TSA curtailing opt-out option

LittlePinto · Dec 26, 2015

That TSA has updated its screening procedure. Now, some travelers will be unable to opt-out of body scanning. Which travelers? The TSA won't say.

As usual, the TSA emphasizes privacy concerns, noting that personally identifiable information isn't stored. Of course, they still haven't addressed the possible health concerns related to millimeter wave scanning--probably because no one actually knows what those are.

My favorite part, however, is this:

ATR eliminates the need for remote imaging since it is a generic image that can be presented on a monitor connected to the AIT and co-located with the officer assisting the screened individual. The individual will undergo physical screening if the ATR alarms for the presence of an object.

Yes, the TSA would require some people--who want a physical screening--to use the scanner, which might then require that they undergo physical screening.

I'm a bit suspicious that enough people have been opting out of the scanners that the TSA wants to force the public to use them as a means of freeing up their agents a bit more. Physical screening takes more time then running people through a scanner.

This is a very frustrating development for me since I am an opt-out. I'm not likely to be profiled but if my suspicions are correct, it won't matter. TSA agents will use this update to keep anyone from opting out.

kuwisdelu · Dec 26, 2015

Also relevant: trans bodies are no longer "anomalies" — they're "alarms". And instead of opting out to save the time of scanner-then-grope by skipping ahead to the groping, it's scanner-then-grope no matter what.

LittlePinto · Dec 26, 2015

kuwisdelu said:
Also relevant: trans bodies are no longer "anomalies" — they're "alarms". And instead of opting out to save the time of scanner-then-grope by skipping ahead to the groping, it's scanner-then-grope no matter what.

Apparently changing the notification to a word like "screen" was too much work. It doesn't do anything about trans people being targeted and humiliated by the process, but it at least the word would be a little more neutral.

Don · Dec 26, 2015

Hey, Hey, T. S. A.
Who'd you scan and grope today?
What's this silly game you play?
Stripping our dignity away.
Leaving us with naught to say,
But "If we vote, you'll go away!"

What a silly game we play,
Watching our freedoms fly away.

Hey, Hey, Political Class
You can kiss my unscanned ass.

frimble3 · Dec 27, 2015

Ah, yes, but using the word 'alarm' as frequently as possible keeps the tension high, thus justifying the whole thing.

Rufus Coppertop · Dec 27, 2015

It's another good reason not to go to the USA.

Albedo · Dec 27, 2015

Rufus Coppertop said:
It's another good reason not to go to the USA.

They've got dick detection devices at Oz airports now, Ruf.

robeiae · Dec 27, 2015

Rufus Coppertop said:
It's another good reason not to go to the USA.

We have Disneyland on both coasts...

Don · Dec 27, 2015

robeiae said:
We have Disneyland on both coasts...

...and a massive LooneyTunesLand carved out of Maryland.

Rufus Coppertop · Dec 27, 2015

Don said:
...and a massive LooneyTunesLand carved out of Maryland.

That more than compensates for the TSA and evil cops. I'm renewing my passport tomorrow!

Albedo said:
They've got dick detection devices at Oz airports now, Ruf.

Is that what they are? I thought they were for catching salami smugglers.

robeiae said:
We have Disneyland on both coasts...

Something to think about after I've been to Maryland and bought some flash salami.

Williebee · Dec 27, 2015

I'm thinking of having metal thread worked into my clothes. Sewn into messages:

"If you can read this you're too close."
"Will you respect me after?"
"Your Mom says hi."

(notice, no bomb jokes.)

raburrell · Dec 27, 2015

Somebody already got there - TSA 4th Amendment underwear

LittlePinto · Dec 27, 2015

raburrell said:
Somebody already got there - TSA 4th Amendment underwear

I want to know if anyone has ever actually worn something like that through security and whether or not they're out of jail yet.

Gregg · Dec 28, 2015

All the more reason to get a Global Entry card which guarantees you are TSA Pre-Checked on all domestic flights.

kuwisdelu · Dec 28, 2015

Gregg said:
All the more reason to get a Global Entry card which guarantees you are TSA Pre-Checked on all domestic flights.

I've been avoiding pre-check on a matter of principle, but I may need to give in soon if I want to avoid being groped every time I fly.

AW Admin · Dec 28, 2015

kuwisdelu said:
I've been avoiding pre-check on a matter of principle, but I may need to give in soon if I want to avoid being groped every time I fly.

Pre-check isn't going to stop that; you can still be called over.

LittlePinto · Dec 28, 2015

kuwisdelu said:
I've been avoiding pre-check on a matter of principle, but I may need to give in soon if I want to avoid being groped every time I fly.

I love the convenience of Pre-Check. (I've been shunted into that line when the normal security line was too long.) I just can't justify the effort and expense since I fly infrequently. Opting-out of the scanner was a good compromise for me and I've never found the pat-down to be particularly invasive. I guess I'll see how my January trip goes and make a decision after that.

RKarina · Dec 28, 2015

Since I look like your average, All-American Soccer Mom, I rarely raise any eyebrows at the start of my trip through TSA.
Since my luggage often contains interesting items (I am an adult sexuality educator), I raise a lot of eyebrows as they scan my bags.
I'm almost guaranteed to have my bags, and me, pulled aside. I get to stand there while the TSA guys sort through my things and ask questions.

I also have metal in my wrist, sufficient to cause anomalies on the scanner, and sometimes (though less often) the metal detector. I'm pretty much guaranteed a pat down. Even if I carry a medical card explaining the situation - I'm still getting a pat down.

I try to remain polite - they are doing their jobs. It's not their fault the rules are stupid. I answer questions simply, honestly, and without too much sarcasm.

I've only once had to ask for a supervisor - when an agent going through my bags was being rude jerk. I've never missed a flight because of hold ups (but I always arrive early). I've never been inappropriately groped.

For the most part, I've found a polite attitude, a degree of "I know you're just doing your job and I'm not going to complain about that to you", and a light heart get me through even the most annoying of TSA situations without too much trouble.

I have, however, watched as friends, coworkers, relatives, and even my husband, were treated very differently.

Frankly, though, my worst airport security experience was not at the hands of the TSA, it was in Canada... but that's a different story...

Bottom line, I don't think they've proven these methods are actually effective at stopping terrorism or violence. And they're highly likely to continue to push for more invasive and intrusive screening in the name of "increased security" - whether it's effective or not.

Until other options present themselves, we're sort of stuck dealing with it...

kuwisdelu · Dec 28, 2015

RKarina said:
Until other options present themselves, we're sort of stuck dealing with it...

We don't need other options to reject the current ones.

I'd rather take my chances with the metal detectors.

RKarina · Dec 28, 2015

kuwisdelu said:
We don't need other options to reject the current ones.

I'd rather take my chances with the metal detectors.

I would as well, but in many airports, they're no longer using them.

As far as I know, you have always been able to request to bypass the scanner - but that does mean a longer wait, and the whole pat down routine.
If TSA is now saying agents can refuse to allow this option at their discretion (the document is unclear), this could cause some serious issues.

Unless there is clear documentation providing under what circumstances a traveler must undergo screening rather than a pat down, it leaves a whole open to interpretation.

And yes, we can reject the current option - by not flying.
Unfortunately, that is not always a viable option.
Businesses are not very forgiving of taking days to go from one coast to the other. Nor are they very understanding of taking weeks to cross the ocean when traveling between the US and Europe or Japan.
Leisure travel is a slightly different set of problems... When the average person has only two to four weeks of vacation each year...

kuwisdelu · Dec 28, 2015

RKarina said:
And yes, we can reject the current option - by not flying.

I meant reject it by public outcry, pressuring politicians, etc., and letting them know their current practices are not acceptable.

Don · Dec 28, 2015

kuwisdelu said:
I meant reject it by public outcry, pressuring politicians, etc., and letting them know their current practices are not acceptable.

That ship sailed long ago, when FedGov first nationalized aircraft security and people lined up in droves to do as they were told. This is just a logical and long-anticipated escalation of the security theatre that teaches people to do as they're told, or else. Does anybody still believe this is about keeping people safe? There have been hundreds of TSA employees arrested for crimes from theft to abuse of the scanning systems and reports of failures to detect weapons in the 90+% range. How many terrorists have they busted?

robeiae · Dec 28, 2015

ErezMA · Dec 28, 2015

Vote Trump. I hear his policy is to not allow Muslims on planes. That will solve all our problems, right?

...right?

cornflake · Dec 28, 2015

Has Trump even ever mentioned airlines or anything connected? He's got his own little fleet of actual jumbo jets; I'm not confident he's aware of the options other people employ.

TSA curtailing opt-out option

Perpetually confused

Revolutionize the World

Perpetually confused

All Living is Local

Heckuva good sport

Alex

Touch and go

All Living is Local

Capeless, wingless, & yet I fly.

Treguna Makoidees Trecorum SadisDee

Perpetually confused

Life is good

Revolutionize the World

Perpetually confused

Revolutionize the World

Revolutionize the World

All Living is Local

Touch and go

practical experience, FTW