I have a question. My daughter and her family are flying out of Reno/Tahoe airport to Phoenix on Wednesday. It is a small airport, and we're not sure if it has the 'full body scan' system. I've tried the airport, and TSA, no answer...
The thing is, if there is no scan, it is a manditory invasive pat down. None of us oppose the scan, but my 8 year old grandson will be travelling, and the 'touchy feely' pat down just might flip him out.
We have all told our kids about 'inappropriate contact' and this is serious.
Does anyone know how much this scan is applied to children? I absolutely understand why it should...But does it apply? Thanks.

I found this article, veronikkamarrz, which (rather vaguely, I admit) addresses the situation. At least they're reacting to parents' concerns re: the handling of their children. Not sure if the info given is very comforting, though, since it reports very little.

Thanks ever so much, Gats! I couldn't get anything, and I know the kid would be mortified!

As I understand it, VM, not everyone is subjected to a pat down. They have to pat down a certain percentage of passengers as a matter of routine. The other time it would be applied is if something in the carry-on bags alarms. So there is a good possibility that your grandson will not be subjected to one. But if he is (and I've seen TSA do dumber things--like when they subjected my 4-year old grandson to additional screening) it does appear from the article Gatsby referenced that they will use some common sense.

Perhaps a good way to handle it would be to explain about the possible security procedures ahead of time and reassure your grandson that this sort of contact is not inappropriate and that someone (I assume his mother) will be with him at all times to ensure his safety. There's a good chance he will be okay with it if he knows what to expect and if you are calm and matter-of-fact about it. However, if it is stressing you out, he may pick up on that.

That's a good point MotherGoose. If a search is treated in the same way as a visit to a doctor, and with a parent or grandparent then it shouldn't be a threatening experience

I'd absolutely use a doctor analogy. An eight year old is old enough to understand that sometimes rules are bent, for good reasons.

It's important to teach some flexibility along with our "stranger danger" teaching. You don't want a kid freaking out because of something like this, or a doctor's visit. Kids who are taught too stringently not to talk to strangers sometimes hide from firefighters, or search parties when they are lost.

If a little flexibility and judgement hasn't been included in his teaching up to now, this would be a great opportunity to incorporate it. A parent standing by can be wonderfully reassuring.

Adam is a smart kid,;) and both his parents will be right there. I advised them to talk about it beforehand, but they're not sure that's a good idea, because he'll worry...I think the 'no surprises' theory is best, but I'm only the G'ma!

Thanks very much for the posts. I'm sure we aren't the only family concerned about this.

Wrong! That'll be nothing compared with his likely distress if or when a body search is sprung on him. Why are his parents sanctioning something they usually say is unacceptable, without warning him?

My suggestion would be to tell him the day before, or perhaps an hour or two before, naturally explain why it's done, and that it's for the greater good, and stick to him like glue the whole time. But then I'm not even the grandma!

Agreed.

Thank you, kind sir.

You're MORE than welcome, I assure you.

If your airport does not have one of the backscatter/full-body scanners, you will not be subjected to a pat-down in lieu of using that machine. The pat-downs are only for those who refuse the backscatter machine OR metal detector (whichever one your airport has/which line you're in) and for those whose scans come up with something weird.

Here is a link to the FAQ on the backscatter machines and where they are currently deployed:
http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/ait/faqs.shtm

I've worked in an ICU for 25 years now and I've found children often cope better with visiting ICU patients than the adults. I explain that grandma has a tube in her mouth to help her breathe and there is a monitor just like a TV (but there's no cable!) so we can watch how her heart beats, how much oxygen there is in her blood and other stuff. I've found that children are more afraid of what they don't know and preparation is the key. They are afraid of the boogy man, the monster under the bed and in their wardrobe but if they are told what is going to happen they deal with things much better. Perhaps you daughter can show Adam how it's done and even let him do a patdown on Mum or Dad. Once he realises there is nothing to it than checking for bad stuff he'll hopefully be fine

Yes! AND they know when you're not being straight with them.

Brilliant - I wish I'd thought of that.

I suggested that if they weren't willing to run through it with him, that they try for a few minutes warning so the surprise wouldn't be so devastating. Agreed.

All the advice is very well thought out, and I appreciate it.

I know how intuitive kids are, and if you aren't straight with them, they'll tell you! I have also experienced ICU and ER with the kids. They have no problem, where we are stressed. Usually, the child comforts the parent. Amazing little creatures!;)

Aren't they just? Sometimes I swear they're almost human.

When sprog was little, people talked as though he was a machine whose days would all be the same. Occasionally, if I could be bothered, I would tell them that his moods and appetite and likes and dislikes varied from day to day - in which respect he was very much like a human being. They used to look at me as though I wasn't all there. I can't think why.

I'll get my coat.

Is 'sprog' a male offspring, or either sex offspring?:) I love the wordage, but hesitant to use it, if it doesn't apply to both...

I think everything will be OK. We'll see...:)

Like issue or offspring, it's either. I haven't investigated where it comes from, but I would guess that it's a mangled version of progeny.

I hope so. I'm sure it will be, once they've all got over the shock.

PS Perhaps not in Australia.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sprog

I did not know the ruder version of 'sprog'. To me, it is interchangeable with 'kid', and is used for boys and girls.

I shared your belief ozzz, until I wrote a little "pome" for Facebook friends, incorporating that word.
My nephew (37) took me to task. But Jimmy (40) who was a classmate of my daughter when I was the School Literacy Aide, thanked me for using a word which at first shocked him, then led him to Google its original meaning.
He vowed from then on to refer to his three little daughters as "his sprogs."
Nice to see Jimmy still increasing his vocabulary, but I hope his girls don't blame me!

This is probably part of the reason I don't fly. I'd rather stay aground than to go through too sensitive a scan. I understand why they do it, but they *could* be a little more discreet.

Ditto! I've never heard an Australian use it. I've only ever heard it on British Television and from some British immigrants and at all times the context clearly indicated that it referred to children, usually one's own offspring.

Sorry but I only knew of the 'Australian definition' of the work. Then again, it may be new-ish in usage but I do remember hearing it about 15 or so years ago.