Originally Posted by Comcerneddisabledflier

I opted out yesterday because I would fail the scanner anyway. I was instructed to go meet an agent. He asked me to stand in one space. I told him I could not see my luggage and requested that it be kept in my line of site for the duration of the pat down. He had my luggage be retrieved and it was brought to my side. I was not allowed to touch it for the duration of the pat down and had to place all belongings--keys, wallet with it when I entered the private room.

So yes your luggage will be kept with you, but you will not be able to access it during the pat down.