Flying is uncomfortable. Not the flying itself, but the part where you have to prepare for it. Endless lines, delays, the constant fear that your luggage will get lost. Elbow battles with the passenger next to you over the armrest. Seats getting smaller and prices getting higher.
But what’s happening in U.S. airports now is something no one saw coming. The TSA is stopping passengers and putting them through seriously embarrassing moments!
Sure, when we travel we expect all kinds of things, complaining about the reclining seat in front of you, the food, bugs in the cabin… (yes, let’s not get into details), but now many travellers are being patted down for sweating “down there”, you know.
Unnecessary searches that are creating moments of shame, it’s been labeled “swamp crotch” and it’s affecting all types of passengers. Maybe it counts as a liquid and exceeds the 3.4-ounce limit?
What’s going on?
Several travellers have reported being patted down and undergoing extra checks on their arms and groin area, and this particular passenger said it happened to her on both the outbound and return flights.
The passenger said she wasn’t wearing any jewelry or body piercings. She was an adult woman of average height, wearing regular underwear and biker shorts… but her intimate area triggered a TSA search.
The issue comes from the body scanners, which use millimeter-wave technology to detect irregularities. However, when sweat builds up in certain areas, the scanner can interpret that moisture as an “anomaly” and trigger an alert. The result: a pat-down and a guaranteed uncomfortable experience.
Why does TSA react to sweat?
As mentioned, the TSA body scanner works by detecting how waves bounce off the human body. But when there’s moisture in intimate areas, the signal gets distorted. According to researcher Shawna Malvini Redden, communication expert and author of the book 101 Pat-Downs, “perspiration is probably the weirdest thing that can trigger the scanner. It all comes down to how the waves interact with water.”
The “swamp crotch” phenomenon
What the internet jokingly calls “swamp crotch” is becoming a real nightmare for people flying in the middle of summer… and for those of us who sweat a lot.
Several people have posted online that they were pulled aside for a search after setting off an alert in that area, carrying no suspicious items, just sweat in the groin. Some women even said they were wearing tight clothing and no jewelry, yet were still flagged by the scanner.
Can this be avoided?
Unfortunately, there’s very little you can do to avoid being stopped due to intimate sweating. Some people have tried changing clothes, using towels, or avoiding certain fabrics, but nothing guarantees you won’t be searched, especially if you’re a woman on your period. Pads have been a trigger for false alarms too.
A helpful tip…
One recommendation is to make a quick stop in the bathroom before going through security, to freshen up and dry off. It’s not foolproof, but it might reduce the chances of triggering the scanner and help you avoid that awkward moment in front of other passengers. It’s just sweat!
A humiliating experience that leaves a mark
Getting stopped at the airport for groin sweat isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s a public humiliation that can leave you feeling vulnerable and powerless. While the TSA defends its protocols in the name of safety, travelers are asking whether the technology, or at least the treatment, couldn’t be improved for people who haven’t done anything wrong.
What to remember if you’re flying in summer
In hot weather, the chances of going through something like this increase. If you’re planning to travel, wear light clothing, stay dry, and be prepared for security. And if you still get stopped, remember you’re not alone, sometimes, sweat is all it takes for the TSA to zero in on you.