Local TSAs do not like opt-outs

[vacationclub]

No, i don't believe that the TSA considers everybody to be a potential terrorist.

Then why are they treating everyone that same way? Or are you saying it's really just security theater? It can't be both. Either they truly believe everyone is a terrorist, including 89 year-olds with soiled adult diapers, or cancer victims with prosthetic breasts or colostomy bags, OR it's a show to make people feel safer.

Pat downs are necessary but requesting additional ones for whatever reasons just strains an overloaded system imo..

I don't know anyone that "requests" a pat down....you are opting out of the other method they force on you, (radiation) so it's their decision to replace that with the manual pat down. They could certainly put your though the metal detector....I wish they would. But they INSIST you get the pat down. it's their decision, not your request.

Unless you have extraordinary powers of perception, I don't know how you'd know if the line behind you didn't back up due to you electing a hand search (since you're effectively out of the loop at that point).

EXACTLY!
You are out of the loop. You are no longer in the loop. Thus, the loop isn't being held up by you. You are standing inside a glass booth, or even in another room somewhere else. As I said before, they don't shut down machines so you get a pat down, any more than they shut down machines when they DEMAND you get a pat down. Neither results in less TSA agents standing at their posts.

fyi, my comments are based upon frequent travel and increasingly winding up in lines with 'issues'. Everybody has a different perspective, whether based upon X number of flights or anecdotal reports. I'm just trying to point out to those who may not travel frequently that by requesting a hand search they often inconvenience those behind them.
swing awayI've made my point.

It's simply not true. As I mentioned before, whenever the pat down occurs, they either initiated it (they chose to staff it) or if I opt out, they call on the radio for someone else to come over, and they keep doing their job at their post while another person shows up to take you to the pat down. I've done this many times. Have you ever counted how many TSA agents are standing around? There are lots of them. Even if what you are saying were true, that's the fault of the TSA, not the people being forced to comply with their limited options, that, according to you, they aren't staffed for.

 

[KGK]

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

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

Hahahahaha!!! Making me pee my pants! So funny! I must be a little green b/c I was surprised when they felt up my pony tail in Orlando. I had no idea that was done!!! I probably would be one of those people that is like "Yep, I sure will walk through that machine just because you told me to." I have no idea what one would even look like!

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.

Believe me, no one would want me to wear anything other than a wired bra. Mine is the hardest working piece of my wardrobe. These puppies are heavy!!! What I find odd is that my bra has never set off a machine, yet my pony tail apparently did something naughty.

 

[maxiesmom]

Mouthing off to a TSA agent is no more a revolution against the screening methods than a shopper mouthing off to a clerk in the meat departmet about the high cost of beef is a revolution agains the beef industry. If you are going to protest or start a revolution you need to involve those who are making the decisons. Not the people who are just doing their jobs and have no control. One person deciding to stir up trouble only causes a few eye-rolls and remarks about "What a jerk". They are not participating in a revolution.

For the record, I have no problem with people opting out. I do have a problem with people who behave like jerks when doing so and take their frustration out on the people who are just doing their jobs. Kind of like hitting someone with their hands tied behind their back. It is easy to be abusive to someone who can't defend themselves and do anything about it.

Being mouthy is not the same as starting a revoltion and that is a pretty pathetic attempt at justifying what is just rude, nasty behavior.

 

[goofy4tink]

You've taken a poll? Apparently the TSA felt differently last year.


That's very reassuring from someone on the internet. Thanks.

Yet you come down on people who did take a side....who did decide to opt out.

So, again, I'm asking you, have you done this poll? And, even if you did, or someone else has...WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ACTUAL DANGERS?

Great. Why do you care about the people for whom it IS a concern?

I am very sorry. I did not mean to start a debate. I am sorry if I posted a thread that no one cares about or worse, was a hot topic.

In my defence, I did search this topic and could find nothing recent so I assumed it wasn't a touchy subject anymore.

My apologies.

Oh please. You take issue with my numerical example?? My what-if??? Sorry. No, it's not exact or pefect. But, I do talk to a ton of travelers..and the vast majority just aren't as concerned as you. And that's their right. Just as it is your right to be concerned. I don't much care which way anyone feels. But, I do think that it's important to put out the opposing thoughts....the TSA proceedures just aren't all 'that' awful. Make a choice..up to you. But until the laws change, it's what it is.


Man, this subject gets tiring.

 

[keishashadow]

i've decided to opt out...of this thread

 

[Sugarlumples]

I was surprised when they felt up my pony tail in Orlando. I had no idea that was done!!! I probably would be one of those people that is like "Yep, I sure will walk through that machine just because you told me to." I have no idea what one would even look like!

Believe me, no one would want me to wear anything other than a wired bra. Mine is the hardest working piece of my wardrobe. These puppies are heavy!!! What I find odd is that my bra has never set off a machine, yet my pony tail apparently did something naughty.

I am giggling about the bra! And I have never heard of a ponytail search. That's wild! Was your hair held with the type of elastic with the little metal piece holding the two ends together? Traveling is always an interesting experience.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I don't fly often (thank goodness) but I'll take a quick scanner walk thru over a pat down any day.
I don't find it satisfying to "challange" TSA just for the fun of it..

 

[KGK]

i've decided to opt out...of this thread

some posters just like to argue. Good time to opt out!

 

[Poohs Pal]

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.


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.

Hmm Just having a little fun with my post..... I prefer not to go through the scanner but do so when required. I prefer not to be touched but deal with it. When we fly out of our little local airport it is usually about 6am and just about everyone in line is headed to Disney. Everyone in line usually ends of excitably talking about Disney. TSA agents are pretty cool and make the inconvience as easy as possible. Now when in Orlando it is a different story and we are all seriousness like everyone else in line. On my last trip my DF had to be taken to the little ROOM. She had knee replacement and carrys a letter from her doctor to give to TSA. regardless after the scanner she was taken to the little room. Apparently for bomb residue on her hands for which she was not told about until after the 3rd person talked to her. So here's the deal. I guess if you wash your hands at the airport rest rooms and don't rinse really really good it can set off the scanner that you have bomb residue on your hands. This happened in Orlando during our November trip. She was told that the machine had been messing up and sending off the alert all day..... Made us feel really great about the accuracy of these machine's and the BIG mistake's that could be made. That Said I still feel the need for security measures.

 

[CatNipRules]

I figure that I would much rather deal with a quick walk through a scanner rather than having someone feel me up.

This trip will be the first time that I've flown in nearly 15 years. I figure that walking through a scanner can't be anymore or anyless dangerous than working with a computer all day. I'm not sure how long it takes, but if it gets me on the way to Orlando, then scan away baby!!

Heck, if I was afraid of the dangers of everyday appliances then I would never watch tv. Never use a computer and probably never drive a car. This is just one of those inconveniences that we need to learn to live with. Like the baggage checks at Disney. It's damn inconvenient, but necessary for the greater good.

For those of you that choose to not do the scanner, that's your right. Just like it's my right to do it.

The only one that's touching these ta-ta's is me or my husband. Oh and my doctor. LOL!!

 

[CPT Tripss]

I am very sorry. I did not mean to start a debate. I am sorry if I posted a thread that no one cares about or worse, was a hot topic.

No need to be sorry. Having Airport Security Screeners do their job is the right thing to do.

No, i don't believe that the TSA considers everybody to be a potential terrorist.
snip

Then why are all travelers subjected to searches of their person and possessions? Seems a lot like guilty until determined innocent.

I figure that I would much rather deal with a quick walk through a scanner rather than having someone feel me up.

snip

The only one that's touching these ta-ta's is me or my husband. Oh and my doctor. LOL!!

Many women have "alarmed" the scanner and got felt up by an Airport Security Screener. You will get felt up if they decide you need it or you won't fly.