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CNN Live Saturday

Pat-Downs Cause Controversy at Airports

Aired March 16, 2002 - 12:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: On now to new high-tech security services -- devices rather -- at Orlando International Airport are drawing a lot of attention; in fact, too much, some way. Six prototype security systems, which can see through just about anything, will begin scanning passengers during the next few days. These scanners are high powered, able to see through even clothes. Airport officials contend the security workers operating the scanners will be the same sex as the passengers being screened, but some civil liberties advocates argue that is still not enough.

While not everyone is wild about the high-tech scanners, the practice of pat-downs is even more unsettling to some. One woman passing through the Austin, Texas International Airport says security personnel went too far when they made her lift up her shirt. Apparently, her underwire bra had set off a security wand.

The pat-downs are just one tool used in stepped-up security measures, but some women travelers say it's a practice being overused and abused.

CNN's Kathleen Koch has more on such complaints and the government's response to them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Magazine sales executive Cathleen Reinke was returning to Chicago from a January business meeting, when she says a pat-down at the Philadelphia Airport turned into a rubdown.

CATHLEEN REINKE, AIRLINE PASSENGER: This gentleman took the full palm of his hands and rubbed it all up and down my body. And I asked him, shouldn't a female be doing this? And he abruptly responded no, and asked me to come closer.

KOCH: Other women say they have been groped by screeners at this Phoenix airport.

ANITA LAWRENCE, AIRLINE PASSENGER: When I turned around like this, he reached under my jacket, and he start going up all the way, touching my breasts.

JANET NAPOLITANO, ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL: I call it pat-down anarchy. Nobody knew the rules. There weren't any policies. They don't have any notices up to passengers about what their rights are.

KOCH: Arizona Attorney General Janet Napolitano forwarded 28 complaints to the Transportation Department, which had already received at least 8 others. So a month ago, the federal government mandated same-sex pat-downs and Wednesday announced re-training at problem airports.

NORMAN MINETA, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: We want every passenger, every person coming through airports, to be treated with respect.

PATRICIA FRIEND, ASSN. OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS: Barefooted with my robe on, the security woman passed the wand over me while my uniform, bra, et cetera, were put through the conveyor machine.

KOCH: Flight attendants were among the first to blow the whistle on screener fondling, taking dozens of complaints on their web site. And though things have improved, they wonder when or if the government will punish violators.

FRIEND: Primarily what we have had from them is, "We have received your complaint." It's a huge bureaucracy.

KOCH: And even the same-sex rule won't make all travelers comfortable with being frisked, like this woman patted down last week by a female screener.

SUSAN HUDSON-WILSON, AIRLINE PASSENGER: This woman did indeed appear to be well-trained. But it was...

KOCH (on camera): She physically patted your body?

HUDSON-WILSON: Yes, every inch.

KOCH: Do you think that was necessary?

HUDSON-WILSON: Probably not, probably not.

KOCH (voice-over): For now, pat-downs will continue in the name of security.

(on camera): Passengers can ask they be conducted in a private area. If they are unhappy, they can report any incidents to airport security, local police or the Department of Transportation, which says it will thoroughly investigate every complaint.

Kathleen Koch, CNN, Reagan National Airport.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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