On Wednesday, July 23rd, after bringing my Mom to the Denver airport I requested a gate pass in order to help her with her carry ons.  I wrote in my subsequent post, (while also highlighting this goofy TSA sticker,)  that passing through security without the obligation to actually fly lends the opportunity to be far more observant than you otherwise would.  As it currently stands, any questioning of a TSA officer or procedures can lead to retaliatory detainment and searches, causing you to miss your flight and/or a lengthy detainment.  Since it was after 10pm the south terminal checkpoint was desolate.  I didn’t need to fly, and had nowhere to be until 8am. 

After I cleared the x-ray and put my shoes back on I stepped back to wait for my mom, and noticed a severely developmentally disabled child in a wheelchair aside a female TSA agent.  (Or TSOs as they label themselves on their blog.)

This agent was visually inspecting the wheelchair and probing around some cushions as expected, but then she did something that I would never expect:  She took an ETD (Explosive Trace Detection) Swab, and repeatedly rubbed the child’s face with the swab.  She did this a few times with the swab attached to the plastic forceps.  I don’t recall her putting the swab IN the machine, but after finishing she gently caressed the child’s face a few times with her hand – which I thought was equally as strange.

The mother was still clearing the x-ray and gathering her things at the belt. (I’m assuming this was the child’s mom.)  She was also watching after two other children and dividing her attention between them, collecting their bags, and this child about 20 feet away in the corner.

Finding this quite appauling and disrespectful to the child, I really wanted to say something to the agent, or at least express my curiousity.  However I didn’t feel comfortable verbally jumping into the situation since the family was trying to catch a flight.  And the mother was aware of where this child was and glancing over every few seconds. - so it wasn’t as if the kid was locked away in an isolated room with the TSA.  (An even scarier thought.)  It appeared is though they’ve been through the process before, and I certainly didn’t want to cause the family any delay.

We followed them down to the trains which access to the concourses.  I was itching to at least politely ask the mother if this had occurred before, but she had her hands full, and since she was completely aware of the procedure I didn’t feel it was any of my business.  They entered a separate car and we parted ways.

Now this TSA officer was not being forceful or rude, and was actually quite gentle and friendly with the child.  However the act of rubbing a child’s face with a substance bothered me.  A fully able bodied person would never consent to having their FACE rubbed with a dabber or swabber.  A person in a wheelchair who is cognizant and articulate would not allow this.  Why should a wheelchair bound child who can’t speak for themself be subjected to this?  Granted this only lasted about 15 seconds, but I didn’t think it was right or appropriate on the part of the TSA.

I’m sending this article to the TSA’s blog and just questioning this practice.  I’m simply curious:  Is it customary to swab SKIN, or CHILDREN’S FACES with ETD swabs?  Have other people had their faces and skin swabbed?  Why on earth would a facial swab even be necessary?

Should the mother or family member happen to stumble upon this post I would appreciate your opinion.  It was July 23rd, 10pm, and you were off to a Frontier flight on Concourse A.

I discreetly snapped this picture just to prove it happened.  It doesn’t show the child’s face, only the TSA agent at question.

Likewise if you’re traveling with a large group or family, have some special items for screening, or just need some breathing room admist the crush it can be overwhelming to have pushy business travelers and light packers getting antsy behind you.

Denver and Salt Lake City are two airports taking part in a two week trial in which the traveler can select the appropriate lane for their abilities and needs.

People lining up there will see a round green sign for families and travelers requiring special assistance, a square blue sign for the casual traveler who typically carries more and heavier luggage and a black diamond for the briefcase-toting expert traveler.

“The idea is to let passengers determine – based on their experience and needs – which lane is more appropriate,” Harmon said Sunday.

In keeping with the ski analogy, which I’m assuming is an intentional reason behind choosing Denver and Salt Lake City,  line choices will be:

The green circle line: For families, groups, first-time fliers and travelers requiring special assistance
The blue square line: For the frequent traveler with a few carry-on bags
The black diamond line: For the briefcase-toting expert traveler or anyone who packs light

This will be at the north main terminal checkpoint only.   If you’ve made this “run” let me know, I’d love a review.

Full Rocky Mountain News article.   and info on SLC from the TSA Blog.