Mandi Hamlin is a 37 year old woman who is demanding a civil rights investigation and an apology from federal security agents after allegedly being forced to remove her nipple rings before boarding a flight. According to reports, she was told that she wouldn't be allowed on the flight until she removed the jewelry.

Hamlin had trouble removing one of the rings because scar tissue had grown around it. She eventually had to use pliers to remove the ring, which she reported as being extremely painful. She said she could hear security officers laughing at her from the other side of the curtain.

According to TSA regulations, in the case of body jewelry, a pat-down search is all that is required, and removal of body jewelry such as nipple rings should not be necessary.

Mandi Hamlin demonstrated at a press conference that was held March 27, 2008, how she had to use the pliers to remove the jewelry.

The TSA immediately adjusted their policy to offer passengers the option of a visual inspection, at which point Hamlin and her attorney Gloria Allred said they would take no further legal action.

Mandi Hamlin is also the name of the wife of NASCAR driver Kevin Hamlin.

1. Age: 37
2. Took place at the Lubbock, Texas airport
3. Event happened on February 24, 2008
4. Press conference was held at 12:30(PT) on March 27, 2008

• Topix.net: Mandi Hamlin
• Google News: Mandi Hamlin
• Dallas Morning News: TSA adjusting procedures after woman said she was forced to remove nipple ring (March 29, 2008)
  • The TSA says its policies were properly followed in Mandi Hamlin's case, but will change its policies so anyone with a piercing will be informed that they may choose a visual inspection instead of jewelry removal. Hamlin said she would take no further legal action
• CNN: Nipple ring search procedures faulty, TSA admits (March 28, 2008)
• NBC6: Woman: TSA Made Her Remove Nipple Ring With Pliers (March 28, 2008)
  • "I felt surprised, embarrassed, humiliated, and scared," Hamlin said at the news conference, which was held in Los Angeles. "My experience with TSA was a nightmare I had to endure. The situation was totally out of control. I will not sit quietly. No one deserves to go through this."
• Metro.co.uk: Woman 'made to remove nipple ring with pliers' (March 28, 2008)
• KCBD: Woman Claims TSA Forced Removal of Nipple Piercings at Airport (March 28, 2008)
• ASAP News: Nipple rings set off metal detector (March 28, 2008)

• Google Blog Search: Mandi Hamlin

• Go Girlfriend Blog: Nipple Rings Not a Security Threat - Passenger Tells TSA (March 28, 2008)

• TMZ: Gloria Allred Fights the Good (Nipple) Fight (March 27, 2008)

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