For what reasons could you be requested to go through the full body scanners?

[Minnie Lor]

First, even though you are apparently against the new screenings, you won't commit to not flying. Yes, your future trips on hold, got it. But you won't take a stand for your May trip. Why not?
.

Because DH got got a new job with no vacation for the first year so he's taking that week without pay. If we tack on another day to the fron and the end for driving that will also be without pay. We have $1600 tied up in the DVC rental points that we can't get back. If we could, I would consider canceling even though it's for our 15th anniversary.

Like everyone else, I'm waiting and watching to see what transpires over the next few months. I think something will change if it doesn't then I pity us as a nation. The terrorist's will have won and our nation's principles for which my husband fought for 22 years will be dismantled one by one.

 

[eliza61]

We're flying to DW on the 3RD. Not looking forward to the stress.
Nancy

Nancy,
Please don't stress about flying. First of all about 2 million people fly each and every day. So let's say that even if there were 100 reports of people getting "groped, raped, children assualted" etc, the vast majority of people fly with no problems what soever.
(Before anyone goes ballistic, this is not to say these reports are false, exaggerated on any thing else.)

Now the TSA employees literally 10's of thousands of people. for the most part they are pretty much average, every day Joe's and Janes, trying to do a hard job and as a girl who spent many years in customer service, let me tell you dealing with Joe Public is not easy. Most of them have families, mortgages, debt, pets, siblings who drive them crazy and stress about the economy. They will pretty much try to get you through security as quickly and painlessly as possible. Some will be polite, some will not, some may be on a power trip, the majority will not. some will be having a bad day.
So in reality, they are pretty much like every other smuckolla trying to make ends meet.

My advice is simply. make sure you have all the "banned" items (liquids, scissors etc) in the correct place (checked luggaged or in 2 oz bottles in a ziploc bag). I try to get rid of extra "metals" like keys that I really don't need.
I have all my electronics, ipods, cameras, lap tops etc, all in one nicely organized backpack (you can divide up later at the gate) so it's very easy to get through the scanners. Get to the airport at least 2 hours early and have a safe flight.

 

[olwyngdh]

Could be. I have a friend (not a friend of a friend) that was asked to remove her sweater by a male TSA agent. She declined. He yelled at her and once again she declined. She didn't have a t-shirt or blouse on under the sweater. He let her go thru the regular metal detector and then had her "randomly" selected by another TSA agent so she could be searched more thoroughly. The female TSA had to check under her bra and between her cheeks (I'm not talking face) while the original TSA agent stood there and smirked at her.

I'm not saying ALL TSA agents are like this but people are encountering this type of treatment. I wouldn't be worried about a pat down if it was a pat down. Seriously people, this isn't a pat down anymore than this is a love pat as the senator from my state would call it.

Did she tell him she wasn't wearing anything under the sweater, or just refuse to remove it without giving a reason? Was it bulky, that she could have had things hidden under it, which would require a search or scan under the new rules if it weren't removed? I'm not saying the guy didn't yell at her--he very well may have, but it doesn't sound like he targeted her as you and she both appear to think.

I think everyone is frustrated by the new guidelines and that is going to effect people on both sides of the searches.

 

[taitai]

Did she tell him she wasn't wearing anything under the sweater, or just refuse to remove it without giving a reason? Was it bulky, that she could have had things hidden under it, which would require a search or scan under the new rules if it weren't removed? I'm not saying the guy didn't yell at her--he very well may have, but it doesn't sound like he targeted her as you and she both appear to think.

I think everyone is frustrated by the new guidelines and that is going to effect people on both sides of the searches.

I agree. TSA for years and years has required people wearing sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc. to take them off before going through the scanner. If you don't want this happening to you, wear layers or wear non-bulky items. This is not unusal and not targeted to your friend. Just standard procedure both here and overseas.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

 

[Minnie Lor]

Did she tell him she wasn't wearing anything under the sweater, or just refuse to remove it without giving a reason? Was it bulky, that she could have had things hidden under it, which would require a search or scan under the new rules if it weren't removed? I'm not saying the guy didn't yell at her--he very well may have, but it doesn't sound like he targeted her as you and she both appear to think.

I think everyone is frustrated by the new guidelines and that is going to effect people on both sides of the searches.

She lives in FL so it couldn't have been that bulky. She works out alot and is very fit. So she wouldn't be hiding under a bulky sweater, KWIM?

I agree. TSA for years and years has required people wearing sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc. to take them off before going through the scanner. If you don't want this happening to you, wear layers or wear non-bulky items. This is not unusal and not targeted to your friend. Just standard procedure both here and overseas.

She is a professional that works for the gov't and travels 5-7 times a month. Plus she travels alot for pleasure.

 

[ccgirl]

Interesting angle for the photo. Sorry..experienced it myself and as I said over and over...no groping, fondling etc just good ol' pat down.

 

[Minnie Lor]

It was mentioned in another thread that cargo needs to be checked more thoroughly. I'd have to agree with that one. I hate having my luggage gone thru but I now prepare for that. I make use of space bags where you can roll the air out. All my undies and bra's go in a seperate one. I do this for my space, to make it easier on suitcase search, and now for bed bug potential problems.

 

[ccgirl]

I have a trip next May with rented DVC points. I can't get my $ back. I'm hoping this is resolved by then. If it's not, we may take extra days and drive. Future trips to WDW, Canada, & Japan (that were in the planning stages) are on hold.

Just wanted to say that if you plan on travelling abroad you should check into their security requirements as well as a lot of countries are putting in the scanners as well.

 

[sam_gordon]

Because DH got got a new job with no vacation for the first year so he's taking that week without pay. If we tack on another day to the fron and the end for driving that will also be without pay. We have $1600 tied up in the DVC rental points that we can't get back. If we could, I would consider canceling even though it's for our 15th anniversary.

But see, that's exactly my point... flying helps your situation... it's more efficient (ie: even a 7 hour trip via plane, including security, layovers, etc is better than a 14-20 hour drive).

Like everyone else, I'm waiting and watching to see what transpires over the next few months. I think something will change if it doesn't then I pity us as a nation. The terrorist's will have won and our nation's principles for which my husband fought for 22 years will be dismantled one by one.

I disagree with you.

I think the biggest problem with all this is EVERYTHING is opinion based...
New scanners needed? Some say yes, some say no.
"Grope" vs. "Pat Down"? In the eyes of the recipient.
Too much radiation? Some say yes, some say no.

I don't think there ANY opinion based controversy that will NOT have people on both sides.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So far, 15% of the people flying are against the full body scans and/or the enhanced pat down. 15% decrease in travel to an industry that already has very few companies turning a profit. And that's just now, at the beginning of this debate, it will increase as more and more incidents of impropriety are reported.

Fifteen percent of persons answering one poll question in a certain way in NO way equates to that same percentage taking or not taking an identical action in response to the poll topic.

In other words, simply because 15% of the responders are against the current screening methods doesn't in any way indicate a 15% decrease in travel. It most assuredly doesn't indicate that same 15% will stop traveling.

They rather scan, probe the average citizen.

Probe? When did anybody probe or get probed? Could we please stop creating false situations?

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

It was referred to as "probed" and "groped" on the floor of the House of Reps on Wednesday Nov 17th. It is not just DISers doing it. So you can censor it here-but the American people won't be silenced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwsdq69AHnw

 

[kaytieeldr]

What?!?!?!

He was with his father and they both had tickets to North Dakota (or some place) where they were going on a fishing trip. Did you watch the video? He turned on the phone camera when the TSA officials gave him his stuff back from the conveyor and things started to escalate. Inaccurate. BTW, he lost the full price of his ticket (which his father paid for). Absolutely wrong. Yu can see very clearly in the video he was very, very apologetic towards his father who then had to go on the trip alone. This was NOT an orchestrated event.

This kind of misinformation further skews the issues. Watch the video and see for yourself!

I trust my source, who reported that Tyner put his cellphone in "record" mode when he placed it on top of his luggage on the belt (not a typical action, given that most travelers - concerned about keeping everything together and possible theft - would place as many small electronic items inside the luggage).

The airline absolutely refunded Tyner's ticket despite it ordinarily being nonrefundable, and with no reported problem (or that would be on his blog and the Internet as well). In the interest of 100% accuracy, his travel companion was his father-in-law.

 

[sam_gordon]

It was referred to as "probed" and "groped" on the floor of the House of Reps on Wednesday Nov 17th. It is not just DISers doing it. So you can censor it here-but the American people won't be silenced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwsdq69AHnw

Care to show where it is being censored here? People are free to use whatever terms they want. Just because some of us are in disagreement with the terms doesn't mean you're being censored.

Are you ever going to answer calls for you to back up your "15% drop in flyers" statement?

 

[sam_gordon]

BTW, he lost the full price of his ticket (which his father paid for).

BTW, from Tyner's blog...

After a few more minutes, she was able to refund my ticket.

This kind of misinformation further skews the issues.

Before you start calling people out for posting "misinformation", you might want to check your own posts.

 

[Vivianne]

Fifteen percent of persons answering one poll question in a certain way in NO way equates to that same percentage taking or not taking an identical action in response to the poll topic.

In other words, simply because 15% of the responders are against the current screening methods doesn't in any way indicate a 15% decrease in travel. It most assuredly doesn't indicate that same 15% will stop traveling.


Probe? When did anybody probe or get probed? Could we please stop creating false situations?

Probe, grope, touched it's all the same to me. If they find some unusual/lump/bump
they think is unusual. They will search further. Call it what you may. If you have no problem with this fine but it's not fine with all.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31567442#40264596

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Care to show where it is being censored here? People are free to use whatever terms they want. Just because some of us are in disagreement with the terms doesn't mean you're being censored.

Are you ever going to answer calls for you to back up your "15% drop in flyers" statement?

I didn't state there WOULD be a 15% drop-I merely implied that a 15% flyer protest COULD result in such. It is my belief that it will result in a far higher drop. Only time will tell. There is no way for me to prove something that will happen in the future. We can discuss this further after airlines post 4th quarter earnings and 1st quarter 2011 earnings. That is when the results will be quantifiable. The fact that there is substantial protest makes it reasonable to believe there will be a substantial drop in people flying. If we see people here on these boards cancelling flights then you can extrapolate that to the entire flying public.

And as to the censor issue-several of mine and others posts were deleted/removed. If that's not censorship nothing is. I can't show what doesn't exist anymore to show.

 

[sam_gordon]

The last time I had a post deleted, I got a message saying why. Did you not?

 

[CPT Tripss]

And I will agree that those types of things are just plain wrong. And letters need to be written, to just about anyone who will listen...the TSA, the airlines, the news media.
I realize that I am going to have to remove my bulky sweatshirt, but my sweater??? And I'm not wearing anything under it??? Seriously?? That would really get me going. Of course, I would be the one to stand there and remove the sweater. Not going to bother me. I would love to see the reaction then. I may have to start flying in a sports bra and a sweater....doing my Brandi Chastain imitation!!!! Bring it on guys!!!! So, when you see the news about the middle aged woman who was told to remove her sweater by the TSA and did so, only to stand there in her sports bra...well, you can all say.."Hey, I know her!!!"

Hmmm! What terms should be used to describe the despicable behavior demonstrated by this particular TSAer? Not the TSAer mind you - his behavior? It was over the top power tripping and certainly sexuaslly inappropriate wouldn't you agree?

 

[eliza61]

Probe, grope, touched it's all the same to me. If they find some unusual/lump/bump
they think is unusual. They will search further. Call it what you may. If you have no problem with this fine but it's not fine with all.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31567442#40264596

And how is this different than what happened last month, or last year?

If you walked through the metal detectors and some thing "unusual" happened you were searched further. If the xray machine found an "unusual" item it your luggage you were pulled aside and your luggage was searched.

If you make the metal detector beep, you start pulling things off your body or out your pocket until it stops beeping.