If you’ve ever been pulled aside at airport security checkpoints when wearing a period product, you’re not alone
Did you know that the Transportation Security Administration’s body scanners can flag period products as potential threats, triggering additional searches? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. Turns out, 90% of travelers we surveyed had no idea either. If you think this is unacceptable, keep reading.
We first learned about TSA’s potentially invasive menstrual product searches from our users in some of our #Uterati online support groups. We were in the process of surveying how menstruation can impact travel when this question came up: Can a menstrual cup (or disc) be worn through TSA screenings?
Here’s what we learned about the TSA & period products
What followed our initial question was a series of responses from our online communities. Most were reassuring: Plenty of folks with “insider” knowledge into TSA procedures assured fellow travelers that it’d be totally fine to wear a menstrual cup through security. However, some shared personal experiences about their period products prompting additional search procedures.
This had us thinking… For most wearable items, you can find information on the TSA’s website about what to do with it and how it will impact your security experience.
For example, after an attempted shoe bomb attack was identified, TSA changed their policy to include removal of shoes and then signage was posted at airports with even more information on their new “shoes off” policy and how to find more information on the TSA’s website.
Although the TSA’s website lists what to expect with everything from clothing and shoes to medical devices and breast milk, there is no information about period products, despite the TSA’s own admittance that period products can be flagged as potential threats by the screening machines.
This means that travelers are caught completely off guard when their menstrual products are flagged. While most follow-up searches are brief, some extreme searches have spurred headlines about lawsuits in which the TSA has seemingly made some travelers’ journeys feel less safe – the opposite of what they’re intended to do.
Curious to know more? We were too. Here’s what we learned: 90% of respondents were unaware that period products could flag the body scanner. What’s more surprising was that 2.5% said their period product has actually prompted an additional search.
Keep in mind that our survey included over 1,000 total respondents. 2.5% might not seem like much at first glance, but it’s unacceptable considering the impact these searches can have for any menstruator involved.
Sign the petition for TSA transparency & inclusivity
We worked with a policy expert who has worked on security issues with the TSA in recent years and launched a petition on change.org with a list of reasonable demands for change. In the petition, we’re asking the TSA to:
- Share period product information on their website and in airport security lines as an expected trigger. We all know what to do with our shoes, belts, toiletries and other common triggers at security – we should be able to be similarly prepared when we have our period.
- Invest in advanced training for their staff on how to recognize a period product, and how to properly conduct a respectful search should one be necessary. TSA staffers can only support menstruating travelers if they’re empowered with the tools to do so.
- Meet directly with members of the Flex team and our partners to discuss further steps the TSA can take to mitigate this issue. We are asking the TSA to meet with us for a productive conversation about who is being left behind in security lines, and what changes can be made.
Lauren Schulte Wang, our CEO, shared her thoughts on why The Flex Company is taking action:
“There’s nothing quite like an unexpected full-body pat-down by a stranger… but that’s exactly what’s happening to some menstruating people who are going through TSA body scans. The scanners are getting set off by period products, which is leading to embarrassing physical checks. This is a completely avoidable problem. I wanted to draw attention to this issue so we can help the TSA and public work better together.”
ICYMI, here’s the petition link again. We hope you’ll sign and share to create change, and we look forward to keeping the public updated regarding the progress of our efforts.
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