Airport Pat-Downs: Are They Going Too Far?

CINCINNATI -- With one of the busiest travel days ahead, officials say those traveling by plane could expect to wait in security lines for about 40 minutes and some are concerned about the screening process at security gates.

There are three reasons travelers would have to undergo extra security screening at the airport. Travelers should be prepared for a secondary secreening if they are randomly selected, set off the metal detector or if the airline chooses them, WLWT News 5's Juliette Vara reported.

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Security Screenings: Are They Going Too Far?

News 5 went through the secondary screening process to see just how far the security measures are taken.

At first, the process may seem routine. Travelers are asked to remove their jacket and shoes. They are also asked to place their carry-on items in a bin, Vara reported.

Once the traveler walks through the metal detectors, the secondary screening begins.

Security officers scan their entire body with a metal detector, which could take about 60 seconds.

The third step is an upper body search with the passenger's arms held out, palms facing up.

The security officer asks the passenger if there are any areas that would be sensitive for them to touch. The officer will then begin the pat-down, squeezing the arms, back and stomach, searching for hidden items and explosives.

Moving to the front of the passenger, the screener explains that while touching the potentially sensitive areas, they would be using the back of the hand.

Female passengers should be prepared that the screener will check underneath their bra, which is a potential hiding place.

Inspecting the passengers bags is the final step. All items in the bag are removed and checked thoroughly.

While searches are limited to the upper body, a lower body search is sometimes required. If a lower body search is needed, a law enforcement officer then takes over.

If at any point a passenger feels uncomfortable being patted down in front of others, they can request to have the search conducted in a private area.

Experts urge travelers to remember that the person conducting the search should always be the same sex as the passenger.

The entire process takes about 5 to 10 minutes with the single intention of making everyone's holiday happy and safe.