If I See A Woman On A Plane With A Nipple Ring...

[BPSCG]

A Texas woman who said she was forced to remove a nipple ring with pliers in order to board an airplane called Thursday for an apology by federal security agents and a civil rights investigation.

"I wouldn't wish this experience upon anyone," Mandi Hamlin said at a news conference. "My experience with TSA was a nightmare I had to endure. No one deserves to be treated this way." Well, that's not quite true. Is there anyone who thinks Osama bin Laden wouldn't deserve to be treated this way?

Hamlin, 37, said she was trying to board a flight from Lubbock to Dallas on Feb. 24 when she was scanned by a Transportation Security Administration agent after passing through a larger metal detector without problems.

The female TSA agent used a handheld detector that beeped when it passed in front of Hamlin's chest, the Dallas-area resident said.

Hamlin said she told the woman she was wearing nipple piercings. The women then called over her male colleagues, one of whom said she would have to remove the jewelry, Hamlin said.

Hamlin said she could not remove them and asked whether she could instead display her pierced breasts in private to the female agent. But several other male officers told her she could not board her flight until the jewelry was out, she saidI suppose that's because the explosive nipple ring system has an proximity detonator that can only be activated while inside a brassiere. A nipple ring carried in your purse is harmless, as opposed to one piercing the nipple.

Hamlin said she could not remove them and asked whether she could instead display her pierced breasts in private to the female agent. But several other male officers told her she could not board her flight until the jewelry was out, she said. That's because there were several Danish persons aboard the flight who might have overreacted.

Hamlin said she heard male TSA agents snickering as she took out the ring. She was scanned again and was allowed to board even though she still was wearing a belly button ring. Well, of course. Any idiot knows belly button rings aren't dangerous. Duh!
Link (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8VM3DT00&show_article=1&image=large).

[Ian Osborne]

If nipple rings are outlawed, only outlaws will wear nipple rings...

Seriously, heads should roll over this. It's a clear case of someone in a uniform acting like a jobsworth, and his or her career should come to an abrupt end as a result.

[brodski]

What fools the TSA are, how did they know that it was a nipple ring, and not the ring from the pin of a grenade? Removing it was the worst thing they could have made her do!

[Don At Work]

msnbc also has an article about that. To quote that article:

TSA officials said they are investigating to see whether its policies were followed.

"Our security officers are well-trained to screen individuals with body piercings in sensitive areas with dignity and respect while ensuring a high level of security," the agency said in a statement.

On its Web site, the TSA warns that passengers "may be additionally screened because of hidden items such as body piercings, which alarmed the metal detector."


It is part of their publicly stated policy that if you choose to add metal to your body, you may get to participate in additional screening.

I don't know what a "jobsworth" is, but in context it sounds like it means "jerk" or a Napoleon complex kicking in. So, the people doing their job, by the book, are jerks? I don't understand why someone should lose their job because they did their job correctly.

[Francesca R]

I don't know what a "jobsworth" is, but in context it sounds like it means "jerk" or a Napoleon complex kicking in. So, the people doing their job, by the book, are jerks? I don't understand why someone should lose their job because they did their job correctly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jobsworth

By the way; you're right.

[wahrheit]

From here (http://cbs5.com/local/nipple.rings.flight.2.686288.html):

She was scanned again and was allowed to board even though she still was wearing a belly button ring.

So they had her remove the nipple rings, but the belly button one was okay. Makes perfect sense to me.

She added that she will never fly out of Lubbock again.


Goal achieved. Success! Another frightened citizen. Citizens with fear are more easy to govern.

[Don At Work]

:)

The only "UK" shows I watched with any regularity were MPFC, "Are You Being Served", and "Absolutely Fabulous". I never heard the phrase on those shows. Ian used the word perfectly (even if i disagree with his assessment).

[Soapy Sam]

I suggest ducky / fowlsound stays well away from that airport.

[Don At Work]

So they had her remove the nipple rings, but the belly button one was okay. Makes perfect sense to me.


If you read the policy, it does make sense in the context of the rules. The belly button ring did NOT trigger the metal detector.


Goal achieved. Success! Another frightened citizen. Citizens with fear are more easy to govern.

I can't prove that the goal was to frighten her. I do agree that citizens that are petrified with fear are easier to govern. :hypnotize

[wahrheit]

If you read the policy, it does make sense in the context of the rules. The belly button ring did NOT trigger the metal detector.

Yet, there is a certain point in society when this "they only did their job", they were following policy thing crosses a line.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Yet, there is a certain point in society when this "they only did their job", they were following policy thing crosses a line.

As an ex civil servant and one who understands the mentality well, the correct response by the worker is to refer the issue to management. Then it is no longer your decision and you are no longer respomsible for any consequences. Geesh. :covereyes

[Travis]

At least they didn't demand to fondle them to assess whether the breasts were real or fake ones filled with some exotic explosive that the dogs didn't pick up.

Or am I the only one that happens to (only not for the breast area)?

[ponderingturtle]

I suggest ducky / fowlsound stays well away from that airport.

Or anyone with say knee replacements

"Mam, you have to remove your knees to board the plane"

[Wolfman]

Ya' know, some day, some suicide bomber is gonna' have plastic explosive breast implants, and blow herself up. Then any women with implants will be banned from flying.

[Travis]

Ya' know, some day, some suicide bomber is gonna' have plastic explosive breast implants, and blow herself up. Then any women with implants will be banned from flying.

If that happened 3/4 of Hollywood's actresses would suddenly be traveling by train or bus.

They'd better not ban cute Flight Attendants or then I'd be really mad.

[Beerina]

I see Gloria All-red's face is jammed in that picture. Surprise, surprise.

[Autolite]

I don't think that the nipple rings issue was really a security matter. IIRC, there is something about their size and shape that screws up the aircrafts' transponders...

[dann]

That's because there were several Danish persons aboard the flight who might have overreacted.

Now that even public indoor swimming baths (http://www.dr.dk/Regioner/Kbh/Nyheder/Koebenhavn/2008/03/28/070841.htm) have allowed topless swimming, with or without nipple rings, we are not that easily upset.

Oh ... I see ... that's not what you were talking about!
Well, we don't consider them armed for that reason.

[Ian Osborne]

It is part of their publicly stated policy that if you choose to add metal to your body, you may get to participate in additional screening.

She offered to submit herself to additional screening. Why on earth did the jobsworths demand they be removed? Do they insist flyers remove their earrings too? Or was somebody being awkward for the sake of being awkward?

[sphenisc]

Why would anyone call an aeroplane "Thursday"?

[Lensky1917]

The stupidity of this article makes my head want to explode.

[fuelair]

The stupidity of the TSA is why I do not bother flying except in absolute emergency. That and the no guns thing.

[Careyp74]

I fly almost every week, and go through TSA with 0 gauge (1/4 inch) earrings in both ears, made of solid surgical steel, and they never set off the metal detector.

The woman in the article didn't set off the metal detector either, which I tend to believe because I never met anyone with 0 guage piercings in their nipples. Her's were probably smaller than mine, and less detectable.

It was when they used a wand on her that they discovered the piercings. OK, they found them, and figured out what set off the wand. Move on.

I think there was no reason to have the woman remove them, from what it sounds like, they were put in using tools, and she could have sustained injury trying to get them out with the pliers. If you don't know what I am talking about, these are special rings that you have to spread apart to get the ball in place, and you have to spread them apart to get the ball back out. There is a special tool that resembles a C Ring plier, that is used to do this, because regular pliers are dangerous in this application.

[BPSCG]

Okay, I'm not a woman, but does the juxtaposition of the words "pliers" and "nipple ring" make anyone else cringe?

[luchog]

Being an afficianado of body piercings... yes, yes it does. The only appropriate tools to use on any ring-type body-piercing jewelry, particularly around sensitive areas like nipples and genitalia, are specially crafted ring pliers, violet wands, and PES units.

[jimbob]

I suggest ducky / fowlsound stays well away from that airport.

Or anyone with say knee replacements

"Mam, you have to remove your knees to board the plane"


Yes, my dad has that problem.

He has metal pins in his ankle, and in the US he still had to walk through the gate and set off the alarm then get frisked, despite trying to warn the guard about the pins beforehand

In Australia, when he told the security guard, the response was "Yeah mate it's a bugger..." and then was frisked without the other pointless ritual.

[bignickel]

What fools the TSA are, how did they know that it was a nipple ring, and not the ring from the pin of a grenade? Removing it was the worst thing they could have made her do!
Mayhaps a variation on the "hand grenade" from Death Race 2000?

Which reminds me: did anyone see the "Major Boobage" ep of South Park this week?

[bigred]

So I see we're still hiring ex-fast food employees to work airport security. Comforting.

[Travis]

Mayhaps a variation on the "hand grenade" from Death Race 2000?

Which reminds me: did anyone see the "Major Boobage" ep of South Park this week?

See it? I Tivo'ed it so I can watch it again and again.

[Travis]

So I see we're still hiring ex-fast food employees to work airport security. Comforting.

To be fair a good portion of the population has worked in a fast food place at some point in their life.

[wahrheit]

Bingo.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iaKrY0kksitnVjdek1gyLW1cgnBgD8VMVKB00

The TSA said Friday in a statement on its Web site that the officers properly followed procedures, but that the procedures must change.

[RandFan]

...you said nipple.

[Gravy]

I'm going to manufacture a line of ceramic body piercings that metal detectors can't spot but that are every bit as deadly as their metallic counterparts.

And speaking of deadly, if the TSA wants my colon ring, they're going to have to get it themselves.

[godless dave]

According to the TSA, this was their policy, and they're going to change it.

I just don't understand why it was their policy to begin with. I can understand having a security agent doing a visual inspection of the piercing to make sure it actually is the jewelry that's setting off the metal detector. But why insist on removal?

[Gravy]

According to the TSA, this was their policy, and they're going to change it.

I just don't understand why it was their policy to begin with. I can understand having a security agent doing a visual inspection of the piercing to make sure it actually is the jewelry that's setting off the metal detector. But why insist on removal?To be sure that's the only thing setting off the detectors, of course.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/879047eeafcd82ccc.jpg

[Hutch]

Well, I wonder what the policy is if it had been a guy with a Prince Albert....


Link MOST DEFINITELY not safe for work; or around children;

....and it's gross to boot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Albert_piercing


Ya hadda look, didn't ya? :eye-poppi:covereyes:eek:

[The Central Scrutinizer]

If we can't wear nipple rings on an airplane, then the terrorists have won.

[elgarak]

According to the TSA, this was their policy, and they're going to change it.

I just don't understand why it was their policy to begin with. I can understand having a security agent doing a visual inspection of the piercing to make sure it actually is the jewelry that's setting off the metal detector. But why insist on removal?Because just seeing the piercing does not confirm that it, and it alone, set off the alarm. Removal and re-checking the area does.

(Not saying that I approve of the procedure as applied in this case. But I understand the TSA's logic.)

[skeptifem]

If you read the policy, it does make sense in the context of the rules. The belly button ring did NOT trigger the metal detector.



no, they didnt. she passed through the larger metal detector without a problem. they were only detected by wanding, and a navel piercing would do it too.

[Ron_Tomkins]

You mean these TSA bastards have taken it to the point of removing a woman's nipple ring???

How the hell do I apply for that job?:D

[Careyp74]

Because just seeing the piercing does not confirm that it, and it alone, set off the alarm. Removal and re-checking the area does.

(Not saying that I approve of the procedure as applied in this case. But I understand the TSA's logic.)

OK, so you remove the ring and the wand still goes off, then what? "Ma'am, are you smuggling a knife in your breast?"

Come on now, what possible "other" thing could be setting it off? Metal detectors are for guns and knives. That's why they don't bother much with the knee with an implant setting off the detector.

[thaiboxerken]

This is the result of having morons in charge of security. The problem is, the job doesn't pay well enough to attract intelligent persons.

[SezMe]

Or anyone with say knee replacements

"Mam, you have to remove your knees to board the plane"

I am the proud owner of TWO artificial hips. "Please, sir, would you remove your legs before boarding." :p

Of course I always set off the alarm but the ensuing wanding/inspection varies greatly. The least was when I told the wander before he started of my hips and he said fine and let me go. Other times it has taken 10-15 minutes of wanding, questions, calling the supervisor for assistance, etc. Royal pain in the hips.

[Darat]

Wow - does that mean you can run in slow motion?

[jimbob]

OK, so you remove the ring and the wand still goes off, then what? "Ma'am, are you smuggling a knife in your breast?"

Come on now, what possible "other" thing could be setting it off? Metal detectors are for guns and knives. That's why they don't bother much with the knee with an implant setting off the detector.

You can see the bolt just underneeththe skin in my dad's ankle, and he still has problems in the US, but not other countries.

cf SezMe's post also...

[mrbaracuda]

What fools the TSA are, how did they know that it was a nipple ring, and not the ring from the pin of a grenade? Removing it was the worst thing they could have made her do!

Oh brodski, just where do you get that stuff? ;)

Goal achieved. Success! Another frightened citizen. Citizens with fear are more easy to govern.

Yea, except that she sounds more pissed off than frightened of TSA people giving her pliers to remove her nipple ring. Now tell me how pissed off citizens are easier go govern?

Good to see they're going to change their procedure. Does this cover only that airport and the TSA there? I'm sure it should have happened before (and make the news) if this is country-wide procedure.

[SezMe]

Wow - does that mean you can run in slow motion?
At my age, Darat, running is the operational definition of slow motion.

[mrbaracuda]

At my age, Darat, running is the operational definition of slow motion.

:) May I ask just how old you are? :blush:
A hint would be sufficient, too! :D

[Darat]

Not to say too much but his high school year book is a papyrus roll...


:duck:

[Aitch]

I'm going to manufacture a line of ceramic body piercings that metal detectors can't spot but that are every bit as deadly as their metallic counterparts.


Slightly off topic, but I always wondered; are those ceramic kitchen knives detectable by the systems used at airports? I should think a couple of determined people could wreak havoc if they took a few on in their hand luggage.

[mrbaracuda]

Not to say too much but his high school year book is a papyrus roll...


:duck:

That's ancient heh. Hooray for new technologies! Hooray for artificial - hips! :p

Slightly off topic, but I always wondered; are those ceramic kitchen knives detectable by the systems used at airports? I should think a couple of determined people could wreak havoc if they took a few on in their hand luggage.

Now that you say it.. :eek::eye-poppi




An Italian reporter breached tough new security measures in place in
European airports since November by flying from Milan to Rome and back armed
with a sharp, eight-centimetres long ceramic knife similar to the ones
thought to have been used for the September 11 attacks in the United States.


According to an account published in Friday's La Repubblica by reporter
Massimo Lugli, metal detectors in Milan's Linate and Rome's Fiumicino
airports failed to detect the Japanese-made knife. DPA-Article (http://archives.californiaaviation.org/airport/msg39871.html)

Gah. :boggled: But!

AIRPORT SECURITY

Airport Security and Ceramic Knife Airport and other security detection devices have difficulty in detecting plastic or ceramic materials. For this reason we have made sure that the body of these ceramic pocket knives contain a high percentage of stainless steel to ensure detection by existing security scanners. While not, as yet regulated, we feel it is important to offer this security feature and if regulations are every put in place your ceramic folding knife should pass any reasonable rulings.

http://www.ceramicknife.org/

[Darth Rotor]

The stupidity of the TSA is why I do not bother flying except in absolute emergency. That and the no guns thing.

Agreed. That has been my policy since late 2001, and the reaction of the airlines to Sept 11, as well as the reaction of the Feds.

Not if I can at all help it.

DR

[trvlr2]

What fools the TSA are, how did they know that it was a nipple ring, and not the ring from the pin of a grenade? Removing it was the worst thing they could have made her do!

Don't be silly! All you must do, is hold the lever (nipple) down!:D

[fuelair]

If I See A Woman On A Plane With A Nipple Ring...





as in it is obvious, I will likely keep a close eye on her to help make sure the plane is really secure.

[trvlr2]

Thanks, Fuelair-I feel so much safer already...

[Arkayik]

I'm thinking, that if you do see a woman on an airplane with a nipple-ring, then you're on the likes of no flight I've ever been...

Cheers.

[Don At Work]

no, they didnt. she passed through the larger metal detector without a problem. they were only detected by wanding, and a navel piercing would do it too.

To quote the original article in question
Hamlin said she heard male TSA agents snickering as she took out the ring. She was scanned again and was allowed to board even though she still was wearing a belly button ring.

You do realize that the wand is a metal detector, yes? The belly button ring didn't set off either one.

They simply followed policy. A bad policy? yep. Oh my God I am traumatized for life give me $$$ sue sue sue :jaw-dropp bad? I don't think so.

Oh, I am replying so late because I am naughty and do so from work, and cannot always browse the forums.