Strange TSA comment
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Strange TSA comment
The other day, I was going through the security line at DAL. I told the TSA guy outside the xray that I wanted to opt out. His comment? "I wouldn't say that so fast".
I wish I would have thought to say it much slower for him.
Not sure what he meant by that comment.
Did he think I would regret my decision?
I wish I would have thought to say it much slower for him.
Not sure what he meant by that comment.
Did he think I would regret my decision?
Last edited by doctall41; Mar 7, 2014 at 1:38 pm Reason: wouldn't
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
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The other day, I was going through the security line at DAL. I told the TSA guy outside the xray that I wanted to opt out. His comment? "I would say that so fast".
I wish I would have thought to say it much slower for him.
Not sure what he meant by that comment.
Did he think I would regret my decision?
I wish I would have thought to say it much slower for him.
Not sure what he meant by that comment.
Did he think I would regret my decision?
Mike
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
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#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
My guess is that they were randomly selecting people for the magnetometer like they do at airports where the slow machines can't keep up and he was about to select you. Once you say you opt out you're stuck getting the hand pat-down but if you wait to see you might not have needed to.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 109
If he actually said "I wouldn't..." in a threatening or cautioning tone, totally different meaning.
#7
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I agree. I'd interpret "I would..." to mean "If I had to go through security, I'd opt out immediately without giving it a second thought," or in other words, he was endorsing what you were doing.
If he actually said "I wouldn't..." in a threatening or cautioning tone, totally different meaning.
If he actually said "I wouldn't..." in a threatening or cautioning tone, totally different meaning.
Maybe as mentioned above, I could have been offered the WTMD if I had kept quiet, but I don't think those were in use at the time. Usually, if I see a WTMD, I walk towards it in hopes they will let me go thru.
As for the "xray" term, I don't trust any of those machines, so always opt out unless offered the WTMD.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: CPH
Programs: EuroBonus
Posts: 431
Once, just once, at IAD, I was a little quick to opt out (my first opt out ever) "I opt out" (as taught by you guys), and the lady said, "no, you don't" and sent me through the WTMD. I felt both stupid, lucky and a little confused. But it was quick :-)
DanishFlyer
DanishFlyer
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
About a year ago @DAL I walked up to the Body Scanner and said that I would like to opt-out to which the very frustrated TSA employee said, umm we are under staffed and have three opt-out ahead of you, then motioned me to the metal detector and said I didn't hear you request the opt-out, have a nice day.
Dan
Dan
#10
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
My mistake. He said "wouldn't.
Maybe as mentioned above, I could have been offered the WTMD if I had kept quiet, but I don't think those were in use at the time. Usually, if I see a WTMD, I walk towards it in hopes they will let me go thru.
As for the "xray" term, I don't trust any of those machines, so always opt out unless offered the WTMD.
Maybe as mentioned above, I could have been offered the WTMD if I had kept quiet, but I don't think those were in use at the time. Usually, if I see a WTMD, I walk towards it in hopes they will let me go thru.
As for the "xray" term, I don't trust any of those machines, so always opt out unless offered the WTMD.
#11
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#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
Millimetre wave machines, however, don't worry me at all.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 201
As others have implied, I think the OP opted out too early. Once you state you want to opt out, you're stuck getting the patdown. Wait until you're actually chosen for the body scan to say it, in the off chance you get selected for the metal detector. The agent was probably well-meaning with his advice.
#15
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,578
As others have implied, I think the OP opted out too early. Once you state you want to opt out, you're stuck getting the patdown. Wait until you're actually chosen for the body scan to say it, in the off chance you get selected for the metal detector. The agent was probably well-meaning with his advice.