As a frequent flyer, businessman John Brennan has walked through his fair share of airport security stations.
He apparently had enough of TSA “hassles” while traveling through Portland International Airport on Tuesday, when he decided to strip completely naked in front of awaiting passengers to show he had no bomb.
According to police reports, the actions of Brennan, 49, caused some onlookers to laugh and take photos while others turned away or covered their children’s eyes. Authorities closed two screening lanes before arresting Brennan for indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, which made him miss his Alaskan Airlines flight to San Jose.
Brennan told Portland news station KGW that his strip was not premeditated, but that he was simply fed up after setting off a detector. He felt the TSA security procedures, which have recently sent off a wave of discontent among some travelers, were excessive.
“And the machine went off, and I asked what it was and he said ‘nitrates’ which I know from Oklahoma City is one of the explosive ingredients,” Brennan told KGW, “and I was not interested in being hassled so I took off my clothes to show them I was not carrying any explosives.”
Authorities asked the Portland resident to put his clothes back on before covering him in a towel and escorting him to jail. Brennan stood in his birthday suit long enough for some onlookers to get cell phone pictures to send to media outlets. He was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time.
Awaiting passenger Brian Reilly, who was in line with Brennan, told FOX station KPTV in Portland: “He got pulled aside for extra security measures … and he decided to get completely naked in his protest there. He was saying things like ‘do I have anything illegal? Am I good to go through now?’”
While Brennan was charged with indecent exposure, he may be protected under Oregon free speech laws, which can allow public nudity if it is not lewd or done with the intent of sexual arousal.