Originally Posted by
Buster
Another truly awful experience at PDX just now. I opted out, waited 20 mins plus, complaining loudly about not being able to see my belongings. This prompted one of the agents to give me a long lecture about how choices in life have consequences, and I have to learn to live with the consequences of not following the rules. He stated that the only way to make sure my belongings were safe was to follow "proper procedure" and go through the machine. After my infernally long wait, I was told that there were no female agents available because of shift change, and if I wanted to fly, I would have to go through the machine, which I reluctantly did. This is now the 2nd time at PDX I've been forced through the machine because there were no female agents available.
That's not right and you should have escalated it for them not following their own policy.
I also find it absurd for them to say that going into the machine - WHERE YOU CANNOT SEE YOUR BELONGINGS - is more secure than waiting for a patdown.
FWIW, this is why I refuse to put my stuff through the x-ray until they're ready for the grope or the dragon allows me to walk through and wait on the other side. Even if the wait for the grope is long (and sometimes it legitimately can be), they'll let you walk around if you start to hold up the line. You have to be firm on this because sometimes they'll piss and moan and ask you to move your stuff and wait to the side. If you're obstinate and show that you're willing to make their delay on you become a delay on them, the mystery groper will often magically appear.