Security at Schiphol
 

Questions:

At the non-Schengen gate security at AMS, is one permitted to opt out of the backscatter X-rays in favor of a grope?

Does a Privium card improve one's outgoing AMS non-Schengen gate security experience in any way?

If one is making a connection between two non-Schengen flights of airlines without an interlining agreement and it is necessary to claim and recheck luggage, can this be done in the non-Schengen area? Does a Privium card help at all?

Yes. You may have to insist and persist, but opting out is permitted.

Nothing that FFP elite status with the operating airline won't get me too.

No, at least not unless someone working at the airport helps out and performs those duties for you. Access to the baggage claim area requires clearing Dutch passport control/entry into the Schengen area.

Just to clarify - I've never seen any backscatter at AMS, only millimeter-wave with the automatic stick figure / marshmallow man display.

The following post from about 4 years ago about departure security checkpoint strip-search machines at AMS

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/7760042-post17.html

indicates that it was just MMW there even back then.

Can someone give an update please?
 

Bump. Will be at Schiphol returning to the U.S. on UA in a couple of days. Any updates to the opt out policy. Is it still possible as it's mentioned in the brochure?

Last trip through AMS opt-out was no problem at all, although it was a bit different having the pat-down done by a male as I am female. He was quick, professional and courteous. We got through that so quickly we had extra time to wait due to a mechanical delay. We were in a "sterile" waiting area and there was no food or drink available during the 3 hour delay, and we were not allowed to leave that area.