Whole Body Scanners Opt Out Stories [merged]
Oct 12, 2010, 9:28 pm
#406
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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....
The main screw up was back at security - it was a 'breach' to allow me through without secondary, since I had the quad S on my card.
I was a little annoyed with the flight crew too. My second bag was the smallest possible garment bag you can imagine with one pair of pants and one shirt. I asked if they could hang it in F and they said no. Now I had to go to baggage claim to retrieve it when I landed. Oh well.
Another side note - one of the TSO's commented that quad S is starting to come back again, and that they were going to have to retrain security to be on the look out for it and send quad S's to secondary.
The main screw up was back at security - it was a 'breach' to allow me through without secondary, since I had the quad S on my card.
I was a little annoyed with the flight crew too. My second bag was the smallest possible garment bag you can imagine with one pair of pants and one shirt. I asked if they could hang it in F and they said no. Now I had to go to baggage claim to retrieve it when I landed. Oh well.
Another side note - one of the TSO's commented that quad S is starting to come back again, and that they were going to have to retrain security to be on the look out for it and send quad S's to secondary.
Who cares if you have SSSS - heck, I used to use Liquid Paper and a photocopier to remove those from my home-printed BPs.The UA system has no idea whether or not you've been given a secondary - who knows why it beeped. You could have just lied to the agent and told them you were 'fully inspected'.
What exactly did the TSA buffoon do with your shoes at the gate? Use his x-ray vision to check them for hidden explosives?
Nobody did the "right thing" - they wasted your time and my money.
Oct 12, 2010, 10:20 pm
#407
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
SSSS & the TSA in DEN
Nonsense. A "breach"??? Come on now Who cares if you have SSSS - heck, I used to use Liquid Paper and a photocopier to remove those from my home-printed BPs.
The UA system has no idea whether or not you've been given a secondary - who knows why it beeped. You could have just lied to the agent and told them you were 'fully inspected'.
What exactly did the TSA buffoon do with your shoes at the gate? Use his x-ray vision to check them for hidden explosives?
Nobody did the "right thing" - they wasted your time and my money.
Who cares if you have SSSS - heck, I used to use Liquid Paper and a photocopier to remove those from my home-printed BPs.The UA system has no idea whether or not you've been given a secondary - who knows why it beeped. You could have just lied to the agent and told them you were 'fully inspected'.
What exactly did the TSA buffoon do with your shoes at the gate? Use his x-ray vision to check them for hidden explosives?
Nobody did the "right thing" - they wasted your time and my money.
I don't lie to the GA's or the TSA... I guess somebody with bad intent would though and they wouldn't know any better. So in essence the system burdens honest people while not necessarily deterring the dishonest ones.
I also look unfavorably on modifying a BP and would not do it myself... (and in this case, .bomb let me OLCI but would not let me print or send to mobile. Sounds like they closed that hole in the system...)
I understand some of the dissatisfaction with TSA and their people, policies, and procedures. But what is a workable - safe and effecient - alternative? Boca - you're clearly among the most seasoned travellers here - what is the ideal balance between safety / effeciency / lack of personal intrusion? (I'll go look for this thread on FT after I hit send.)
The did a very thorough visual inspection of my shoes (and belt and luggage). What did that accomplish? Draw your own conclusions...
Oct 13, 2010, 7:33 pm
#408
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FLL - Nice and Warm
Programs: TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 1,025
One of the best replies I have heard when a smurf asks you why you opted out:
Memorize this - It's the best response yet!^^
One TSA guy at the front asked me why I opted out. My reply was basically "Are you kidding? One of your own TSA people is about to go to jail for kicking the .... out of a co-worker who mercilessly teased him about penis size after everybody got scanned during a training exercise. Why would I want some juvenile TSA bozo looking at my junk?"
He didn't really have a response.
He didn't really have a response.
Oct 14, 2010, 3:34 am
#409
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MME, UK
Programs: DL PL, Hertz #1CG
Posts: 17
Manchester Airport body scanners to become compulsory
Anyone able to tell me if the UK has the same 'opt out' option as the US?
I've avoided the NOS most of this year, except in AMS, where they were forcing everyone through them AND doing full pat downs. On a TATL to MSP.
All people flying out of Manchester Airport will have to pass through body scanners by the end of October, it has been announced.
The equipment will be installed in all three security areas, making it compulsory for every air passenger.
The equipment will be installed in all three security areas, making it compulsory for every air passenger.
I've avoided the NOS most of this year, except in AMS, where they were forcing everyone through them AND doing full pat downs. On a TATL to MSP.
Oct 14, 2010, 3:39 am
#410
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Programs: TK*G, Delta Gold
Posts: 384
As far as I'm informed (source: various European newspapers a while ago) the NoS in LHR and Manchester (where already installed) are used on "randomly" selected persons and are compulsory for the selectees. No opt-out if you have the wrong nose/skin color/ethnicity.
Therefore I do not fly from/to/via LHR and Manchester.
If they change it now from selectees to everyone I don't think they will add an "opt-out", though I'd hope they would and allow me to use the airport again.
Therefore I do not fly from/to/via LHR and Manchester.
If they change it now from selectees to everyone I don't think they will add an "opt-out", though I'd hope they would and allow me to use the airport again.
Last edited by Zeehe; Oct 14, 2010 at 3:40 am Reason: added last sentence.
Oct 14, 2010, 9:55 am
#411
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
Manchester Airport body scanners to become compulsory
Anyone able to tell me if the UK has the same 'opt out' option as the US?
I've avoided the NOS most of this year, except in AMS, where they were forcing everyone through them AND doing full pat downs. On a TATL to MSP.
Anyone able to tell me if the UK has the same 'opt out' option as the US?
I've avoided the NOS most of this year, except in AMS, where they were forcing everyone through them AND doing full pat downs. On a TATL to MSP.
Not every passenger has to go through the body scanners. At first they go through a "Smartgate" which acts like a metal detector.
I am however disturbed by the apparent lack of concern about this in the UK. Someone did link a website which had some negative messages, but this seems to have gained quick acceptance.
I will continue to report my UK experiences - I am safe to date at LHR, EDI, GLA, CWL and haven't seen a NoS yet at those airports (although they do exist at some terminals at some of those airports)
Oct 14, 2010, 11:12 am
#412
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
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Oct 14, 2010, 12:02 pm
#413
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MME, UK
Programs: DL PL, Hertz #1CG
Posts: 17
Better eyes than me exbayern. 
Article
Manchester Airport body scanners "not compulsory"
Manchester Airport has denied reports that it is making controversial body scans compulsory for all passengers from the end of the month.
Reports out this morning (October 14) appear to have been sparked by the airport’s announcement that is to install scanners at all three of its security areas.
But a Manchester spokesperson told Business Traveller that the scanners, which have the ability to see through clothing, will remain a “secondary device” replacing the traditional pat down hand search.
Manchester Airport has denied reports that it is making controversial body scans compulsory for all passengers from the end of the month.
Reports out this morning (October 14) appear to have been sparked by the airport’s announcement that is to install scanners at all three of its security areas.
But a Manchester spokesperson told Business Traveller that the scanners, which have the ability to see through clothing, will remain a “secondary device” replacing the traditional pat down hand search.
Oct 14, 2010, 12:24 pm
#414
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Programs: TK*G, Delta Gold
Posts: 384
minemapper thanks for the clarification.
So does that mean that for selected persons the NoS will stay compulsory without a chance of opting-out? Same question for LHR.
Any other airports where, under certain circumstances, opting-out of NoS is not possible? If so, time to up-date my no-fly list
So does that mean that for selected persons the NoS will stay compulsory without a chance of opting-out? Same question for LHR.
Any other airports where, under certain circumstances, opting-out of NoS is not possible? If so, time to up-date my no-fly list
Last edited by Zeehe; Oct 14, 2010 at 12:24 pm Reason: Added last sentence.
Oct 14, 2010, 12:38 pm
#415
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
minemapper thanks for the clarification.
So does that mean that for selected persons the NoS will stay compulsory without a chance of opting-out? Same question for LHR.
Any other airports where, under certain circumstances, opting-out of NoS is not possible? If so, time to up-date my no-fly list
So does that mean that for selected persons the NoS will stay compulsory without a chance of opting-out? Same question for LHR.
Any other airports where, under certain circumstances, opting-out of NoS is not possible? If so, time to up-date my no-fly list
Oct 14, 2010, 12:41 pm
#416
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 15,978
Oct 14, 2010, 12:56 pm
#417
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
Here is a thread re LHR and opt-out/not:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...s-opt-out.html
and here re international WBI use:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-scanners.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...s-opt-out.html
and here re international WBI use:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-scanners.html
Oct 17, 2010, 2:20 pm
#418
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GSP
Programs: UA Gold; 1MM; Marriot Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 401
First Opt Out experience today
I was flying Tampa to Charlotte and got directed to the Nude-O-Scope. Other than principle, I've had two CT scans in the past month...if I can control ANY unecessary radiation, I'll do so.
I notified the guy I was opting out..he pointed me to wait near him and called for a female assist "for a refusal". Female TSA'r showed up within three minutes and led me to the penalty box and politely explained everything she was going to do and asked if I had sensitive spots. Having worked with Army MPs in the past, I'm not uncomfortable being patted down unlike many folks who have posted here, so I really don't care.
She was polite/friendly and did nothing to make me uncomfortable. I offered that I preferred to Opt Out due to radiation given my past. She suggested it was Radio Wave emanations similiar to what comes with cell phone usage but then admitted she did not truly understand the technology (which I give her credit for). I told her I have worked for the government for the past 24 years and don't trust what they say about the safety of the devices..we've got too much previous history where things were'nt quite what goverment officials said they were. She thanked me, I got my stuff and that was it.
Overall, quick and easy and polite. May it be this way in the future.
I notified the guy I was opting out..he pointed me to wait near him and called for a female assist "for a refusal". Female TSA'r showed up within three minutes and led me to the penalty box and politely explained everything she was going to do and asked if I had sensitive spots. Having worked with Army MPs in the past, I'm not uncomfortable being patted down unlike many folks who have posted here, so I really don't care.
She was polite/friendly and did nothing to make me uncomfortable. I offered that I preferred to Opt Out due to radiation given my past. She suggested it was Radio Wave emanations similiar to what comes with cell phone usage but then admitted she did not truly understand the technology (which I give her credit for). I told her I have worked for the government for the past 24 years and don't trust what they say about the safety of the devices..we've got too much previous history where things were'nt quite what goverment officials said they were. She thanked me, I got my stuff and that was it.
Overall, quick and easy and polite. May it be this way in the future.
Oct 17, 2010, 4:43 pm
#419
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
But, please allow me to disagree with the statement above.
It is inherently wrong that we should be treated to a search that can not be done on a criminal suspect without legal probable cause a crime has been committed just to enter into and complete a private contract of carriage to move my sorry butt from one place in the country to another.
Personally, I hope it is gone in the future. Forever.
Oct 17, 2010, 10:37 pm
#420
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Amtrak S+, HH GLD, AA 1MM, SPG, UA, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 371
Experiment, anyone?
The next time you're directed to a nude-o-scope, can you try something along these lines to the TSO?
"How about directing me through the WTMD instead? Otherwise we have to go through the formal opt-out procedures and create more work for everyone."
I'd like to see someone try this because I had a near-miss with a TPA NoS myself a while ago. I was asked to take everything out of my pockets, which typically signals a NoS selection. While I did, I asked the TSO, "You're not sending me that way, right?" while pointing to the NoS. He replied, "No," and directed me to the WTMD.
I wonder to this day whether I talked my way out of the NoS...without having to "opt-out" formally.
"How about directing me through the WTMD instead? Otherwise we have to go through the formal opt-out procedures and create more work for everyone."
I'd like to see someone try this because I had a near-miss with a TPA NoS myself a while ago. I was asked to take everything out of my pockets, which typically signals a NoS selection. While I did, I asked the TSO, "You're not sending me that way, right?" while pointing to the NoS. He replied, "No," and directed me to the WTMD.
I wonder to this day whether I talked my way out of the NoS...without having to "opt-out" formally.