Susan

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?

cd

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.

Susan

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.

Anna

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.

janis

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.

Susan

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."

Barbara

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.

c

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?

xxx

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

x

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

janis

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.

no bra but

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

Leslie

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?

janis

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.

Capo

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

s.fowler

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??

just guessing

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

s.fowler

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

Markie

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.

Cass

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>