Originally Posted by Decomposing Screener
What it all comes down to is does it really matter? Who cares what the metal detector in oompa loompa land did compared to the one in gotham? All you have to do is take off your large metal items and run them through the x-ray. Save for a malfunction or bumping the WTMD a metal detector usually will not alarm if you don't have anything metal on you.
Also, me or anyone else you see at the checkpoints does not have the authority or in most cases the know how to change the settings on the metal detectors. I'm not sure who does actually, probably one of those TSA managers you only hear about but have never seen. All we know is if the machine alarms we can't let you go until your clear either by a second pass or through secondary. So spare the "I went through BFE okay wearing this" speech. It doesn't matter.
The fact is, if you have some metal on you, some detectors do not alarm. Like I said in the earlier reply, I don't care about the settings, my goal is to see that I get the least amount of hassle and intrusion from the TSA.
Furthermore, DEN is a shoe carnival airport...ever seen the tent-like exterior design?, they should have it colored in a circus-like appearance and have the bearded lady check our IDs and BPs. Have I mentioned the neat magic trick where a TSA employee has tried to make $400 disappear?
The whole shoe carnival thing is another reason why I don't like spending any more time than I have to putting all my stuff (laptop computer, belt, shoes) back into place. If going thorugh a specific WTMD will save me a minute or two, and if the opportunity is there, I'm going to take full advantage of it.