FearFree

This would have been my (non)reaction as well. Let him pull my shorts down in front of everyone. Although, chances are the footage would miraculously disappear in such an event.

redtigeriii

Regarding having to walk through the NOS during an opt out... I havn't yet encountered this and I hope not to. I most certainly do not want to have to step into that machine whether it is on or not. Its one of the reasons I don't want to fake an injury to try to get out of the NOS. Because from what I've heard you have to step into it and show you aren't able to lift your arms. I don't feel comfortable stepping in to do that. I'm going to hold my ground as best I can and escalate if I encounter that situation.

FriendlySkies

In 15+ 'shoulder' opt-out's, all across the country, I've never been asked to step into the NoS to show how high I can lift my arms.. I tell them that I can't go through, and the WTMD magically opens up.

mikeef

There's a joke about getting to third base in here somewhere...

Perfectly illogical logic. As you know, the TSA is a reactive organization that exists for show. Someone tries to make a liquid bomb? Ban liquids, regardless of whether such a thing could actually work. Shoe bomber? Heck, inspect shoes. None of it does any good, but it makes the public feel better and generates additional funding for the agency.

There's nothing to say, though, that we can't make this insanity work in our favor. For instance, suppose somebody threatened the public with a "gate lice" bomb? Or a "guy-in-back-of-me-pulling-on-my-headrest-to-help-him-stand-up" bomb? Maybe the TSA would ban those, too. Imagine the possibilities!

Mike

FliesWay2Much

I would be prepared to stand my ground and say (depending upon which Cancer Box is in use):

Backscatter: "What part of 'I'm not walking through your Cancer Box don't you understand?'"

MMW: "What part of 'I'm not walking through your strip search machine don't you understand?'"

KenTarmac

No, that's just absurd.

Walking through the machine for an opt-out grope on the other side isn't going to hurt anything but your feelings. It's a harmless box until energized.

FliesWay2Much

I disagree -- make them prove to you it's not radiating and don't take "no" for an answer.

dinoscool3

It's mainly the principle of the thing, while part of the reason many of us opt out is due to health reasons, another part is trying to stop the TSA from taking away our rights as US citizens. If they aren't nice to me, I'm going to make them do everything by the book just to make their life miserable and prove a point.

Majuki

There is a light up display as you face the machine from the front on the upper left side that says "SCAN IN PROGRESS" to let you know that it's on. For the MMW, it's easier to see because the bar sweeps radially. Fortunately the BKSX machines are going the way of the dodo by June. It might take some time to get replacement machines installed.

Spiff

I don't trust TSA to not "energize" the box while walking through it.

"You don't trust me, I don't trust you."

reamworks

My second opt-out of the day. This time at BUR.

I told the woman I wanted to opt out, very quietly and professionally, and she said "That's Nice"

At least here (where they use MM-wave) they didn't make me walk through the NOS anyway like they did at San Jose.

They got huffy when I insisted on seeing my bags when they wanted to run them through the scanner again (remember that's how the TSA **SUPERVISOR** in Hawaii stole cash out of passenger's bags), and they CRUSHED MY SHOES when they stacked all the bins up to take me to the screening area.

reamworks

Well, unlike you, I don't have a Ph.D. in physics or Electrical Engineer so I don't know for sure. All I know is, the further away I stand from an X-ray machine, the safer I am.

chollie

Lock your carry-ons before the xray.

More than once I've lost track of my bags going through the xray, even before the NoS. I've had a couple occasions since the NoS when the only reason I knew a TSO was trying to get into my bag behind my back was when he found out it was locked.

KenTarmac

That's also nonsense. You don't have to fake an injury to opt-out and you don't have to demonstrate that you can't "assume the position".

I'm really surprised so many are making such a big deal about "medically" opting out. All you have to say is "I'm opting out." End of story. You don't have to give a reason.

Once you get to the "pat-down" AKA grope then explain any issues you have when they ask "Do you have any medical devices? Do you have any sensitive areas? etc."

It's not that complicated.

and ... I just completed opt-out #97 today at PIT without issue.

... Just counting the days until I get my Global Entry / TSA Precheck card and I can be done with opt-out pat-downs and gropes.

tkey75

Because medical opt out = WTMD. No alarm = no gropedown.

By the book, that is.