TSA patting down a toddler? Video goes viral.

By Elaine N. Schoch

Imagine going through airport security in a cast and a wheel chair. Now imagine having to go through a pat-down, lifting your shirt and having your hands swabbed for explosives. Oh, and you’re a scared three-year-old who just needs to hold daddy’s hand to get through it but you can’t… A video shot in 2010 shows just this. A three-year-old boy receiving a pat-down from a TSA agent went viral today; the video has been viewed more than 81,000 times.

The toddler was wearing a cast and sitting in a wheelchair. According to Today.com, the family was on their way to Disney World when their three-year-old son was stopped by TSA and searched. “Rocco” was traveling in a wheelchair and had a cast. He was unable to pass through the walk-through metal detector or imaging technology and therefore received alternative screening — a pat-down and swabbing for use of explosives trace detection.

As a parent and just someone who travels, watching this little boy and his dad go through this ridicules screening nearly made me cry. I’ve traveled a lot with Princess One and she’s so scared going through security as it is. I can’t imagine her being as brave as Rocco…or me as calm as his father. Kudos to them.

Rules have changed since 2010 for screening kids. Last fall, the TSA revised its rules for children 12 and under, saying they no longer have to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. The agency’s policy for Children with Disabilities states that “if your child is unable to walk or stand, the Security Officer will conduct a pat-down search of your child while he/she remains in their mobility aid, as well as a visual and physical inspection of their equipment.”

I’m all for security at airports but this is somewhat absurd. What do you think?