TSA Screening X-rays... pat down instead?

[SDSorority]

Has anyone seen somebody get a pat-down instead of the x-ray screening at the airport? How has TSA reacted to someone that requests that? How far away from your bags do you go? I am really REALLY leery of the x-ray machines because of the radiation (yeah yeah it's 'safe'- I've heard it all).

THANK YOU!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Not all machines are XRay based either, plus you should be more concerned with the radiation from flying in general, but since you have your mind it sounds like made up, you can ask for it and they will honor it.

You will most likely collect your bags and they will search both your body and bag. Each airport is layed out differently, so the process may very slightly.

 

[bumbershoot]

You mean the new thing that has "scatter" in the name? Everything I've read says that you can opt for a patdown instead.

And I imagine the patdown would be in those clear "boxes" you see near all the actual xray machines that your stuff goes through, so you're right there with things visible.

MIL is diabetic and doesn't control it very well, so I let her know that she could tell them that, not have to take off her shoes, and then they would just spend some extra time with her. We weren't flying, but we stayed outside security until we saw her get through it, and we saw her taken to the clear box, without her bags (but they were visible to her), they did their extra checks, and then she was done. I imagine a patdown would be about the same.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I thought that in most airports, you still walk through the x-ray, even if you will set it off and need secondary screening. While clearly the agents can get to the secured area without going through the machine, I can't recall ever seeing them take a passenger by this route for screening. It might be worth it for the OP to contact her local TSA and get an understanding of the proceedure. -- Suzanne

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The walk-through metal detectors at the TSA check-points are magnetometers, not X-ray machines. You do not walk through an X-ray machine.

At some airports, the TSA is installing "backscatter" machines, which use low-level X-rays, for an additional check. Critics have called these "strip-search machines." According to the TSA, passengers have the option of requesting a patdown instead. I've never been asked to enter such a device; in fact, I don't recall seeing one at any airports that I've traveled through.

So, yes, you can ask for an alternative to the X-ray screening.

Your carry-on and checked bags are always subjected to X-rays.

 

[SDSorority]

Yeah, I hear that they're safe, but they haven't been around long enough for us to know for sure. 1 picture snap is equal to 2 min in the air on an airplane so they say... but I have read that it's a different type of radiation that you get. Something about a type of rays? Not exactly sure. I have read on flyertalk that people that are on chemo are instructed not to go through the machines. I'm not on chemo, but that shoots off bells and whistles in my book.

So, I'm going to be opting for the pat-down, and so will DH. Our airport doesn't have them yet, but may by October (when we're going). I think we might go park in short-term parking and watch people go through security to see what they do and how many people opt for the pat-down. Might need to wear shorts and a tank top when we go through next time! Believe me, I have nothing to hide, nor am I bothered by people seeing under my clothes, as long as I don't know them . I'm more worried about the type of radiation waves and how they're so new in this arena that we don't really know if they're safe or not.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Call me crazy - but going to the airport to watch the screening process ahead of time and then requesting a pat down - could call a lot of attention to yourself.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

So, I'm going to be opting for the pat-down, and so will DH. Our airport doesn't have them yet, but may by October (when we're going). I think we might go park in short-term parking and watch people go through security to see what they do and how many people opt for the pat-down.

I assume you don't have an issue with walking through the magnetometer. Then, in the unlikely case that you're selected for a secondary screening, just opt a patdown instead of opting for the "backscatter" booth.

You may want to read this TSA information:

http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/imaging_technology.shtm

If you honestly believe that you will encounter TSA employees who don't know that you can request a patdown instead, you may wish to print out the document and circle the following item:

Passengers who do not wish to utilize this screening will receive an equal level of screening, including a physical pat-down.​

I'm not sure what making a special trip to the airport and observing the TSA checkpoint would accomplish. Keep in mind that you may not even be able to see anything from the "public" side of the the checkpoint, except for a long queue leading up to the checkpoint.

 

[paults]

on April 25 we left from PHL philly and since I had a total knee down last NOV I knew it would set the machine off and it did. I showed them my knee card and in PHL they have a glass enclosure they put you in (right there) and you wait till a certain TSA person comes and asks if they can wand you or if you would like to go to a more private room. I opted for right there get it done, no big deal. This was done right is view of anyone who wanted to watch and right inside the glass room. Now coming home from MCO I set the alarm off again, showed my knee card and ask to stand in another glass enclosure (in MCO the enclosure is a long glass room right there about 7 ft long, I walked in and up to the front till a TSA agent came and ask if I wanted a more private room and I said no. This time he took me out of the room and ask me to sit on the chair and started to wand me then I stood up and he finished the wanding and that was it, another no big deal.

 

[SDSorority]

on April 25 we left from PHL philly and since I had a total knee down last NOV I knew it would set the machine off and it did. I showed them my knee card and in PHL they have a glass enclosure they put you in (right there) and you wait till a certain TSA person comes and asks if they can wand you or if you would like to go to a more private room. I opted for right there get it done, no big deal. This was done right is view of anyone who wanted to watch and right inside the glass room. Now coming home from MCO I set the alarm off again, showed my knee card and ask to stand in another glass enclosure (in MCO the enclosure is a long glass room right there about 7 ft long, I walked in and up to the front till a TSA agent came and ask if I wanted a more private room and I said no. This time he took me out of the room and ask me to sit on the chair and started to wand me then I stood up and he finished the wanding and that was it, another no big deal.

Ok that makes me feel better. I just didn't want to be taken to some room somewhere without my bags with me.

 

[Dax]

HAHA...I work at MCO and go through security on a DAILY basis..sometimes twice a day...if I set off the machine, I get put in the glass box..or as we call it here, Time Out! Being an employee I have had a 10yr background and fingerprint check, yet I still go through the same things passengers do. When I get put in time out, I usually get swabbed on my hands, but I have a co-worker who has had a pat down search. The only X-ray at MCO right now is the one for your baggage.

As for the full body ones, they are coming to MCO at the end of this year, so people need to be aware of that change.

 

[SDSorority]

Here is what TSA emailed me in response to the same question that I posted on here:

"Thank you for your email message concerning the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) deployment of whole body imaging technology.



Ongoing threats to aviation security require that certain security measures be undertaken. The Supreme Court has held that administrative searches are reasonable to undertake without first obtaining search warrants. Airport checkpoint searches are administrative (or "special needs") searches. Several federal appellate courts have held that airport screening searches are reasonable, in that they appropriately balance the privacy interests of citizens against the compelling goal of protecting the traveling public. While all passengers must submit to an administrative search to gain access to an aircraft, TSA's policy is to afford passengers professional and courteous treatment with dignity and respect.



Whole body imaging provides TSA with a means of detecting a wide variety of threats, including suicide vests and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that are hidden under individuals' clothing and that may not be detected during metal-detection screening. TSA is sensitive to passengers' concerns about protecting their privacy as it relates to the security screening process, and in particular the use of whole body imaging technology.



To date, TSA has used whole body imaging on a purely voluntary basis as an alternative to a pat-down inspection. Passengers who have been identified for screening with whole body imaging may opt for a pat-down instead, if that is their preference. In addition to effectiveness and suitability assessments of the whole body imaging technology, TSA is examining operational issues associated with the technology, including efficiency, privacy considerations, training, safety of use, and perceptions by the traveling public.



TSA has established rigorous controls to ensure privacy during whole body imaging screening. The Transportation Security Officer (TSO) attending the passenger will not view the image, while a second TSO will view the image in a separate, remote location and will not be able to view the passenger. No cameras, cellular telephones, or other devices capable of capturing an image are permitted in the image viewing area. The image cannot be stored, transmitted, or printed and is permanently deleted after each passenger has been screened.



We have worked very hard to address privacy concerns while testing whole body imaging technology. We believe that whole body imaging technology will be an effective tool in detecting terrorist threats. We look forward to continued public dialogue as we assess the effectiveness of the technology in the airport setting.



We encourage you to visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.





TSA Contact Center"

So, I guess it's still only if you get randomly selected to have that imaging done then you can request a pat-down instead. But not everyone has to automatically go through them...

 

[robinb]

At some airports, the TSA is installing "backscatter" machines, which use low-level X-rays, for an additional check. Critics have called these "strip-search machines." According to the TSA, passengers have the option of requesting a patdown instead. I've never been asked to enter such a device; in fact, I don't recall seeing one at any airports that I've traveled through.

They have them in Tampa and I was not told what the machine was or given the option to be patted down. I did not realize what it was until it was too late.

 

[Huff]

They have them in Tampa and I was not told what the machine was or given the option to be patted down. I did not realize what it was until it was too late.

Tulsa has the backscatter machines as well. No TSA agents verbally said anything but there were signs stating anyone could request alternate screening.

 

[CPT Tripss]

on April 25 we left from PHL philly and since I had a total knee down last NOV I knew it would set the machine off and it did. I showed them my knee card and in PHL they have a glass enclosure they put you in (right there) and you wait till a certain TSA person comes and asks if they can wand you or if you would like to go to a more private room. I opted for right there get it done, no big deal. This was done right is view of anyone who wanted to watch and right inside the glass room. Now coming home from MCO I set the alarm off again, showed my knee card and ask to stand in another glass enclosure (in MCO the enclosure is a long glass room right there about 7 ft long, I walked in and up to the front till a TSA agent came and ask if I wanted a more private room and I said no. This time he took me out of the room and ask me to sit on the chair and started to wand me then I stood up and he finished the wanding and that was it, another no big deal.

They do a pat down, not a wanding if you opt out of the "nud-o-scope." Some of the "patters" get more into groping than patting and it can be more intimate than need be.

Did the wand alarm at your knee? Did they pat down the area (your knee) that alarmed? If the answer to either of these questions is "no," we all should be concerned about how effective the tsa is at their job.

They have them in Tampa and I was not told what the machine was or given the option to be patted down. I did not realize what it was until it was too late.

Just to help other travelers, when did you realize what it was? when they told you to stop and raise your hands? Or, something else?

Tulsa has the backscatter machines as well. No TSA agents verbally said anything but there were signs stating anyone could request alternate screening.

Those signs should be posted at any location with the new machines.

 

[robinb]

Just to help other travelers, when did you realize what it was? when they told you to stop and raise your hands? Or, something else?

I was when they asked me to stand still and raise my hands. I *thought* I was in the "Penalty Box" previously mentioned.

 

[BigTigger]

Boston has the backscatter scanners in all locations now. The TSA agent at the gate can opt to send you through the old magnetometer type scan or have you go through the backscatter machine. No one has asked to not go through the backscatter machine in my six trips through security this month.

I always let the TSA agent decide if I stay in the backscatter line or get the metal scan only. 5 out of 6 times I got the backscatter line. I'm 6'6" and I'm too tall for the machine. so I always get a pat down from the chest upwards at the end. The backscatter process has you enter a corrider between two flat panels. you turn to the left and put your arms up like you're signaling a touchdown in football. They have a rubber mat that lines your feet up for the test. They have an LCD TV screen that explains the procedure in pictures as you wait. After the scan, they move you through a queue area as they wait confirmation on your scan. My secondary pat down happened here as the machine did not get a clear picture from my chest upward.

Health issues with x-rays aside, it was a pretty benign process and less intrusive than the GE air blast scanners we used to have in Boston.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Boston has the backscatter scanners in all locations now. The TSA agent at the gate can opt to send you through the old magnetometer type scan or have you go through the backscatter machine. No one has asked to not go through the backscatter machine in my six trips through security this month.

I always let the TSA agent decide if I stay in the backscatter line or get the metal scan only. 5 out of 6 times I got the backscatter line. I'm 6'6" and I'm too tall for the machine. so I always get a pat down from the chest upwards at the end. The backscatter process has you enter a corrider between two flat panels. you turn to the left and put your arms up like you're signaling a touchdown in football. They have a rubber mat that lines your feet up for the test. They have an LCD TV screen that explains the procedure in pictures as you wait. After the scan, they move you through a queue area as they wait confirmation on your scan. My secondary pat down happened here as the machine did not get a clear picture from my chest upward.

Health issues with x-rays aside, it was a pretty benign process and less intrusive than the GE air blast scanners we used to have in Boston.

Were the signs up?

 

[BigTigger]

Were the signs up?

I saw no signs noting any options on scans versus pat down in the queue area. The only explanation of any sort was the LCD TV mounted near the scanner that explained how to use it in a 3-4 slide repeating sequence.

TSA agents are very meticulous now to make sure any metal items end up in the bins (belts, watches, etc.).