Local TSAs do not like opt-outs

[littleaussie]

I flew out of our small regional airport to Orlando last week. They had 1 body scanner. I won the lottery for the scanner. I chose to "opt-out". What a hassle it was for them! I told the 1st TSA I wanted to opt-out. He asked me, "Are you sure?" I said yes. He said, "You will have to submit to a pat-down". I said that was fine. He asked me a 3rd time if I really wanted to opt-out. I said yes. I then had to wait for several minutes while everyone under the sun was consulted.

They finally got organized and started the script about what would happen. I meekly asked to be patted down privately. Again, it was a wait of several minutes while they had to find a 2nd female TSA to go behind closed doors with us (I am female and my pat-down TSA was also female).

I don't think they get too many requests to opt-out. Wish more people would. It seemed to be a big hassle for everyone involved.

Once I emerged from behind closed doors, many of the passengers looked at me like I was a bad person, I got a big laugh out of that. I'm sure they thought I had been pulled away for suspicious activity or something and was interrogated behind closed doors.

Just thought I would share with you all. I did the body scanner at Orlando last year. And asked for a souvenir photo but was denied that request

 

[Carina]

Why do you wish more people would opt-out?

 

[Pikezh638]

Haha. Sounds like something my dad would do too haha . I somehow always get chosen for the body scanners, and I just found out my airport got one and last time I flew I was the lucky winner.

I just go ahead and do it, but I don't like to rock the boat.

 

[Sugarlumples]

My local airport recently got scanners and I went through it and they saw something "suspicious" so the TSA agent (female) said she had to pat down my breast area. I told her it was my Mickey necklace and that I could remove it and go through again (on a previous trip the TSA agent had told me to move the necklace more up to my shoulder and it would be fine...which it always had been until this experience.) She refused to let me go through again and said she had to pat me down.

She asked if I wanted to go to a private location and I said no, because I wanted witnesses to this stranger violating my personal space. She ran her hand inbetween my clevage, down the side of my right breast, and under my breast. It was definitely not the best way to start my trip, but surprise surprise she didn't find anything because it was my necklace all along. And the grand finale was that I also got my hands swabbed for bomb residue. Awesome.

We always laugh about how I am singled out on almost every flight for extra screenings, pat downs, hand swabs, shoe swabs, bag swabs, bottle swabs, etc. I fly frequently, so it does get old. I dunno why I get "special treatment", but I do.

So what I learned...just take off the necklace unless I want to be felt up.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Why do you wish more people would opt-out?

I am also curious why you would want this. When it's my turn to be "felt up" I always ask for a male TSA agent. I have been a widow for a while and it's my only chance for a little fun. Of course I am always denied this request and given a female TSA agent for the freebie..... Last time I flew with Dsis it was her turn for the freebie and when the agent checked the breast area Dsis hollered "WOO HOO" which cracked everyone up. Of course we fly out of Flint Michigan and the TSA there are not so up tight like Orlando. Susan

 

[Sugarlumples]

When it's my turn to be "felt up" I always ask for a male TSA agent. I have been a widow for a while and it's my only chance for a little fun.

 

[vacationclub]

Why do you wish more people would opt-out?

So it forces them to think twice about what an ordeal they are going to make it.

I always opt out from back-scatter, and sometimes from millimeter waves if the line isn't crazy. I get the same confused look, like..."uh, we actually have to do this?" Then they read the stupid script...and I say "uh, huh" faster than they can get it out of their mouth, as I tell them to just get to it already.

I am also curious why you would want this.

Getting felt up in front of other American citizens who witness what idocy their government is imposing on their fellow citizens is FAR better than privately subjecting yourself to something that may haunt you years later. If the price to pay for avoiding unproven radiation bombarding my body (that pilots have already complained loud enough about that they don't have to do it) is to get felt up...then....sold.

 

[KGK]

I am also curious why you would want this. When it's my turn to be "felt up" I always ask for a male TSA agent. I have been a widow for a while and it's my only chance for a little fun. Of course I am always denied this request and given a female TSA agent for the freebie..... Last time I flew with Dsis it was her turn for the freebie and when the agent checked the breast area Dsis hollered "WOO HOO" which cracked everyone up. Of course we fly out of Flint Michigan and the TSA there are not so up tight like Orlando. Susan

I so wish these board had a "like" button! much easier than a post and

 

[littleaussie]

Why do you wish more people would opt-out?

I think vacationclub nailed the answer. It just seemed like a huge inconvenience for them to do a pat-down. They seemed to try to dissuade me from doing it. What if more people started insisting on it? They would have to hire more staff to expidite this process. I never thought about staging a show for all to see but that is on my list next time!

I'm all for safe travel and such but until it is a proven method to be safe for passengers and to reduce terrorism, I will opt-out and inconvenience the TSAs. As long as I don't miss my flight. . .

BTW, love your answer Poohs Pal! Thanks for the laugh

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm not sure what kind of proof people want that a pat down works. Makes it kind of hard to hide something on your person, doesn't it? Will any method work 100%? I doubt it.

I'm also not sure what anyone thinks they are proving by making smart comments to the TSA agents. It doesn't help anything, and just makes the person mouthing off look like a jerk. Those agents are doing their job, they can't suddenly go "Well, ok, you have a point. No more scans or pat-downs!" Being mouthy solves nothing.

From what I have seen on the news the last few days, they will no longer let you go thru the scan a second time, if you fail it the first time. Maybe they used to, but that is not the case anymore. It is much smarter to travel without an item on your person that is known to alarm the TSA. Why would anyone continue to wear a necklace, knowing it draws the attention of the TSA? Put it in your carry-on and put it on after the screening. Why make things more difficult than they need to be?

I don't know but it almost seems that some people think they are proving some sort of point by annoying the TSA or get some joy out of causing issues. Because anyone who honestly hopes to change the way things are done knows they don't go about it by being mouthy or making the TSA have to pat you down.

 

[serenitygr]

When it's my turn to be "felt up" I always ask for a male TSA agent. I have been a widow for a while and it's my only chance for a little fun. Of course I am always denied this request and given a female TSA agent for the freebie..... Last time I flew with Dsis it was her turn for the freebie and when the agent checked the breast area Dsis hollered "WOO HOO" which cracked everyone up. Of course we fly out of Flint Michigan and the TSA there are not so up tight like Orlando. Susan

I'm sorry but I will be laughing over this response for a good long time! I'm all for security- my brother is a pilot for TWA, and I'm the biggest chicken in the world as far as flying, so i have good reasons to want those planes SAFE!! I've even prepared my "first time flying" children about what could happen as far as pat-downs and such- I would never question the merit of doing this. I'd prefer to land safely and alive! But still- this answer just has got me laughing!! Wish I had the guts to say WOOHOO if they did it to me! Talk about lightening up the airport crowd!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I meekly asked to be patted down privately. Again, it was a wait of several minutes while they had to find a 2nd female TSA to go behind closed doors with us (I am female and my pat-down TSA was also female).

Well, you added to the fuss by asking to have a private screening. So take some of that responsibility.

I don't mind the pat down at all, and in fact I simply feel bad for the agents as I tend to be a sweaty person.

I was chosen for the machine on my last outbound flight at Seatac and opted out, she did have to go through the spiel on a small card clipped to her uniform, I answered her questions, she re-gloved, I assumed the position, and it was maybe a minute. She did swab my hands, and the longest part of the process was the backup at the swab machine. She even made sure that my stuff was moved so I could keep an eye on it, as I was solo.

So what I learned...just take off the necklace unless I want to be felt up.

Probably the best solution. I take off all jewelry but tiny earrings and my rings. ALWAYS have, even before TSA existed.

I have been a widow for a while and it's my only chance for a little fun.

Also wanted to add that once my small barrette set off the machines at LAX. Talk about annoying! I was stressed b/c hubby's *zipper* had just set it off and he was being wanded (he had taken off his belt, as he always does, and the zipper was the only bit of metal he had on him, and the zipper area is where the wand made noise = it was his zipper that set it off). I was watching DS, and then I kept setting off the machine. Just as she was about to send me off to be wanded to, pointing where to go, and I was piping up about having my son right there and we couldn't leave him alone, when the lady behind me said "you have a barrette". It was one of the inch-ish long Goody barrettes (the kind we used to wrap ribbon around in the late 70s), and when I took it off and went back through, I didn't set off the machine.

The smallest amounts of metal CAN set things off. I believe those LAX machines had just been recalibrated, because that sort of thing has never happened again to us as we go through them. But it's just best to take off as much metal as you can.

 

[vacationclub]

I'm not sure what kind of proof people want that a pat down works. Makes it kind of hard to hide something on your person, doesn't it?

I don't think people are looking for proof that a pat-down "works". I think it's more about if it's warranted. Sure, pulling over every single car that tries to get on the interstate and search it for drugs works....but is it prudent?

I'm also not sure what anyone thinks they are proving by making smart comments to the TSA agents. It doesn't help anything, and just makes the person mouthing off look like a jerk. Those agents are doing their job, they can't suddenly go "Well, ok, you have a point. No more scans or pat-downs!" Being mouthy solves nothing.

Not sure what a smart comment is exactly, but who cares if they look like a jerk to someone they feel is much, much worse that a jerk? Yes, they are doing their job, doesn't mean they have immunity for what they are doing. They are agents of the United States, they represent our government, and they work for us. They are accountable to us. We can say ANYTHING we want to them if we feel they deserve it. They make decisions on who to "randomly" pull out of line and pat-down. They decide to take out prosthetic breasts, adult diapers....that is their decision. They chose that job. They get whatever the public decides to give them in return.

Those agents are doing their job, they can't suddenly go "Well, ok, you have a point. No more scans or pat-downs!" Being mouthy solves nothing..

Wrong. It actually worked after the public revolt of late 2010 and early 2011. The massive public outrage resulted in TSA backing off, and even publicly stating they will be more sensitive. Now, they force fewer people through the scanners than they once did.

From what I have seen on the news the last few days, they will no longer let you go thru the scan a second time, if you fail it the first time. Maybe they used to, but that is not the case anymore. It is much smarter to travel without an item on your person that is known to alarm the TSA. Why would anyone continue to wear a necklace, knowing it draws the attention of the TSA? Put it in your carry-on and put it on after the screening. Why make things more difficult than they need to be?.

Yea, why would anyone wear a bra...that, oh by way, might have a wire in it that sets off a metal detector in some airports and not in others. Pat down. Oops, forgot to remove the belt because you're too busy watching your stuff to make sure it goes into the x-ray: Pat down. Or, gosh, how about the various medical instruments that will fail any scan: Patdown, no matter how old or non-threatening. The terrorists won....big time. They are laughing at us. The Israelis are also laughing at us, and our knee-jerk government of non-logical responses that don't work and haven't caught a single terrorist for which they were designed.

I don't know but it almost seems that some people think they are proving some sort of point by annoying the TSA or get some joy out of causing issues. Because anyone who honestly hopes to change the way things are done knows they don't go about it by being mouthy or making the TSA have to pat you down.

And yet that's EXACTLY what happened. That's EXACTLY what was threatened on Thanksgiving of 2010, when there was concerns of mass opt-outs that the TSA simply wouldn't be able to handle (due to how long an opt-out takes).

I don't recall any revolutions that weren't a little loud or messy.

 

[littleaussie]

Well, you added to the fuss by asking to have a private screening. So take some of that responsibility.

I do take responsibility. If regulations require that I have the option to have a private screening, I don't see how I am adding to the fuss by exercising that option. Yes, it is more of a hassle but hey, it is part of their job. What I don't get is how they try to dissuade you from taking an option they have decided to allow in their regulations.

 

[Sugarlumples]

From what I have seen on the news the last few days, they will no longer let you go thru the scan a second time, if you fail it the first time. Maybe they used to, but that is not the case anymore. It is much smarter to travel without an item on your person that is known to alarm the TSA. Why would anyone continue to wear a necklace, knowing it draws the attention of the TSA? Put it in your carry-on and put it on after the screening. Why make things more difficult than they need to be?

I had the necklace on because I had previously gone through at least 6 other scanners in various airports with the same necklace on and never once had a problem. I went through scanners several times without even moving the necklace at all and never got patted down. I only started moving it up after one agent mentioned that it might be a good idea while we were chatting while waiting for my clearance to go ahead. But, silly me for thinking that my TSA experience would be consistent.

 

[maxiesmom]

Unfortunately that is true! That is one huge beef I have, that they are not consistent. If you want shoes in a bin, every place should want them in a bin. Not some in a bin and some on a belt. I know the last time I had to be patted down came after setting of the WTMD twice, and now apparently you only get one shot.

When flying I now dress in a way that I hope will cause the least amount of problems. I wear no jewelry at all until I am thru security. My watch and earrings are in my carry-on case, as is my belt. I've had a foil from a piece of gum set of the alarm before, so I am very careful about how much metal is on my person. It is part of being a smart flyer.


I have something to say to the poster who said revolutions are loud and messy. One person lipping off is not a revolution. It is someone being a jerk. By and large the TSA agents do their job in the proper manner. As in every job you will have a few who are tools. But no good comes from being smart mouthed. Lipping off to anyone who is doing their job, be it a maid or a cop or a TSA agent just makes the person running off at the mouth look like an idiot. And it is not very grown-up behavior. It certainly is not a revolution.

And I thought that the mass opt-out was pretty much regarded as a failure.

 

[goofy4tink]

And, here we go, yet again. So, the OP is curious as to why the TSA agents made such a big deal??? Perhaps they are less comfortable doing the pat down then you are having it done. I know that I wouldn't want that job. That's probably all there was to it. And add to that the fact that they probably don't get all that many requests for pat downs in a smaller airport.

If people don't like the way it's done, complain to the govt. The TSA workers are doing their job. Why make it harder for them?? I have yet to meet a jerk TSA worker. The vast majority have been cheerful and helpful. Yes, I have run into the occasional person who is a bit more 'serious' and takes things very much to heart..so I adjust my attitude.
The rules are the rules...period. You don't want to go through the machines, then you get a pat down. So...now we have posters complaining about TSA people who are hesitant about doing the pat downs...somewhat unfamilier with the whole proceedure...and awhile ago, we had posters complaining that these same TSA workers were enjoying their jobs and liked doing the pat downs. Can't win here.

You want things to change??? Complain to the appropriate agency. Just don't do it in the security line!! Smart mouth comments, smart alec behaviour only slows it down for everyone.

 

[vacationclub]

I had the necklace on because I had previously gone through at least 6 other scanners in various airports with the same necklace on and never once had a problem. I went through scanners several times without even moving the necklace at all and never got patted down. I only started moving it up after one agent mentioned that it might be a good idea while we were chatting while waiting for my clearance to go ahead. But, silly me for thinking that my TSA experience would be consistent.

Not surprising at all. There is absolutely no consistency in their methods, their rules, their equipment sensitivity or their logic. I've been through at least 20 airports in the last 2 years and still have new and random experiences that are completely opposite of what I would experience somewhere else. One TSA bozo in ROC even scolded me for having 9 volt batteries because "that's what terrorists use". My response: "that's what kids toys use too".

Nice work, Sherlock.

I have something to say to the poster who said revolutions are loud and messy. One person lipping off is not a revolution.

No, but tens of thousands..... who said anything about one?

It is someone being a jerk.

Perhaps in the eyes of the person on the receiving end....so what? I'm pretty sure cops that were beating protesters in Egypt thought those people were being jerks too.

By and large the TSA agents do their job in the proper manner. As in every job you will have a few who are tools. But no good comes from being smart mouthed.

Wrong. As I just pointed out when you made that statement the first time, it actually did work. The TSA responded to all those "jerks" (uh, I mean tax paying citizens protected by the constitution) and publicly responded by promising to change their tactics. They definitely have lightened up a bit, but their completely lack of logic in certain situations still exists.

Lipping off to anyone who is doing their job, be it a maid or a cop or a TSA agent just makes the person running off at the mouth look like an idiot.

Again, see the Egypt revolution reference above...

And it is not very grown-up behavior. It certainly is not a revolution.

You apparently haven't attended any recently. Revolutions aren't restricted to only people exhibiting "grown-up" behavior and non "jerk" or "idiot" like actions.

And I thought that the mass opt-out was pretty much regarded as a failure.

The point was that it was a tactic threatened...the TSA prepared for it and knew it would work if attempted.

The question was asked "why would someone choose a patdown". The answer, is because it forces them to do it, slowing them down, inconveniencing them. Great...then don't make patdowns so aggresive...don't make people go through machines that radiated them.

They are setting the rules, but they are hoping people don't call them on their own rules.

 

[paults]

I'm not sure what kind of proof people want that a pat down works. Makes it kind of hard to hide something on your person, doesn't it? Will any method work 100%? I doubt it.

I'm also not sure what anyone thinks they are proving by making smart comments to the TSA agents. It doesn't help anything, and just makes the person mouthing off look like a jerk. Those agents are doing their job, they can't suddenly go "Well, ok, you have a point. No more scans or pat-downs!" Being mouthy solves nothing.

From what I have seen on the news the last few days, they will no longer let you go thru the scan a second time, if you fail it the first time. Maybe they used to, but that is not the case anymore. It is much smarter to travel without an item on your person that is known to alarm the TSA. Why would anyone continue to wear a necklace, knowing it draws the attention of the TSA? Put it in your carry-on and put it on after the screening. Why make things more difficult than they need to be?

I don't know but it almost seems that some people think they are proving some sort of point by annoying the TSA or get some joy out of causing issues. Because anyone who honestly hopes to change the way things are done knows they don't go about it by being mouthy or making the TSA have to pat you down.

here! here! I'll drink to this, can't agree with you more. I have a new knee and get the pat down all the time. I just get it over with and move on. Let them do their jobs and keep the lines moving.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not surprising at all. There is absolutely no consistency in their methods, their rules, their equipment sensitivity or their logic. I've been through at least 20 airports in the last 2 years and still have new and random experiences that are completely opposite of what I would experience somewhere else. One TSA bozo in ROC even scolded me for having 9 volt batteries because "that's what terrorists use". My response: "that's what kids toys use too".

Nice work, Sherlock.


No, but tens of thousands..... who said anything about one?
Perhaps in the eyes of the person on the receiving end....so what? I'm pretty sure cops that were beating protesters in Egypt thought those people were being jerks too.


Wrong. As I just pointed out when you made that statement the first time, it actually did work. The TSA responded to all those "jerks" (uh, I mean tax paying citizens protected by the constitution) and publicly responded by promising to change their tactics. They definitely have lightened up a bit, but their completely lack of logic in certain situations still exists.

Again, see the Egypt revolution reference above...


You apparently haven't attended any recently. Revolutions aren't restricted to only people exhibiting "grown-up" behavior and non "jerk" or "idiot" like actions.

The point was that it was a tactic threatened...the TSA prepared for it and knew it would work if attempted.

The question was asked "why would someone choose a patdown". The answer, is because it forces them to do it, slowing them down, inconveniencing them. Great...then don't make patdowns so aggresive...don't make people go through machines that radiated them.

They are setting the rules, but they are hoping people don't call them on their own rules.

Oh please. There just aren't all that many people that truly care about this. Is it safe??? Most likely for the average person. You go through those things every day then maybe there are consequences...so opt out. Yeah, I know...there are scientific findings that say they are not safe, that they are frying our brains. On the other hand, there are scientific findings that say they are safe. I don't come down on either side. Sometimes I even choose the nasty old backscatter machines...the line can be a lot shorter.

But truly??? If you asked 1000 people, in the airport, if they were concerned about the xray machines in security (and you have to call them xray machines otherwise no one knows what the heck you're talking about), the vast majority (probably about 900) will tell you no, they don't even think about it.

Does that mean proceedures shouldn't be changed? No. Things can be made easier. It would be nice if all TSA checkpoints used the same proceedures. It would be nice if they were all on the same page. I have worn exactly the same thing, coming and going, and set off the machines in one airport but not the other one..go figure. I have slipped through with Chapstick in my pocket before. Other times, they didn't catch it...most of the time they don't.

Consistency would be nice. That's about all I care about. I need to know what to expect. Going through those stupid machines just isn't a concern for me.