‘New fear unlocked’: Woman gets flagged by TSA at California’s John Wayne airport during her time of the month. The ‘pat down’ lowkey traumatizes her
A TikToker has gone viral after sharing her friend’s experience with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). And it’s enough to put women off traveling for life.
Chloe’s (@bubbassourdoughco) ‘storytime’ video has amassed 2.1 million views. In it, she recounts how she went on a trip with friends. She said, as they were going through John Wayne Airport’s TSA, one of her friends got flagged for her candles.
However, the drama didn’t end there. Chloe’s other friend set off the alarm, with a TSA agent informing her that her entire “undercarriage” was beeping. Subsequently, the TSA agent did a more thorough check on her. Chloe noted how they asked her friend to spread her legs.
Unable to contain her laughter, the TikToker explained that her friend was wearing an overnight maxi pad, and that the TSA agent was “squishing it.” When asked what it was, Chloe’s friend confirmed it was a “feminine product.”
However, the agent asked for a second opinion. After initially asking a male co-worker to do it, they found a female to perform the check. The older TSA agent then came over, did a quick check, and then quickly moved the friend along. Meanwhile, Chloe noted that her friend was “dissociating” and was “horrified.”
In a follow-up video, the TikToker said she hadn’t heard anything from the TSA. However, one TSA agent DM’d her and said that heat and moisture can set off the alarms. She also confirmed that her “friend” is actually her sister, and that she’s currently doing OK.
John Wayne Airport didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via email.
@bubbassourdoughco I’m going to need a #tsa personal to comment on this matter…. Thank you very much ?? Also shout out to @Tampax US, you make such a great product it gets flagged by security ? Not sure what that means, but it feels secure! ♥️ #storytime #fyp #airport #lol ♬ Piano famous song Chopin Deep deep clear beauty – RYOpianoforte
What did commenters think?
Viewers flocked to the comments to share their thoughts. “This feels like a lawsuit and DECADES of therapy,” one wrote. “No, but this makes me angry…” a second added. “What a violation.”
“I know you’re laughing…. But this feels fully unacceptable,” a third agreed.
While a fourth predicted, “This TikTok is absolutely going to be used in an HR video in the very near future.”
The friend even revealed herself in the comments, writing, “It’s me. I’m the friend. Never been so thoroughly assessed in my life! But respect to the girl doing her job!! She wasn’t letting anythingggg get past her. Thank you TSA for keeping us safe!”
Can menstrual products really set off TSA scanners?
A survey run by The Fornix, a blog by menstrual product company Flex, found that, of the 1,000 people surveyed, 90% were unaware that menstrual products can set off TSA scanners.
On top of this, 2.5% of those surveyed said they had additional security checks after the scanner reacted to their menstrual products.
Indeed, in 2017, a Charlotte woman spoke to WSOC-TV about how the scanner was triggered by her feminine hygiene product.
“The ladies were like, ‘We’re going to have to search your vaginal area and buttocks,’ and I’m like, ‘That makes no sense to me. You can clearly tell that that’s a feminine product,'” she told the news outlet.
While she argued with the attendants at first, she later agreed to the search in a private room. On background, a TSA spokesperson admitted to WSOC-TV that it wasn’t out of the question for the scanner to detect things inside a woman’s underwear.
Chloe responds
In an emailed statement to The Mary Sue, Chloe said, “I’m always surprised when these videos take off, but it’s been really fun seeing how many people relate to the moment. This one was definitely ‘for the girls.’ I think a lot of women have had an awkward airport security experience at some point, and this just happened to be my friend’s turn.”
“The TSA agent was clearly newer and meant no harm, and we’re grateful she was taking her job seriously to help keep everyone safe. Thankfully, another agent stepped in and we were all able to laugh about it afterward. My friend is doing great and holds no ill will! She’s mostly just amused that the moment ended up making so many people laugh and share their own stories!”
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