PHOENIX (ABC4) – The Transportation Security Administration released a statement after an Ogden woman alleged she was forced to undress by TSA agents on February 28 while exiting Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
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She explains to ABC4 what she experienced while going through the security checkpoint for Delta Airlines.
“I wore yoga pants and a zippered jogger jacket and nothing but a sports bra underneath,” says Aundrea DeMille. “I’m getting ready to go through the scanner where we stand to put our hands up and there is a middle-aged white gentleman on the other end and he says, are you wearing anything under it?” And I said ‘what?’ And he says: “Are you wearing something underneath?” So I zip up halfway so he can see I’m only wearing a sports bra and he says you need to take that off. “
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DeMille explains what happened next. “I’m standing there in nothing but tights as if half-naked. I raise my hands and follow suit and I look around and no one else is undressing. At this point I am shaking, I can’t even look him in the eye. “
On Tuesday afternoon, TSA ABC4 issued the following statement regarding the alleged incident:
“The goal of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is to ensure the highest level of security in the most respectful and efficient way possible. According to TSA’s procedures, travelers are not required to remove clothing during the security clearance process. TSA regrets the misunderstandings that led to this traveler’s complaints. “
Here is a report on the event according to TSA:
- On Sunday, February 28, 2021, a female traveler wearing a sweatshirt and a full-length metal zipper arrived at the security checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
- Knowing that the zipper would likely alert security clearance technology and force the traveler to tap, the TSA officer asked the traveler if he was comfortable taking off the sweatshirt. The TSA officer’s intent was to provide a more comfortable screening experience and the traveler did not tell her that she did not have another shirt under the outer layer.
- The traveler immediately took off her sweatshirt and entered the body scanner with only a sports bra on her upper body.
- The traveler was checked without an alarm and was allowed to continue her flight. “
TSA also said the following in the statement:
“TSA is sensitive to travelers’ concerns about their screening experience and we continue to invite them to provide feedback to TSA. In any awkward situation, a traveler can request a private demonstration and be accompanied by a travel companion. “
ABC4 reached out to the Sky Harbor TSA on Thursday, March 4th to request video of the alleged incident.
On Monday, March 8th, ABC4 was told, “If you would like to conduct video surveillance of this suspected incident, you must request it directly through the Phoenix City Public Record Request Process at Phoenix Sky Harbor.”
ABC4 made this official request on Monday afternoon.
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