Man Explains How A Surprise Erection Set Off TSA Scanner — And What The Screen Showed Shocked Him

Just when you think going through airport security couldn’t possibly get any more awkward, your own body might decide to add to the drama.

It turns out that some well-endowed men are dealing with an unexpected and very personal issue that's now getting more attention.

We all know the usual culprits—keys jangling in your pocket, spare change you forgot to take out, or even your phone still tucked into your jeans. But what happens when the thing setting off alarms isn’t something you’re carrying, but a part of your body?

More and more travelers are sharing stories about how their erections or larger private parts have ended up triggering airport security scanners. While TSA scans can already feel a little invasive, they’re still considered a necessary part of air travel. Today’s scanners use millimeter wave technology or automated threat detection systems to scan for anything suspicious. These machines show a generic outline of your body to detect items, unlike older versions that actually displayed naked images. Those older models have thankfully been retired.

The point of these scanners is to detect dangerous things like blades, weapons, explosives, or even strange-shaped drug packages. But the software can also flag something as simple as large genitals because it registers as an unusual shape. The scanner will highlight the specific area on the body silhouette where it thinks there’s a threat or something it doesn't recognize.

One man opened up about his own embarrassing TSA moment on Reddit. He had gone through security not long after saying goodbye to his long-distance girlfriend, and let’s just say, things hadn’t quite settled down yet.

How much of you is revealed by the scanners? Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In his cautionary tale about airport erections, he wrote: " I had flown to visit my girlfriend and when she dropped me off we were kissing making out you know in her car before I left. I had a SLIGHT chub still, dudes know what I mean by this."

"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. I got pat down once, this is common at airports, I have a subcutaneous defibrillator in my chest but he went to my legs."

"Then he brought over his supervisor, he pat me down again and I said lowly 'I was just with my girl my bad man' and he said you're good to go."

Airport security isn't fun but it's necessary Getty stock

Looking back on it, the man called the moment “the most humiliating experience I have ever had in my life.” He also hoped that there weren’t any security cameras catching the awkward incident.

And it turns out, he’s not the only one. In another Reddit post, someone else shared a similar story. He too went through airport security and ended up having his crotch flagged by the scanner.

"I travel very often, and nearly every time that I go through airport security, the full-body scanner is set off." he said. "A yellow box appears on the screen over my penis. And then, of course, I have to get a very personal pat down in sensitive areas. Not only is it just uncomfortable to have someone touch me in personal areas every time I go to the airport, but it's also very time consuming."

Plenty of others chimed in to say they’ve been through the same thing. They totally got how awkward and uncomfortable it could be.

So next time you’re catching a flight and feel things shifting in the wrong direction… maybe focus on baggage claim to cool things off.