You've been randomly selected...

[cdnjason]

...for additional security screening.

Entered the parks a total of nine times earlier this week.
"Randomly" selected for the metal detector three times; once each at EP (no bags line), DHS (bag check), and MK (bag check).
Only once did I leave my phone behind.

Why can't I have that luck for other events?

Based on your avatar, you do look questionable.

 

[Tomh]

My husband wasn't randomly selected either. His cargo pants pockets were bursting with stuff. It took him FOREVER to empty his pockets. I didn't know he could carry so much stuff in his pockets! It took him a good 5 minutes or more to get through. And I was laughing so hard every time he brought more stuff out of his pockets. I don't need to carry a backpack or purse, his pockets had enough room for everything.

This is me . .. . it isn't going to be pretty when they randomly select my son and I. Deffo gonna need more than one basket for all the crap that's coming out of our pockets lol.

 

[mikepizzo]

I think a lot of it has to do with how one acts, and that is not to say one must act suspicious to be picked. I was picked quite a bit on our last trip (02/09 - 02/16), and the majority of the time I was picked, I made eye contact with the security guard. Nothing menacing, just a friendly look, smile, and a hello. Could be that the security guard is trying to count the nth guest that enters, but with one security guard handling what seemed like the counting of 3 stations, I'm sure it can be difficult.

I didn't think anything was invasive. All the security guards I interacted with were kind and professional. They all seemed pretty happy, interestingly enough.

Around the 4th time I was picked, the security guard started to say, "Excuse me sir, you've been..." and I joined in with him on "randomly selected". And he asked, "do they get you a lot?" I said, "Yes, it must be the beard". We had a good laugh. He was appreciative that I was cooperative, I was appreciative that he was appreciative. Emptied my pockets (which actually got a pretty good laugh since I have my phone, charger, fiance's charger, hidden mickey book, wallet, poncho's, etc, in my cargo short pockets hahah), stepped through, they asked me what was around my wait, I showed them my belt buckle, and I was on my way.

It was all pretty pleasant to be honest.

 

[North of Mouse]

In parks first 1 1/2 weeks of Feb. Dh always goes through the 'no bag' check and was selected 3 times (different parks) and I was selected once (always going through bag check).

We sort of watched who was selected - seemed lots more from the 'no bag' check than the other! Hmmmmmm - after reading some of these replies - wonder why???

 

[tikitorie]

Yep, I was the family joke in January when we went for 6 days....selected 4 times that week. I figured it was because I was the one carrying the small backpack, but it was no big deal and took only a minute. Story of my life though....never randomly selected for anything good!!!!

 

[snugglebug]

Over 6 days in January, 8 park entrances, I was only not selected once. The most annoying was the "Happy Birthday, you've been randomly selected..." Half of the time I wasn't even finished zipping up my bag. Mu husband was only selected twice. My 4 kids went through the no bag entrance, my oldest daughter was selected once, but then they changed their mind and let her through.

Was it the birthday button that had me randomly selected? LOL The first time or two was no big deal, after that it became quite annoying.

 

[Mikie]

Based on your avatar, you do look questionable.

I went back to check the avatar. . . I see what you did there!

 

[Bullseye]

I definitely wasn't randomly selected. I had a poofy Flyer's winter coat on and looked like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.

Are you sure that wasn't just because you're a Flyers fan .

My husband wasn't randomly selected either. His cargo pants pockets were bursting with stuff. It took him FOREVER to empty his pockets. I didn't know he could carry so much stuff in his pockets! It took him a good 5 minutes or more to get through. And I was laughing so hard every time he brought more stuff out of his pockets. I don't need to carry a backpack or purse, his pockets had enough room for everything.

This made me laugh....it reminded me of when the original Mad Max went through weapons check at Bartertown and just kept pulling more things from different parts of his attire.

 

[Robo]

Over 6 days in January, 8 park entrances, I was only not selected once.

LOL The first time or two was no big deal, after that it became quite annoying.

I'm just sayin'

 

[Fuhnuh]

Just got back from a 4 night trip at DLR. Was selected 2/3 times at the DD entrance and 5/7 at the GCH entrance. The main entrance wasn't a big deal and security was really friendly. The GCH entrance was more like going through TSA. Even during slow times, the metal detector line was always backed up, so I didn't feel special being selected. I did get in "trouble" once for standing in the line after not being specifically told to get in the line. This was funny because I tried to just walk by after not being told anything the first time and was pulled aside before and after being told this. It wasn't a big deal since it was usually slow when I went through that entrance. I don't think I was ever told what to do after bag check, so after the first few times, I just got in line. I'll see if I have the same "luck" when I get to WDW in July.

 

[epcotty]

Would a belt set the metal detector off just by itself?

 

[Robo]

Would a belt set the metal detector off just by itself?

The metal buckle, yes.

They then use a hand-held wand to scan for the area(s) that are setting off the whole-body detector.

BTW, I don't know if it's been mentioned, but the metal detector security folks are NOT DISNEY CMs.

 

[Fuhnuh]

BTW, I don't know if it's been mentioned, but the metal detector security folks are NOT DISNEY CMs.

I remember reading that on another thread. This is good information for people who are visiting.

 

[Applemomma]

BTW, I don't know if it's been mentioned, but the metal detector security folks are NOT DISNEY CMs.

I knew that the weren't Disney Cm's so I kind of paid attention to how they were...were they more like TSA or what would their mannerisms be like? In my experience they acted as friendly, if not more, then the folks doing the bag checks.

 

[amylevan]

Random, my butt.

I am a very petite female who was traveling with her husband & 2 small children. Over the course of our week long vacation, I was selected 6 or 7 times. My husband was selected once. Statistically speaking, that can't possibly be random. The only thing we could figure out was since I am so ridiculously petite, it's easier for my husband to wrangle the kids & stroller through bag-check while I just take the backpack through a different bag-check line. The one time my husband was selected, I was carrying our youngest and we were stroller-less. So, I'm guessing in our instance, they chose the kid-less adult for ease of not having to deal with the little ones.

The security folks were friendly, and I don't put anything in my pockets so it's not really a big deal for me, but it was just plain comical how many times I heard, "Excuse me, ma'am, but you've been randomly selected..." And it would have gotten annoying if I would have had to empty pockets each time...

 

[blestmom]

The first time or two was no big deal, after that it became quite annoying.

Yeah, I'm with you there. My son and I were there for 2 weeks in January/Februray. I had a small bag, he usually didn't have any bag. We were both "randomly selected" many times. We park hopped most days too, so I couldn't even count how many times in those 2 weeks going to multiple parks per day we had the 'honor' of being 'randomly selected.' I'd watch out of the corner of my eye after going through the bag check, and would just dread when I realized the security guard was coming up to me. "Excuse me, ma'am..."

At first it was no biggie, but I admit to getting pretty annoyed by the end of the trip. It wasn't that it was a big hassle...it really wasn't, as I don't carry anything in my pockets, but I just found the whole intrusion annoying. I get it's for security and all, but ugh!

I do remember one time I saw this quite elderly...well over 75 year old...couple. They were slowly shuffling over to the metal detector, as the husband had been "randomly selected." They were so slow emptying out their pockets, his wife was assisting him, slowly helping him walk up to the detector. I thought...come on, this is ridiculous.

 

[BebopBaloo]

If you're randomly chosen..are you just sent through a metal detector...is it an scanner like at the airport? Are you given a pat down? What exactly does being randomly chosen entail?

 

[Applemomma]

If you're randomly chosen..are you just sent through a metal detector...is it an scanner like at the airport? Are you given a pat down? What exactly does being randomly chosen entail?

It pretty much looks exactly like the ones you walk through at the airport, except a little smaller and light grey . There's a table right beside it that you set your bag on and a white dish to throw anything in your pocket in. Walk right through and grab your bag...quick and easy if you aren't carrying a ton in your pockets. your things are within reach and out of your hand for a total of 5 seconds.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Okay, so does it scan you with a screen, or is it just a metal detector? Just curious about what to expect.

 

[epcotty]

Do you have to take everything out or just stuff that'll set off the detector?