Observations
 

Today most of the pax that were in the AIT were curious about it and there were only two that had anything bad to say. One said that we should do what Israel does because "that works." I asked him how he knows that the USA method does not work. He could not answer. The other was a lady that went off her rocker. You can see that post seperate. The number of opt outs is holding steady at about 4 per shift on each checkpoint and machine. Interesting though is that more people opt out at night. Can not figure that one. So it appears that there is more curiosity about the machines and processes since the news came out but there is not any more opposition to it or to the pat down. In fact one man got pissed because he could not use the machine. He had implants and wanted to see what it was like. The machine was full and we could not accomodate him. He had cut himself so I got him a band aid and antiseptic and I apologized for not being able to assist him with his AIT adventure.
Gawd I feel like a blogger

Thank you. We appreciate your reports from the other side of the front line of these changes. We do not consider you personally an enemy of FlyerTalk and hope you understand our frustration. You've shown a lot of class to gracefully try to answer our questions.

I'll ask our members to continue to direct their ire at policy makers and make room for these observations and information. Thank you.

Some people will not say anything bad because they are subjected to authoritarian control and they know it is a useless and futile exercise. They just want to get away, not make small talk. You can have no way of knowing how many just want to escape the process with all of their stuff and dignity. Keeping quiet expedites that.

I'm curious, is than an "enemy" of FlyerTalk? Are certain views not welcome here - or I should ask, if there is an enemy of FlyerTalk, does FT have an official position? Thanks for your reply in advance.

A few things....

First, thanks for what seems to be a level-headed report.

Second, how long is the "shift" you mention?

Third, understand that the uniforms that HQ gave you are designed to be intimidating, so I would suggest that there are people who are indeed intimidated and act accordingly.

Actually the point being that all views are welcome here—which is the FlyerTalk position. It is the same position that lies in the posts about whether the merger of CO/UA is good or not. Some say yes, some say no. I fully understand the venting and the emotions that are attached to this topic as I fly as much if not more than most of the members here. In disagreeing with any point, we do not gain if we try and shout/block out other views.

I'd ask that if you want to continue this line of question, which BTW is perfectly acceptable, we take it to PM so that the actual topic of this thread can remain intact. Thank you.

No need for PM, you answered my question. I appreciate your time! Thank you.

Most crotch grabbing is done at night. That's when the best professionals are on duty.

Oh, you are not talking about hookers :D

It's been argued that FF's are less accepting of the AIT vs. ma and pa kettle, infrequent travelers. I would posit the business traveler/FF is more likely to travel in the evening hours and thus you're seeing a more accurate reflection of the FF's opinion of the use of AIT.

Since the business traveler is also more likely to travel in the early morning hours, I wonder if people on the early morning shift are witnessing the same increase in people opting out as at night?

I would ask, as well, how long the "shift" was. I opted out a couple of weeks ago in DFW, got the grope and noticed at least 1/2 dozen, my wife included, move through without the grope. (my attention was diverted in an attempt to pass gas at the appropriate time)

Very astute observation. As a business traveler, I would venture to say that 90% of my airport time is before 8AM or after 5PM.

Business travelers are definitely going to be most resistant as a whole. They are more likely see this for the farce that it is, they are less likely to be intimidated, they are more likely to be assertive, they are more likely to be current on issues (OK, that's my opinion but I'd bet as a whole it's true). In general, people who make it farther in the business world are those that stand up for themselves and don't back down. The polls targeting Rose and Larry Schaeffer from Decorah, IA are going to show that they "love" the new security measures. But the polls that target the business travelers, who are the bread and butter of the airlines, are going to show the opposite. This is an important distinction.

Although I agree that's all true, they are also, for the most part, a group that doesn't like travel no matter what the TSA or airlines do and so may care less than others if one more thing is unpleasant.

First person plural? :confused:

Agreed. You guys make examples of enough people to scare the rest of the sheeple & very few are in the position of John Tyner where they don't really NEED to get on the plant.

It is nice to see someone finally step in to the forum to address this type of matter. It should have happened long ago.

FB