Whole Body Scanners Opt Out Stories [merged]
#3601
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: Pre✓, Delta DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Mariott Plat, PC Gold, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,655
Define "Fail PreCheck"? Does this mean that you're selected for a random full screening?
#3603
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IAH mostly.
Programs: I still call it Onepass every now and then. Platinum.
Posts: 500
The only time "watching your stuff" is a big deal is when you're stuck on the opposite side of the checkpoint while waiting for the patdown. Otherwise, it stays with you the whole time your getting groped.
And I've never seen it in person, but I've heard stories that if a travel partner were to touch your luggage before your patdown is done, TSA will go batsh*t crazy on both of you. Be careful.
#3604
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: BOS/YYZ
Programs: Marriott LT Plat by proxy, Sephora VIB, I have a low AA FF#...
Posts: 951
Did you choose a private screening at BOS? Why?
The only time "watching your stuff" is a big deal is when you're stuck on the opposite side of the checkpoint while waiting for the patdown. Otherwise, it stays with you the whole time your getting groped.
And I've never seen it in person, but I've heard stories that if a travel partner were to touch your luggage before your patdown is done, TSA will go batsh*t crazy on both of you. Be careful.
The only time "watching your stuff" is a big deal is when you're stuck on the opposite side of the checkpoint while waiting for the patdown. Otherwise, it stays with you the whole time your getting groped.
And I've never seen it in person, but I've heard stories that if a travel partner were to touch your luggage before your patdown is done, TSA will go batsh*t crazy on both of you. Be careful.
#3605
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,922
(I can't see any details in your post)
Did you protest the use of a private screening (apparently) against your will?
#3606
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott Gold
Posts: 349
ORD T-2 just now. All lanes to MMW, tell the gate keeper I cant raise my arm above my head. Calls for male assist, who shows up in under 30 secs.
Patdown was cursory, no waistband or collar check, no groin rub. Was asked if I wanted a private screening but didn't get the rest of the speech.
2 lanes were funnelling into 1 MMW, and I was done with my patdown before the lady behind me got thru the scanner.
Patdown was cursory, no waistband or collar check, no groin rub. Was asked if I wanted a private screening but didn't get the rest of the speech.
2 lanes were funnelling into 1 MMW, and I was done with my patdown before the lady behind me got thru the scanner.
#3607
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
CLE-UA* yesterday (3/9):
Torn rotator cuff and thru the WTMD and putting my belongings back together in 3 minutes.
*Precheck is coming to CLE-UA** either the end of March or early April as all BP's were being scanned to give the TSO's "practice". I got 3 beeps and the TSO and laughed that it was only practice but he said they are so looking forward to having it.
**I'm not sure but i think some of the terminals are connected airside so even if not flying UA, it should be worth the walk over to UA
Torn rotator cuff and thru the WTMD and putting my belongings back together in 3 minutes.
*Precheck is coming to CLE-UA** either the end of March or early April as all BP's were being scanned to give the TSO's "practice". I got 3 beeps and the TSO and laughed that it was only practice but he said they are so looking forward to having it.
**I'm not sure but i think some of the terminals are connected airside so even if not flying UA, it should be worth the walk over to UA
#3608
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: missing YX more every day
Programs: Delta KM/PM/MM, Nexus, CLEAR, Sharriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,105
and not far
CLE-UA* yesterday (3/9):.................................
*Precheck is coming to CLE-UA** either the end of March or early April as all BP's were being scanned to give the TSO's "practice". I got 3 beeps and the TSO and laughed that it was only practice but he said they are so looking forward to having it.
**I'm not sure but i think some of the terminals are connected airside so even if not flying UA, it should be worth the walk over to UA
*Precheck is coming to CLE-UA** either the end of March or early April as all BP's were being scanned to give the TSO's "practice". I got 3 beeps and the TSO and laughed that it was only practice but he said they are so looking forward to having it.
**I'm not sure but i think some of the terminals are connected airside so even if not flying UA, it should be worth the walk over to UA
#3609
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,677
ORD T-2 just now. All lanes to MMW, tell the gate keeper I cant raise my arm above my head. Calls for male assist, who shows up in under 30 secs.
Patdown was cursory, no waistband or collar check, no groin rub. Was asked if I wanted a private screening but didn't get the rest of the speech.
2 lanes were funnelling into 1 MMW, and I was done with my patdown before the lady behind me got thru the scanner.
Patdown was cursory, no waistband or collar check, no groin rub. Was asked if I wanted a private screening but didn't get the rest of the speech.
2 lanes were funnelling into 1 MMW, and I was done with my patdown before the lady behind me got thru the scanner.
#3610
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
Odd, since we have TSOs and others who keep posting about the mythical 'medical bypass' for those physically unable to assume and hold the position in the NoS. I've yet to experience it myself. ^ that you got spared the hands in pants/hands between legs grope. Sounds like you also didn't have a problem keeping your eyes on your belongings.
#3612
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,677
Additionally, IIRC, someone posted on this forum a response from TSA that danced around the issue, basically saying that the WTMD was a possible bypass option, at the discretion of the FSD, STSO, and individual screener, of course.
And yes, for the sake of anyone who drops into this forum and is not familiar with prior discussions, as someone who is actually (not just at the airport checkpoint) physically incapable of assuming and holding the position necessary for an NoS scan, I never use the words 'opt out', even though TSO screeners (and supervisors) have frequently told me that any inability to assume and hold the position makes me an 'opt out'. When I am directed to the NoS, I explain my limitation. I have been forced to demonstrate my limitations, I have been advised of long waits/invasive 'patdowns'/'very' long waits, as though such cautions would make my physical limitations magically vanish (I wish!).
To anyone coming to this forum for information, it is disingenuous to post that a medical excuse, real or fabricated, allows one to automatically bypass the NoS and/or a grope to use the WTMD. It does not.
#3613
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
Whether or not you choose to believe it, the medical exemption does in fact work. I have not been present when you go through, so I can't answer why you always get the grope. But I can guarantee you that it is not a lie, and I have never been groped when declaring a medical.
#3614
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,677
Whether or not you choose to believe it, the medical exemption does in fact work. I have not been present when you go through, so I can't answer why you always get the grope. But I can guarantee you that it is not a lie, and I have never been groped when declaring a medical.
I personally have never experienced it or seen it work. Other posters have either not had it work or have had mixed results. Someone who contacted TSA got a response that indicated that it is not SOP, that it is one option that may or may not be offered.
For anyone who lurks here (and I did long before I joined), it would be misleading to suggest that it always works or works most of the time or is SOP at all or most airports.
It's not unlike Pre-check - the keywords to remember with anything TSA-related are 'YMMV'. Whether it's my innocuous appearance (I am not what some fools might consider a typical 'bad guy' profile, but I am very mild, non-threatening, meek in appearance and demeanor, especially at the checkpoint - guaranteed easy grope) or the airports/checkpoints I pass through, I have not been lucky enough to get the bypass - ever - and my physical limitations are there all the time, not just at the checkpoint.
FWIW, I never alarmed the WTMD prior to the implementation of NoS.
#3615
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551