Going through security at the airport can be a real pain, especially if you don’t have TSA Pre-Check. You have to take your shoes and coat off, your larger electronics out, and present any travel-sized liquids in a separate clear bag. When you also factor in the possibility of getting selected for extra screening (when they swab your hands) or being held up because someone in front of you didn’t follow the rules, it can be a major factor in travel anxiety. Well, now we have a new thing to be aware of when going through security checkpoints: sweat! According to the TSA, “excessive perspiration” can trigger a pat down of the affected areas.
Sweat, it makes a rough travel day even worse. But it may also lead to delays at the airport. According to the TSA, excessive perspiration, particularly in one’s private areas, may set off their security screening technology, requiring an additional pat-down by agents.
“Added moisture from a person’s body can alter the density of clothing,” a spokesperson for the agency told CNN. “So it is possible perspiration may cause our to alarm.”
They added: “If this occurs, 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.”
Although sweat may slow down travelers, there is one thing no longer causing as many delays.
On Tuesday, July 8, Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem announced plans to end TSA’s ‘Shoes-Off’ policy. The change allows travelers in domestic airports to keep their shows on while passing through security checkpoints.
“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” Noem said in a press release. “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.”
Previously, only those with TSA Pre-Check were allowed to keep their shoes on — along with their belts and jackets. The program, which costs about $80 to enroll, requires passengers to go through a clearance process with the agency.
The ‘shoes-off’ policy began after a man named Richard Reid implanted explosives in his shoes before boarding an American Airlines flight in 2001. During the flight, Reid struggled to light the fuse before crews and passengers noticed and restrained him. Reid pleaded guilty to eight terrorism-related charges in October 2002.
Okay, who had crotch sweat causing an airport security delay on their bingo card? I sure didn’t. Imagine being the TSA agent assigned to pat down someone’s sweaty armpits or worse, their sweaty crotch. How embarrassing for the traveler. Speaking of, a government agent telling someone that they need to do a pat down of their private area because of “excessive perspiration” is going to cause problems, right? I can’t believe we have technology to tell when someone is sneaking something in their shoes but not to distinguish sweat from… whatever else?
Oh, and regarding the ‘shoe-off’ policy ending, I’ve had pre-check for years, and it does make things go quicker. I’ve also flown out of several different countries over the years and never had to take my shoes off (America’s pre-check program isn’t recognized in other countries). It’s cool that we’ve caught up to the rest of the world. That said, I just want to bring my own water through security again. When can we get that back?
Photos credit: Jennifer Graylock/Avalon, Getty and via Instagram/TSA
Last time I’ve flown (from Italy in this case) I triggered the main alarm and was – I assume, they didn’t tell me why they rubbed my hands with a type of paper – tested for drugs and/or chemicals, but was never patted down after that quick test turned out negative.
I can already imagine myself sweating unnecessarily right there at the airport, just because I can. I’d worry I’ll sweat and then I’ll sweat.
And I always take my shoes off. I used to wear boots with metal caps that would beep at the metal alarm, so I saved us all the time and put the shoes on the conveyor belt myself. Even now, when I travel in more comfortable shoes, I do it out of habit.
I flew domestically here in Canada earlier this month and I didn’t take off my shoes. (I think maybe 25% of people did, if that.) I’m not sure if the rules here have already changed; to be honest it hadn’t even crossed my mind until I was already through security and waiting at the gate.
The only time I had to be patted down was flying home from Amsterdam, and it was done at the gate in full view of everyone who was boarding. The joys of being an Arab woman, I guess?
What will they do if one of us is having a hot flash send ? Hello perimenopause.
So could wearing a panty liner. 😳. At least they seem to have gotten better Re: underwire bras.
Wonder how many women are on the committees making up the rules for this stuff…?
I just wish they’d be consistent across airports. I’ve flown quite a bit in the last couple of years, and every time the rules have been different — even in my home airport. Shoes on or off, electronics out or in, food is OK, food has to be removed, toiletries in or out — that uncertainty slows things down as much as anything else.
My sister gets extra screening every time. She’s a senior white woman with low maintenance style and dressed for comfort. Her husband, working for csis at the time, told her it’s so the staff are not accused of profiling. There’ll be someone they want to screen in the line behind her
* csis = Canadian security intelligence service
I just flew back from Paris CDG, and we didn’t take our shoes off and went through an x ray machine instead of the accursed scanners.
I normally use a menstrual cup, but used a pad last time I was flying because I’ve read about scanners freaking out about them and then you have to… remove the cup in front of TSA.
Does TSA really want to be challenging us menopausal women during our hot flashes. Travelling seems to be one of the worst triggers I have for hot flashes, I can also be pretty cranky. Good thing I’m boycotting visits to the US for the time being.
OK, who tried to get on a plane with a full-size bottle of salad dressing???? Who does that?
I was once wearing leggings and the lady saw something on the monitor between my legs, stopped me, searched, used the metal detector, called someone to ask what it could be and the guy (her colleague) was like there’s clearly nothing there, she’s wearing leggings and you can see the empty space with your very own eyes! Reminded me of that meme where they ask you for proof you did not receive your purchase and the guy photographed his empty palm 🤦♀️