The Project host Lisa Wilkinson calls out ‘embarrassing’ airport pat-down

The Project host Lisa Wilkinson has hit out at airport security protocol, calling out an “embarrassing” incident that “should be fixed”.

The Project host Lisa Wilkinson has hit out at airport security protocol, saying public pat-downs are “embarrassing” and “should be fixed”.

Wilkinson took to Twitter on Thursday to vent her frustration after she was patted down because the underwire in her bra and zipper in her jeans triggered the security scanner at two separate airports.

“At Brisbane Airport and Adelaide Airport the scan showed up the underwire in my bra and zip on my jeans and I had to have a full pat-down in both areas,” Wilkinson tweeted. “Embarrassing, uncomfortable, inappropriate and should be fixed.”

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Lisa Wilkinson’s bra and jeans zip triggered the scan. Picture: Backgrid

The TV host has now called out the pat-down at the airport, saying it’s ‘inappropriate’ and ‘should be fixed’.

The TV hosts’s tweet came just hours after ABC journalist Louise Milligan shared her own “uncomfortable” experience while using the new full-body scan machines.

As a result, a wave of women commented about the uncomfortable nature of the pat-downs.

“I’m at Sydney Airport and new full-body security screening was made to take off fitted business jacket (only had little camisole underneath),” Milligan wrote from her Twitter account.

“Have never had this happen anywhere. Man in front, in big bulky jumper, not made to change. It was embarrassing, uncomfortable, creepy.

“I mentioned to lovely Qantas staff and they were incensed and said they have had multiple women complaining of similar security heavy-handedness this week.

“They said a woman was crying after being forced to remove her T-shirt. They’ve complained to airport managers.”

A wave of women came forward to complain about the public pat-downs.

In the US, new measures means Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at all airports have the option of using five different types of physical pat-downs at the screening line, depending on an officer’s risk assessment.

At the time of making the change to how pat-downs are to be conducted, one airport, Denver International, notified employees and flight crews that the “more rigorous” searches will be “more thorough and may involve an officer making more intimate contact than before”.

These new full-body scan machines are a real issue @Milliganreports. At @BrisbaneAirport & @AdelaideAirport the scan showed up the underwire in my bra & zip on my jeans & I had to have a full pat-down in both areas. Embarrassing, uncomfortable, inappropriate & should be fixed. https://t.co/sw1niYp5ud

— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) June 16, 2022

In response to both Wilkinson’s and Milligan’s experiences, Twitter users voiced their outrage.

“So sorry this happened to you,” one wrote.

“Bloody ridiculous! They would have had to hold me down and take my jacket off. No way – so, so rude!’ another woman said.

“It’s invasive and unnecessary and I worry about the images being stored from this and what happens to them,” a third person wrote.

I’m @SydneyAirport & at new full-body security screening was made to take off fitted business jacket (only had little camisole underneath). Have never had this happen anywhere. Man in front, in big bulky jumper, not made to change. It was embarrassing, uncomfortable, creepy 1/

— Louise Milligan (@Milliganreports) June 16, 2022

2/ I mentioned to lovely @qantas staff & they were incensed & said they have had multiple women complaining of similar security heavy-handedness this week. They said a woman was crying after being forced to remove her t-shirt. They’ve complained to airport managers.

— Louise Milligan (@Milliganreports) June 16, 2022

In response to Milligan’s tweet, the Sydney Airport account said it was “really sorry” this had occurred, and will be “following it up with out security contractor”.

“Thank you for bringing it to our attention. If you have further details, please send us a DM,” the Sydney Airport Twitter account wrote.

In response, Milligan replied: “Thank you for replying. They were rude and, frankly, sexist. I felt humiliated.”