KEENE, N.H. — Peter Haas is just 14 years old, but when traveling last week, he learned that for an unknown reason he is on the TSA terror watch list.
Peter and parents were at Logan Airport when he was pulled aside for extensive screening.
“They patted me down, front and back, my pants and my sweatshirt,” he said.
TSA agents had to explain to Peter’s father, Andrew, what was going on.
“They had to pull him aside and said he was on a watch list and he had to go through a complete screening,” Andrew said.
Peter couldn’t believe it.
“I was thinking, how could I be on here? I don’t know how I got on here and how this mistake could be made,” he said.
Andrew could only watch and snap a picture as they searched his son.
“They did a full pat down around his groin and back of his pants and checked him for bomb residue,” he said.
Ultimately, Peter was allowed to fly. Getting his name off that terror list is a different problem, though.
“How do you educate your kids on the fact you’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty but now you’re guilty and have to prove your innocence,” Andrew said.
The family has submitted an online petition to have Peter's name removed from the list, and they expect to hear back within the next few days.