If you are being "randomly selected" for the metal detector every time...

[Magpie]

...try taking your cellphone holster off your hip (and out from under your shirt), and hold it in your hand.

Also, don't stuff the pockets of your cargo shorts full.

My husband (white, 50, golf shirt untucked over cargo shorts, cellphone hip holster) was getting chosen every time and, while at first it was funny, after many days it was starting to annoy him. I haven't been chosen yet, and we've been here fully seven days so far, park hopping every day. But, all I'm wearing is a fitted sundress with no pockets and a magicband.

So, I suggested my husband start taking his cellphone out from under his shirt before entering the parks, and now it seems he's only getting chosen when he's got our rain ponchos in his cargo pockets. He's much happier now that he doesn't feel so singled out.

Just a tip as I've seen lots of men dressed like my husband!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Thanks for the tip. I wanted to try the cargo shorts route next time in place of carrying a bag, so I will make sure not to overstuff.

 

[ajfd]

On our last trip, we only went through the bag line once. The rest of the time we put our string bags and stuff in our pockets when entering a park.

One day was especially egregious with stuffing my pockets ... two string bags, a book of SOTMK cards, 4 pages of SOTMK cards (grouped by attack type), cell phone, bottle of spray suntan, bottle of water, wallet.

Went through the "no bags" line at MK and the security guard at the checkpoint asked about my pockets. I pulled out stuff from each pocket in turn to show. Took about 20 seconds and was on my way. (I tend to fold everything nicely on the way into the pockets for just this reason).

No big deal and was significantly faster than the bag check line. To clarify, this was not the guard that does the random selection for the metal detector, but the one that stands right by the entrance to the "no bag" line.

So, I did receive some additional screening, but it different than being selected for the metal detector.

 

[Magpie]

On our last trip, we only went through the bag line once. The rest of the time we put our string bags and stuff in our pockets when entering a park.

One day was especially egregious with stuffing my pockets ... two string bags, a book of SOTMK cards, 4 pages of SOTMK cards (grouped by attack type), cell phone, bottle of spray suntan, bottle of water, wallet.

Went through the "no bags" line at MK and the security guard at the checkpoint asked about my pockets. I pulled out stuff from each pocket in turn to show. Took about 20 seconds and was on my way. (I tend to fold everything nicely on the way into the pockets for just this reason).

No big deal and was significantly faster than the bag check line. To clarify, this was not the guard that does the random selection for the metal detector, but the one that stands right by the entrance to the "no bag" line.

So, I did receive some additional screening, but it different than being selected for the metal detector.

Last night my husband got both screenings!

I imagine the thought processes of the metal detector guards going something like this...

"Could this person be hiding anything dangerous?"

"Have I randomly chosen anyone from this demographic recently? Oh, a wheelchair bound octogenarian!"

"No one else is coming through the gate right now and I'm bored. Sir, if you will just step this way..."

 

[joxer1014]

Sounds like a good tip but my 18 yr old daughter was selected at least 4 times on our 5 day trip. All she was carrying was her Vera hipster with a wallet and cellphone in it. We would go through the bag line then she was always asked to go through the metal detector. Maybe because she wasn't using her Mickey Vera hipster??

 

[Disbug]

Our last trip I got chosen every day for every park! My daughter thought this was hilarious! By the last day, I was assuring everyone that the law of averages would start evening out and I would NOT be chosen. Ummm..... wrong! Chosen again! The only thing I could think of was I was wearing very dark sunglasses?

 

[ars0525]

We walked into HS last Sat night thru the no bag line with another couple. BF had on cargo shorts, but nothing in the pockets. We breezed thru. Other guy had cargo shorts on & you could tell was all loaded up lumpy bumpy. He was asked to hold on & empty his pockets. Which I would totally expect to be stopped if I had loaded my pants up & not be upset about it, but I guess some people do get that way.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

The best way to avoid getting picked is to hang back until they have chosen someone else, then move. They have limited resources and don't even glance at most people coming into the park.

 

[Skywise]

What if you just scream "Andy's coming!"?

 

[OKW Lover]

...try taking your cellphone holster off your hip (and out from under your shirt), and hold it in your hand.

I always have my cellphone in a belt clip holder. So far (10+ park visits since this started) I haven't been randomly selected.

Next theory...

 

[ParrotBill]

Phones in belt clips holders - If they are the type with a pocket the phones slips into and a flap, I get stopped every time. Hoping my new clip with iPhone fully visible will be more agreeable.

 

[lucas]

What exactly do they do for the extra search?

 

[tjmw2727]

I was solo last weekend, female in my 50's dressed in shorts and t shirt/polo (no cargo pockets). Slim IPhone 5 in one pocket and just a cc'd and id in the other - my pockets were not stuffed by any means!

Entered Epcot via IG several times (stayed at BWI) and also the main entrance once, animal kingdom 2x and MK once and was selected to walk through the metal detector every time except one and that was at the Epcot IG!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Over our Christmas trip for 15 days I was chosen almost every time I walked through...now, I am a heavyset, 45 year old woman, it was very hot so I had on shorts and a fitted tank top and no bags at all...and almost every time! It does start to get annoying...it stops you in your tracks and even though it is just a few minutes, it is a pain...plus I am very sure me, walking in with my significant other, my 17 year old son and 11 year o;d daughter am NOT the demographic they are looking for!

We were at the check point one time and another man had been chosen right after me...and he was throwing a fit because, like me, apparently every time he had gone through the gates he was chosen. He was going to file a complaint...I hope he did...

 

[jneal3285]

All she was carrying was her Vera hipster with a wallet and cellphone in it.

I hope this doesn't sound cynical, but I think they "randomly" pick people that will be able to go quickly through the metal detectors and be on their way.


My wife and SIL get picked EVERY time. I believe it's because they can just put their bag (which was already searched) aside, and go quickly through the metal detectors since their gym shorts/tanks/leggings don't have pockets and cant really conceal anything dangerous.

 

[linzbear]

I hope this doesn't sound cynical, but I think they "randomly" pick people that will be able to go quickly through the metal detectors and be on their way.


My wife and SIL get picked EVERY time. I believe it's because they can just put their bag (which was already searched) aside, and go quickly through the metal detectors since their gym shorts/tanks/leggings don't have pockets and cant really conceal anything dangerous.

They absolutely do. They do it in airports, too. They need to hit x number of people in y time, and need to pull people that actually look suspicious, so they pick out "easy" people randomly to pad the number.

 

[Magpie]

What exactly do they do for the extra search?

Just have you empty your pockets of anything metal and walk through a metal detector. It's very quick, but some people seem to take it as a personal affront to be chosen (I overheard men sounding annoyed at the guards a couple times... Women, children and the disabled seem more likely to find it funny.).

 

[Malibustyle23]

What exactly do they do for the extra search?

A complete colonoscopy!

 

[SueM in MN]

We just got back from a 14 day trip and everyone in our group of 5 adults got chosen at least once. We had a 7 yr old child with us, who figured he should go thru the metal detector too since his mom was chosen.
They randomly selected my younger daughter who uses a wheelchair. After finding out that she couldn't get out of the wheelchair and walk thru the metal detector, they wanded her. A wheelchair makes the wand go off quite a few times though.

 

[Lothlórien]

My husband wears a cellphone holster and has yet to be chosen. He is a sexy Hispanic. . LOL

My 18-year-old daughter, 100 lbs, carrying nothing seems to be the one they are after.

His sister has been chosen as well. Also Hispanic. My husband is more Spanish looking while his sister is dark and actually looks middle-eastern Indian.