Whole Body Scanners Opt Out Stories [merged]
Aug 17, 2012, 3:54 pm
#2896
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Programs: AA PLT, 1.8mm
Posts: 6,988
I once had them patting down my BlackBerry as it was my mobile boarding pass at the exact moment I received a call and when the phone started ringing, I shouted with fake-concern "what did you do to it" ? Which scared him enough to quickly give me back my phone and flee the area. I guess they don't understand electronics.
Aug 17, 2012, 7:39 pm
#2898
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
My last DYWFT reply..."do you want to still have a job tomorrow?"
Yeah, they don't like that one. I really need better material. I do like a reply I've seen here that goes, "get me your TSM and a LEO and have them clarify exactly why I won't be able to fly today."
Yeah, they don't like that one. I really need better material. I do like a reply I've seen here that goes, "get me your TSM and a LEO and have them clarify exactly why I won't be able to fly today."
Aug 18, 2012, 2:03 am
#2899
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,332
I'm curious, though - what exactly was the reaction to your reply? Anger? Retaliation?
Aug 19, 2012, 1:35 pm
#2900
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
I don't know why, but in my mind, the most logical response to DYW2FT is "Do you want to lose your job today?" Except that it's an empty threat; getting a TSO fired is darn near impossible unless they actually commit a crime on the job. And even then...
I'm curious, though - what exactly was the reaction to your reply? Anger? Retaliation?
I'm curious, though - what exactly was the reaction to your reply? Anger? Retaliation?
Aug 20, 2012, 10:37 am
#2901
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
I had a successful rotator-cuff opt out this morning. I got in the body scanner, was told to raise my arms, told them I couldn't raise my right arm due to a rotator cuff injury. They opened up the metal detector for me only and I went on my way.
Aug 20, 2012, 11:27 am
#2902
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
8/12 SNA the checkpoint by the Delta gates.
6 people ahead of me, including a family. The gate to the WTMD was opened for the family, then closed. Everyone else was directed to the nude-o-scope. I put my stuff on the belt, but did not allow them to go through until it was my time in the "fish barrel". I said right away that I choose to opt out. No fuss made, a call for the "female assist" made in a normal voice, not yelled or barked. Asked to step through a gate to the other side. A female TSO came up to me quickly. She asked me to point out my belongings and she said she would gather them and take them with us. We walked over to their frisking area. She set my bags on a table next to where we would be doing the frisk. I was able to see my belongings the entire procedure - they were maybe a foot away. I was using my cane, so she offered me a seat while she was getting ready. She told me she was changing gloves and I did see her go get them from the box and she changed them in front of me. She did the spiel of what she was going to do. She actually had a very light touch, probably the lightest I've ever had in all my opt-outs. She went nowhere near my "resistance" (yes, she said that word), probably only halfway up my thighs. No rustling of my hair, and she allowed me to put my arms down as much as I needed (another rotator cuff victim). She took the gloves to the machine for checking and I was on my way. They did no checking of my bags.
For an opt-out and grope, all things considered, as much as I hate having to go through that process, it was tolerable and no theatrics from the TSOs. It would have been better there was a SDOO option, but with the WTMD only offered to families...
6 people ahead of me, including a family. The gate to the WTMD was opened for the family, then closed. Everyone else was directed to the nude-o-scope. I put my stuff on the belt, but did not allow them to go through until it was my time in the "fish barrel". I said right away that I choose to opt out. No fuss made, a call for the "female assist" made in a normal voice, not yelled or barked. Asked to step through a gate to the other side. A female TSO came up to me quickly. She asked me to point out my belongings and she said she would gather them and take them with us. We walked over to their frisking area. She set my bags on a table next to where we would be doing the frisk. I was able to see my belongings the entire procedure - they were maybe a foot away. I was using my cane, so she offered me a seat while she was getting ready. She told me she was changing gloves and I did see her go get them from the box and she changed them in front of me. She did the spiel of what she was going to do. She actually had a very light touch, probably the lightest I've ever had in all my opt-outs. She went nowhere near my "resistance" (yes, she said that word), probably only halfway up my thighs. No rustling of my hair, and she allowed me to put my arms down as much as I needed (another rotator cuff victim). She took the gloves to the machine for checking and I was on my way. They did no checking of my bags.
For an opt-out and grope, all things considered, as much as I hate having to go through that process, it was tolerable and no theatrics from the TSOs. It would have been better there was a SDOO option, but with the WTMD only offered to families...
Aug 20, 2012, 12:56 pm
#2903
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
I once had them patting down my BlackBerry as it was my mobile boarding pass at the exact moment I received a call and when the phone started ringing, I shouted with fake-concern "what did you do to it" ? Which scared him enough to quickly give me back my phone and flee the area. I guess they don't understand electronics.
Mike
Aug 20, 2012, 1:07 pm
#2904
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
As I stated in Post 2872, on the morning of August 12th, I received the full pat-down at DEN while not alarming the WTMD after I said I was a medical.
Aug 21, 2012, 8:24 am
#2905
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
Aug 21, 2012, 9:48 am
#2906
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,693
Most recently, in PHX T2. This time there was a slight twist - I explained that I couldn't assume the position, got told (again) that it meant I was an opt-out, extensive patdown, private parts, might have to wait a while, bla-bla. Then the TSO demanded that I demonstrate how close I could come to the position (?). I did and got sent to wait for my grope (one of the nastiest ever).
I can navigate the WTMD without a problem. I can't properly assume the position they want for the grope either, but I've never gotten too much flak about that, presumably because they have to accept that pax in wheelchairs can't assume position either. Some TSOs don't get that either - a stroke victim friend recently got a TSO who didn't seem to understand that one half of the body doesn't respond. She kept telling my friend (louder each time, as if that would help) to raise her arm or move her leg -my poor friend, believe me, she would like nothing more than to be able to move that arm and leg like she used to. And her hearing is fine.
Aug 21, 2012, 9:58 am
#2907
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
Some TSOs don't get that either - a stroke victim friend recently got a TSO who didn't seem to understand that one half of the body doesn't respond. She kept telling my friend (louder each time, as if that would help) to raise her arm or move her leg -my poor friend, believe me, she would like nothing more than to be able to move that arm and leg like she used to. And her hearing is fine.
Aug 21, 2012, 7:52 pm
#2908
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
My initial request:
On August 12th at approximately 4:30 am, I was directed to the body scanner at DEN. When I told the TSO that I was ineligible (i.e., I was not an "opt-out"), I was directed to the WTMD, which I did not alarm. Thereafter the TSO required a full and complete pat-down with a residue test of the TSO's gloves. I asked several times of the TSO as to the proper procedure if a person is ineligible, and he told me there was no difference - all had to receive the full pat-down and residue test. That is contrary to my understanding and, in fact, contrary to another person's experience at DEN just four days later who can't raise his arms.
My understanding is that if you are ineligible, then you go through the WTMD. If you alarm, then the alarm is resolved. If you don't, then you are clear to proceed. If you are an opt-out, then you do not go through the WTMD, but you are patted down and the gloves go through the residue test before you are cleared to proceed.
This discrepancy provides angst in traversing the screening checkpoint. As such, I would appreciate immediate clarification on the proper procedure generally applicable to this situation.
My understanding is that if you are ineligible, then you go through the WTMD. If you alarm, then the alarm is resolved. If you don't, then you are clear to proceed. If you are an opt-out, then you do not go through the WTMD, but you are patted down and the gloves go through the residue test before you are cleared to proceed.
This discrepancy provides angst in traversing the screening checkpoint. As such, I would appreciate immediate clarification on the proper procedure generally applicable to this situation.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not discuss or release specific security procedures.
This information is developed exclusively for TSA personnel and is considered Sensitive Security Information (SSI). TSA cannot release SSI to the public because it is considered detrimental to the security of transportation.
This information is developed exclusively for TSA personnel and is considered Sensitive Security Information (SSI). TSA cannot release SSI to the public because it is considered detrimental to the security of transportation.
Aug 21, 2012, 8:01 pm
#2909
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
I have a different reason for "ineligible".
So how did you originally find out about the "ineligible" screening procedures and are they documented anywhere, because this was my exchange the last two days with the TSA:
My initial request:
I received a response from the TSA and thereafter pointed out that the received response was non-responsive and I had preemptively addressed what the response raised. So this was the TSA response:
So I would like know any information about this issue that has been gleaned.
So how did you originally find out about the "ineligible" screening procedures and are they documented anywhere, because this was my exchange the last two days with the TSA:
My initial request:
I received a response from the TSA and thereafter pointed out that the received response was non-responsive and I had preemptively addressed what the response raised. So this was the TSA response:
So I would like know any information about this issue that has been gleaned.
I'm going to guess that they've got some sort of documentation about it, or else the clerks would always deny the medical exemption.
As far as emailing TSA, they're not going to provide any assistance.. Those people likely could not tell you what TSA stands for, had you asked that in your email.
Aug 21, 2012, 10:50 pm
#2910
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,007
No excuse needed. I usually think of my best lines 30 minutes after whatever encounter occurred. 
Maybe others have better responses. That "Do you wanna fly?" shtick must be in the training manual. It manages to be simultaneously infuriating and really really lame (as the young 'uns used to say).
Maybe others have better responses. That "Do you wanna fly?" shtick must be in the training manual. It manages to be simultaneously infuriating and really really lame (as the young 'uns used to say).