New (Microwave) Scanners at FRA - No "opt-out"?
Jul 13, 2015, 9:04 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
Which, based on prior studies, I would fully expect to happen even if they were switched off and unplugged, as long as you didn't know they were switched off and unplugged.
Jul 13, 2015, 2:50 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
Opted out today. No problems. I was politely asked why and I politely replied "I do not go through them." I was also asked by the person who did the pat down. Same reply. The pat down was cursory. They did take my shoes and run them through the X-ray.
Jul 16, 2015, 3:41 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,381
I have reached out to the Dutch government to determine who the enforcement body is that could force Schiphol to place signage that informs passengers of their rights to opt out, as laid out by EU 1147/2011.
Jul 18, 2015, 2:51 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,369
Can you also ask them why Schiphol installed these machines in the first place? It looks like some silly EU-rule since they are appearing at more and more airports.
Jul 18, 2015, 10:23 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
Jul 30, 2015, 6:57 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 59
Just went through security at FRA A and went through the new scanner line.
Asked for a manual check, but was informed that no "opt-out" exists in Europe. However, was shown the metal detector line that I could have used.
Was advised that this "microwave" device was not the same as the US ones and was not as "harmful"...
Any info on this and current regulations?
Was advised that this would become mandatory throughout European airports...
Asked for a manual check, but was informed that no "opt-out" exists in Europe. However, was shown the metal detector line that I could have used.
Was advised that this "microwave" device was not the same as the US ones and was not as "harmful"...
Any info on this and current regulations?
Was advised that this would become mandatory throughout European airports...
It's in the form of a PDF of a leaflet on the scanners, but it's only in German. It refers to 11 September 2001 in the context of introducing these scanners. Presumably the use of these devices was so imperative for continued safe civil aviation that it only took them 14 years to start using them.
On the leaflet however, it states quite plainly:
Eight points to note about the body scanner
[Point 1] Security checks by means of a body scanner is voluntary for every passenger. In the case of a passenger deciding that he/she does not want to use a body scanner, an alternative thorough manual search will take place (search by hand).
[Point 1] Security checks by means of a body scanner is voluntary for every passenger. In the case of a passenger deciding that he/she does not want to use a body scanner, an alternative thorough manual search will take place (search by hand).
Source: my off-hand translation of http://www.frankfurt-airport.de/cont...stand-juni.pdf
Original German: "Die Kontrolle mit dem Körperscanner ist für jeden Fluggast freiwillig. Im Fall einer Entscheidung, den Körperscanner nicht nutzen zu wollen, erfolgt alternativ die vollständige manuelle Kontrolle (Durchsuchung von Hand).
They are millimetre-wave scanners, not microwave, but nonetheless ...
Aug 2, 2015, 12:35 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,381
I can now confirm that one such device is in service at NUE but it can be avoided by simply using another lane. Opting out was hassle-free, no questions asked and there was a sign indicating the use was voluntary.
Aug 4, 2015, 7:32 am
#29
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,342
Have you had a reply yet? Wonder if the KMar cares if a PAX would report a screeners resistance to an opt-out.
Aug 5, 2015, 4:01 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,381
I have been given the runaround - I was first informed that ILT was responsible - they in turn referred me to the Ministry of Justice who in turn has referred me to the Ministry of Defence. I have been waiting for a response from them for about a week now.
If I continue to hear nothing I will investigate going down the route of taking this via the European Commission - I would imagine there is someone there who has oversight over the implementation of its regulations by EU member states.
Edit: I do know that KMar do care (at least they say so), as I once was contacted by their klachtenfunctionaris following a complaint via the Schiphol website.
If I continue to hear nothing I will investigate going down the route of taking this via the European Commission - I would imagine there is someone there who has oversight over the implementation of its regulations by EU member states.
Edit: I do know that KMar do care (at least they say so), as I once was contacted by their klachtenfunctionaris following a complaint via the Schiphol website.