Originally Posted by
Moriens
That sounds inaccurate.
I opt out of the X-ray scanners (due to a family history of skin cancer) and have yet to encounter a problem. They just do a patdown instead.
What your ex may have misunderstood is that (if I understand correctly) if you don't explicitly say “I opt out” then you haven't actually opted out. So if I tell the TSA “I have a family history of skin cancer,” I haven't opted out… but if I say “I opt out” then I have opted out.
(I usually say “I need to opt out” just to be polite.)
The “red flag” language might be someone's second-hand explanation of that.
Maybe. I always just say opt out and have gotten the standard harassment. BWI D gates tend to be a bit more roguish so what she said didn't surprise me given the retaliation I've gotten there in the past (most notably for the TSA wants to see me naked shirts).
I'm flying in a few weeks so maybe I'll just ask during my massage.