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TSA investigates claim LAX agent ‘shamed’ teenage girl over attire

Passengers wind their way through a TSA checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
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The Transportation Security Administration is reviewing a report that one of its agents at Los Angeles International Airport tried to shame a teenage girl during the pre-flight security check.

According to Mark Frauenfelder, founder of the blog boingboing, a TSA agent mumbled under his breath about the attire of Frauenfelder’s 15-year-old daughter. When the girl confronted the agent, saying “excuse me?” the agent responded, “You’re only 15. Cover yourself,” Frauenfelder’s daughter told him through text messages.

Frauenfelder took to his site Sunday night to vent, saying the agent “humiliated and shamed my 15-year-old daughter.” He included a picture of his daughter’s outfit.

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“It doesn’t matter what she was wearing, though, because it’s none of his business to tell girls what they should or should not wear,” he wrote. “His creepy thoughts are his own problem, and he shouldn’t use his position of authority as an excuse to humiliate a girl and blame her for his sick attitude.”

The TSA issued a statement following Frauenfelder’s post.

“We regret that this passenger had an unpleasant experience and are in the process of thoroughly reviewing the circumstances,” the agency said.

“TSA officers are trained and expected to perform screening methods in a dignified and respectful manner at all times. We work to make our screening procedures as minimally invasive as possible while providing the highest level of security for the traveling public.”

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Joseph.serna@latimes.com

@josephserna

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