Airport security officer tests wheelchair-bound toddler for explosives
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A toddler in a wheelchair has been subjected to an invasive body search and swabbed for explosive residue in a security check that has left his father furious.On his way to Disneyland with his family, the little boy, who was in a wheelchair because he had a broken leg, was singled out for the check while travelling through O'Hare Airport in Chicago. His parents were not allowed to be near him during his examination.
The boy was visibly upset by his ordeal, which was filmed by his dad. See the video here:
Although his father tried to stay calm in order to stop they child feeling even more frightened, he said afterwards:
"My little boy wanted me to come over to hold his hand and give him a hug. He was trembling with fear. I was told I could not touch him or come near him during this process. Instead we had to pretend it was ok so that he didn't panic."
The incident is one of a growing number that has caused outrage among those who believe that these invasive security checks are humiliating and unnecessary, particularly for vulnerable passengers such as children and the elderly.
Last year, a disturbing video revealed how children as young as six were being subjected to full body searches in the name of airport security.
One mother protested so much about her daughter's treatment at an airport in Nashville that she was arrested.
And in December, an 85-year old wheelchair-bound woman in New York was strip-searched after she asked to be patted down instead of going through a body scanner. Meanwhile in Florida, security officers forced a 95-year old cancer sufferer to remove her adult incontinence nappy during a search.
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The most recent incident occurred just as it was announced that nine US airports have introduced a new 'Precheck" scheme which allows background-checked passengers to pay $100 to avoid body scans, patdowns and queues. By paying this fee, they will also be allowed to carry liquids on board.
According to reports in the Wall Street Journal, passengers must be invited by airlines and meet undisclosed TSA criteria in order to qualify.
By the end of 2012, these "Precheck' lanes will be in place at the majority of US airports, says the newspaper. However, they will only be an option for a chosen few.
The worst airports in the world
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Manila<p> The NAIA in Manila has been voted as the 2011 world's worst airport by users of the online travel website The Guide to Sleeping in Airports (sleepinginairports.net), based on reader reviews and poll votes. The website listed reasons such as safety concerns, theft, poor facilities, bribery and lack of comfortable seating. One reader said: 'You will not want to even close your eyes here! Bribery and theft exists. Airport taxes are collected, but the money does not seem to go towards the betterment of the airport.' In terms of facilities, passengers may have better luck at the newer Terminal 3, where it is clean, spacious and offers an internet connection.</p>
- Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Paris<p> It might be the largest airport in France - and one of the busiest in the world - but Paris CDG, which opened in 1974, has since frequently been criticised for its confusing layout, rude staff and ugly buildings. What's more, the seating benches have been deemed uncomfortable and insufficient, and homeless people are said to frequently disturb sleeping travellers.</p>
- Frankfurt Hahn Airport, Germany<p> Frankfurt Hahn also made sleepinginairports.net's worst airports 2011 list. They said: 'Limited seating, bucket seats, and a lack of passenger facilities. A very basic airport for budget airlines.' In a 2010 World's Worst Travel Survey, passengers also complained of 'confusing signage' and 'unpleasant ground staff'.</p>
- London Heathrow AIrport, England<p> In a Priority Pass survey in 2010, London Heathrow was voted the least favourite airport, owing to the fact that it is also one of the world's busiest. The problems of winter 2010, when the airport was ill-prepared for bad weather and snow grounded thousands of flights, further weakened its image. Long security queues and hours waiting at the baggage line have also been cited.</p>
- Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India<p> According to Independent writer Peter Popham, Delhi airport's 'carpeting is a thin scarlet runner, and stains are splattered in corners. Creature comforts are negligible. Passport control takes an eternity. Half the trolleys are broken down. They force you to x-ray your luggage coming in to the country as well as going out.' And, according to a survey by Foreign Policy magazine, it also boasts 'aggressive beggars, syringes on the terminal floor, and filthy bathrooms'.</p>
- Mutala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria<p> According to reports, 'the odour of faeces and urine abound in this airport, which no doubt attract the hoards of rats, cockroaches and other bugs that scurry around the departures and arrivals area.' There's also been talk of overflowing toilets, and passengers escaping the airport chaos only to be mugged or beaten on the tarmac outside.</p>
- Los Angeles International Airport, America<p> The San Francisco Chronicle describes LAX as 'eight terminals connected by a traffic jam'. And, according to sleepinginairports.net, seating is limited, rude security staff 'automatically assume you are a terrorist or that you will never leave their country', bathrooms are in poor condition, signage is poor, and there are no conveniences for people in transit.... 'not even a 24 hour coffee shop.' Ouch.</p>
- Lukla Airport, Nepal<p> This small airport in the town of Lukla in eastern Nepal is popular as it is the gateway to the Mount Everest region in Nepal. But it will give you a nail-biting landing, involving a plummet onto an uphill airstrip cut into the side of a mountain. And on takeoff, the airstrip comes to an abrupt end at the edge of a mountain cliff.</p>
- Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport, Senegal<p> At Dakar's airport 'there is only squalor, an unnerving sense of confinement, and to some extent danger,' said salon.com's Patrick Smith. Foreign Policy magzine's survey concurred, writing: 'Dakar has no seats and travellers are targeted by hawkers, porters and security guards who move them on. Immigration takes three hours.'</p> <p> <strong><a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/10/03/the-worlds-scariest-airports/">Don't miss our picture gallery: world's scariest airports!</a></strong></p>
- Simon Bolivar International, Colombia, Venezuela<p> Simón Bolívar International, known locally as ‘Maiquetia’, is the main international airport in the South American state of Venezuela. It is located around 29km from the centre of the capital, Caracas, and is described as being 'situated practically in the middle of the favelas'. Hundreds of travellers have been robbed or mugged as soon as they left the airport, while kidnapping, stabbings and shootings 'have all occurred before passengers have even reached the taxi line', according to the Matador Network. What's more, you'll be charged a $53 airport tax for the privilege.</p>
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