FAA receives complaints of indecent searching by airport security screeners

Airline Industry Information, Feb 8, 2002

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Federal Aviation Administration and state officials have reportedly received dozens of complaints filed by female travellers who claim that male airport security screeners have groped them under the guise of random body searches.

The complaints, made from 11 October 2001 to 31 January 2002, include 18 filed with the FAA by women who claimed they were singled out for pat-down searches when they were travelling alone, then groped or fondled by male agents.

The complaints are being forwarded to the airlines, which are responsible for disciplinary decisions. The airlines involved in the complaints have not been identified, according to The Associated Press.

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