Woman denied search by guard of same gender at airport

Ajax resident Marion Howell has a pacemaker and cannot go through a metal detector. She said her request to be patted down by a female security officer was denied at Bathurst Airport in New Brunswick. - Marion Howell photo

An Ajax woman who has a pacemaker says two security officers refused to grant her request to be patted down by a guard of the same gender at a New Brunswick airport.

Earlier this month, Marion Howell, 62, was flying back from visiting her sister in northern New Brunswick. But there was a hiccup at Bathurst Airport when she went through security.

She explained to a security guard that she could not go through the metal detector due to the device in her chest. Instead, she would require a manual search, or pat-down.

“I went and I saw that there was only male security, but I asked if I could have a female security guard,” Howell recalled. “They said no they can’t — they literally refused to get me one. They said she’s gone home sick.”

Howell said another guard told her she either would have to get patted down or she’d have to miss her flight.

“At that point, I started to cry,” Howell recalled. “I have anxiety, so this added to my anxiety.”

Howell did not want to miss an appointment she had scheduled the next day and couldn’t afford another ticket.

She said it was like the two security officers "were playing a game of good cop, bad cop."

“My rights as a woman were being denied,” she said.

“This should not be happening in 2023. I just want people to be aware of their rights basically. That’s all it comes down to.”

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website says a physical search “is always done by a screening officer of the same gender as the passenger.”

In an emailed response to questions from durhamregion.com, the CATSA said passengers are offered the option to have a pat-down by a screening officer of the same gender.

“In some circumstances, such as in smaller airports, where a screening officer of the same gender may not be available, passengers can request a witness to observe the search,” the response said.

“It is CATSA’s expectation that screening officers be sensitive to the passenger’s requirement and that they treat passengers with respect, dignity and sensitivity at all times, while ensuring their comfort and safety.”

Howell said one guard moved her items to an area where they were unattended at one point, and she was grateful her sister was there to watch them.

She conceded to have the search done while her sister observed, but said the uncomfortable situation continued. Howell said during the search, she was asked to show her scar, since the medical card proving she has the device was in her luggage.

"The officers were giving me blame for not complying with the regulations, when my rights as a woman were being denied," she said.

Howell filed a formal complaint with the CATSA.

“And basically, nothing was done,” she said.

The CATSA confirmed receiving the complaint and said it is currently under review.