Airport officers under scrutiny after prolonged pat-down of 96-year-old woman in wheelchair
A daughter has recorded the moment her 96-year-old wheelchair-bound mother was subjected to a prolonged security pat-down at a US airport.
The video, which has over 9 million views, shows Evelyn LaBrier being searched at Dulles Airport in Washington DC.
Evelyn’s daughter, Jeanne Clarkson, becomes irritated throughout the search and is heard saying: “What the hell do you think she’s going to do? Set off a shoe bomb?
“I was just shocked. I’ve travelled with her before, I’ve been in a wheelchair myself unable to walk through the machines and I’ve never had that kind of a pat-down ever,” Jeanne said.
"I couldn’t believe they were doing this to my 96-year-old mother. It was just shock and frustration because they would not talk to me. I felt helpless.”
In the footage, a Transportation Security Administration officer is seen manoeuvring the woman’s arms to search her.
Another TSA officer moves in front of Jeanne, blocking the phone camera and her view.
“She didn’t know what to say. She does not want to fly again ever,” Jeanne said.
“She didn’t know what they were looking for. She was scared.
“She was just following directions. She said she didn’t know what to do.”
Washington Dulles Airport released a statement in response to the controversy surrounding the viral video.
“Many of you have reached out to us to express concern over a video of a security screening taking place at Dulles International Airport. Security screening at our checkpoints is directed and conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). We have shared customer comments with the TSA for their immediate review and appropriate action,” the airport said.
Many who viewed the footage expressed their concerns over the treatment of the elderly woman.
“This was a 96 year old woman, who was searched repeatedly over and over. I think my concern would have been to treat this elderly woman more kindly with Compassion, not subjecting her to this uncalled body search.”
Another said, “That lady looked like she was going to cry!! That is BEYOND harassment... to give her bad memories like that!”
However, some viewers did not think there was anything wrong with the way the TSA officers conducted the search.
“I know I will probably receive a lot of backlash, but it seemed to me that they treated her with nothing but respect. Their job is to keep people safe. And sometimes that includes searching people,” a Facebook user wrote.
Do you think there is anything wrong with the way the elderly woman was searched? Let us know in the comments below.