The TSA recently terrorized a little wheelchair-bound girl by treating her like a terrorist. When the 4-year-old girl was subject to a Transportation Security Administration pat down, her parents tried to film the ordeal as their little girl was left in tears, but the TSA told the family that filming them was illegal.
Little Lucy Forcks and her family were on their way to Disney World from Lambert Airport on Feb. 9. When going through the TSA security checkpoint, the little girl with Spinda Bifida was subjected to a special pat down. Lucy had already gone through the checkpoint but the TSA said they needed to pat down the little girl and swab her wheelchair.
"The agents said she needs to get a pat down because she is in a wheelchair," Nathan Forcks told Fox. "It was discrimination."
Lucy's mother began recording a video of the ordeal because her little girl was crying, especially when they took the girl's stuffed lamb, "Lamby" away.
"She was clearly freaking out a very scared," Forcks told Fox.
The TSA agents told Lucy's mother that she couldn't record them.
"They said it was illegal, but we knew it wasn't," he said.
Forcks was right. A message on the TSA website reads:
"We don't prohibit public, passengers or press from photographing, videotaping, or filming at screening locations. You can take pictures at our checkpoints as long as you're not interfering with the screening process or slowing things down. We also ask that you do not film or take pictures of our monitors."
The TSA eventually let the little girl go without going through with the pat down.
"It was just a big waste of time, and it wasn't required," Forcks said. "It was tough on her."
The ordeal was so tough on the girl that at one point she said "I don't want to go to Disney World."
However the Forcks went on to the happiest place in the world and Mr. Forcks called the rest of the vacation "great,' according to Fox. The family had no issues at the Florida airport.
The TSA released an apology about the incident.
"TSA regrets inaccurate guidance was provided to this family during screening and offers its apology. We are committed to maintaining the security of the traveling public and strive to treat all passengers with dignity and respect," the statement said according to Fox.
Forcks has decided not to file an official complaint, but the video of the ordeal was posted to YouTube.
The Forcks aren't the only ones who think TSA pat downs are a bit over the top. Kansas lawmakers want to place restrictions on this security measure.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
