With Thanksgiving weekend fast approaching, concerns over intrusive full-body searches at US airports are mounting. Over 24 million passengers are expected to pass through airports over the weekend, many of whom will be asked to submit to a pat down by TSA agents. Refusal will most likely result in passengers being told they will not be flying to their chosen destination over the holidays.

Chief of the Transportation Security Administration, John Pistole, has defended the pat downs as a necessary counter terrorism move. The searches have been introduced for passengers who refuse to go through full body scanners capable of revealing a bit more than just a hidden weapon.

Mr Pistole said in a statement that the TSA was constantly updating its security techniques and would be looking at passenger feedback and ways of evolving the airport security programme. He added that it was extremely important that some sort of balance be struck between security and an individual’s privacy.

Recently, the TSA amended its search procedure by excluding children of 12 or under and airline pilots. Mr Pistole said that when talking about the intimacy of the search procedure it should be remembered that last Christmas a man attempted to blow up a passenger airliner over Detroit with explosives hidden in his underwear.

US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, said she understood concerns over privacy. She added that a balance needed to be found also pointing out that it was beyond belief that a person would try to board a plane with explosives in his underpants.