San Antonio TSA checkpoint
 

...on the right side as you enter departure.

I've never had a reason to be annoyed at this checkpoint but
found it disturbing that the right most lane has people facing
AWAY from the luggage on the belt as they assume the position
for the scanner... meaning one loses sight of their items while
waiting for the scan to complete.

Early morning July 18th no one in the long line was complaining
about this... including me; however, I did take note of the setup.

Their setup at SAT prevents your ability to maintain sight of your
belongings which seemingly goes against their own advice...

"Always keep your belongings "in sight". You are responsible for your
property as it proceeds through the screening process."

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/pack.shtm

If I go through there again I will be complaining.

How else do you expect the poor TSA thugs to steal anything unless they're allowed to separate you from your belongings AND get you facing the opposite direction?

Look for cupcakes.

:D

If you opted-out, you wouldn't have that problem.

this.

I am now going to use this as my "excuse" for opting out. If any TSA "agent" asks me why I am opting out...I can see it now

"because I am following your advice and would like to keep my items in sight at all times." (Confused look) "If I step in that machine, I cannot see outside it and thus cannot see my belongings" (Confused look..."But the machines are perfectly sa..") "Did you even listen to a word I said?"

Never been asked for why I'm opting out, and I wouldn't provide a reason if pressed anyway. "Because I choose to" is the only reason necessary.

well I say because it is my right (to remind them that I am still in America and still have rights) but I just think this would be a great social experiment. It would confuse them!

Usually I don't answer the silly question about "why are you opting out" because I don't have to, and it sometimes opens up an unwanted conversation. But answers that have worked before include:

1) Because I can.
2) Because it annoys you.
3) Because I don't trust the machine and you're not allowed to wear a dosimeter.
4) My wife says it's dangerous. (who can argue with the invisible authority?)

"Because I want to waste as much of your time as I can. Take your time getting a groper over--I'll just hold my bags here until he's ready for me."

Not only does it send them off the deep end, it also assures that someone shows up right away to do the pat-down. Just be careful not to push it too far--had a TSO once tell me that I was interfering with the screening process, and if I wanted to fly, I'd put my bags through and wait for the assist.

Does San Antonio have the old metal detectors too, or just the new machines?

Any tips on how to avoid the nude o scope machines at SAT?

SAT is tough: http://tsastatus.net/search.php?q=SA...his+airport%21

With TSA employees, it seems to be more an inability to understand than "not listening."

You can explain things to them all day long. You cannot understand things for them.

And pumpkins. :D

If you're in a nude-o-scope only line always keep your laptop and liquids bag inside your carryon. They'll call for a bag check. They will wait until your radiation dose is over to look at your bag, as it will require you to acknowledge that it's your bag. This makes things much harder for a thief to abscond with your things.