Can You Request Pat Downs/Private Screenings at Metal Detectors Too?
Nov 23, 2010, 11:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 184
Can You Request Pat Downs/Private Screenings at Metal Detectors Too?
Someone raised a very good point about potentially being outed on a private medical condition based on what type of scanner causes a secondary screening. I was almost pushed into the body scanner when returning from a business trip where I went through the metal detector and did not set it off on the way. I traveled with the same acquiantances, who I would not be comfortable disclosing my condition to, on both flights. It was a horrible feeling. I totally get the concern over this..
So my question is can one "opt out" at metal detectors too by requesting a pat down/private screening. That would leave many more possibilities open than if you sailed through them and were always opting out or taken away for secondary screening on the body scanner--which means anybody traveling with you would know you have some external device...a list which is pretty small..
It seems that always opting out, from both scanners and metal detectors, .is good way to protect your medical privacy--if it us allowed.
So my question is can one "opt out" at metal detectors too by requesting a pat down/private screening. That would leave many more possibilities open than if you sailed through them and were always opting out or taken away for secondary screening on the body scanner--which means anybody traveling with you would know you have some external device...a list which is pretty small..
It seems that always opting out, from both scanners and metal detectors, .is good way to protect your medical privacy--if it us allowed.
Last edited by Comcerneddisabledflier; Nov 23, 2010 at 11:46 am
Nov 23, 2010, 11:36 am
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Corrected to indicate the TSA is now saying anybody can request a pat down instead of the metal detector without having to explain why you want one.
Last edited by cordelli; Nov 23, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Nov 23, 2010, 11:37 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 346
Someone raised a very good point about potentially being outer on a private medical condition based on what type of scanner causes a secondary screening. I was almost pushed into the body scanner when returning from a business trip where I went through the metal detector and did nit set it off on the way. I traveled with the same acquiantances on both flights. It was a horrible feeling. I totally get the concern over this.
So my question is can one "opt out" at metal detectors too by requesting a pat down/private screening. That would leave many more possibilities open than if you sailed through them and were always opting out or taken away for secondary screening on the body scanner--which means antbody traveling with you would know you have some external device...a lust which is pretty small.
It seems that always opting out, from both scanners and metal detectors, is good way to protect your medical privacy--if it us allowed.
So my question is can one "opt out" at metal detectors too by requesting a pat down/private screening. That would leave many more possibilities open than if you sailed through them and were always opting out or taken away for secondary screening on the body scanner--which means antbody traveling with you would know you have some external device...a lust which is pretty small.
It seems that always opting out, from both scanners and metal detectors, is good way to protect your medical privacy--if it us allowed.
Nov 23, 2010, 11:45 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: HP/US Gold, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 711
Someone raised a very good point about potentially being outer on a private medical condition based on what type of scanner causes a secondary screening. I was almost pushed into the body scanner when returning from a business trip where I went through the metal detector and did nit set it off on the way. I traveled with the same acquiantances on both flights. It was a horrible feeling. I totally get the concern over this.
So my question is can one "opt out" at metal detectors too by requesting a pat down/private screening. That would leave many more possibilities open than if you sailed through them and were always opting out or taken away for secondary screening on the body scanner--which means antbody traveling with you would know you have some external device...a lust which is pretty small.
It seems that always opting out, from both scanners and metal detectors, is good way to protect your medical privacy--if it us allowed.
So my question is can one "opt out" at metal detectors too by requesting a pat down/private screening. That would leave many more possibilities open than if you sailed through them and were always opting out or taken away for secondary screening on the body scanner--which means antbody traveling with you would know you have some external device...a lust which is pretty small.
It seems that always opting out, from both scanners and metal detectors, is good way to protect your medical privacy--if it us allowed.
Nov 23, 2010, 11:49 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 184
Yes, if you don't want to go through the metal detector or body scanner (if the airport has it), you can go through a side door instead. Make sure you let a TSO know that's what you want so they can call someone for you. And then it's the same standard patdown, and you can obviously request private screening for that.
Here is a link to their policy allowing pat down searches in lieu of a metal detector:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1567.shtm
this appears to have been published this week. It addresses many issues disabled fliers have raised. Kudos to TSA for listening. Now they just need to delete the "you will not be required to expose your device for inspection" in the ostomy section.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Nov 25, 2010 at 1:38 am Reason: merge consecutive posts
Nov 23, 2010, 1:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO/SJC/SQL
Posts: 1,412
Last edited by WChou; Nov 23, 2010 at 1:12 pm