The Transportation Security Administration may have taken its job too far when representatives asked to search a woman's hair as part of the security process.
Isis Brantley was flying home to Texas when she said two TSA representatives asked to check her Afro hairstyle for weapons and explosives, according to a CBS news report.
The TSA is supposed to make people feel safe, but Brantley said she was humiliated. The administration claimed that she left the security checkpoint without being cleared, prompting the officers to further screen her.
Brantley denies that.
Whether or not she left without being cleared, the TSA is going above and beyond security if they are checking people's hair.
Should we feel safer knowing that they are stopping people — or afraid because if our hair is too big or our pants too baggy, they might stop us too?
To avoid time delays and have an easier experience overall, remember these tips when going through security.
First, make sure you comply with all of the rules.
Wear tighter clothing, take your shoes and socks off, separate your electronics, empty your pockets and check that your hair is tamed. You don't want to have to be stopped and re-searched.
Most people get stopped because of silver and metal items, such as belt buckles and jewelry. Take those things off before you go through security. Failure to do so will not only hold up the line, but also cause you to be searched again.
Most prohibited items, such as brass knuckles and meat cleavers, you wouldn't bring on a plane anyway, but scissors and razors are also on the list. If bringing those items, leave them in your checked luggage. To speed up your time at security, TSA provides a list of prohibited items.
However, nothing on that list says anything about the size of your hair.
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