bchandler02

Pulled off a SDOO this Saturday at OKC (checkpoint near AA, far right lane is WTMD only) with no issues. As usual, smooth experience through OKC.

Returning Sunday starting off in Austin, I got the name game entering the checkpoint. I wasn't in the mood for BS so I mumbled my name really low and was waved on. They had the nude-o-scope going full blast, so I pulled the medical card. Was waved through the WTMD behind a family of kids with no issues. From what I've seen, all lanes at AUS are nude-o-scope equipped, no chance for a SDOO.

FliesWay2Much

You're a true patriot and an American hero. Well done! Flying both ways without having your genitals fondled... That's a remarkable accomplishment.

redtigeriii

I was flying out of the C gates at LAS yesterday evening, 2/19. The main ABC checkpoint was crowded with two body scanners on opposite ends in operation with very very few if any going through the metal detectors. I took a stroll over to the AB checkpoint and saw one metal detector (on the very far right) and one mmw/metal detector combo going. The WTMD only lane seems like it might be crew only during busy times, but on the night of my arrival here and also when I was departing, anyone was allowed to use the line and I did so.

Unfortunately I beeped going through the metal detector for additional 'random screening'. Fortunately, it was only a shoe swab. Agents were extremely nice on this particular shift. It was an unexpected surprise flying out of here.

CDKing

I feel bad for all Orthopedic Surgeons that the TSA are going to put out of business

FXWizard

Went through security yesterday at LAS, Terminal 3 which had both MMW and WTMD; the WTMD was "barricaded" (easy enough to get around if you were allowed to use it) and everyone was channeled through the MMW in their aisle. I didn't opt out until after my belongings were on the belt, and when I did it was difficult, but not impossible, for me to keep an eye on them while waiting for the patdown.

When I said I was opting out I was asked if I understood that it meant I would be required to undergo a patdown of my body; I said that I understood (unfortunately, she wasn't going to be the one groping me ) and she called for a male assist. Someone started walking over right away and while he was walking slowly, I got more of an "I'm on the clock so I'm gonna take my time" vibe than one of "I'm gonna make this guy wait."

Once he arrived on my side of the checkpoint he motioned me through a side gate; I wasn't even made to go through the WTMD.

The man conducting the patdown was very polite and professional; he asked me to identify my belongings on the belt and set them aside. He then explained every step of the process, including where he would be touching me and which touches would be made with the fronts of his hands and which would be made with the backs of his hands. He asked if I had any sensitive areas and after I mentioned that I was having some back problems (right sciatic nerve) he asked if it would cause me any discomfort if he touched me in that area, and I replied that it should be okay as long as the contact wasn't very forceful. I said this in a polite manner and he didn't appear to take my response in a negative manner. He asked if I wanted a private patdown, which I declined.

The patdown was quick, with no excessive pressure on any part of my body and no chops to the groin.

He then swabbed and tested his gloves, at which point I realized that I hadn't watched to see if he'd changed his gloves, nor had I asked him to change them. Hey, I basically fly once a year, sue me for forgetting. Fortunately the residue test came back negative and I was on my way.

KDS

During my last two trips through ABE, I've noted "many" (three one time, one another time) instances where a male is "pulled aside" after going through the WTMD for a "random patdown" (per the TSO's voice). None of them triggered the WTMD; all were middle-aged, business-type men.

Looks like TSA is going to compensate for the lack of scanners at some airports by doing patdowns anyway.

redtigeriii

Yep. Seems like some airports that do have WTMD lanes going are setting the WTMD to randomly beep, and then that passenger is pulled aside. Or they just pull random people out anyways. As described in my experience above, it beeped when I went through a WTMD at LAS recently.. & I thought the guy said I was selected for a random patdown, but it turned out to just be a swab of my shoes.

Its hard to really know what to expect... its part of the 20 layers of security or whatever, I guess. Plus, if TSA can associate going through the WTMD with having to get a patdown, they might get even more people on the pro-body scanner side.

petaluma1

From this thread, scanners removed from small airports it seems as if that is exactly what they are planning on doing. Really sad for passengers using airports without scanners.

Schmurrr

Successful SDOO at SMF B terminal this morning! It was kind of tricky because, of the two open security lanes, only one was running the WTMD in addition to the NOS, and TSA directed people to the WTMD only if someone was already in the NOS, so you had to pay attention and time your approach. Stanchions were placed such that you couldn't just walk right up to the WTMD either; the default "channelization" was feeding the NOS. TSA staff seemed professional overall.

redtigeriii

I flew out of PDX on 2/16/13. ABC gates had long lines and it looked like the WTMD only lane was closed off (as usual), so I just headed down to D/E where there wasn't much of a wait. A few people in line for the NOS, but nobody being sent through WTMD. I told the clerk blocking the WTMD I opt out, and the guy barked at me that he wasn't the person to tell, and that I shouldn't be standing in front of the metal detector. I swear there was some buried treasure behind there the way he was guarding it. I found that odd he reacted like that since usually that person calls for an assist and screens me through WTMD. But nope, some other guy came over and did it. One guy asked if I had anything in my pockets, then someone else said hes an opt out and it dosn't matter. At this point I'm completely confused.

Then someone just lets me through the gate and I don't even walk through the WTMD. My belongings are brought over in front of me. Here is the part where I got myself into a bind. Usually I keep my wallet on me and in my past experiences at PDX, the person doing the pat down looks at it and puts it near my other belongings. This time, however, I'm told it 'must be screened' (maybe since I didn't go through WTMD). So here I am going to Las Vegas with a sizable amount of money in my wallet, and my wallet is taken 30 feet away and ran through the X-Ray. The clerk doing this did say he would hold it up high in the air before and after running it through (which he did). Still, I was extremely nervous during this. I'm quite tall so I was able to see most of what was going on, but still, I was unhappy at how this unfolded. I'm happy to report nothing was taken from within it.

The actual patdown was similar to last time. The guy was professional and it was thorough...didn't actually hit my genitals, but was close. I'm definitely not a fan of the 'waistband check'. And, I was so distracted by the wallet situation that I forgot to ask for the gloves change. Previously at PDX they did this automatically but this person did not. So basically, I screwed up on a couple key points of the opt-out process and was fortunate to not have it backfire on me. If this happens whenever I have to opt out next, I'll be ready for it though.

bchandler02

ALWAYS lock your wallet and other valuables in your carry on bag. I put my wallet and cell in my backpack and lock that section every time. No way they're getting their hands on it unless it's right in front of me.

NotaCriminal

I've taken four flights in the last few months, but didn't add 'em to the collection:

My home airport, CMH, seems to be all backscatter, all the time, if you are the average flyer (not a family, not disabled, etc.). I opted out on all four occasions. The pat downs at the C checkpoint was quick, cursory and inoffensive as it could be given it shouldn't happen at all. I had the same woman twice in the B concourse. She was polite enough, but presses extremely hard - especially on underwires, and it hurts. She is also a karate chopper to the groin. I did jump the last time - and explained that karate chops aren't ever going to result in a "thanks." No retaliatory issues though. The employees at the C concourse are nicer as well, generally, than B, IMO. On both occasions, higher level employees corrected screeners - one was yelling at a passenger and was immediately pulled aside, and the second instance involved my mini-laptop (8 inches) that the supervisor specifically told me to put away. He was back in seconds when he heard the woman call for a bag check for the laptop, and stated the policy. Not that it'll do any good... anyway, I just prefer the A/C concourses now.

PDX: D/E(?) checkpoint - I was able SDOO by going to the far right.

IAD: All scanners except for families. Was told to leave my mini-laptop in my bag (a small locking backpack). Was called for a bag check. I had also opted out at the same time, and had a polite disagreement about bag checker taking my bag out of view, as in I was not letting my bag out of my sight and the search would be done in my sight, pat down or not. Also went off about the fact that TSA policy doesn't even agree at the start of the x-ray machine to the back end. And that he had called my bag messy, which it wasn't (I'm incredibly "organized"). In any case, the pat down was cursory due to ensuing bag check discussion (she did the pat down where I could watch the bag search). The bag check guy apologized for the inconsistent policy and for calling my bag messy when it wasn't, and gave me a card without me even asking for it.

TPA: Used the MMV. I've never done WBI imaging before. Since it had the privacy software and I just wasn't in the mood to be touched, I did it and no further pat down was required and I could see the screen as I exited. I'll have an interesting debate with myself in the future. I hate the pat downs, but don't like the WBI either. Backscatter is never an option. But the MMV on this particular day was far better than the groping. Anyway, back to reading the various opinions on that particular debate...

SFO: I used the checkpoints that are for the 60-80 gates (I was at gate 76 and don't remember the specific checkpoint identifiers). No name game. The WTMD on the left was blocked off by a big piece of wood. I was able to do a SDOO by going to the far right., passing behind the document checkers.

My spouse has not flown since the scanners became primary. He had to fly to So Cal in December for family reasons (there was simply no time in this instance for a 3 day train trip). He also flew out of CMH, and lo and behold - he gets sent through the WMTD. This is a guy that post-9/11 was stopped at every single checkpoint and the gate check, to the point that I began carrying his carry-on bag to speed it up (no one ever asked him where his bag was) - he's tan, dark hair, etc. He flew home from SAN, and once again, WMTD. No lines at either airport, either. He said if he didn't know any better, it was like flying pre-9/11. Not that he's going to fly again unless it involves his elderly parent, but he did have to laugh that I need to opt out all the time at CMH, and he just WMTD'd his whole trip.

jason8612

I opted out the other day at ORD priority security T1 (right side near LH check-in) and no issues other than the agent chatting me up on how these are not x-ray and that the microwaves are less than the metal tube I fly...

3Greyhounds

SJC, Terminal B -

3 lanes open, 1 (the center lane) using BKSX, the lanes on either side using WTMD. SDOO was easily accomplished.

redtigeriii

Were you at the ABC checkpoint? That CP has a WTMD on the far right that isn't generally open and D/E has one on the left (that I've never, ever seen open). And were you going through the CP early morning? Thats the only time I've really heard of non-opt outs getting sent through the WTMD at PDX.