Randomly selected for screening at EPCOT

[ajfd]

This is a demonstration of how it is not random. "Random" would be: "I will just take the next person who comes by, irrespective of who that is." Non-random is: "I am going to make a bee-line for that lady over there."

If the methodology is "I'm going to select the next person that passes a specific point", then it can be random, without bias, and allows the guard to make a "bee-line" to that person, especially if the "point" is prior to where you, the observed, think it actually is.

 

[lovethattink]

My dh I have been picked so many times. In fact, more times than not! I was convinced it's not random. Then I noticed last time at DHS that a security cm looked like he was heading right to me. I stopped and waited for dh and ds to get through bag check and his direction changed a bit and he chose the next person.

Since then, I read posts where others had the same experience.

I've bought into the randomness now.

 

[Tattylou]

We were there in April and every adult in our party got picked at least once. I asked them how they choose and the security guy told me they do every 4th or 5th person...not sure if that's true or not, but that is what he said.

 

[mckennarose]

....
The thread I mentioned above seemed to also have some very non intimidating people (Grandparents and petite moms of toddlers) who got picked frequently as well. I think they try to pick those people often enough to make it "seem" more random.

I've been watching them all week while we're here and I agree that some of it is random, some is not, but they're careful to keep a steady flow of people through the extra screening. IMO, it's to keep it looking "random". All of my family members have been picked at least once this week, some more than once.

I've also been more aware of how many security you DON'T see or pay attention to. Plain clothes, other security that "look" like they're just hanging around but are watching. In Epcot on Monday, a girl went through the bag-less entry with a small purse (she was walking by my hubby who went through at the same time), made it past the extra security area and was walking near us as we approached Spaceship Earth when a security person came up and asked her to come back to security for screening.

 

[JimmyV]

If the methodology is "I'm going to select the next person that passes a specific point", then it can be random, without bias, and allows the guard to make a "bee-line" to that person, especially if the "point" is prior to where you, the observed, think it actually is.

In theory, that is correct. But 10 minutes of observation will reveal that it isn't quite as random as people passing a checkpoint. What happens is that once the person in the metal detector is just about finished being screened, the guards will begin looking for their next subject. At that time, 15-20 people are finishing up with their bag check, (or passing through the no bag line). Theses are the potential subjects. At this point it is mostly random. Most people do not manipulate the timing of when they pass through the bag check. (But it can be done. See below*). So who is among the 15-20 potential subjects is mostly random. But who among those 15-20 gets picked is not. The security person surveys those people and purposefully chooses which person s/he wants screened. I don't know what criteria they use, but they definitely pick someone out and head right to them. Some people just seem to get picked a lot. 10 out of 14 is a meaningful number as reported here. On our last trip, my brother was 8 out of 9. I was always entering at the same time and it was 0 out of 9 for me. 0 out of 9 for my daughter and 1 out of 9 for my wife. And if I am being honest about which of the four of us I would select if I were the security guard? It would be my brother.

*So how do you decrease your chances of getting picked if it means that much to you? Always go through the bag line. As the guard is checking your bag, scan around to watch as people get selected for extra screening. Don't leave the bag check table until someone in your area has just been picked. If you need to delay until someone else gets picked, just pretend to stumble and fumble with your stuff to buy some time. Fiddle with your zipper. Check your camera's lens cap. But be ready to move as soon as someone else gets picked and then walk through moving away from where the extra screening guard is. And if this doesn't work, then you weren't randomly selected. You were specifically chosen and there is nothing that you could have done.

 

[murmer]

I was chosen at DLR last month while pushing my infant in a stroller.

What did they have you do with the stroller? I have a disabled child in a wheelchair that has a fear of metal detectors (I don't understand it but it is what it is). I would love to know what they do with strollers so I can prep in case we get pulled. I would rather we not start out day with a melt down over a metal detector.

 

[abner1776]

I get picked about 90% of the time...why, I don't know. Sometimes I am alone and sometimes with my DW. In every case I am basically "naked" from a security standpoint...tee shirt, shorts and sneakers. No bags, no backpacks, no nothing. I am 66 and fair skinned Irish...

 

[DVCcurious]

Whenever I approach bag check and I'm mumbling to myself about "the man holding me down" or "the evil 1%" or I'm speaking to myself in arabic I get picked. But when I approach security and I'm totally quiet I don't get picked.

So I'd say their selection process is pretty random. Sometimes I'm picked, sometimes I'm not.

 

[Maxie86]

In February I got pulled over every time we entered Epcot through the IG, never in any other park. DH only got pulled over once...in MK I think. I was wearing my Pandora Disney bracelet and it would set off the metal detector and I would have to be wanded...after the second time I stopped wearing my bracelet so I wouldn't make it beep. Going through the metal detector doesn't add much time but if you're wearing jewelry and set it off standing there with your legs apart and arms out while someone uses the wand it definitely does. Won't be a problem for our next trip in August, it will be too hot to wear any jewelry. LOL

 

[Clare Voince]

In theory, that is correct. But 10 minutes of observation will reveal that it isn't quite as random as people passing a checkpoint. What happens is that once the person in the metal detector is just about finished being screened, the guards will begin looking for their next subject. At that time, 15-20 people are finishing up with their bag check, (or passing through the no bag line). Theses are the potential subjects. At this point it is mostly random. Most people do not manipulate the timing of when they pass through the bag check. (But it can be done. See below*). So who is among the 15-20 potential subjects is mostly random. But who among those 15-20 gets picked is not. The security person surveys those people and purposefully chooses which person s/he wants screened. I don't know what criteria they use, but they definitely pick someone out and head right to them. Some people just seem to get picked a lot. 10 out of 14 is a meaningful number as reported here. On our last trip, my brother was 8 out of 9. I was always entering at the same time and it was 0 out of 9 for me. 0 out of 9 for my daughter and 1 out of 9 for my wife. And if I am being honest about which of the four of us I would select if I were the security guard? It would be my brother.

*So how do you decrease your chances of getting picked if it means that much to you? Always go through the bag line. As the guard is checking your bag, scan around to watch as people get selected for extra screening. Don't leave the bag check table until someone in your area has just been picked. If you need to delay until someone else gets picked, just pretend to stumble and fumble with your stuff to buy some time. Fiddle with your zipper. Check your camera's lens cap. But be ready to move as soon as someone else gets picked and then walk through moving away from where the extra screening guard is. And if this doesn't work, then you weren't randomly selected. You were specifically chosen and there is nothing that you could have done.

I don't think you should be advising people on how to avoid getting picked. This thread is taking a dangerous turn. We WANT them to do their jobs, not try to help people avoid security.

 

[Skywise]

Whenever I approach bag check and I'm mumbling to myself about "the man holding me down" or "the evil 1%" or I'm speaking to myself in arabic I get picked. But when I approach security and I'm totally quiet I don't get picked.

So I'd say their selection process is pretty random. Sometimes I'm picked, sometimes I'm not.

Yeah I was trying to get around it by just saying things out loud like "I love Disney World", "I bought DVC memberships for all my extended family", "Bob Iger is awesome" and they still picked me to go through security! In fact they kept giving me weird looks...

 

[MIChessGuy]

Yeah I was trying to get around it by just saying things out loud like "I love Disney World", "I bought DVC memberships for all my extended family", "Bob Iger is awesome" and they still picked me to go through security! In fact they kept giving me weird looks...

I tried this by musing aloud, "Boy, Cars 2 is the greatest work in the history of cinema!" But an officer motioned me over. "Wait! I meant, uh...Home on the Range." Then there were four officers plus a dog. Darn.

 

[jmkjr72]

The other day for early adrs and tours they were running everyone through
Been in the parks everyday sense last Saturday and even hopped many days only 1 time did I not get pulled for extra screening

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Fiddle with your zipper.

That could draw a different kind of attention.

 

[Skywise]

I tried this by musing aloud, "Boy, Cars 2 is the greatest work in the history of cinema!" But an officer motioned me over. "Wait! I meant, uh...Home on the Range." Then there were four officers plus a dog. Darn.

Well duh... You need to try beloved Disney classics like Treasure Planet or Black Cauldron... Gurgee was da bomb yo!

Why ISN'T there a Cat from Outerspace attraction anyway!?!

(Perhaps we should try going on about how Song of the South is the quintessential Disney movie... )

 

[ChloesDaddy]

I don't think you should be advising people on how to avoid getting picked. This thread is taking a dangerous turn. We WANT them to do their jobs, not try to help people avoid security.

I don't think terrorists are surfing the DIS for tips on how to circumvent Disney security. Anyone intent on doing harm can make the same observations themselves, and as has been pointed out in other threads the best place to do a lot of damage is just outside the security checkpoint where everyone is packed in like livestock.

 

[Accident]

Epcot is s scanning everyone without a bag today. Also more people are getting pulled to scan with a bag than normal.

 

[Skywise]

Epcot is s scanning everyone without a bag and a lot with today.

Can you imagine what it would've been like if 9/11 hadn't occurred? Walking right up to the park, tapping your magic band and going right in?

I long for the days when I could run through the airport 5 minutes before my flight, throw my backpack onto the x-ray machine and sprint through the metal detector, grab the backpack and jump onto the plane as the doors closed. No "Papers please, citizen?" , no stripping naked and probed and having my loved ones waiting for me at the gate on the other side when I arrived (or seeing me off when I left).

 

[jormom1030]

Maybe they are playing a game of guest bingo and they are trying to fill their card. "If I can only send through a lady with brown shorts and a man with a mustache, I finally beat security guard Tim. He has won the last 4 games."

 

[kandb]

If I went to Disney every week and got picked everytime, I still would not have a problem with it. People are saying it takes a few seconds to walk thru the detector, so why would it bother anyone? If I am starting a day going to one of the parks, the last thing I am going to let annoy me, is walking thru a detector that takes a few extra seconds.