A video of a pregnant woman experiencing a “soothing” screening process at the airport has gone viral on TikTok.
The clip was shared by @michaelandmarian and has had 29.4 million views since it was first posted on February 4. The footage was captured at Southwest Florida International Airport, according to the post.
A message overlaid on the video read: “Tell me you’re pregnant without telling me.”
The footage shows a pregnant woman being patted down by a female airport worker. The woman is shown standing still with her arms spread out on the side as the airport worker moves her hands across the passenger’s pregnant belly and other parts of her body.
A caption shared with the post simply says: “No x-ray scans for her.”
In a later comment, the poster wrote: “They tried telling me it’s [the airport screening machine] safe. I’m like I don’t care, come do your job.”
Is It Safe for Pregnant Women To Walk Through Airport Screening Machines?
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says: “All screening equipment at the airport security checkpoint is safe for all travelers, including women who are pregnant.
“All our machines receive a variety of tests to ensure they are safe. They do not use X-rays to produce an image.”
According to a video on the TSA website, the TSA’s “advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detector systems do not use X-rays to produce the image.”
They instead use “non-ionizing electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the body” and “this just means it’s safe for everyone, including those with child,” the video notes.
Those who still feel uncomfortable with walking through a screening machine “can always opt out and request a pat-down,” the TSA adds.
If you are pregnant and traveling, “it’s always best to check with your healthcare provider prior to traveling.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises pregnant travelers to contact their airline before flying as “some airlines will let you fly until 36 weeks, but others may have an earlier cutoff.”
‘Soothing’ and ‘Relaxing’
TikTok users had some mixed responses to the latest viral clip.
Franky said: “I would be irritated” and dorky_turtle22 said: “I went through the scanners. I don’t want people feeling me up.”
H wrote: “It’s completely safe to go through them. this is hilarious.”
Jocelyn Chey noted: “They’re just body scans not X-rays, and they said they’re safe! I double checked before I walked through haha.”
Some praised the airport worker for her pat-down job, such as vicentagaffney who wrote “she done that very respectfully.”
Elli noted “I found the pat down soothing.”
LULU agreed, asking “Why does it seem soothing and relaxing.”
User plainjane510 noted: “Am I watching a spa treatment asmr video or something? Very relaxing.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster via TikTok and email and the TSA via email for comment.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.