Have you been subjected to a random search before boarding an airplane?

Yes, several times I've been chosen for random body and luggage searches. Try telling the TSA agent the reason you're setting off the scanner is that you're wearing bra with metal hooks that clasp in the front...and then having to show her.

But that's nothing compared to the TSA agent who opened my nail care kit and declared that my nail clippers -- you know, that ferocious metal contraption capable of taking off the whole tip of a nail -- was prohibited onboard. Astonished, I mused out loud that she was going to take my nail clippers but I could keep the 4-inch metal pointed-tip nail file tucked beside it. She just gave me this dear in the headlights look. Because the file wasn't "on the list," I walked right on board with it.

If we're going to humiliate people and sacrifice personal dignity in the name of security, it shoudl at least be effective, I think.

Yes, I had just broken my foot three days before and was going through security in a wheelchair. My foot hadn't been set yet because it was too swollen, but they undid the whole wrap and I had to re-wrap it. This was about 2 weeks after 9/11. After I went through, the guard apologized to me and said they were searching every 3rd person. It didn't bother me except that my foot was so sore.

No, which kinda bothers me. I have the girl next door look I suppose, but they dont question my electronics and I know if I looked different they would. Who's to know I'm not ready to blow up the plane (not that I am but still..)

Oh yes, I must have one of those faces.
Almost everytime I attempt to board a plane, I get pulled out of the queue, and asked loads of questions - where are you going, how long for, who are you staying with.
I've had body searches, complete luggage searches, hand luggage searches.
I think it's because I travel alone often, it makes you look suspicious apparantly.

I pretty much always get searched, which is a bit strange since I think I look quite harmless. Maybe I look suspiciously harmless...

I went through Atlanta airport on a visit to South America about a week after 9/11 (still my only experience of being in the USA) and they searched me TWICE, and took me into a little room to ask me why I was travelling alone, where I was going etc. And I didn't even want to enter their country, I just wanted to pass peacefully through!

In Peru I experienced the exact opposite. I had taken a swiss army knife for the trip (always handy) and accidentally left it in my pocket on the way to the airport. I set off the metal detectors and they searched me, found it, shrugged and gave it back to me.

Yes. I have dark hair and eyes (native american ancestry)and get randomly checked often. The last time they asked my to unbuckle my belt and open my pants I said I would drop trou and pull it all out, but the inspector would have to buy me dinner first. Seems a finley tuned sense of humor is not required to work at the airport.

Yes, in securitiy we were selected to be checked out futher randomly. I really wonder how random it was because we were late for out flight. Our flight was in 10 minutes because our later flight got cancelled.

No and I have travelled all over the world , I think I must look very honest, OR totally incapeable

Yes, it sucks, it dehumanizing. Reminded me of going to jail

Yes, last time I was about to board the plane to Australia from Denpasar Bali. It was not something I enjoyed, but when I saw what stupid things people were carrying on (knives being the main one), I accepted it graciously. However, one of those carrying a knife was protesting loudly about not being allowed to take it on.

Just once. I was on my way home from boot camp and I was late for my connecting flight. My friend I was with also was searched, so I think it might be SOP when leaving Parris Island?

It wasn't bad, though. They just searched my carry-on for weapons and drugs. Luckily no body searches or I would have definitely missed my flight home!

Yep, and I had nothing to hide! It wasn't a full on cavity search though.

I obviously look kinda scary(all 4ft 11 of me, lol!) as last time i went for a flight they took off my bodywarmer and boots to xray them and the female guard asked if I was carrying anything in my bra! I said just breasts and was treated to a withering look and then she put her hands underneath my bra to feel.

On her first time flying... my sister who was about not even 5 at the time had to have one... we couldn't touch her and she was bawling the entire time. It was horrible.

Twice now I've been pulled out of line, both times in Newark. Once on my way to Salt Lake, another en route to Amsterdam. Yet no-one every searches me coming home from Amsterdam... real brains over there in the TSA.

I find it disturbing and a real violation of my personal space. I also think it's just an unnecessary show to keep up the appearance of the minimal terrorist threat, which is no more real today then it was twenty-five years ago.

Yep. I had my 3 year old and 2 year old with me as we flew across country to visit my parents. It was a total hassel, it freaked out my kids, and was very annoying. But, in the name of security, I don't mind at all. Hopefully, they randomly stop the right people occassionally.

No random searches, however for some flights I have had to strip to my socks and be tickeld by a security man.

Often. I don't like it, or even think it is particularly effective, but what choice does one have?

Yes and it was no big deal. I would rather they search people than let something dangerous slip by. It's nothing personal, just a precaution.

Not before, I have been selected for random luggage searches after arriving from the Bahamas. Good thing I declared my stuff properly...

yep, when I want to the bahamas last summer I was pulled over and had my carry on searched

Yes, a few times.. they must suspect me...

the last time i flew was actually jan of '01 so i haven't dealt with all of that BUT me and several of my friends have some heavier gauge piercings under our clothes .... my husband had his chest felt up to confirm that it really was nipple rings setting off the metal detecting wand (they could really have just asked him to flash them) and a few of my guy friends have had to drop their pants to verify large hunks of metal in their .... um .... in their pants let's say

YES IN JAMAICA. BEING IN THE SECURITY FEILD, I CAN AND WILL ALWAYS SUBMIT TO A FRISK AND OR SEARCH. ITS FOR OUR OWN GOOD.

Not before boarding an airplane.

But I've been randomly searched by a mugger.

my boyfriend thought he could be slick and sneak a lighter through security. didn't work and guess what - we both had to be searched! it sucked because it wasted our time and we almost missed our plane. lesson learned. and by the way, contrary to the other answers - i don't think it's dehumanizing. i think if they can catch a damn lighter then they're doing their job.

Actually, I have. On a flight to Vegas an airport worker walked up to me and asked if I would please go with her. I really and truly thought I had won a contest or something. I was not amused when I had to be searched.

Not boarding a plane. Once when going through customs when I arrived in Edmonton, Canada. Took about 45 minutes of interrogation and they completely searched my luggage.

Whenever I flew to Belfast to see my brother, but it was expected anyway because of the problems there at the time.

Yes it happens to me all the time. One time I even saw the officer write "Irish" on my boarding ticket. When I got to the other side I was subjected to a horrible half strip search and they went through all my bags and held me up for ages. I just have one of those faces of a criminal I guess.

Yes.

Yes and i welcomed it. being at 30,000 feet, enclosed in an airtight capsule, i want to know that all other passengers are just as bomb-free as myself and family.