Airport security officer tests wheelchair-bound toddler for explosives
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A toddler in a wheelchair has been subjected to an invasive body search and swabbed for explosive residue in a security check that has left his father furious.
On his way to Disneyland with his family, the little boy, who was in a wheelchair because he had a broken leg, was singled out for the check while travelling through O'Hare Airport in Chicago. His parents were not allowed to be near him during his examination.
The boy was visibly upset by his ordeal, which was filmed by his dad. See the video here:
Although his father tried to stay calm in order to stop they child feeling even more frightened, he said afterwards:
"My little boy wanted me to come over to hold his hand and give him a hug. He was trembling with fear. I was told I could not touch him or come near him during this process. Instead we had to pretend it was ok so that he didn't panic."
The incident is one of a growing number that has caused outrage among those who believe that these invasive security checks are humiliating and unnecessary, particularly for vulnerable passengers such as children and the elderly.
Last year, a disturbing video revealed how children as young as six were being subjected to full body searches in the name of airport security.
One mother protested so much about her daughter's treatment at an airport in Nashville that she was arrested.
And in December, an 85-year old wheelchair-bound woman in New York was strip-searched after she asked to be patted down instead of going through a body scanner. Meanwhile in Florida, security officers forced a 95-year old cancer sufferer to remove her adult incontinence nappy during a search.
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The most recent incident occurred just as it was announced that nine US airports have introduced a new 'Precheck" scheme which allows background-checked passengers to pay $100 to avoid body scans, patdowns and queues. By paying this fee, they will also be allowed to carry liquids on board.
According to reports in the Wall Street Journal, passengers must be invited by airlines and meet undisclosed TSA criteria in order to qualify.
By the end of 2012, these "Precheck' lanes will be in place at the majority of US airports, says the newspaper. However, they will only be an option for a chosen few.
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