TSA at MCO random extra screenings

[shoreward]

Has anyone else recently observed MCO TSA having quite a few "random" extra screenings, when passing through the metal detector? I noticed that a high number of mostly females were told to go through the full body scanner, after a beep went off, when walking through the metal detector - maybe about 50% of those scanned. Nobody was wanded or patted down, just told to head over to the full body scanner. The TSO indicated that it was "random," and not because something suspicious set off the detector. It was interesting that this was not occurring in all PreCheck lines, just one.

 

[OKW Lover]

Sounds pretty random to me

 

[Super 27]

I've never noticed what you're describing in the Pre-Check line, but TSA at MCO is notorious in the industry for being among the most challenging to deal with. TSA security directors at individual airports have fairly wide latitude to set policy as long as it doesn't contradict minimum federal standards, and MCO seems to have a habit of doing things their own way.

 

[jec6613]

If the sensitivity is turned up a bit too high on a metal detector, an underwire can cause it to beep for secondary screening. Or heck, the steel shank in my shoes. And MCO, rather than patting down, will just send them through a body scanner.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you set off the metal detector you get the scanner.

 

[AngiTN]

Has anyone else recently observed MCO TSA having quite a few "random" extra screenings, when passing through the metal detector? I noticed that a high number of mostly females were told to go through the full body scanner, after a beep went off, when walking through the metal detector - maybe about 50% of those scanned. Nobody was wanded or patted down, just told to head over to the full body scanner. The TSO indicated that it was "random," and not because something suspicious set off the detector. It was interesting that this was not occurring in all PreCheck lines, just one.

Could be they had on a lotion that caused it to signal "residue". I've had this myself, especially on hands. Seeing how you mention mostly females and that is who is more inclined to have on lotion. I forget now exactly what it is in the lotions that can cause the system to see powder residue but it can, at least that's what I've been told. If it was 1 line, that too could mean that scanner was set at a different sensitivity than others. We all know that they can do that, since we all see that at Disney. I have gone through in the same exact outfit at 2 different parks and had one go off and the other not. Only explanation is different sensitivity (some pick up bra underwire, others don't)

 

[shoreward]

Could be they had on a lotion that caused it to signal "residue". I've had this myself, especially on hands. Seeing how you mention mostly females and that is who is more inclined to have on lotion. I forget now exactly what it is in the lotions that can cause the system to see powder residue but it can, at least that's what I've been told. If it was 1 line, that too could mean that scanner was set at a different sensitivity than others. We all know that they can do that, since we all see that at Disney. I have gone through in the same exact outfit at 2 different parks and had one go off and the other not. Only explanation is different sensitivity (some pick up bra underwire, others don't)

Having gone through that line so many times, over almost five years, that was the first time I saw that happen. When the female TSO standing at the end of the full body scanner said it was random, with the beeping noise signaling a 2nd screening for so many, it was just strange. Perhaps the settings were just different for that line. That screening line got so back up, that they had to open an additional line.

 

[jo-jo]

This was about a year 1 or so ago with the precheck line. I went thru MCO and the metal dector picked up the little metal clip in a pony tail holder elastic band thing. Sent me through the scanner, which then led to a horrible pat down. Took my shoes, sent them through the xray, patted down my feet, the whole body pat, pulled the waistband of my pants away from my body on the back. They said the body scan was showing hot spots all over. I was in tears.

After all that, ok you can go.

 

[shoreward]

This was about a year 1 or so ago with the precheck line. I went thru MCO and the metal dector picked up the little metal clip in a pony tail holder elastic band thing. Sent me through the scanner, which then led to a horrible pat down. Took my shoes, sent them through the xray, patted down my feet, the whole body pat, pulled the waistband of my pants away from my body on the back. They said the body scan was showing hot spots all over. I was in tears.

After all that, ok you can go.

Ughhh! I guess I won't complain, then, about being re-routed to the full body scanner! Sorry you had to go through that experience.

 

[DVC-Don]

My wife has to go through the scanner due to a hip replacement that sets the detector off.

 

[jec6613]

My wife has to go through the scanner due to a hip replacement that sets the detector off.

Weirdly, that ordinarily shouldn't set it off. Hip replacements are a titanium alloy that isn't ferromagnetic, so if the TSA detectors are properly calibrated they shouldn't set it off (just barely). Of course, when they haven't been calibrated in a while they go over-sensitive rather than under-sensitive, so your mileage will definitely vary.

State department metal detectors are ordinarily turned up to 11 so you will trigger those, though.

 

[Disneypro1]

I have done it all. Metal, Body scanner....hand wiped for explosive residue...LOL Its all random. They can do whatever they want in any airport...Just get me where im going.
I like the body scanner though...kinda neat. Im not shy.

 

[krissyh]

Part of the reason (other than convenience) I got pre-check is because I ALWAYS get picked for extra security. No internal parts that aren't my own. I took to going with no jewelry and wearing leggings and tunics, I'm thin enough that I couldn't be hiding anything under my clothes without it being obvious (though, I am a little busty). Every trip, at least one way, they would pick me for something. It became a joke with us as it was too often to be random. Apparently petite, professional forty-something green-eyed blondes fit some extra security profile!
I'm skeezed out by the pat down, but the body scanners always remind me of Airplane! Who would have thought that would come true!

 

[MinnieMSue]

At our local airport going to Disney my daughter somehow set off the scanner. She had to get an intensive pat down (15yr old). The screener was pretty unhappy she had to do it to a minor because it was pretty invasive. She had on little jean shorts. She had to feel all around and inside the waistband of her shorts and then use the back of her hands to feel every bit of her shorts - groin area, bottom - everywhere. My kid was like wow that was awkward for both of us meaning her and the screener. She did wait for me to get though security so she could do it in my presence. We both held our breath at MCO but my daughter got precheck for the fight and buzzed right though. I didn’t and had to go through a different line. We knew she wouldn’t set the metal detector off so we were both happy she got right through.

 

[tarak]

I find MCO to be the least consistent airport in terms of protocol. My daughter has a pacemaker, so she doesn’t go through the regular scanner. At BWI and Ronald Reagan, she used the full body. Last year leaving MCO, she used the full body scanner. This year, TSA at MCO looked at me like I’d been smoking something when I suggested it. Several agents insisted that a young child can never go through one. I said she literally did the previous year. They ignored me and just swabbed her hands. None of the adults had to take their shoes off, which was weird. Maybe they were that backed up? I honestly despise flying out of MCO.