Welcome, Andy, and thank you for reaching out to someone other than the TSA for holiday tips for travelers. You might want to compare exactly what TSA states (and what they will probably tell you when you call them) versus the kinds of experiences people are reporting here.

TSA: How to Get Through the Line Faster
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...xperience.shtm

For example, the video for the "female business traveler" only shows her walking up to a baggage x-ray machine and putting her stuff in a 1 quart bag. The video for the "male business traveler" shows him with the quart size bag, as well as removing his laptop and shoes. Why they don't show the female removing her shoes and laptop is beyond me. In any case, there are no videos of the new pat-down process and very little information that would actually be helpful for people who really want to get the process over with quickly.

Note that the TSA site for travelers does not even mention the presence of "AIT" scanners in any way that is easy for passengers to locate:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

In any case, you have a wider audience. I would emphasize that people have the right to opt out of any full body scans, and that they have the right to summon a witness for their pat-downs. They should plan ahead for how they will opt-out, respond to subsequent requests or statements to go through the machine anyway, keep their stuff in sight at all times, and request a witness if they do have a pat-down. TSA seems to capitalize on making everything happen so quickly that people don't have time to think about saying no, and in the rush of holiday travel it will probably be worse.