Schmurrr

The FLL B1-B9 checkpoint is now contaminated by an NOS, and the heretofore existing Randomizer was nowhere in sight this morning. The TSA opt-out groper insisted my feet be placed exactly on the yellow footprints rather than at an equivalent distance just off.

In other news, TSA continues to find harmonicas suspicious.

Himeno

They have 2 MMWs at the 9/11 museum ... Easily avoided though.

Been through 4 TSA checkpoints so far this trip. JFK(x2), PHL and CAE. Each time, I've put my stuff on the xray belt before telling the person blocking the WTMD that I can't raise and hold my arms still.
Was allowed through TWMD at JFK. CAE was simple MD and ETD hand swab.
PHL gate keeper tried to have me hold my hands as high as I could against my chest until the MMW operator said nope and sent me to the MD and swabs.

Have BOS, SFO, LAS, LAX, DTW and maybe IAH and ORD over next 2 weeks.

FriendlySkies

Any idea what the process is if you refuse, etc?

petaluma1

I've been ruminating about whether to go see the museum - if one has to go through MMW to do so, then I won't go.

How does one avoid them?

RadioGirl

I'm not upset they have them at the museum.

But they should be part of an (extensive) exhibit on the subject "this is the stupidity that came out of the post-9/11 panic", not in use at the entrance. @:-)

(I'd be happy to see the whole TSA workfarce on display in the same section of the museum.)

KDS

During many of my opt-outs, I stand on the yellow footprints so that I'm on the inside of both "feet"; the bare minimum leg spread. Many times, the TSO will say I need to spread my legs farther. I look down, note the location of my feet, and say, "I'm standing on your yellow feet already. What do you mean I need to spread them farther apart?" The TSO invariably will start to get huffy, and then I ask, "If you want my legs farther apart, then why aren't your footprints farther apart?"

Then as they get ready to go get a supervisor, I comment, "This makes no sense; I'm standing on your stupid footprints exactly as they're printed. What's wrong with following your own procedures?" Then, I'll move my feet a few millimeters farther apart, making great effort to show that I'm moving them.

Invariably, the TSO then is satisfied that I've "complied" and the groping assault resumes.

What a joke they are.

KDS

A human TSA zoo. We could go and watch them pat each other down everyday, looking for nits and ticks and things, just like at the simian exhibits at other zoos.

nachtnebel

that's an oxymoron if I ever saw one.

RadioGirl

"human TSA" is an oxymoron.
"TSA zoo" is a tautology.

Himeno

No idea, I didn't see anyone refuse them.
They had 2 MMW and 5 or 6 WTMD. You just picked your own line.

Schmurrr

Next time, I might try arguing that my legs are shorter than average, so the footprints are not placed for optimal crotch access for me.

Himeno

Since my last post, I've been through BOS, SFO, LAS, LAX(x2), DTW and ORD.
Shoulder issue caused no issues. Only 2 ports did hand swabs.

Both times at LAX, I went through the T4 Lane 11/12, Precheck/Priority with no MMW. The first time, they pulled my laptop bag for a check. It was sitting on the bag check diverted belt for almost 10 mins before someone came to do the check. At the time, there were two TSO's and an LTSO doing nothing nearby. Both times, the screener standing behind the WTMD had a swab ready and seemed disappointed when it didn't beep.

ORD T5 was a total mess.

jackonferry

At PIT this morning I had Pre-Check. I was randomly selected for extra screening. I got motioned to the adjacent WBI scanner. I explained that I could not hold my arms in the surrender position. The TSA woman asked at least once what was wrong with my shoulders I didn't say anything (not hard at 5am). A few seconds later I was escorted over to the person doing the hand swabs and person escorting said I was opting out. I didn't bother to correct her. At least I wasn't threatened with losing Pre-Check.

That's the first time I've gotten the WBI instead of the hand swab (at least at first). Thankfully, most airports with Pre-Check are not set up this way.

mikew99

Happened to me for the first time last week at HNL. After the Pre-Check WTMD, I was told that I was "randomly" selected and was directed to enter the nude-o-scope. Had to opt-out and get a full-body pat-down. Leave it to the TSA to ruin a Good Thing.

Schmurrr

I really don't understand why TSA is doubling down on the NOSs when they still haven't responded to the NPRM about NOSs--unless TSA intends to ignore the 5,000+ comments submitted on the NPRM.