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Subscribe to RSSA 95-year-old Michigan woman says TSA agents in Florida made her remove her adult diaper during a pat down. WOOD-TV's Ryan Takeo reports.
This weekend it was reported that a 95-year-old flier was subjected to an extensive pat-down at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport, which allegedly included a request that she remove her adult diaper in order to comply with the search. (See TSA asks 95-year-old woman to remove diaper for pat-down)
While original news reports indicated that the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security had defended the search, the TSA issued a statement to msnbc.com on Monday saying that no one required the elderly woman to remove her diaper.
However, the woman's daughter, Jean Weber, told msnbc.com, "My story has not changed from my first contact with TSA at the airport."
Weber’s mother, Lena Reppert, was attempting to fly to Michigan to see family members as she battled the final stages of leukemia.
"My choices were to remove the Depends or not have her clear security," Weber said.
Aviation expert Peter Goelz shares his thoughts on the TSA's decision to pat-down a 95-year-old cancer stricken woman.
Lauren Gaches, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, would not comment on the incident beyond the statement released Monday morning.
"While every person and item must be screened before entering the secure boarding area, TSA works with passengers to resolve security alarms in a respectful and sensitive manner," the statement read. "We have reviewed the circumstances involving this screening and determined that our officers acted professionally, according to proper procedure and did not require this passenger to remove an adult diaper."
Weber said that airport security advised her that they could not examine the contents of the diaper, which was soiled. "They said they would have to be removed and I had to take her to the airport restroom outside of security to do that." Otherwise, Weber said, " ... they would have not released her to board the plane."
TSA officials offered to retrieve Reppert's luggage off the plane so that she could change into a clean diaper, the Associated Press reported, but Weber said time constraints did not allow for that.
Congressman Justin Amash, who represents the Michigan district to which Weber’s mother reportedly flew, is also looking into the matter, according to Will Adams, a spokesman for the lawmaker. Rep. Amash sits on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which has oversight jurisdiction over the TSA.
Other stories you might like:
- Cancer patient denied carriage dies in native South Korea
- Saggy pants lead to arrest at airport
- British Airways apologizes for turning away girl with Down syndrome
Rebecca Ruiz is a senior editor at msnbc.com. Follow her on Twitter.
Leave a Comment:
Why should we believe the people that lie to us and violated innocent travelers daily?
I travel to and from this airport, and my experience has always been that the security officers there are very aggressive and intimidating. Perhaps it is because of the nearby military bases, but nevertheless, it always seems unnecessarily so. This is an airport serving a significant number (if not mostly) of tourists. Perhaps, airport management should make an effort to make this process not just thorough, but also performed in a more thoughtful and considerate fashion to it's travelers. Local businesses who depend on the tourist industry, should be concerned about this.
I am sick to death the way we the American people are being treated buy OUR Goverment!!!!!
How totally embarrassing for this poor elderly women. She is wearing depends because she has a problem! I am SURE NO 90 something women has a bomb in her PANTS!!!!!!!!
It is time we the PEOPLE stand up for our rights. Yes Brush started this after 9-11 but it now gotten way out of hand!!!!
If we do not stop it soon it is going to get really Bad.
Where are our RIGHTS as American Citizens!!!!!!!!! The real American Citizens!!!! We don't have any anymore. The people who came here illegally have more rights then those of us who have been her forever. My famiy has fought in EVERY war America has been in and look how we get treated!!!!!!!!
You people wanted and even extended Homeland Security. They are doing their jobs. Every war I have been in old people and children have been used. You either search everybody or don't search anybody. What if they found C4 then it was okay to search. Give me a break.
Because those idiots they hire In TSA have no social skills, nor do THEY have any respect for their fellow citizens.
I agree with Mr. Kellogg. Those who served in foreign wars, especially in Asia, know that children and even infants have been used to bomb our troops and even native peoples. That aside, how do we let the TSA and Homeland Security do their job but not abuse it? I think the answer is the same as for any other industry or service. We all work together to monitor inappropriate conduct, and we all take time to learn about the truths behind the actions on both sides. There will always be people who will abuse an opportunity--in military, in business, in finance, etc. They cast a permanent blemish on the hard work done the majority of their colleagues. It's difficult to escape. But, those noting such activities can be equally as pretentious in their judgments without obtaining the facts, and thus cast equal doubt to the accusers. We all need to rationally evaluate truths and assist one another in making the world a better place.
Too Ever, you guys in the military don't get it. The constitution of the United States, the supreme law of the land does not govern your behavior or searching of people in foreign countries. That U.S Constitution does govern every search within the United State, and especially for citizens of the United States. Read the fourth Amendment some day and realize why your were fighting. If you, congress, The President, or the American people don't like the 4th Amendment to the constitution have it amended, don't just act like it doesn't exist. These searches are unconstitutional. Even the most liberal reading of the 4th amendment, checkpoints, requires only a brief stop and no intrusive form of search. To find what the TSA does as not intrusive enough to be a search is ridiculous under the 4th amendment. If a the next terrorist shoves C4 up his rectum will that justify randomly doing rectal exams on the public to fly. What if a guy shoves C4 up his rectum and blows up a gym at a basketball game, then do we randomly search the rectum of those attending a school function. The 4th amendment does not allow for any of these searches w/o probable cause and or a search warrant supported by oath or affirmation of a judicial officer. Bin Laden has won and the 4th amendment lost.
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Ben Franklin
For those who didnt know this, he is one of the "Committee of Five" responsible for writing the Decleration of Independence. He was also a big part of the re-writing of our current Constitution.
Good points, TheRealReasonMayBe.
The old lady was just on CNN. She thought it was just part of the procedure (removing her diaper).
She said that her daughter was more upset than she was. She said she is too old to care.
The 95 year old lady is A - OK with me! How cool is that? She's too old to care.
TSA, red light cameras, nationalized healthcare...
We have met the enemy..and he is us.
POGO
2 deleted, Crossbowy smearing all Muslims as 'the scourge of the planet' in their first comment. Banned.
Just watched the spot on nightly news. I just cant figure out why the TSA Agents arent wearing Brown shirts?Wonder what Position the blackguy will have in the new SS?
MSNBC make s the headline read like the lady was stripped at the search point. the TSA asked her daughter to take her to a restroom so a clean deopends could be put on, and the search completes. The daughter said there wasn't time. So she and mom got there 15 minutes before boarding. if you travel, you know there will be delays, so you allow at least an hour to get done with the stuff. Old lady doesn't look like a terrorist, but since they cannot profile, she had to be searched.
What do you expect when you give uneducated, simple minded low class morons a little bit of power.
Really? How are you sure? Do you believe that terrorists or drug smugglers are above asking an elderly person to put something in their diaper? When you create list of people you are less likely to stop, you are creating a blueprint for terrorists and drug smugglers.
That being said, I do not agree with asking the woman to remove her diaper, and tend to believe the TSA on this-for several reasons...First, no one else has had the same problem. I can not fathom that this was the first person who flew while wearing depends-where are all of the other complaints? Also, it seems hard to imagine that a diaper would prevent the normal screening methods from working. From a metal detector standpoint-how is it so much different from a woman using a maxi pad in her underwear? Finally, by saying they woul dnot do this, they are opening themselves up should it ever happen again-so it can not be part of the policy that it is ok.
It would make sense to me that the diaper was soiled, and they suggested it be changed, for her own sake.
TSA now serving a valuable purpose in suggesting changing adult diapers?? What a wonderful travel convenience. Obama, reign in the TSA now and educate them to spot suspicious characteristics..........for starters, send a few dozen screeners to Israel and have them work there for a few weeks. When they get back, they become educators for our own screeners.
At the same time ask the Israelis if they check diapers. And with the latest news about bombs implanted INSIDE of passengers.................what do we do next...........personally I will not be flying for a good long while.......Road trips for wife and me.
I know it makes a sensational story and great fodder to rail and rant about, but I get to pass through TSA secure checks all the time. I always use the scanner, but I have seen people opt out, and just have never witnessed TSA riding rough shot or being anything but business like and civil. I see other stories in the news get blown out of context all the time because it makes a bigger story; so while I have not incite into this story, I am not just yet ready to express indignant outrage.
Isn't it interesting that TSA saw fit to say the incident occurred as described and they were following their due process over the weekend and now they say it didn't happen quite that way. So who do we believe?
don't you think that if during the search , they found that she had a dirty diaper, they may have ask the daughter to change the diaper and apparently from what the the article said she did not have another diaper with her.
I would be ashamed to take my mother on a flight and not have a spare diaper available
Thank you! This confounded me as well. The flight from Florida to Michigan is not short and odds are the mother would have needed to change at some point; why didn't the daughter bring adequate supplies for her "dear mother" who had absolutely no complaint at any point about any of this??
not the TSA
Why is there nothing about this on the TSA website?
Renee, you don't see anything about this on the TSA website for the very same reason that there's nothing about BATFE fiasco of letting guns walk into Mexico on the Dept of Justice website. Both agencies are doing high-speed damage control, and denying access to information is a front-line tactic.
It makes no difference if she was asked to remove her diapers or not. Why in hell is a 95 year old wheel chair bound dying woman being subjected to a 45 minute screening to begin with. The constant denials by TSA is growing weary.
Constant denials by TSA, our government, the corporations. They all lie if the truth does not suit them.
They just might if you get the REALLY STUPID ONE!
Because children and the elderly are constantly being used to smuggle all kinds of drugs and contraband aboard flights in their sanitary garments and because - hey! - somebody has already tried to bomb a plane by putting the explosives in his underwear...Hello??
Angie,
I applaud you for trying, but there a lot of people who don't know much about security and think oh it is ok to search as long it is not me. lol
AngieS - methinks TSA did NOT catch said underwear bomber.
The man with explosives in his underwear wasnt caught by a TSA security check, even with these hightend measures.
Hmm interesting, sounds like TSA is doing a great job..... NOT
With all this enhanced security, how many terrorist are they catching before they try to blow up the plane??? Has the TSA caught a single terrorist with all this so called security???
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Ben Franklin
The bottom line is that none of this is meant to keep you safe from "terrorists". Give me a break.
This about teaching the American people to bow down and lick government boots.
When has one of these searches EVER caught a terrorist? One of you idiots defending this site ONE case.
BINGO! That is exactly what it is. Whipping us into submission. Obama, Soros..who btw, has now been found out to moneying judgeships. The story is over on Fox. Naturally MSNBC wouldn't carry it.
didn't Bushie start this crap? Not an Obama supporter but c'mon, at least get it right.
For Red_Blooded:
It's not their boots we're expected to lick.
jussayin'
The TSA as we know it started under Bush. The enhanced pat-downs started under Obama.
iam pretty sure bill clinton signed homeland security.just to show u how all the puppets work together
Yep the story is all over Fox = cause the channel of gloom and doom and whining never airs the important news - this news is @!$%# - literally
Phillip,
They do inspect, they just don't open it if it don't alarms or nothing found suspicious, dah
I bet FOX doesn't have the story about the rehab facility that Santorum was a board member of, where there was drug use and where the juvenile patients were getting herpes from the staff.
See, both sides politicize stories to p*ss off their base.
I doubt these ladies would make it up. Sounds like "full deniability" commonly practiced under both bush administrations. Sorry but your jedi mind tricks won't work on us, DHS!
Only the daughter is complaining. The mother didn't have any problem with any part of the security check.
94 and dying of cancer, I doubt she had the strength to complain. Maybe you'll be asked to go remove your kotex or tampon before you get on a plane.
this gal is just looking for a payday from TSA , she needs to grow up and understand that this is a security question and not personal harrasment, she needs to step back and take a good look at whats going on in the world.....
If she is looking for a payday, she's looking in the wrong place.
Ever try to sue the federal government?
ed - no paydays from the TSA - you can't sue the federal gov't....
looking for a payday? really! she's 95 and dieing. If you are fine with the way the TSA is handling security, then you are part of the problem
Shame on her daughter for not having a 'diaper bag'!..Would she have taken an infant from Fla to Mich without extra diapers? I can't blame the TSA for not wanting to search the soiled diaper. Her daughter is in the wrong for allowing her mom to sit in the excrement in the first place. TSA is just doing their job. Give 'em a break....remember the underwear bomber?
How moronic can you be?
and ed is the first troll on this site and the underwear bomber was let on the plane by the feds.
TSA is not Federal Government.
Furthermore, I know of a Chief Petty Officer that won a Million Dollar lawsuit through the U.S. Navy. So you can sue the Federal Government.
Well project-gal THAT IS their job digging thru dirty diapers, underware, socks ...your private parts...ALL OF THAT IS THEIR JOB!
Don't let the fact that there HAS NEVER BEEN ANY BOMBS OR BOMB MAKING MATERIAL found on any people in AMERICA trying to fly somewhere in AMERICA stop the fondeling and grooping by the TSA. And by the way.....remember all those comments about how SAFE THE X-RAY PICTURES were suppose to be? No pictures saved blah blah blah?........ Well just BING or Google TSA X-RAY and see just how safe all the pictures they take are! If you have flown lately maybe your picture is there for all to see..........naked.........because the x-rays just remove your clothes. Gee there is even one woman getting a full body cavity search! It all looks real professional ... and it also proves just how much you CAN TRUST this bunch of private pay perverts........
Robert karp,
Yes they are federal Government, please go read the badge what it says and do some fact finding research and come back
Who you gonna believe? The TSA lies through their teeth about EVERYTHING!
While old people get rousted in public by federal airport screeners, hundreds of thousands of people cross the Mexican border illegally every year. Who is checking them?
Right, nobody. Because they get across by their coyotes paying off the border patrol for a clear path, and the criminals they bring in are loaded with dope and guns besides.
There's a war going on in Mexico and it's moving north steadily. It's cartels, strongmen, and their gangs.
But we seem to think by putting up a ridiculous show at airports, we can say we are doing something about it.
BAH!
end the pat-downs nnnooowww! government out of control, need everyone to march on dc july 4th and tell our government enough is enough
Tsa and it's employees are lying, phony, low life pieces of crap. It has NOTHING to do with American citizens safety. How is degrading honest American citizens going to stop the low life Muslim terrorists from enrolling in Aircraft flight schools in the US? They didn't have bombs, they crashed the planes in to the towers, remember?
They were going to crash the Pennsylvanian flight, but those incredible, TRUE Americans with guts and balls tried to stop them. How is this phony degradation and 'legalized' sexual assault on Americans honoring their memory? Every one of you piece of crap TSA employees should be publicly stripped and beaten in front of the Americans who you've assaulted.
VBKRIS
get some education in security and law enforcement then come back and talk, and stop blaming officers for rules they don't even make
It does seem a little odd that the daughter didn't have a spare Depends with her. Obviously, she needed one for more than one reason.
Can they confirm their statements with "certitude"?
Revolution 2012!
Don't get me wrong--I think searching diapers worn by 95 year old women or toddlers is silly.
But it's possible that a family member or someone else could pack the diaper with explosives unbeknownst to the wearer.
Granted it doesn't seem like the wisest choice by the would be terrorist...would the explosives still work if...um...wet?
They could shove explosives up their arse...what next, BODY CAVITY SEARCHES?!
ENOUGH!!!
Actually, no, they wouldn't. Richard Reid was delayed one day and wore the same shoes that he attempted to ignite. The shoes got wet and that's why he couldn't light them.
C4 will burn wet. It's a petrolium product. However C4 doesn't explode from burning, it explodes from an impact, like being shot with a bullet or using a blasting cap.
Debbie, shoes didn't got wet, he used wrong igniter to try set it off, that why it didn't
I do not believe that C4 will not detonate when shot by a bullet. A detonator is required.
Anyway, my vote is with TSA. My guess is that this woman is misrepresenting what actually transpired. Perhaps she felt insulted by the TSA, and is now lashing out.
Don't get me wrong--I think searching diapers worn by 95 year old women or toddlers is silly.
But it's possible that a family member or someone else could pack the diaper with explosives unbeknownst to the wearer.
Granted it doesn't seem like the wisest choice by the would be terrorist...would the explosives still work if...um...wet?
You are much more likely to die of a honey bee sting than from an Al-C-I-A-duh "terrorist".
You are MUCH more likely to die in a plane CRASH for that matter. Life is dangerous.
Does that mean we lay down all our liberties and let these TSA goons stick their hands down our kid's pants? And don't me give the "well then don't fly" garbage because if we allow this it will next be rolled out on the streets of America.
Those who would give up liberty for temporary security deserve neither!
Uneducated agents + GOD COMPLEX = Taking off 95 year olds diapers and feeling up children...ENOUGH!!!!
I hope the TSA realizes that politics change with public opinion. They may be annoyed now with people talking back to them, but in another 10 years, they could all easily be led away in handcuffs for violating the constitutional rights of their countrymen. Their legal protections can be stripped away at a moment's notice when it suits the politicians' agenda. Let this be a lesson for all of us: "I was just doing my job" is never an excuse, and we shouldn't feel bad for the TSA agents when their fortunes ultimately change with the law.
lol
you will need to go back to school for another 10 years and learn more
I haven't flown in a couple of years so I haven't had to go through alot of this. I am about to fly in July to go from Houston to Kentucky, at least I hope so. What is the penalty for assaulting a TSA agent?
You'll be spending some time in the jug.
gross.
Time for people to start hitting the streets. Pedophile /Thug TSA agents, Lying congressmen, police murdering people with "harmless" tasers - people, you are being trained to be slaves! We used to scorn the Nazis and Soviets for less than this. And do we get proposed legislation from our "public servants" in congress to defend citizens/punish the thugs? NO! - just more pervert scandals. The congressmen probably get their jollies going through TSA checks!
We scorned the the Nazi's and Soviets but didn't do anything to them either. We are sheep and as long as we have indoor plumbing, we'll roll over for anything.
Let's look at this objectively... Let's see, what was the last name of the person in question? Weber? Omg, yes, that definitely is similar to the last names of those who in the past have committed terrorist acts against the U.S. - good show TSA!
You don't have to take your shoes off either, you can just choose to not fly and forfeit the cost of your ticket. They make is sound like a choice, but in reality you don't.
it is your choice, you can drive, train, boat or walk, still your choice
OMERAILLIW sorry I didn't make myself clear, the 95 year old is not looking for a pay day, its her daughter..... and yes I may be part of the problem but when I fly I don't want some nut hiding a bomb in her mothers diaper and blowing me out of the air. How about you ???? want to fly with me or the nut ???
There was once a debate in this country. The debate was over whether "it was better to be red, or to be dead." This country came to the correct conclusion, and I'm glad you weren't there to screw it up. It is never ok to trade our liberty for perceived safety. In addition, any terrorist can hide something up their bum and board the plane no problem, all you are doing by going through security is doing the motions through a series of religious rituals that make you feel better. You have a 1 in 30 million chance of dying in an air based terror attack, and a 2 in 30 million chance of getting skin cancer from the body scanners. The TSA results in a net loss of life.
We are not a country that allows those who would abuse our liberties to dictate how the rest of us live. Shame on you. Shame on you for being afraid.
I think you're just as nuts so it's a tie
Either way is a lose-lose.
No govenment official/employee is to be believed...ever.
besides being a bigot your also an idiot posting this type of crap
The TSA was born because of OBL! he must be smiling to see his work has successeded far beyond his wildest dreams! the whole nation has become under the control of TSA! the arrogant, power hungry people! I saw a few pictures that said it all! humiliating people in the name of security and fear!People,! people! we all will die! and the moment of death will never be in the hands of a human being!fear of death has created a life full of fear! fear! fear! the terrorists have won big! a nation in constant fear!the government has done an excellent job in flourishing that fear! that is one way for the government to create jobs! I can not forget the picture of a man who has one leg in cast, and he seems in very bad shape, no a young person, and the thug from TSA was patting him everywhere,I can feel the pain of that man. this photo was published a few days ago, just google TSA patting. That poor lady has been facing death, and I read the TSA official said every body must be screened!!!no sense of any common sense or compmassion! where are the lawyers! sue the hell of the TSA, where is the congress in all of this? people should consider travelling , driving!!!