Enhanced pat-downs divide Norfolk airport travelers

NORFOLK

Kathy Blamo was anxious about what she'd encounter at the security checkpoint at Norfolk International Airport on Monday on her way to catch her Indianapolis-bound plane.

"It's disturbing," she said. "They can put their hands all on your breasts.

"I think I'm like most people - I'd feel violated if they go to those depths. Why do I have to have my body touched like that? I don't care that it's not a man - I don't want no woman touching me there either."

Still, Blamo is conflicted.

"I just want to get home safely on the ground," she said. "People are doing some crazy things, trying to blow up planes, so we need the protection.

"How far do we go? I don't know."

It's a dilemma that Blamo and many other passengers at Norfolk International said they're struggling with.

The Transportation Security Administration recently launched new passenger screening procedures that have drawn mixed reactions across the nation, including sparking traveler protests and lawsuits.

At some airports - not Norfolk or Newport News/Williamsburg - passengers must pass through full-body scanners that produce a virtually naked image. Those who refuse are subject to a more rigorous pat-down than normal that includes officials touching clothed genital areas.

At Norfolk and Newport News/Williamsburg airports, passengers are subject to the enhanced pat-downs if they set off metal detectors or if they're selected for additional screening, said Lauren Gaches, a TSA spokeswoman.

Government officials apparently are struggling with the new regulations, too.

With the Thanksgiving holiday travel rush about to start, the White House said Monday that the government will re-evaluate the new security rules while taking into account the public's concerns.

Officials are "desperately" trying to balance actions that maximize security and minimize invasiveness, said Robert Gibbs, President Barack Obama's spokesman.

Several men at the Norfolk airport preferred to joke about the pat-downs.

"Wouldn't bother me if a young lady was doing my pat-down," said Walter Chandler of Hampton.

He noted, however, that the pat-down could also be problematic, "Could make my blood pressure go up."

Rick Witt, who was returning to his home near Stockton, Calif., said, "As many people that fly and that they check, you'd have to have an extremely awesome body for somebody to get their jollies."

Kidding aside, Chandler, Witt and a number of others were accepting of the pat-downs if they result in more secure planes.

"As long as they're trained professionals, I don't care," said Carol Harbaugh of Minnesota.

Duke Harbaugh said: "It's a very good thing. I don't want to die."

Lisa Williams of Virginia Beach said she wouldn't like being patted down, "but I wouldn't complain because I like being alive.

"I'd like to breeze through security, but I don't want the person in front of me or the person behind me breezing through," she said.

Witt suggested offering two levels of security: flights that subject everyone to maximum screening and flights with none.

"You go on that plane where no one is frisked and see if you feel safe," he said.

TSA officials would not talk about how the new security measures are working locally.

Wayne Shank, executive director of the Norfolk airport, said the airport administrative office, which has no authority over passenger screening, fielded a couple complaints when the new system started, but none since.

"If we were getting a bunch of complaints we'd be alarmed, but we're not," he said. "Based on what we're seeing here, the TSA is being as accommodating as possible."

Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com