BR><BR>http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/liv...el/2746646.htm

bettyk-thanks ! I just read the whole thing, while it is amusing, it does not make me look forward to going to that airport! <BR>Now I must shop-no underwires,no zippers,no shoelaces~~~someday maybe we will just ship our things on ahead.

I saw a news piece this week on new security equipment that actually "looks" through your clothes and shows a naked picture of you on a screen. Not in use, but how would you feel about this type of "strip search"? Are you willing to give up privacy for security?

This is almost as good as the chaffing thighs thread. Thank goodness I decided about a year ago to give up underwire bras! I'd rather have slightly saggier breasts than an embarrassing search by a security guard, lol.

Forget the bra ! Leave off all your clothes. I recall a thread a few months back proposing everyone should go thru security naked. That'll cut down on searching. Then you can get dressed once you're on the other side.

I daresay that if, for whatever reason, a security guard tries to get too familiar with me I will fix him with a deadly stare and tell him that I have a highly contagious type of eczema which, altho held in check by meds at the moment, may still be passed on via personal contact. Also Jockey Underwear has a couple new wireless bras (not to be confused with the wireless phone) which worked nicely for me on a recent trip. And, FIY this was meant as humor; except for the bra information which is true.<BR>

"What we used to call a "sleeping bra" might also be exactly what you need..." <BR><BR>What kind of drooping, bowling ball knockers do you have to have to wear a "sleeping bra?" Do they flip up and hit you in the face or something? Or do they sag so far down that you can't draw up your knees in bed? Omigod, if they're that bad, consider breast reduction surgery.

FYI- with this thread in mind, I was in the lingerie dept at our local Bloomingdales.."any excuse" says my husband-but "this was for research" I said!<BR>I found the perfect little nothing to keep things where they should be and that has no wires or hooks!!<BR>A Bralett..all elasticized lace, very pretty and unless you need some major constructive holdings there, this will get you through any machines without a blip.<BR>I will test it in a couple of weeks when we fly to Las Vegas and it will be included in the trip report due to come out on all locations around March 26th~<BR>thank you C

topping for anyone who missed this and needs a good, almost-end of the workday laugh, LOLWTRDMF