BearX220

They are not and in the mornings they are still the sole means of screening passengers. All four SEA checkpoints now have BKSX machines installed alongside the conventional WTMD devices. But I've transited SEA in the morning twice in the past three weeks (430a and 700a) at two different checkpoints, and both times the backscatter machines were turned off and unused.

All true when the BKSX devices are online. Taking an early-morning flight apparently keeps you clear of them.

woodway

I went through the D/N security checkpoint this morning @ 5:15. From what I could see, only one full body scanner was being used, in the right-center line (just to the left of the far right line that runs along the glass partitions). The line to the far right right and the three lines on the left side were all using WTMD's. After going through the ID check, I simply scanned the lines for the shortest WTMD line and queued up in that one. It was not especially busy this morning - I could see on a busier day you might get directed into a specific line.

marmarmar

I went through SeaTac this morning as well (around 8am) and all the NoS machines were roped off and I saw no one in them. Everyone was going through the WTMD.

Also, I also noticed LOTS of women travelers in skirts (myself included).

chollie

Before all this started (frisks, NoS) it was not uncommon for folks with 'bulky' clothes to get a wand/patdown even if they did not alarm the WTMD. Cargo pants, oversize loose sweatshirts, for example. Oddly enough, I never heard any women complaining that skirts triggered patdowns/wanding because they were considered bulky.

Now I admit, I never saw or heard of anyone wearing leg-warmers at the airport, so I don't know if they would have triggered an action or not.

BH62

Thru North checkpoint at SEA approx 3pm last Friday, Just metal detector, so it's not necessarily in the early morning. BTW, they've reconfigured the setup so the benches for shoe replacement, etc are a distance away. If you like padding across a bare, hard stone floor, here's your chance. In contrast, even DTW has carpeting: OK, end of whine.

heatherita

I'm traveling weekly through SeaTac and I get scanned every single week. It's very frustrating because most of the time when I go through security Monday morning their process seems to be make everyone go through the scanner and if the line gets too long we start putting people through the metal detector.

Not only that but everytime that I go through the scanner at SeaTac they always find part of my body that they insist on patting down, most of the time they pat down my head but today they patted my chest which I asked the woman if the scanner showed I had something in my bra.

I would like to complain about this since I feel like scanning EVERYONE is a bit unneccessary and I have not seen it at any of the airports that I regularly travel through but really who could you complain to and know that your concerns are actually being heard.

FriendlySkies

How about OPTING-OUT of the Nude-O-Scope?

Savvy Traveler

A friend of mine says she found a single lane at SEA that is scanner-free. If you're facing the secure area from the check in lobby, the checkpoint farthest to the right would be the D/N gates. Moving to the left, the next one down is a small checkpoint for the C gates. Apparently the far left lane at this checkpoint is scanner-free.

Check it out next time and let us know!

FliesWay2Much

It was for me back in late January. Look at the website in my signature line for the latest info.

tusphotog

There is also a scanner free lane at the D/N checkpoint at the far left, all the way up against the wall.

The small C checkpoint (in front of the AS Board Room) is usually where I go through. Using the x-ray machine to the left of the NoS puts you in the WTMD lane. I usually use the far left lane, up against the wall, and it is indeed a scanner free lane.

Points Scrounger

I've noticed that SEA has consistently required me to remove my belt for the metal detector (not the Nude-o-Scope) consistently these days.

Is this because they're afraid of something hidden in/by it, or because they've ramped up the sensitivity so that they'd get hits?

Fredd

I now generally take off my belt at all airports even though I've worn it through the magnetomer without an alarm, trying to do everything I can to avoid special attention. The sensitivity can indeed vary.

dgreen12

"No Belts in Seattle" is what I was told today, when I used the elite line at D to avoid the bodyscanner.

Makes no sense to me, but it's the TSA.

AUS2008

You do know you are getting irradiated with ionizing radiation (like an xray, but a lower dose) EVERY WEEK? This type of radiation is cumulative. If you're getting patted down anyway, you might as well opt out, save your cells the damage, and get the patdown without going through the scanner. Yes, it is reportedly a small dose of radiation, but it will add up and for a frequent flyer, I don't think it's the best idea. You wouldn't go get a chest xray every month just for the heck of it, would you?

flitcraft

The far left lane in the C (middle) screening area leads only to a WTMD, but the TSOs can and do order some passengers in that lane through the NoS. I have to opt out pretty frequently there, despite my best efforts at self-directed opt outs. Still, the far left C line gives the best odds of a grope and scan free experience.