Gerrard Kaonga
Travelers have been issuing warnings about going through security as they notice just how often they're flagged for a pat down.
For some people going to the airport is just the first stage of a wonderful vacation, but for others, it's a cause of dread.
This could be because of how busy airports tend to be, or due to a fear of flying, but in some cases it's down to anxiety caused by the security checkpoints.
The fear hopefully won't be because you've done anything wrong, but more likely because the whole situation can be nerve-wracking.
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But appearing anxious or nervous can often result in further security checks like a pat down, as one woman on Reddit discussed as she revealed that her 5’8, 169 lb adult self had her ‘crotch flagged twice’
She wanted to know why she was recently stopped and patted in the same region of her groin twice, adding that she was wearing 'bike shorts and normal underwear'.
One user asked: "Were you sweating?"
"Probably a little, I'm terrified of flying so I was nervous," she conceded.
The Redditor explained that she wasn't offended by the pat-down, but was just curious as to why she had been stopped but her wife hadn't.
However, another user shared a similar problem two years ago, posting to the social media platform to vent his frustration and to understand why his 'sensitive area' - as he puts it - was being frisked so often.
He conducted his own experiment to help determine why - although didn't get to the problem on his own.
The frustrated gentlemen thought the reason his crotch was being flagged was because of the pants he had on.
The first time he donned double-knee trousers, the next flight he wore canvas pants, then blue jeans the next time, and finally pajama bottoms - each and every time he was patted-down.
However, one commenter explained why he believes he is always halted.
"I've flown a lot over the last few years. I'm a bigger guy and I've had that problem," they explained. "My unscientific testing has told me the following. If I'm sweaty, I'm getting a pat down.
"The machine triggers on sweat, especially in the lower back and private areas.
"Boxer briefs over boxers, the boys need to be high and tight. Pants material doesn't make too much of a difference. What does is sag. When you get in the machine, pull your pants as high up as you can. Sagging pants makes a shadow or something, and it guarantees a pat down.
"The last thing is be patient. They don't want to search you down there any more than you want to be searched, but sometimes it's just going to happen."
So, if you're a sweaty mess going into airport security... you should expect a pat-down... sorry guys!
UNILAD has contacted the TSA for comment.