Are Opt-Outers being Jerks?
Nov 24, 2010, 12:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,262
Are Opt-Outers being Jerks?
I'm starting to sense more and more backlash over the Opt Out protest. One local talkshow host referred to protestors as "jerks" because they are, in effect, delaying or even making others miss flights and F up their reunion plans for Thanksgiving. A caller complained that in the fight against airline terrorism "when the going gets tough, the cowards get going," explaining that those who are protesting the security measures at airport are forgetting that they are just being whiners and are actually appeasing OBL and his terrorist followers. Another talkshow host (national host Michael Gallagher), while critical of TSA's new security measures, confided that he probably won't rock the boat in the TSA security line today during his travel. At any rate, it already looks like the Opt Out protest is largely media driven hype because reports are coming in that passengers are breezing through at SMF (Sacramento) in surprisingly efficient time.
Nov 24, 2010, 12:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 117
TSA's really in a no-win situation today.
They've chosen to back off and let things run really smoothly - which I think was their best choice - assuming there were a bunch of travelers.
But since the travelers didn't show up - letting things run smoothly is a disaster for them - it highlights the fact that nobody is flying.
Now if they had taken the "hard azz" approach and backed everybody up, then the public might be angry with the opt outs, but the publicity would destroy them in the long run.
Lose lose for TSA. The writing is really on the wall now. They better go to plan B.
They've chosen to back off and let things run really smoothly - which I think was their best choice - assuming there were a bunch of travelers.
But since the travelers didn't show up - letting things run smoothly is a disaster for them - it highlights the fact that nobody is flying.
Now if they had taken the "hard azz" approach and backed everybody up, then the public might be angry with the opt outs, but the publicity would destroy them in the long run.
Lose lose for TSA. The writing is really on the wall now. They better go to plan B.
Nov 24, 2010, 12:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
You are certainly welcome to your view. You can call people who disagree with you whatever you want, it doesn't make your argument any more valid.
Opt-Outs may have some very serious issues with the backscatter radiation, as well as legitimate privacy issues. There is a post from someone claiming to work on the machines who says they are not safe. Good luck if you work around them, perhaps in 20 years you will be part of a class action settlement. It seems from the reports in other threads that TSA is on its best behavior today. Maybe it should be extended to every day.
Opt-Outs may have some very serious issues with the backscatter radiation, as well as legitimate privacy issues. There is a post from someone claiming to work on the machines who says they are not safe. Good luck if you work around them, perhaps in 20 years you will be part of a class action settlement. It seems from the reports in other threads that TSA is on its best behavior today. Maybe it should be extended to every day.
Nov 24, 2010, 12:49 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Surprisingly efficient time on a holiday, especially given TSA's general slowness, should tell you TSA was doing something quite differently today.
Nov 24, 2010, 1:21 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Posts: 217
I've mentioned several times before that when I've opted out, they rope off the WBI machine behind me and begin moving everyone thru the WTMD while I'm getting the hands in the pants. The long security line starts moving very quickly with 6-8 people per minute being processed vs the 1-2 when WBI was the primary scanner.
Based on those experiences, I can say that opting out had a very positive effect on getting people moving through security quickly - it wasn't a problem for other passengers.
Based on those experiences, I can say that opting out had a very positive effect on getting people moving through security quickly - it wasn't a problem for other passengers.
Nov 24, 2010, 1:33 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
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Opt-Outers are being.....citizens with the freedom to choose.
Wish I could have flown today.
(Flew yesterday from PHL...all lanes were WTMDs.)
Wish I could have flown today.
(Flew yesterday from PHL...all lanes were WTMDs.)
Nov 24, 2010, 2:36 pm
#10
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Are Opt-Outers being Jerks?
Nov 24, 2010, 2:43 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
Citizen democracy at work... Its a right, not a privilege.
Nov 24, 2010, 2:49 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
I'm starting to sense more and more backlash over the Opt Out protest. One local talkshow host referred to protestors as "jerks" because they are, in effect, delaying or even making others miss flights and F up their reunion plans for Thanksgiving. A caller complained that in the fight against airline terrorism "when the going gets tough, the cowards get going," explaining that those who are protesting the security measures at airport are forgetting that they are just being whiners and are actually appeasing OBL and his terrorist followers. Another talkshow host (national host Michael Gallagher), while critical of TSA's new security measures, confided that he probably won't rock the boat in the TSA security line today during his travel. At any rate, it already looks like the Opt Out protest is largely media driven hype because reports are coming in that passengers are breezing through at SMF (Sacramento) in surprisingly efficient time.
Nov 24, 2010, 2:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North FL
Programs: HH Diamond, Delta Silver
Posts: 17
As we've been referred to in another post about a supposed memo circulating around TSA and DHS, I prefer the title of "domestic extremist", not jerk. 
I guess I just don't understand how standing up to big brother against something that could cause me unknown harm via radiation is being a jerk. It kind of goes back to my rebuttal to the folks who think those of us that are protesting should just not fly. If a pax is so concerned about delays and missing a holiday reunion, they're just as free to seek alternate forms of transportation.
I guess I just don't understand how standing up to big brother against something that could cause me unknown harm via radiation is being a jerk. It kind of goes back to my rebuttal to the folks who think those of us that are protesting should just not fly. If a pax is so concerned about delays and missing a holiday reunion, they're just as free to seek alternate forms of transportation.
