I apologize in advance for the length. This was my first time being groped and I needed a place to vent and to share my experiences.
Synopsis:
Long wait...defective equipment and 2 TSO's who knew it was "silly" for me to have to endure the resolution pat-down because of a faulty piece of equipment that was "crap".
Flew out of SAN Sunday morning and was chosen for the nude-o-scope. I opted out. There was a little bit of a loud announcement that they needed a Male assist. I was asked to stand by a chair to wait for the guy who would be doing the deed.
I pointed out that I could not see my stuff the TSO manning the NOS said "there are cameras monitoring the area" presumably to convince me I had nothing to worry about. I then turned to another TSO and with a bit more forceful voice said "I can't see my stuff" she directed me to stand close to the baggage screening machine so that I could keep an eye on my belongings.
There was a significant delay, at least 15 minutes before they could get a male TSO...this, in spite of the fact that I saw several walking back and forth. Eventually, the ID checker was the one who did the standard pat-down.
At one point, as I waited, the WTMD agent motioned me to come through, it was tempting to do it, but I told her I was waiting for the opt out pat-down. I was afraid it would lead to a terminal dump if I skipped on through. I wasn't about to create trouble for every other person simply trying to fly from point A to point B. After a few more minutes, she apologized for the delay. A bit later, another TSO apologized for the delay.
All of the TSO's I encountered were polite and professional excepting the TSO manning the NOS, who basically glared at me as I was waiting.
Finally, I am called over by the TSO who would do the pat down. He did not "touch my junk". But he did run his hand around my waistband and flat handed my bum.
He then did the swab thing and, bingo, I alarmed. He asked me if I was a golfer and I confirmed this. Of course, this led to the resolution patdown in the private room. Unfortunately, there was another wait for a 3 striper but the room was being used and we had to wait some more. The 3 striper was called away and when the room became available we had to wait again until a 2 striper came in to do the resolution grope.
He did not grab my junk but he did rub pretty firmly with a flat hand. He then went back out with a new swab and a couple of minutes later I was released.
Here is what I found particularly interesting. As I was getting the resolution grope, the swab machine went off a couple more times and the 1 striper said to the 2 striper, there must be something wrong with the machine because nearly everyone is alarming and the numbers were too high. The 2-striper was in agreement. And, it was clear they were a little embarrassed by it and were somewhat apologetic towards me.
While the 2-striper was out getting me "resolved", I told the 1-striper that it sounds like they had some equipment issues and he said, and this is a direct quote, "It is a piece of crap". I don't recall exactly what he said after that because I was blown away by such a candid admission.
I got to the gate about 2 minutes before boarding began. Fortunately, I was able to use the priority lane or I could have missed the flight.
Sadly, I did not see anyone else who was obviously opting out...I did see a few folks who triggered the WMTD and NOS getting patdowns.
So, my take away from my first opt-out:
If you are planning on opting out, get there extra early. The whole pat-down process took a total of about 45 minutes because of the delays.
Don't play golf the day before you fly
There are at least 2 TSO's who have enough common sense to recognize something as "silly" and "crap". Who knows, maybe they will have enough sense to quit this unconstitutional treatment of their fellow citizens.
There are not enough people opting out.
One final point: It appeared to be about 50% going though the NOS.
Thanks for letting me vent.