Whole Body Scanners Opt Out Stories [merged]
Dec 27, 2011, 4:45 pm
#2101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
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Posts: 21,603
Dec 27, 2011, 5:24 pm
#2102
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
Europe bans X-ray body scanners used at US airports
source: http://www.nature.com/news/europe-ba...irports-1.9391
Date: 17 November 2011
Date: 17 November 2011
Originally Posted by Nature
The European Union on Monday prohibited the use of X-ray body scanners in European airports, parting ways with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, which has deployed hundreds of the scanners as a way to screen millions of airline passengers for explosives hidden under clothing.
The European Commission, which enforces common policies of the EU's 27 member countries, adopted the rule “in order not to risk jeopardizing citizens’ health and safety.”
[snip]
The European Commission, which enforces common policies of the EU's 27 member countries, adopted the rule “in order not to risk jeopardizing citizens’ health and safety.”
[snip]
Dec 27, 2011, 6:06 pm
#2103
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Posts: 3,010
As for invasiveness, I've never seen a female patdown, so I don't have anything to compare it against. On a scale of one to ten (with one being the 45-second patdown I got once, and ten being the time when the agent patted down my head even though my hair was short enough to see my scalp), I would give her patdown about a six. The agent seemed to really want to make sure nothing was around her chest. As for mine, it was about a five. Not the fastest I'd ever had, but the agent didn't get real firm and thorough with me.
Dec 27, 2011, 9:36 pm
#2104
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA: 1K, HH: Diamond
Posts: 1,330
As a rape survivor, I want it in public. I'm not going into some room to be groped by a stranger.
Dec 27, 2011, 11:35 pm
#2105
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
I like mine out in the open so I can make eye contact and smile at the sheeple who go through the NoS.
Dec 28, 2011, 8:05 am
#2106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 16,040
Recent trip through MIA and I opted out.
After several minutes I told the TSO who put me aside that I couldn't see my belongings as was still on the "un-sterile side of the metal detector and the AIT. He rolled his eyes and looked away.
I then said in a louder voice that I couldn't see my belongings. A TSO from 2 lanes over said they were still in the machine. I asked him how he could possibly know that based on where he was standing. In fact my belongings were already out of the machine.
My third, even louder request finally got results.
I must say the TSO who performed the patdown was very professional.
Summary,
TSO's not following policy.
TSO's showing disdain for passengers
TSO's pulling the "lie and deny" tactic of CYA.
One professional TSO in the bunch.
After several minutes I told the TSO who put me aside that I couldn't see my belongings as was still on the "un-sterile side of the metal detector and the AIT. He rolled his eyes and looked away.
I then said in a louder voice that I couldn't see my belongings. A TSO from 2 lanes over said they were still in the machine. I asked him how he could possibly know that based on where he was standing. In fact my belongings were already out of the machine.
My third, even louder request finally got results.
I must say the TSO who performed the patdown was very professional.
Summary,
TSO's not following policy.
TSO's showing disdain for passengers
TSO's pulling the "lie and deny" tactic of CYA.
One professional TSO in the bunch.
Dec 28, 2011, 9:48 am
#2107
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
"Your doctor is stupid."
Dec 28, 2011, 1:43 pm
#2109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Then, measure how far back she jumps.
Mike
Dec 28, 2011, 11:43 pm
#2110
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Raleigh
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier
Posts: 58
I ask for a private screening because I didn't like getting patted down in front of everyone else traveling. I've now started not getting a private screening so that everyone can see what we have to go through now.
As for invasiveness, I've never seen a female patdown, so I don't have anything to compare it against. On a scale of one to ten (with one being the 45-second patdown I got once, and ten being the time when the agent patted down my head even though my hair was short enough to see my scalp), I would give her patdown about a six. The agent seemed to really want to make sure nothing was around her chest. As for mine, it was about a five. Not the fastest I'd ever had, but the agent didn't get real firm and thorough with me.
As for invasiveness, I've never seen a female patdown, so I don't have anything to compare it against. On a scale of one to ten (with one being the 45-second patdown I got once, and ten being the time when the agent patted down my head even though my hair was short enough to see my scalp), I would give her patdown about a six. The agent seemed to really want to make sure nothing was around her chest. As for mine, it was about a five. Not the fastest I'd ever had, but the agent didn't get real firm and thorough with me.
Dec 28, 2011, 11:47 pm
#2111
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Raleigh
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier
Posts: 58
My opt out was this summer in PIE. I took a vacation with a good friend from work, and honestly had I known a NoS where there, I would have reconsidered. I didn't do my research, but just assumed ahead of time that such a small airport wouldn't have them 
Anyway, everyone was going through the WTMD so my friend and I lined up for it also. Then go figure soon as it's our turn we are now supposed to go through the NoS. (My friend and I are in our late 20s, so I really do think younger women are singled out).
We both opted out and the lead clerk left his post to come over to me and threaten me with "you know what you are in store for, don't you?" DISGUSTING. Of course I thought of a good response too late.
Then a police officer came over and he informed me that he "always opts." You could tell he respected our guts in standing up to this garbage. That gave me a shred of faith in humanity.
I had an idea of what the patdown would entail, but was thrown off when she started caressing my scalp. I still get shivers down my spine thinking of that.
I didn't see any other opt outs. Everyone was looking at us curiously though as we stood to the side bypassing the NoS. Like they wanted to do the same, but didn't know what to do. Not to be overly dramatic, but it truly was twilight zone type stuff.
Anyway, everyone was going through the WTMD so my friend and I lined up for it also. Then go figure soon as it's our turn we are now supposed to go through the NoS. (My friend and I are in our late 20s, so I really do think younger women are singled out).
We both opted out and the lead clerk left his post to come over to me and threaten me with "you know what you are in store for, don't you?" DISGUSTING. Of course I thought of a good response too late.
Then a police officer came over and he informed me that he "always opts." You could tell he respected our guts in standing up to this garbage. That gave me a shred of faith in humanity.
I had an idea of what the patdown would entail, but was thrown off when she started caressing my scalp. I still get shivers down my spine thinking of that.
I didn't see any other opt outs. Everyone was looking at us curiously though as we stood to the side bypassing the NoS. Like they wanted to do the same, but didn't know what to do. Not to be overly dramatic, but it truly was twilight zone type stuff.
Dec 28, 2011, 11:57 pm
#2112
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Raleigh
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier
Posts: 58
[QUOTE=deirdre;17701712]As a rape survivor, I want it in public. I'm not going into some room to be groped by a stranger.[/QUOTE absolutely understandable....read my earlier post about the best way to handle the moat dragon who selects you.
Dec 30, 2011, 3:29 pm
#2113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
I flew out of IAH on the 23rd and the staff on duty seemed surprisingly inexperienced compared to the norm at IAH C. Maybe all hands on deck for the holiday travel surge?
Strange looks on their faces like "what do I do now" when I opted out, non-sense replies like "you're in the wrong lane for opt-out", and much looking around for someone, anyone more experienced with standard procedures.
Strange looks on their faces like "what do I do now" when I opted out, non-sense replies like "you're in the wrong lane for opt-out", and much looking around for someone, anyone more experienced with standard procedures.
Dec 30, 2011, 4:33 pm
#2114
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ONT
Programs: AA Gold, WN A-, UA S, HH ♦, IHG Spire, Hertz Prez O, TSA Disparager
Posts: 2,159
I flew out of IAH on the 23rd and the staff on duty seemed surprisingly inexperienced compared to the norm at IAH C. Maybe all hands on deck for the holiday travel surge?
Strange looks on their faces like "what do I do now" when I opted out, non-sense replies like "you're in the wrong lane for opt-out", and much looking around for someone, anyone more experienced with standard procedures.
Strange looks on their faces like "what do I do now" when I opted out, non-sense replies like "you're in the wrong lane for opt-out", and much looking around for someone, anyone more experienced with standard procedures.
Dec 30, 2011, 5:04 pm
#2115
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 203
Just opted out at IAD an hour ago, west checkpoint. I was told to stand where I couldn't see my belongings. A rude and condescending TSO told me to stand where I couldn't see my stuff, saying, "It could be a while. We're very busy." His voice was dismissive, rude, and a bit threatening. And they were not busy at all. I knew right off the bat I was in for trouble.
I waited about 60 seconds, then asked how much longer it would take.
Obviously annoyed by my inquiry, he dismissively said, "We're very busy. I've called someone over. It could be 30 seconds or 10 minutes. You could just be done in 10 seconds if you go through here," as he pointed to the NoS.
"But I can't see my stuff."
"That's the layout here."
"You're not in compliance with your own Web site. I'm supposed to insist on seeing my belongings."
"Nothing I can do. What do you want, a supe?" He was getting increasingly annoyed.
"Absolutely. NOW."
Almost immediately thereafter, a pat-down officer appeared with a supervisor. The supe just followed me over and observed my patdown, which was as professional as these things go. I thought about saying something to the supervisor about the initial interaction with the rude and dismissive TSO, but I thought better of it and just got out of there.
My experience still has me angry, but it's nothing compared to what others have been through.
My last time through IAD, I had to watch the same rudeness as my grandmother (age 91) was detained for almost 10 minutes while waiting for her patdown while four young men were sent through the WTMD. Her requests to use the WTMD were denied. My grandmother was growing visibly upset, although, fortunately, I was able to keep an eye on her belongings. Only when she started to pitch a fit about missing her flight did they finally get moving. Her patdown officer was visibly annoyed with a surly attitude. That's a story for another time -- I hate recalling it. Suffice to say that the experience has my grandmother upset over the thought of flying again. She will be going to Florida in February, and is already resigned to go through the scanners this time. She can't handle the stress and a repeat of what happened last time. TSA wins again.
Never thought I'd see it in America. I'm so discouraged.
I waited about 60 seconds, then asked how much longer it would take.
Obviously annoyed by my inquiry, he dismissively said, "We're very busy. I've called someone over. It could be 30 seconds or 10 minutes. You could just be done in 10 seconds if you go through here," as he pointed to the NoS.
"But I can't see my stuff."
"That's the layout here."
"You're not in compliance with your own Web site. I'm supposed to insist on seeing my belongings."
"Nothing I can do. What do you want, a supe?" He was getting increasingly annoyed.
"Absolutely. NOW."
Almost immediately thereafter, a pat-down officer appeared with a supervisor. The supe just followed me over and observed my patdown, which was as professional as these things go. I thought about saying something to the supervisor about the initial interaction with the rude and dismissive TSO, but I thought better of it and just got out of there.
My experience still has me angry, but it's nothing compared to what others have been through.
My last time through IAD, I had to watch the same rudeness as my grandmother (age 91) was detained for almost 10 minutes while waiting for her patdown while four young men were sent through the WTMD. Her requests to use the WTMD were denied. My grandmother was growing visibly upset, although, fortunately, I was able to keep an eye on her belongings. Only when she started to pitch a fit about missing her flight did they finally get moving. Her patdown officer was visibly annoyed with a surly attitude. That's a story for another time -- I hate recalling it. Suffice to say that the experience has my grandmother upset over the thought of flying again. She will be going to Florida in February, and is already resigned to go through the scanners this time. She can't handle the stress and a repeat of what happened last time. TSA wins again.
Never thought I'd see it in America. I'm so discouraged.