Whole Body Scanners Opt Out Stories [merged]
Oct 18, 2012, 8:33 pm
#3136
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: IAH mostly.
Programs: I still call it Onepass every now and then. Platinum.
Posts: 500
FWIW, I've never had a problem with the grope or felt it was too invasive. I totally understand if other people don't like being touched, but it's no big deal to me. Like I said, "assuming the position" and being shuffled around like a cow is much more demeaning to me.
To each his own...
To each his own...
Oct 18, 2012, 9:13 pm
#3137
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,525
I am stunned. My letter to my Congressman has resulted in a letter FROM the Congressman to Mr. Pistole asking for a complete explanation of what happened to me. The Congressman asked for clarification of who determines what a "medically necessary liquid" is, and if the screener is the final word, and also if the TSA has the right to ask for ID WITHIN the screening process, when they know the ID has been presented to ENTER the screening process. This letter is more than I could have asked for, and I certainly await a reply from the TSA.
Oct 19, 2012, 7:28 am
#3138
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
I thought about that initially as well, but the Supervisor seemed absolutely baffled by the distinction himself and said that is what his bosses told him and that is what is practiced at the checkpoint.
He than said that he would allow me to use the Metal Detector this time (rather than being considered an opt-out), but in the future to avoid issues, enter the machine and then explain that you (me) are unable to raise your arm.
Dan
He than said that he would allow me to use the Metal Detector this time (rather than being considered an opt-out), but in the future to avoid issues, enter the machine and then explain that you (me) are unable to raise your arm.
Dan
Oct 19, 2012, 1:51 pm
#3140
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Port Moody, BC
Posts: 484
Did you ask him if he was aware of the contradiction posed by his complaining that you were engaging in a freedom that he'd fought for?
Oct 20, 2012, 3:28 pm
#3141
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 57
First time opt-out at LIH. SDOO fail. After an initial attempt, nobody tried to tell me how safe it was. Groper changed gloves without being asked. Patdown not dissimilar to that at a heavy metal concert; no genitalia were touched. Groper was friendly and I told him how I always use Pre-Check. Seemed the patdown was faster than waiting in line for the MMW.
Oct 20, 2012, 11:12 pm
#3142
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
First time opt-out at LIH. SDOO fail. After an initial attempt, nobody tried to tell me how safe it was. Groper changed gloves without being asked. Patdown not dissimilar to that at a heavy metal concert; no genitalia were touched. Groper was friendly and I told him how I always use Pre-Check. Seemed the patdown was faster than waiting in line for the MMW.
Oct 21, 2012, 12:29 am
#3143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
Oct 21, 2012, 2:39 am
#3144
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: Pre✓, Delta DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Mariott Plat, PC Gold, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,655
First time opt-out at LIH. SDOO fail. After an initial attempt, nobody tried to tell me how safe it was. Groper changed gloves without being asked. Patdown not dissimilar to that at a heavy metal concert; no genitalia were touched. Groper was friendly and I told him how I always use Pre-Check. Seemed the patdown was faster than waiting in line for the MMW.
?? Opt Out?
Last edited by KenTarmac; Oct 21, 2012 at 2:46 am
Oct 21, 2012, 5:06 am
#3145
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Oct 21, 2012, 10:56 am
#3146
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 57
Yes, before I knew what was happening he grabbed my boarding pass and copied down my name. Fortunately my name is very long and the boarding pass does not contain my entire first name, let alone my middle name. His handwriting was pretty bad as well.
Oct 21, 2012, 2:53 pm
#3147
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP, 2mm; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 325
This is one of the many reasons I always use an electronic boarding pass whenever possible. Whenever I've used a paper boarding pass, it goes into my bag immediately after being cleared by the TDC.
Oct 21, 2012, 4:49 pm
#3148
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
I just say "I have a mobile boarding pass". This is particularly fun at SFO where CAS contract TSOs ask to verify your boarding pass a second time after the TDC, sometimes fewer than 10 seconds after the TDC has checked it (and asked you to state your name verbally). The TDC has just checked my paper boarding pass, and the sheeple are just complying. I mentioned that I have a mobile boarding pass, and the secondary checker just says, "Oh, ok." It's technically true. I have the app on my phone and a mobile boarding pass, but I always print out a paper copy if needed. Somehow they don't need to check again if you have a mobile boarding pass but they do if you have a paper one?
Oct 22, 2012, 6:52 am
#3149
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott Gold
Posts: 349
+1
I just say "I have a mobile boarding pass". This is particularly fun at SFO where CAS contract TSOs ask to verify your boarding pass a second time after the TDC, sometimes fewer than 10 seconds after the TDC has checked it (and asked you to state your name verbally). The TDC has just checked my paper boarding pass, and the sheeple are just complying. I mentioned that I have a mobile boarding pass, and the secondary checker just says, "Oh, ok." It's technically true. I have the app on my phone and a mobile boarding pass, but I always print out a paper copy if needed. Somehow they don't need to check again if you have a mobile boarding pass but they do if you have a paper one?
I just say "I have a mobile boarding pass". This is particularly fun at SFO where CAS contract TSOs ask to verify your boarding pass a second time after the TDC, sometimes fewer than 10 seconds after the TDC has checked it (and asked you to state your name verbally). The TDC has just checked my paper boarding pass, and the sheeple are just complying. I mentioned that I have a mobile boarding pass, and the secondary checker just says, "Oh, ok." It's technically true. I have the app on my phone and a mobile boarding pass, but I always print out a paper copy if needed. Somehow they don't need to check again if you have a mobile boarding pass but they do if you have a paper one?
Oct 24, 2012, 6:55 am
#3150
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
Just went though BOS AA checkpoint.
Everything except precheck was going through BKSX. Opted out the moment I saw the paired WTMD on my lane was blocked. The TDC manning the precheck/priority line was talking up precheck and handing out cards. Suggested I get GE. Only I can't with an Australian passport... He was quite surprised when I told him I wasn't able to get GE and that GE was only open to a limited amount of countries. On both the JFK (last Thursday) and BOS boarding passes, it appears that the TDC is signing their names on the pass instead of a random scribble.
They called for assist twice, no one came. The TSO tried to get me to stand by the opposite xray belt. I said I needed to see my stuff, the TSO claimed it was fine, there were cameras. I ended up standing between the WTMD and the BKSX line watching my stuff through the WTMD while they tried to block my view.
After a few minutes they closed off the BKSX to do my pat down. Had me stand on the secure side of the BKSX facing my things on the belt and got new gloves out of the box without my having to ask. While doing that, another TSO was cleaning up the tubs from the belt and dropped my laptop (though it appears to be undamaged). I was asked if I had had the pat down before (yes), and they went through the whole "resistance" speech anyway. Only did a light pat down of my legs and didn't go inside my pants.
Didn't see anyone else optting out.
Everything except precheck was going through BKSX. Opted out the moment I saw the paired WTMD on my lane was blocked. The TDC manning the precheck/priority line was talking up precheck and handing out cards. Suggested I get GE. Only I can't with an Australian passport... He was quite surprised when I told him I wasn't able to get GE and that GE was only open to a limited amount of countries. On both the JFK (last Thursday) and BOS boarding passes, it appears that the TDC is signing their names on the pass instead of a random scribble.
They called for assist twice, no one came. The TSO tried to get me to stand by the opposite xray belt. I said I needed to see my stuff, the TSO claimed it was fine, there were cameras. I ended up standing between the WTMD and the BKSX line watching my stuff through the WTMD while they tried to block my view.
After a few minutes they closed off the BKSX to do my pat down. Had me stand on the secure side of the BKSX facing my things on the belt and got new gloves out of the box without my having to ask. While doing that, another TSO was cleaning up the tubs from the belt and dropped my laptop (though it appears to be undamaged). I was asked if I had had the pat down before (yes), and they went through the whole "resistance" speech anyway. Only did a light pat down of my legs and didn't go inside my pants.
Didn't see anyone else optting out.