Traveler Claims Enhanced Breast Size Leads to Repeated Security Screenings at Airports, Recounting Three Incidents During a Recent Journey
A woman traveling through JFK Airport recently found herself the subject of a triple TSA screening, but she doesn't see it as a hassle. Instead, she views the repeated pat-downs as a compliment.
The incident, which was captured in a viral TikTok video, has sparked conversation about the TSA's screening procedures for passengers with larger chests.
According to reports, scanners and screening rules can flag or arouse suspicion about bulk, density, or concealed items in the chest area. When a primary screening (e.g., metal detector or imaging) is inconclusive, the TSA's procedures allow a same-sex enhanced pat-down or secondary screening to resolve that suspicion.
In this case, the woman was patted down three times by three different TSA agents. One of the agents was reportedly surprised, calling it "crazy" that it was only her breasts that triggered the extra attention.
Despite the attention, the woman remains unoffended. She posted a TikTok video about the airport incident, captioned "JFK reminding me body is tea." In the video, she humorously responds to a TSA agent's question about what she has in her bra, saying sarcastically that it's just her breasts.
The TSA has not made any official statement regarding the incident involving the woman and her larger-than-average breasts. However, it's important to note that the TSA has a job to ensure the safety of flights, and if a triple check is required, it will take place.
If you're a traveller and want to reduce the chances of extra screening, it's recommended to wear clothing without excessive bulk, many layers, or lots of metal, and to avoid garments that could appear to hide items. You can also choose to undergo an Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanner rather than a pat-down, or if you decline the scanner, accept an enhanced pat-down. If subjected to a pat-down and you prefer privacy, you can request a private screening room and a same-sex officer and/or a witness as allowed by TSA policy.
Reports and news stories document many personal experiences but do not establish that breast size alone is an official or explicit screening criterion. Rather, screening targets anomalies or potential concealment and can produce disproportionate impacts in practice. Practical factors make this inconsistent: screening outcomes depend on the equipment used that day, how an individual walks through the scanner, and subjective judgment by officers, so some people (including women with larger chests) report being selected more often while others do not.
While the incident at JFK Airport has caused some controversy, it serves as a reminder of the TSA's important role in ensuring the safety of air travel. For travellers, it's important to be prepared and aware of the screening procedures to minimize any potential inconveniences.
- The viral TikTok video about a woman's triple screening at JFK Airport has opened up discussions about how bulky, dense, or concealed items in the chest area can trigger additional screening in health-and-wellness and lifestyle categories, specifically women's health.
- In the realm of science and safety, the TSA's screening procedures aim to detect anomalies or potential concealment, but in practice, these may disproportionately impact certain groups, such as travelers with larger chests, due to factors like equipment variability, individual gait, and subjective judgement.
