Full Body Scans

[LCoulter]

It’s been a while since we have flown and I haven’t been hearing much about the full body scans at the airports lately. Those that have flown recently, what is the procedure with the scans? Do they randomly select people to go through them and then given a choice between full body scan or a rather invasive pat down?

We have a four year old and last I knew, if you didn’t want your child to be randomly selected, you need to let them know when you are checking in at the airport. Is this still the case?

Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

It is pretty much random. No children are 'invasibly' searched. They are given a 'softer' pat down if you choose not to have your child scanned. I forget the exact age, but 4 is way younger than the age where the less invasive searches are started.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Those that have flown recently, what is the procedure with the scans?

I have been scanned at Schiphol Airport and at SeaTac. At Schiphol, everyone went through the scanner. At SeaTac, I was randomly chosen. After going through the scanner at SeaTac, I then had to be patted down. When I asked why, I was told because I was wearing a watch (?)

I have also seen scanners used at Dulles, where people are randomly selected to be scanned (although the scanners don't seem to be turned on very often).

 

[DanielleandBrady]

On my return trip back to NJ I flew out of Chicago. The body scanners were being used. Everyone going through that security check went through the scanner. However, I had friends who went through different security checkgates and they were not bodyscanned. After I went through the body scan, there was an additional TSA agent patting down the passengers that went through the scan. However, the TSA agent who motioned you into the body scan would tell the 2nd TSA agent whether or not an additional "check" (pat down) was needed after the scan. Luckily, I did not have to be patted down. There was one woman in line who refused to go through the scan and chose the pat down instead. The TSA agent warned the women that it would be a "heavy" pat down. I was very curious what that meant..the women was patted down very heavily! She had hands all over her..

 

[DebbieB]

I went through one last week at PIT, third time since last summer. I thought it was closed, there was a rope across it. I put my stuff on the belt and then sure enough the agent says to me "do you have anything in your pockets?". I said no and he directed me over, it was now open. I said "why do I always get picked?". He said "everyone should go through". Ughh.....

I was also recently in Atlanta and Minneapolis, did not see them in the lines I used.

 

[Cherinva]

We have been scanned and patted down in Norfolk VA and Orlando FL

 

[LCoulter]

Thank you for all the replies.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sounds like the scan itself isn't too accurate if a patdown is needed AFTER the scan. What could they possibly be looking for??

Lost: A watch??????
Good grief.

 

[Disney Ella]

Sounds like the scan itself isn't too accurate if a patdown is needed AFTER the scan. What could they possibly be looking for??

Lost: A watch??????
Good grief.

I was thinking the same thing. I thought the advantage of the body scan was that it could see everything.

 

[nicpries]

I'll be traveling out of PHL with a 9 month old any idea of what to expect?

 

[goofy4tink]

I'll be traveling out of PHL with a 9 month old any idea of what to expect?

You may, or may not, be pulled out to go through the scanner. I would imagine the 9 mo old would go in your arms.

 

[nicpries]

You may, or may not, be pulled out to go through the scanner. I would imagine the 9 mo old would go in your arms.

Thank you. I was actually reading that I would have to pass her through to a employee. Not sure how comfortable I am with a stranger handeling her, but I'll have no other choice.

 

[Disney DieHard]

It didn't seem to me like this was said clearly enough so I will say it just to be thorough.

If the new procedures are actively being used ... sometimes the T.S.A. just uses the medal detectors ... but if the new "security" measures are being used you DO have a choice.

You do not have to walk through the scanner (Millimeter or Backscatter) ... you can instead opt out and take the pat-down. Please be advised that just because you choose to go through the scanner it does not mean you are safe from the pat-down.

As some who have read my post on the other boards here all ready know I will ALWAYS choose the pat-down over the scanners. I have VERY strong feelings on the new T.S.A. procedures which I will not post publicly on the boards anymore because I feel that the mods do not want any kind of debate over this subject.

Take Care & Be Safe!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Sounds like the scan itself isn't too accurate if a patdown is needed AFTER the scan. What could they possibly be looking for??

Lost: A watch??????
Good grief.

I have no idea why a watch was a problem (it was a normal Swiss Army watch), especially since the pat down did not involve touching any part of my arm or looking under the watch and the watch was clearly visible on my arm before I was directed to the scanner and I was not told to take it off.

The TSA agent involved was one of the most surly and disagreeable TSA employees I have encountered and I saw no sense in protesting the pat down. Better to just get it over with and be on my way.

 

[debster812]

We flew out of BOS in February. DH and I had to go through the full body scanners. I found it to be no more intrusive than a regular screening. DS, who is 13, was only made to walk through the regular metal detector.

Coming home, we flew out of RSW (Ft Myers) and it was just standard metal detectors.

 

[DebbieB]

Sounds like the scan itself isn't too accurate if a patdown is needed AFTER the scan. What could they possibly be looking for??

Lost: A watch??????
Good grief.

If something shows on the scan, they have to investigate. Otherwise, what is the purpose? I also think they like to mix it up for extra security.

They did catch my watch one time. The guard was radioed back "left arm". She pulled up my sleeve to see my watch and said OK.

 

[sto6917]

Two weeks ago I was given the pat down/full body/ whatever you call it because I had several bottles of liquid baby formula.

No problems- very professional- same gender security officer.

Whatever it takes to keep us safe!

 

[CPT Tripss]

On my return trip back to NJ I flew out of Chicago. The body scanners were being used. Everyone going through that security check went through the scanner. However, I had friends who went through different security checkgates and they were not bodyscanned. After I went through the body scan, there was an additional TSA agent patting down the passengers that went through the scan. However, the TSA agent who motioned you into the body scan would tell the 2nd TSA agent whether or not an additional "check" (pat down) was needed after the scan. Luckily, I did not have to be patted down. There was one woman in line who refused to go through the scan and chose the pat down instead. The TSA agent warned the women that it would be a "heavy" pat down. I was very curious what that meant..the women was patted down very heavily! She had hands all over her..

The "warning" to the woman and the "theater" for the other passengers to see is simply an intimidation practice to obtain greater citizen compliance.

Sounds like the scan itself isn't too accurate if a patdown is needed AFTER the scan. What could they possibly be looking for??

Lost: A watch??????
Good grief.

If the scan is accurate enogh to tell it was a watch, why the body search?

I'll be traveling out of PHL with a 9 month old any idea of what to expect?

The only "see through your clothes scanner" (STYCS) at PHL is (at least as of three days ago) at terminal E. Since a nine month old is too young to assume and hold the position, you should not be selected for the STYCS.

Two weeks ago I was given the pat down/full body/ whatever you call it because I had several bottles of liquid baby formula.

No problems- very professional- same gender security officer.

Whatever it takes to keep us safe!

The search probably didn't "keep us safe." Did they touch you everywhere? If not, we aren't "safe" since you could conceal "bad things" in those untouched places.

 

[Uncleromulus]

DebbieB:
Be interested to know what they find after they see "something" on the body scan. If they pinpoint "something" why not just look (or pat) there? Why the follow-up full body patdown?
Why do I think a lot of times they do it just so they can make you jump through yet another hoop---??

Lost: I figured as much--the watch was clearly visable where most watches are found--on your wrist.

 

[Elmo007]

I just flew through TPA on SW.On the airside they had 3-4 security lines, depending on which line you on determined whther you had a full body or a metal dector. I was on a body scan line but it look so much longer that the TSA agent pulled a bunch of us off line and had us go through metal detector.

I also like the fact that they had warning signs not to joke about bombs or terrorism