TSA agent tells teen to ‘cover herself’

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent allegedly told a 15-year-old girl at Los Angeles International Airport to “cover herself” before she boarded her flight.

The girl’s father, BoingBoing.com website editor Mark Frauenfelder, posted an article about the exchange on Sunday evening.

{mosads}In it, Frauenfelder alleges that the TSA agent “humiliated and shamed my 15-year-old daughter.”

“Here’s what happened, as my daughter described it in text messages to us,” he wrote.

“She was at the station where the TSA checks IDs,” Frauenfelder continued. “She said the officer was ‘glaring’ at her and mumbling. She said, ‘Excuse me?’ and he said, ‘You’re only 15, COVER YOURSELF!’ in a hostile tone. She said she was shaken up by his abusive manner.”

Frauenfelder said his daughter was traveling with a group of other high school students who were going on a college tour.

He said that he and his wife met with the TSA’s leadership at LAX and he said the agent’s supervisor at the airport was “apologetic, concerned, and professional.”

The TSA said in a statement provided to The Hill that it was reviewing the allegations.

“TSA officers are trained and expected to perform screening methods in a dignified and respectful manner at all times,” the agency said.  “We work to make our screening procedures as minimally invasive as possible while providing the highest level of security for the traveling public. We regret that this passenger had an unpleasant experience and are in the process of thoroughly reviewing the circumstances.”

-This story was updated with new information at 8:26 p.m.

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