I recently started traveling more often for work and find myself on flights fairly often. I don’t mind flying, but like everyone in the United States, I always dread going through TSA.

Ever since my first time flying, I noticed I would more often than not be pulled aside for a pat down. It became a joke amongst my coworkers that I must look suspicious, even though I’m your stereotypical well kempt white man.

I always assumed it had something to do with a metal plate I have from a bone fracture, but during a recent flight, I realized the truth.

The scanner I was walking through was flagging me and causing the TSA agent to perform a manual check. I looked at the monitor, which had a body scan with a square highlighting the area that flagged it.

The square wasn’t around my plate like I expected.

It was around my penis.

I was too embarrassed to ask the agents, so I went home and did more research on the machines.

Apparently they detect unusual “bulges” in clothing to detect possible hidden weapons or restricted items, which triggers the agent to perform a pat down.

I’ve tried wearing looser pants, shorts and even adjusting before walking through the scanner, but more often than not, I’m still pulled aside. I’m used to it at this point, but it’s still embarrassing none the less.