Travel4 min(s) read
Man issues warning over what he saw on airport scanner when he walked through with an erection
Heading through airport security can already feel stressful for travellers, but one man has shared a story that he says others should learn from after an awkward moment led to extra screening.
The 26-year-old explained on Reddit that he encountered an embarrassing situation while passing through airport security in Nevada, claiming a body scanner highlighted his crotch area and prompted a detailed pat-down.
He said he wanted to share his experience as a cautionary tale for others who might find themselves in a similar position.
"This is not a joke, I'm trying to warn other dudes if they are ever in this situation," he wrote, adding that he hoped others could avoid the same uncomfortable experience.
According to the traveller, the situation happened shortly after saying goodbye to his long-distance partner. He described how a romantic farewell left him flustered just before he entered the security line, which he believes led to the unexpected alert on the scanner.
How the airport security incident unfolded
The man said he had been visiting his girlfriend and was leaving Nevada when the incident occurred. He explained: "I have a long-distance relationship, I don't get to see her much but when I do we take full advantage of our time together."
He described sharing a passionate goodbye before heading into the airport. "When she dropped me off, we were kissing, making out in her car before I left. I had a SLIGHT chub still, dudes know what I mean by this."
According to his account, he noticed something unusual once he entered the scanner. "I was scared, it was going away but too slowly, of course the one time there is no line. I put my hands up and did the scanner, I look at the screen, and THERE IS A HUGE RED CIRCLE around my private area."
The alert meant he was taken aside for additional checks. He claimed security staff conducted a thorough pat-down and that a supervisor also inspected him before allowing him to continue.
He said he told them: "I was just with my girl, my bad man."
After the inspection, he said staff confirmed he was clear to proceed.
Reflecting on the experience, he wrote: "It was the most humiliating experience I have ever had in my life. I thank God I will never see those guys again (they were good dudes) and I pray no cameras were recording me or anything.
"It was awful. I'm 26, usually my erections subside quickly but this was just awful timing. The more I thought and worried about it before, the slower it went away. God that really f***ing sucked, but my gf is finishing residency and moving back to me. I will never have to experience that again."
What airport body scanners actually detect
Modern airport scanners no longer display detailed images of passengers. Earlier versions used in the late 2000s raised privacy concerns because they produced highly revealing visuals, but these were phased out in 2013 following calls for stronger privacy protections.
Today’s machines typically generate an anonymous outline of the human body. Former TSA customs officer Eri Jenkins told Reader's Digest: "The body scanners provide a nondescript avatar image of the human anatomy. Images reveal items that might be on skin or inside clothing."
Author Shana Malvini Redden also explained how alerts appear for officers reviewing scans. "With millimeter wave machines that have the privacy software installed, TSOs are only seeing this outline with a green ‘clear’ or a red ‘stop and check’ signal.
"If someone has something in their pockets, for instance, the machine will put an alarm note in the paper doll’s groin region so the officer knows generally where to search."
Although these systems are designed to identify potential concealed items, unexpected triggers can still lead to additional screening, which is why the traveller said he wanted to share his story as a warning to others passing through security.