I tried to write a short (not as short as it should be) non-threatening description of "what to do on optoutday" for non-frequent fliers.

I'll send it to optoutday.com, but I'm happy to get comments.

Here are some simple hints to make opting out easier:

1) Get to the airport extra early, so you're not worried about missing your flight.

2) Tell the TSA staff person at the checkpoint that you want to 'opt out of the body scanner'. If it's a regular metal detector, they'll ask you to walk through normally. For the body scanner (which is bigger), you have to stand still with your hands up.

3) Even if you don't opt out, you can still be subjected to a "patdown" search. This can happen if the person looking at the scanner detects an "anomaly" on your body (like a sanitary napkin), or if the metal detector beeps, or if you are wearing "loose clothing", or are randomly selected. If this happens, you have some rights.

a) The screener should put on fresh gloved (from the box, not a pocket). This is important for hygiene because the search can be quite intimate.

b) The TSA screener should bring your things to you from the x-ray belt, so they are not at risk of theft. But you are not allowed to touch them. If they don't do this immediately, ask for a supervisor or the police. TSA info (see #4)

c) The TSA screener must tell you beforehand what they are going to do and how they are going to touch you. If you have a right to be screened in a private area. If you do this, you can ask someone to come with you, i.e. the person you are traveling with. It can also be an airline staff or a police office (or even a willing
stranger). TSA info.

4) Dealing with problems. Unfortunately, some (of course, not all) TSA staff are unprofessional and poorly supervised. Here is some advice for dealing with potential problems.

a) Look at and remember the name (nametag on right chest) of the TSA screener, so that you can make a useful complaint if you need to. If something inappropriate does happen and you feel violated and upset, you may not think of it, so just make it a habit. It's also good to note which check point you use and what time you put your things on the x-ray belt

Have a pen and paper easily available, so that you can write down details as soon as you can, even if you're upset. Or call or text yourself.

b) TSA has no rule against taking pictures at the checkpoint (except for images on the x-ray monitors) as long as you don't interfere with screening
TSA info. Some airports have their own policies.

You can always just set your phone to record sound, while you pass through the checkpoint. Or ask a person you're traveling with to record when you are being patted down. If you don't often use your phone to record, try it at home first.

Even when you're not being checked yourself, if you see something at a checkpoint that looks wrong or inappropriate, you should try to record it. The best way to ensure that bad behavior is addressed is to have good evidence about it - it's an important community service!

5) Reporting problems. You should report any issues to the ACLU
( report form ) and EPIC (incident report), as well as TSA ( complaint form or 1-866-289-9673). You can also ask for a complaint card at the airport.

If you want to contact the media (especially if you have video or sound), an easy way to get contact info is to search on wikipedia for "media in xzy". TV station websites usually have 'contact us' link at the top or bottom of the homepage, which have a 'newstips' email or phone.

You can also use a site like flyertalk.com for information and support.

In addition to your boarding pass, three useful TSA webpages to print are:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/custome...s/protect.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/pat_downs.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav..._pictures.shtm