Los Angeles, CA (KCBS/KCAL) - A Texas woman who says she was forced to remove a nipple ring with pliers at an airport security checkpoint wants an apology from federal security agents.
Mandi Hamlin says she was trying to board a flight from Lubbock to Dallas last month when she passed through the metal detector without problem.
But she says when she was screened with a handheld detector, the device beeped.
Hamlin says she told the agent she had her nipples pierced, and offered to show a female agent in private, but a male agent said the jewelry would have to be removed.
Hamlin says she was crying as she removed the piercings, and after she did, she was allowed to proceed. She says the agents did not ask her to remove a belly button piercing.
TSA officials say they are investigating Hamlin's allegations to see if its policies were followed.
Hamlin is now being represented by Gloria Allred, a well-known Los Angeles lawyer who often represents high-profile claims.
3/28/2008 10:03:25 AM
