TSA Apologizes for Alleged Strip Search

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 04: A TSA agent waits for passengers to use the TSA PreCheck lane being implemented by the Transportation Security Administration at Miami International Airport on October 4, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The pilot program launched today for fliers to use the expedited security screening in Miami, Atlanta, Detroit and Dallas/Fort Worth.The lane has a metal detector rather than a full-body imaging machine and passengers will no longer no need to remove shoes, belts, light outerwear, and bags of liquids that are compliant with TSA restrictions. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photo: Joe Raedle/2011 Getty Images

Lenore Zimmerman, 85, of Long Beach, was in JFK’s security line before her annual flight to Miami for the winter. Zimmerman, because of her defibrillator, avoids the full-body scanner, opting instead for the pat-down. But TSA personnel pulled her aside and, Zimmerman claims, performed a thorough strip search (though she says she was allowed to keep her top on).

The TSA apologized, but disputed the claim. A spokesman for the TSA said, “TSA contacted the passenger to apologize that she feels she had an unpleasant screening experience; however, TSA does not include strip searches in its protocols and a strip search did not occur in this case.”

She’s considering a lawsuit.

TSA Apologizes for Alleged Strip Search