To the OP, what you experienced is normal procedure, in terms of the opt out, but patting your bare arms indicates the TSO was just on autopilot and not really thinking about what they were doing.
Originally Posted by
T.J. Bender
PBI uses MMW scanners which, based on the type of imaging technology they use, are inherently safer than backscatter X-ray scanners.
Personally, I am cautious about the difference between safer and actually safe. My main concern is malfunction. Since neither type has been publicly tested at the level of use required, I don't know if safer is good enough for me. My parallel is the number of stories of lead paint, asbestos, and cigarettes marketed as a phlegm-clearing product. Companies making buck dollars will lie.