Whole Body Scanners Opt Out Stories [merged]
#3586
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
I was under the impression that most American airports are owned by local or state government agencies. BWI, for example, is owned by the Maryland Aviation Administration, an agency of the state government. I know there are lots of smaller fields that are privately owned, but I thought most, if not all, of them were the general aviation type that cater to small private planes, as opposed to the commercial airports where airlines operate.
I may be off-base on this, however. Can someone enlighten me a bit?
I may be off-base on this, however. Can someone enlighten me a bit?
Most smaller general aviation airports are still owned by the local jurisdiction or state - some are privately owned.
#3587
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
I am only aware of one airport at which TSA operates that is privately-owned. All the rest are run by some form of government agency and, as such, have to abide by the restrictions placed on governments. That includes photography.
#3588
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
Interesting nobody gave you grief about taking pictures considering they say on their website as a part of the Q&A section:
Can I take personal pictures in the airport?
A: Personal pictures may be taken in the airport, however photographs of security operations and personnel are not allowed. This applies to the screening areas.
MSY and GPT used to be airports that I used before my boycott of air travel beginning in November, 2010.
Can I take personal pictures in the airport?
A: Personal pictures may be taken in the airport, however photographs of security operations and personnel are not allowed. This applies to the screening areas.
MSY and GPT used to be airports that I used before my boycott of air travel beginning in November, 2010.
DOH! I should have been more specific and included the link. I was aware of TSA's policy regarding photographing/videotaping, which is why I brought it up.
I got the Q&A segment from the FAQ's portion of MSY's site. Scroll down to the "Miscellaneous" section.
http://www.flymsy.com/faqs#Q96
I got the Q&A segment from the FAQ's portion of MSY's site. Scroll down to the "Miscellaneous" section.
http://www.flymsy.com/faqs#Q96
#3589
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
#3591
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
MCO
I lost the precheck lottery today, so opted out of the MMW. This is the first time I haven't had to wait a long time (usually 8-10 min.) for a female groper; she was there in about 1 minute. It was also the tamest grope I've had. No fingers in the waistband. No having to take tissues out of a pocket, which I always forget about until the groper finds a bump there. She did swab my hands, which is not the norm for me.
#3592
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: BOS/YYZ
Programs: Marriott LT Plat by proxy, Sephora VIB, I have a low AA FF#...
Posts: 951
On February 1, on the way to YYZ for a concert on my birthday, February 2, my father and I took DL from BOS. Since the security people(s) roped off their metal detector, I opted out. I termed it as "I'd like a pat-down." What the heck kind of world are we living in where I say the words "I'd like a pat-down"?!!!!
I thought my father'd be able to watch my stuff but evidently that wasn't the case, so I took all my stuff into the side room with me when they grabbed two female assists. I remembered to take off my belt this time, and the woman explained everything in what felt like a simpering voice even though I'm sure it actually wasn't simpering. She said "I have to tell you this." She also told me that the machines are completely safe. I of course don't believe that.
I think I thanked her at the end, which is kind of creepy since the whole point is to get touched by someone you're theoretically not attracted to...
And on the way back we flew Porter and we only had to deal with metal detectors!
I thought my father'd be able to watch my stuff but evidently that wasn't the case, so I took all my stuff into the side room with me when they grabbed two female assists. I remembered to take off my belt this time, and the woman explained everything in what felt like a simpering voice even though I'm sure it actually wasn't simpering. She said "I have to tell you this." She also told me that the machines are completely safe. I of course don't believe that.
I think I thanked her at the end, which is kind of creepy since the whole point is to get touched by someone you're theoretically not attracted to...
And on the way back we flew Porter and we only had to deal with metal detectors!
#3593
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
#3594
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag™ DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,509
Awesome! ^
#3595
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
Programs: Delta DM-3MM United Gold-MM Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 13,498
#3596
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
I lost the precheck lottery today, so opted out of the MMW. This is the first time I haven't had to wait a long time (usually 8-10 min.) for a female groper; she was there in about 1 minute. It was also the tamest grope I've had. No fingers in the waistband. No having to take tissues out of a pocket, which I always forget about until the groper finds a bump there. She did swab my hands, which is not the norm for me.
#3597
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: 21,607
Not anymore, IMO. All but the Pre-Check lanes have MMW installed. When the backscatter was installed, there were several WTMD only lines.
#3598
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
You may be right, despite me being there just a couple days ago. I knew A was getting more nos' especially at the side entrance, but I really thought I saw B as still having cetner lanes with WTMD
#3599
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: 21,607
B would make sense (I've only been through A), though it always looks like the only WTMD lane is Pre-Check.
#3600
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
I was in B terminal. When you fail PreCheck, they make you go through the line next to it, which has both WTMD and MMW. But an agent was guarding the WTMD and not letting anyone through it. I tried.