Originally Posted by
InkUnderNails
That is because their purpose seems to have changed. When they first started, they were certain that opting out was a clear indication that we had something to hide and they were certainly going to find it. After thousands of times of not finding anything (like somebody is going to opt out knowing they will get the grope when they are hiding something) they changed tactics. The rubdown is primarily to get a sample on the gloves to swab for explosives. If I remember correctly, at the beginning there was no swab check just the grope. They really are not looking for anything. They just need to get a good sample and running the swab stick down your waistband is just too wrong, for now.
I'm sure you're right, Ink, but I also firmly believe that the opt-out assault is also the ultimate retaliation for "contempt of TSO authoritah!"
Many folks have reported belligerent attitudes from TSOs when they declare an opt-out. Additionally, opt-outs still routinely wait 10 minutes or more for a designated groper to arrive, while scads of TSOs stand around c/ps in plain sight doing absolutely nothing; yet we have not heard of any special certification needed to perform an opt-out assault. So what makes the opt-out gropers so special? Why do we have to wait for them? Is a TSO assigned to be the groper at multiple c/ps and opt-outs have to wait till he makes the rounds? Why can't any available personnel perform this task?
I think it's because TSA upper management still wants to make opt-outs as unpleasant as possible to discourage them as much as possible and force as many people through the AIT as possible.