Security at BDL?

[Goofygirl17]

We haven't flown since the new scanners were put into use (flew last April from PVD to MCO) and we haven't flown out of Bradley for about 5 years.

We're flying with our 8 and 11 year old DDs. DD11 has anxiety so flying is stressful enough for her without something she wasn't expecting happening. So, I'd like to prepare her for what might happen going through security. Both girls know they have to put their shoes and bags in the bins and walk through the scanner machine.

Anything new going on there? Any tips or suggestions?

Thanks!!
Goofygirl

 

[libgirl1]

BDL is a great little airport. We try to use BDL and PVD over BOS. It (BDL) doesn't seem as crazy as some other airports, so hopefully this will decrease some of the stress associated with flying. I know it wasn't BDL, but my oldest daughter was wanded at an airport at the age of 2...no joke. It was something to see this little 2 year old being wanded. You might want to just prepare your daughters with the various scenarios of going through the security machines (shoes in bins, you walk through- sometimes more than once if something sets it off...there is a possibility of being wanded...) I think if they can mentally prepare for it, it might help. This way, it is not a surprise.
btw...when pricing out flights (between BDL, PVD, MHT, and BOS) BDL almost always has the best prices.
Good luck.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The TSA has pretty much abandonded the use of wands . . . they now do a hands on body search instead whan something "odd" comes up on the scan/metal detector.

ETA - BDL, according to FlyerTalk, has the xray scanner and they are used. You, as the parent, can "opt out" of the xray scan for your children - they can also do it for themselves. One must go through the metal detector if that is the screening device in use, no "opt out" option on that. "Opting out" avoids the dosage of xray radiation but will result in a hands on body search . . . going through the x ray doesn't guarentee that there will not be a body search. Just as an FYI the subject of the xray scan must stand very still.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

We always fly out of BDL.

Our last trip was Jan. and there were no body scanners being used (the machines were there just not being used they were roped off) when we flew out on a mid-day flight. The standard metal detectors were used and we did see someone who set the detector off and was asked to step aside and was wanded and let go.

We have found the TSA at BDL to be rather nice and friendly and have mentioned this to them especially in comparison to some of the TSA we have encountered at MCO. Some of them were joking and making small talk as people were making their way through security....it was a nice to be treated like we weren't criminals.

Have a good flight!
Colleen

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thanks everyone. I guess I need to explain to the girls that they might get patted down. I really dislike that idea but it's especially important for DD11 to know everything that might happen so she's prepared.

If the new scanners are in use do I have to opt-out immediately or can I wait to see if we get sent that way?

Thanks!
Goofygirl

 

[CPT Tripss]

Thanks everyone. I guess I need to explain to the girls that they might get patted down. I really dislike that idea but it's especially important for DD11 to know everything that might happen so she's prepared.

If the new scanners are in use do I have to opt-out immediately or can I wait to see if we get sent that way?

Thanks!
Goofygirl

Wait . . . no sense volunteering for the body search if you are going to get the metal detector.

 

[francie57]

You won't necessarily get the full body scanner at BDL. Our daughter has flown out of there several times in the past few months (on different airlines) and so far has never had the full body scanner - just your normal walk through the machine. I know they have them but not sure if they are being used all the time.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Wait . . . no sense volunteering for the body search if you are going to get the metal detector.

You won't necessarily get the full body scanner at BDL. Our daughter has flown out of there several times in the past few months (on different airlines) and so far has never had the full body scanner - just your normal walk through the machine. I know they have them but not sure if they are being used all the time.

Thanks. Hopefully they're not using them when we go so we don't have to deal with it. The last few times we've flown we've gone out of Providence or Long Island- nice little airports. The security people in both of those airports were really nice and patient. Hopefully Bradley is the same!