Whole Body Scanners Opt Out Stories [merged]
Aug 30, 2010, 4:57 am
#91
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
Typing this on my phone, so please excuse any typos.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
Aug 30, 2010, 5:06 am
#92
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 549
They had no intention of getting an actual cop. They just wanted me to stop telling people that they could opt out. I called their bluff, ignored them, outthe WBI out of co
Ission for ten minutes because it took 4 smurfs to deal with me.
Not half bad for 630 am.
Aug 30, 2010, 5:10 am
#93
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
Aug 30, 2010, 5:59 am
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,441
Typing this on my phone, so please excuse any typos.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
Aug 30, 2010, 6:08 am
#95
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 221
I didn't know PIT even had a Nude-O-Scope. Is it located at the main checkpoint?
Aug 30, 2010, 6:08 am
#96
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: GOT
Posts: 1,167
Any non-US travellers opting out on the voyeur-scope? As a non-US resident I don’t know if I’d dare opt out if picked for scan at a US airport. Any kind of smudge on travel pappers and/or name makes immigration a nightmare when entering the US. Once, having simply forgot to fill out a field on the visa waiver when coming to EWR gave me a private chat with a supervisor and an extra 30 min in immigration.
Aug 30, 2010, 6:18 am
#97
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Typing this on my phone, so please excuse any typos.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
Make sure you also file a formal complaint for their attempts to violate the First Amendment.
Aug 30, 2010, 6:51 am
#98
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: here and there
Programs: EB*G, UA ex1K
Posts: 570
Any non-US travellers opting out on the voyeur-scope? As a non-US resident I don’t know if I’d dare opt out if picked for scan at a US airport. Any kind of smudge on travel pappers and/or name makes immigration a nightmare when entering the US. Once, having simply forgot to fill out a field on the visa waiver when coming to EWR gave me a private chat with a supervisor and an extra 30 min in immigration.
I reduce my travel to the US as much as I can. I don't know your workplace situation, but we have a number of people who won't travel to the US and I think management respects this. Definitely, we have far fewer people traveling there than earlier; especially younger people, who don't have long time professional connections there.
I also wonder what workplace laws would say about requiring someone to travel in a situation where they had expressed concern about sexual harassment?
If you holiday travel to the US, vote with your feet to go somewhere else. If you like, send a letter to the US embassy/consulate in your country.
Aug 30, 2010, 6:57 am
#99
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: here and there
Programs: EB*G, UA ex1K
Posts: 570
Isn't there supposed to be a sign about the body-imaging machines?
Why not just send (certified) letters to the manager and security director at the airport, pointing out that the sign is missing or not clearly visible? Copy to TSA in DC and your congresspersons.
Aug 30, 2010, 6:59 am
#100
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Umm, I don't really think we need to invoke constitutional law here....
Isn't there supposed to be a sign about the body-imaging machines?
Why not just send a certified letter to the security director at the airport, pointing out that the sign is missing or not clearly visible? Copy to TSA in DC and your congresspersons.
Isn't there supposed to be a sign about the body-imaging machines?
Why not just send a certified letter to the security director at the airport, pointing out that the sign is missing or not clearly visible? Copy to TSA in DC and your congresspersons.
Aug 30, 2010, 7:21 am
#101
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: GOT
Posts: 1,167
My company is in turn fully owned by a US based Forbes 400 company with all major offices in the US. If you want to get anywhere in the company then declining visits to the US sites are (sp?) not an option. :-S You are of course correct that TSA has no line in on immigration formally. But seeing how arbitrary the whole airport security process is to begin with I don’t doubt that your average TSA goon might have informal channels with other airport/immigration security.
Aug 30, 2010, 8:39 am
#102
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: SW Rapid Rewards, Hilton Honors, Marriott, Avis First
Posts: 4,831
I am perplexed by this comment.
The OP has every right to share any information he wishes with his fellow passengers. They are in a public space and engaging in dialogue. The First Amendment is directly applicable here in that a government actor is telling a citizen they have no right to tell other passengers about the specs of the NoS.
Under what theory or law would a TSO ever be justified in telling a citizen they have no rights to talk about the NoS to another citizen?
The OP has every right to share any information he wishes with his fellow passengers. They are in a public space and engaging in dialogue. The First Amendment is directly applicable here in that a government actor is telling a citizen they have no right to tell other passengers about the specs of the NoS.
Under what theory or law would a TSO ever be justified in telling a citizen they have no rights to talk about the NoS to another citizen?
Aug 30, 2010, 8:48 am
#103
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,974
Aug 30, 2010, 8:59 am
#104
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
Typing this on my phone, so please excuse any typos.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
I just opted out again at PIT. The one-stripe had a big problem with my opt out and with me telling other people that they can opt out too. I got surrounded by 3 one stripes who told me that I better shut up and that the x-rays are safe. I told them that I have every right to inform people of their right to opt out of a device that uses ionizing radiation, that the damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative and is well known to cause cancer.
Then they started calling for a supervisor, having refused to do the pat down until he came over and again told me that I am not allowed to tell other travelers that they can opt out. I reiterated, loudly but politely, the dangers of exposure to ionizing radiation, and again states that I am within my rights to educate other travelers that they can opt out. So he threatened to call the police, which I ignored. At this point I had a swarm of four TSA people surrounding me and trying to hammer with questions about who I was. I did not answer. They did the pay down during this, and seemed really disappointed that the glove test was negative for explosives. At that point they told me to have a nice day, and I guess forgot all about their whole 'get the cops up here' threat.
So here I sit, airside at PIT, blogging and Facebooking and Tweeting and posting about the punishment for opting out and making sure others know they can opt out too.
The above events happened at the alternate, upstairs checkpoint at PIT, in the old commuter terminal.
Aug 30, 2010, 9:07 am
#105
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
I am perplexed by this comment.
The OP has every right to share any information he wishes with his fellow passengers. They are in a public space and engaging in dialogue. The First Amendment is directly applicable here in that a government actor is telling a citizen they have no right to tell other passengers about the specs of the NoS.
Under what theory or law would a TSO ever be justified in telling a citizen they have no rights to talk about the NoS to another citizen?
The OP has every right to share any information he wishes with his fellow passengers. They are in a public space and engaging in dialogue. The First Amendment is directly applicable here in that a government actor is telling a citizen they have no right to tell other passengers about the specs of the NoS.
Under what theory or law would a TSO ever be justified in telling a citizen they have no rights to talk about the NoS to another citizen?
Seriously ... First Amendment rights aren't absolute. The courts have ruled consistently that First Amendment rights to free speech may be abridged by the government --- but only if the government has a clear and compelling interest in doing so, uses the least restrictive means to do so, and does so in an equitable manner. (Insert lame "shouting fire in a crowded theater" analogy here.)
Whether or not a restriction on speech like the OPs at a checkpoint would pass that test is an exercise for the courts.
Unfortunately ... yeah, that pretty much sums it up.