Women will be searched by women, men by men. “TSA has not had any opposite gender pat-downs nationwide since implementing the enhanced pat-down procedures,” says a TSA official speaking on condition of anonymity. The gender ratio of TSA officers is about 60 percent men, 40 percent women, reflecting the gender of passengers nationwide.
What if there is no one of your gender available? It’s unlikely, says the TSA, because all officers are trained to perform all tasks, so they’ll just pull someone from another position. The TSA spokeswoman wouldn’t answer the direct question: Unlikely or not, what if it happens? – but the most likely scenario is that you sit and wait. And risk missing your flight, so the TSA encourages people to leave extra time during the busy holiday system.
