With the recent reports that showed X-ray body scanners in airports “after testing produced dramatically higher than expected results” recently, and with more money set aside to buy more, plus my first ever X-ray ‘opt-out’ at Los Angeles Airport today, it seems a good time to pass along my experiences of what actually happened when I opted out, and some surprises I got.
There have been some horror stories of people being subjected to overly personal patdowns and being made to feel like criminals. Although the intention of these articles is good — informing people of what’s going on — it made me a little nervous about asking for a patdown myself, because I just didn’t know what was going to happen.
In sharing my experiences. I hope you find the courage to stand up for something you believe in and take this in your stride.
I’ve never been at an airport that uses body scanners, so when I arrived at LAX and saw these two big black scanners, I was relieved that they seemed not be in use.
I went through the normal routine of putting all my possessions in trays to go through the X-ray machine, to then see a TSA employee open up the scanner just as the person in front of me was due to go through.
I started to get nervous. I was hoping that I wouldn’t be selected, as it seemed to be a fairly random selection of whom they asked to go through the scanner.
But I was selected and said, “I’d like to opt out”. I was asked to stand to one side as the TSA employee shouted, “Opt-out”. She shouted this three times before someone came to speak to me.
I’m sure this is to make the process of opting out seem unusual and to try to make you feel in some way embarrassed. The TSA employees all have personal radios to communicate with, and there’s no reason to be shouting for help, certainly not three times.
Whilst I was waiting I noticed that between ten and twenty people were allowed to go through security (including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson) without going through a body scanner.
The next TSA guy then came with a clipboard and explained to me that I would be subjected to a personal search where a TSA employee would be using their hands to feel the inside of my thighs, my groin and inside the waistband of my jeans. He finished this little speech with “Are you sure you still want to opt-out?”
I said “Yes”.
By the time I was taken to the third TSA person who was actually going to be doing the patdown, there were three other people in line behind me who had opted out too.
Another TSA employee came up and said to one of his colleagues, “Ok, what’s the situation here” like it was some kind of problem that we all wanted to opt out. Again, I suspect that this was to make opting out seem unusual and to attempt to make us uncomfortable with our choice.
Let’s just stop and think about this …
If I was there for just a few minutes and four people including me opted out, it’s NOT unusual. There must be thousands of people opting out every day.
I did see one women making as much of a nuisance of herself as possible by opting out, telling the TSA that if her belongings were stolen whilst she was being made to wait, it would be the fault of the TSA.
She was also demanding to know why some people were allowed to go through without being scanned whilst she waited. I can totally understand her passion for this, and it’s that kind of passion we need to get these scanners removed from airports, and I love that woman for standing up for what she believes in.
But I made the decision to not get angry or worked up (actually, anyone who knows me will know that’s not my style anyway) and go about this with the best intention and energy possible.
One of the reasons I’m avoiding this body scan is to protect my health. The last thing I want to do is get angry and have those chemicals released in my body.
I also truly believe we don’t gain anything by pushing against this issue in that way. I decided to be pro-patdown rather than anti-scanner.
So by the time I got to the patdown, which was done in a public area, the guy seemed almost apologetic. He seemed like a nice guy, explained the procedure in a very kind way, and even seemed like he was ‘on my side’.
The actual patdown was very quick, unobtrusive in this case, not touching any of my ‘bits’. 🙂
Then I was on my way and into the departure gate, where I’m writing this.
Let’s keep opting out. As humans we work best when we come together, and there’s no doubt in my mind that we can inspire others to start opting out, eventually leading to the scanners becoming obsolete.
Here’s five things you can learn from this:
- Arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare so you aren’t tempted to go through the scanner ‘just this once’ because of a fear of missing your flight. My experience was that it took five to ten minutes extra to get through.
- Know that you’re leading by example and you never know who might start asking questions, get inspired, and not go through the scanner next time.
- The procedures they have in place are designed to make you feel like you’re doing something out of the ordinary and unusual. I would even go so far as to say that they want YOU to feel unreasonable. Three people behind me opted out – know that you’re not alone in this decision and remember the points I mentioned in number 2.
- I feel completely confident about opting out now I’ve done it once. It’s not a horror story; it’s something I must keep doing until everyone has the confidence to opt out and realises the danger of these scanners. You’ll feel great once you’ve done it once.
- I felt good about making this opt-out a normal part of my day, holding good energy and intention right through the experience, knowing that I played my part.
Maybe you want to play your part too? I invite you to.
Safe travels.
I make it a regular part of my TSA screening when flying in the USA. I do because I don’t want to remove my shoes. TSA does not provide chairs to sit and take off your shoes. I’m a senior citizen and veteran I tell agents and have a bad back and knees and unless they can provide a suitable chair I won’t take off my shoes. In some cases when an agent wants to challenge me I say, “and you can’t make me”. This may sound a bit militant but I do want to make this ridicules policy changed. There was only one shoe bomb attempt and he only had gun powder in his shoe which would not have made an explosion, only a flash. What about the failed underwear bomber? We aren’t asked to remove our underwear, why not? There are no standards, only reactions made into policies. The USA is the only country in the world that requires travelers to remove their shoes. If we all refused to remove our shoes the policy would be changed.
I am so grateful for finding this article. I used to go through the body scanners and felt wrong about it. Over the last year I have woken up to many things and that includes the dangers of these scanners. Today on a flight from St. Louis I opted out. I was very nervous but remained calm. While I waited the agent made remarks about how safe the scanners are and that I get more radiation from my cell phone, etc. One of the female agents made a snarky remark before I was taken for my pat down. The agent doing the pat down was very nice and it wasn’t bad at all. I will always opt out! I made a commitment to my health and cannot betray myself. I’m so glad I found this article and could read all the comments of others that opt out as well ?
I’ve actually just tried this flying domestically in australia and was surprised at how accommodating they were. I have an auto immune condition so I just told them that was my reason. Although I think you can request as a personal choice. The pat down was easy and I felt better knowing I wasn’t subjecting my recovering healing cells to the XRay scanner
They must be kinder in Australia 🙂
I opt out too unless I’m rushed. Today I asked the one tsa agent if I could go through the plain metal detector and she was very rude to me. She said loudly and with negativity that I can’t do that once I opted out. After 15 min I asked what was taking so long and the tsa woman flipped out on me. The tsa who did the pat down then came over to help me and apologized for the first girls rudeness. I get impatient waiting only because I fear I get some radiation from being forced to stands right next to the machine while I wait for the pat down person to be ready for me ! Any thoughts on that ? Do you all have to wait right near the Machine too?
When I wrote this, I didn’t have to wait near the machine, no. I can see why you wouldn’t want to.
I have gone through the scanners numerous times only to be patted down anyway.
Hi there, I realise that this is an old post but I have just found it. When you say body scanners, are these some kind of new ones or the ones that have been in airports for ages, that you walk through next to where they X-ray your bags etc? I have always just walked through these automatically and so would just like to know if it is these you believe pose risk to health?
Thanks very much,
Isabelle
Hey Isabelle, no it’s the backscatter type that produce a naked image of the person. They have been introduced in the last 5 years or so.
Russell,
thanks for replying. I now know to look out for them and opt out also!
I also always opt out. You’re not alone Russell!
I also opt out every time. I’ve never been through a scanner and hope to never be forced to in order to fly. While I haven’t opted out of the scanner at an airport like LAX, I do opt out often at the Phoenix airport in AZ. I have had no problems. And like Russel said, it only takes 5-10 minutes extra most of the time. Most of the time, the TSA agents performing the patdown are very friendly and even seem apologetic (or maybe they are embarrassed to have to be performing the pat down).
There was one time while going through a smaller, regional, airport in Arizona where I opted out and after going through the initial patdown, the machine that the TSA agent runs their gloves through gave a negative response indicating residue was found. They took me back to a private screening area and re-performed the patdown. All the time they were very polite and professional. Yes, it took a few extra minutes, but I always arrive at the airport with plenty of time, so that was of no concern to me. I always thank the TSA agents for their professionalism and kindness. After all, they are just doing the job they were hired for.
I opt out all the time too. You just have to allow a little extra time in case they are busy. My suggestion is to get an airline credit card and become a “preferred customer” Some times they don’t even make you take your shoes off. I find that if you tell the first TSA officer that checks your ticket and driver’s license that you want to opt out that he will send you over to an area that will process you quicker.
Thanks, Sandy.
I have done this numerous times. It gets less ’embarrassing’ each time. (Although I have never truly been embarrassed.) The longest I have had to wait for someone to come get me for the pat down was 10 minutes. It was definitely not necessary to have to wait that long, but I had decided, as you did, to not take issue with the process and their tactics., but to calmly just do what I believe in and NOT go thru that machine. I am always polite. If everyone did this, maybe someone would get a clue. BTW I have done this in both large and small airports.
Thanks for sharing this experience with us, Russell! Your experience was in a large airport, but I wonder how things would be in a smaller one. My family recently took a flight out of Albany NY and I was fortunate to have a child with me so I could opt out of the naked body scanners. The option is not even provided. If I didn’t have my child with me, I do wonder how the whole thing would have gone down. Thanks again for sharing this because you have renewed my resolve to opt out on any future dealings with airports and their naked body scanners.
I travel to Europe once a year and sometimes within the U.S., too. I always opt out. The first time I felt like a freak on display, but after that I just take it all in stride and act like it’s nothing. I have never been treated in any way other than respectfully and gently. Yep, everywhere in the U.S. in my experience they must be trained to yell “Opt out!!!” loudly, maybe in hopes of embarrassing the others behind me who may be considering it. I always mention that the ones who work those machines have about the highest rates of leukemia of any work force. It won’t change anything, but it makes me feel like maybe someone will think about it. I found the Netherlands wouldn’t let me opt out – the choice was the scanner or don’t get on the plane, but the scanner may be a different kind. Sure doesn’t look like the ones in Atlanta. BTW I love your recipes!! Membership on your site is one of the best things I’ve done for my family.
I’ve opted out many times. Only once did they react negatively. I got lectured loudly about believing everything I hear. Agents pointed, looked, and laughed. I’m not kidding. It was like a script they were following. I was asked why I wanted to opt out and I simply said it was a personal choice. It was obvious to me that they were trying to intimidate me because they spoke loudly enough to be heard by everyone around me. They weren’t really speaking to me. Once I got to the pat down, it was easy and professional.
Every other time has been completely professional. As you said, people lined up behind me to opt-out.
My husband has been treated aggressively. I was worried he would lose his temper. The agent was so aggressive I wondered privately if the agent had had a boring day and wanted to spice it up a little. If my husband had lost his temper, perhaps it would have made the agent’s day more interesting. I think being calm is important. This is not the place to wage a protest.
Once, during a pat down, my young son tested positive for residue and was taken to a room for additional tests. His father went with him. It was very professional and easy. No one was disrespected or handled insensitively. It only delayed us about 5 minutes. The tests cleared him. My son thought it was exciting. 🙂 I admit that my heart was racing.
I always ‘opt out’ of being subjected to the millimeter wave machines at the airport. Like you experienced, I’m usually put on hold while they call for male assist. While standing there, my strategy has been to ask the agent how often they calibrate their machines. My voice is usually loud enough for others nearby to hear. I also like to ask (in a bold but friendly tone) what the effects of repeated exposure to TSA employees of working next to the equipment all day. I have yet to get a consistent answer and it further heightens my concern of the unknown & long term health effects of these machines.
Side note, if you like to carry your healthy snacks through TSA, be advised they will require your food to be run through the x-ray machine along with all other hand carried items. I once asked if they could instead manually inspect my organic apples, bananas & trail mix. I was ultimately directed to the area supervisor explaining the only other choice was to leave the food behind. Their justification, and backed by policy, is dangerous items could be stuffed inside the food. They provided me a customer comment card to submit.
Hey Paul, thanks for stopping by and leaving this extra advice and to share your experience.
Good on you for opting out! I opt out all the time and I have never had a bad experience. I did once have the security tell me how “safe” the scanners are, but my husband who was travelling with me at the time jumped in with a quick response “Well it’s not the first time your goverment has lied to you”. So, that was the end of that 🙂
Haha, thanks, Lynette – I love it! I don’t know what evidence that TSA agent was looking at to think they could assure you it is safe.
I opted out at LAX recently, (the first time I had encountered a body scanner,) and experienced exactly what you describe. The shouting and fuss. I simply closed my mind to it and limply allowed them to do their rub down which was not invasive. I do admire the woman who made an issue about it, but I see that as affecting her more than the people employed to put us through the machines. If everyone opts out, the powers that be will soon get frustrated with the whole issue of these dangerous and unnecessary machines and they will be put out to grass. Non-aggressive people power can defeat anything.
Great article. I never knew we could opt-out. I have been chosen more times than I like to be scanned but have never had to go through the x-ray. Reading through the comments shows me that people are choosing this option and it gives me the courage to do so. Going on a flight this weekend so if chosen I will definitely opt-out. Thanks for the information.
Good on you Russell. It is a good thing, as has been said by others, for you to use your site to talk about other important issues, and inspire other people to take a stand (without going crazy). Please keep it up.
The answer for me is not to go to America. I went to live there in 2003 and was astounded at how awful and tasteless the food was even then. Desperate for organic I went into a store called Wholefoods (I think) and found the prices were from some kind of working man’s nightmare. I’ll never forget: One slice of chocolate cake was priced at $7.50! Nothing against Americans perse, but give me Europe any time..
Hi Mike, thanks for sharing, that is interesting. Despite all its problems (which the US has coming, too) Europe has a lot of advantages over the US. I love exploring both 🙂
I travel every year, will be travelling in July, thx for the info, i will definitely opt-out xx
Great! The more of us that opt out, the better.
Great! The more of us that opt out, the better.
i opted out and afterward i felt very icky i was holding back tears and very shakey terrible experience but if i am asked again i will opt out…. I am a female
Are children (under 18) selected to pass through the naked body scanners or are they exempt? I have told my daughter who is soon to travel with friends to opt-out.
I don’t have any info on that unfortunately.
When I last traveled with my 12 year old son, I had to go through the body scanner but they sent him through the metal detector right beside it.
I stumbled across this blog post at just the divine right moment. You have so beautifully expressed all that I wanted to change about my attitude, but couldn’t seem to formulate into words. The lightbulb really went on as I read this post, and it inspired me to write the following statement on my own blog: “I choose not to fight against all that is wrong in the world. Instead, I choose to encourage all that is right with the world.”
Thanks for your thoughtful insight.
Hey!
I travel a lot and seem to have that “go ahead and try to x-RAY me” sign above my head. I am always chosen to be scanned. I always opt out. Every time the TSA agent doing the pat down has been polite, and apologetic. Each time I have been rewarded knowing that I am healthier for opting-out. It isn’t a big deal. If the TSA agent doing the pat down makes it a big deal, stop and request another agent. That in and of itself brings the TSA folks back down to reality, we’re all people and not just another self-righteous, government hater. I am not, I just don’t like to be humiliated because of a choice to be healthy!
Thank you for shareing. I like my privacy and health. I dont want to be made to feel like a criminal because of that.
thank you for sharing your stories, sometime we just have to make a stand for what we believe. It is our body and health after all, i will do the same.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I travel a lot and was never guided by security through the scanner option yet, but it would have never crossed my mind that opt out was an option!!!! I am happy to have this information before it occurs, I will definitively opt out if it happens!
I appreicate you sharing your experience . It is up to us to be very protective of our own well being . Great story 🙂
I opt out. Many of my friends do as well. I found the multiple ‘yelling’ funny, too. I will not be shamed.
I am concerned about which airport body scanner this was or is there any difference between the new & the old ones?
My children go through the older one.
Thanks for all the amazing info you share.
Tricai
This is not the normal, metal detector-style doorway that I will still go through as that does not use radiation.
This is the Xray scanner that you have to go into, hold your hands above your head, and it then produces a naked Xray image of you.
Thank you for posting this experience and giving others the courage and incentive to stand up for themselves.
Thanks so much for sharing story. The last thing I need is more radiation and will be opting out.
Thank God you opted out.I could do the same.But am scared how they pat down females lol!.Am also worried for cell phone use too much technology is not good
Thank you Russell, for providing a very nice description of an interesting experience in a most thought-provoking manner. I am going to opt out the next time I fly, and I will refer to your approach of good intention, knowing I am doing the best possible good for my body.
Thank you so much! I had planned on the opt out when I travel next, but I’ve been worried about it. I will make sure that my belongings that go on the belt are not anything that I would worry about being stolen as my niece had a camera stolen off the belt. Thank you again…I am not worried any longer!
Thanks! That gives me courage as I am flying in a few days and have been through one of these scanners before without knowing what a danger they can be to my health. if asked this time, I will opt out.
Thanks so much for this information. Although, I have not traveled yet, I always had in mind to opt-out because of the radiation that the scanners provides. And, your experience definitely have provided insight on what to do, especially, remaining calm. Thanks!
They were X-Raying EVERYONE at FLL this morning (except for Airline staff), and chose to opt-out. Even though the pat down was a little intrusive, I felt I chose a more organic option over chemicals…. why would they make this a standard procedure…? what about pregnant women???
It was also quick, it maybe took 1-2 minutes total more than the other passengers… plus, x-raying every single person slowed down the line…
VERY AWKWARD MORNING!
many thanks for this great article Russell and much appreciated as I am traveling to Boston next week and was wondering how to handle the situation! You showed great integrity.
Hi! Russell, Thanks for this blog. I’ll be traveling overseas later this summer and was wondering about the horror pat down stories. Thanks for an honest assessment of the routine and heads up about not being intimidated by the TSA folk.
I think if everyone opted out…they would be so busy it would slow down their flight times! This would cost them money, and they would soon abandon the scanners.
Thank you for writing this. We are going to LAX on thursday, my 3 yo, 7 mth baby and hubby. I am opting out, definitely not putting my baby or daughter through this ‘abuse’. I feel empowered after reading of your experience to stand up, albeit calmly, for my health rights. Thanks Again!
Thanks for this. I’ll be flying out of the UK this week and am prepared to ‘opt out’ but it’s really helpful knowing what might happen to me! I will make sure EVERYONE around knows I think the scanners are a health danger. Hopefully recruit more ‘opt outers’ in the process. As a health professional, I have some credibility…. 🙂
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LOL if you think that was bad you should try Chicago O’Hare! My husband and I were both subjected to the most humiliating pat down ever and we didn’t even opt out. The employees there seemed particularly abusive and intrusive and we made some loud comments and were visibly angry about it. The result was that we noticed they got a bit nervous and did seem to be a bit more careful with the passengers behind us. I think more people need to complain good and loud and call these bullies on it as that’s exactly how they are behaving. As a result we decided not to ever use that airport again and if needed will fly into a smaller airport nearby. It’s worth a few extra dollars to avoid the degrading experience major airports are now putting passengers through. Thanks for posting this.
Way to go Russell. I travel a lot so I think I’ll do that next time, too. Although, I’d love to have some statistics as to the dangers of the scanners.
Google ‘airport scanner radiation’ and you’ll get all you need 🙂
I haven’t read much about these scanners. What are the dangers of these scanners? Is it radiation? I will be flying at the end of this month and would like to know.
See my comment above, Lynn 🙂
Well done Mr. James! If we simply do what is best for our own bodies and health (but do so in a quiet and kind manner) I believe we are setting the best examples for others ESPECIALLY in America! It’s important to not give in to the “Herd” mentality and do something just because everyone else is doing so…
I had my first experience last week; at first it seemed that they weren’t in use as I saw most people just going to through the “regular” detector. A female in front of me was then asked to go through the scanner and she opted out. I (male) was then asked to go through and opted out as well. My 10-year old daughter who followed me passed through the “regular” detector.
In both of the instances (the female before me and mine) the TSA person did not shout it out; instead used their radio. The pat down was explained before and throughout the procedure and performed with, I felt, respect.
Interesting enough though was while we were waiting for the pat down I watched someone go through the scanner and then get a very similar pat down check anyway.
Great Story and very inspirational and encouraging. Thank you for sharing. Having this information certainly helps and I would certainly opt out in this situation. Great having the heads up that they make you feel like you are being unreasonable.
Sadly I feel females will be patted down more ‘intensely’ than men. : Until the scanners are removed and the pat downs stop I will not fly and give them my money. I’ve heard horror stories about the pat downs and I refuse to have that done to me.
And yay Dwayne Johnson! Love him! lol.
Females are patted down by females. You also have the option of being taken to a private room, but nothing is being exposed on you, and as I usually want to ensure I don’t miss my plane, I just let them do it to the side. No one pays any attention to you, they are all intent on getting their own stuff back and getting to their plane. I have never lost anything on the belt either. I have even seen a TSA agent watch my stuff until the pat down is over. The horror stories are definitely in the minority.
Great commentary Russell 🙂 I fly out of Chicago O’hare Airport ORD
and also requested to Opt-Out when they began using the scanners last fall. My experience has been most similar to yours and my philosophies the same. Much appreciation to you for sharing this with us here.
After many CT’s for heart and stroke issues in the past year I was not interested in anymore radiation exposure! My experience in opting out was similar to Russel’s and I would def choose this again over the xray! I was intensely patted down a couple of times in Europe last December and surprised by this experience as it was very intense! Though in the end I decided it was no big deal. They were just doing their job. That was very clear and they acted like it was not fun for them as well. Good. I was sweaty from rushing to make a flight and nervous since it was my first time in the EU and slightly overwhelmed by the language challenges. (which all worked out in the end 🙂
When entering back into the USA I opted out in Atlanta along with 9 others and the pat down was like yours, apologetic and not nearly as intense as in Germany. Where they had a big deal about making my camera make a photo for them as well. My camera wouldn’t cooperate! The lens I had on was a short 50 mm and not agreeable to a quick photo without adjusting the lighting and ISO let alone focusing too close up without adjusting the focus point! (A Canon Rebel – complicated non-instamatic). So I had a really hard time explaining that it was the short depth perception of the lens in English and the guard seemed not to translate my words easily. So when I finally just put my foot up on the table to give a decent focus point on the shoe tip since the guard would not let me take a photo of her! Everyone watching this started laughing. So the guard relaxed. I just couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong in to her words in German!
Always opt out! It’s worth not exposing yourself to the radiation!
Exactly, and it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as a ‘safe level/dose of radiation’.
Thanks for sharing your experience Russell. I’m determined to opt out too, but it is great to hear in advance what it may be like. Cheers!
Thanks for posting this article. I would like to share it on Facebook but cannot find the ‘share’ button… guess I’ll do it the old fashioned way – cut & paste:)
Share button is under the headline, right at the top 🙂
As an “Angelino” who travels frequently, I have to face this fear at least twice a month when going through LAX. While I don’t personally worry about the dangers of the backscatter, I am completely against the overreach of the TSA, and do everything in my power to protect myself from the disturbing choices of either being seen naked by a stranger, or felt up by one. I have yet to be chosen for the special screening, but I come prepared every time. Aside from bringing an official copy of my medical records stating I suffer from anxiety disorder, I send myself the following as an email to my blackberry right before I leave to the airport:
Look for the line that does not have a backscatter, or has the fewest number of people being chosen. Keep ID, proof of anxiety disorder, and phone in pocket until told to walk through metal detector, then “remember” suddenly and put phone in with luggage to be x-rayed. If chosen to be screened, pull out phone and do the following (and video never hurts)-
-Ask “Was I selected at random? Who selected me? Why was I selected?”
-State “I refuse to be screened with this method. I will gladly go through the metal detector, but if this is not enough, I request a private screeening, and I request you do not make public that I choose this method.”
-Ask for a TSA supervisor to be present, as well as a member of the APD (airport police department) and if you’re REALLY prepared for a fight, bring proof of as many previous flights you can and ask for a supervisor from the airline you’re flying (this will help prove you are low-risk, and the company taking your money will have more reason to want you happy and on your flight).
Of people I have known who use these methods, they have either been allowed to go through the metal detector to avoid the fuss, or are treated with MUCH more caution than the average Joe Opt-Out. Freedom fighters read on-
-“I do not wish to go through the backscatter. If you touch my genitals, buttocks or breasts I will press charges for assault and battery. The fourth amendment states as a US citizen, as long as I am able to provide proof of citizenship, I am free to travel about the country and not be detained without reasonable cause for arrest. Per my constitutional rights, am I free to go?”
– “I would like your name and badge number so I may file a complaint with the FAA (federal aviation administration, 866-835-5322) and TSA. If you try to detain me, I will call the (call 311 and ask for the name and number of the police department that services the address DIRECTLY ADJACENT to the airport, so they do not give you the number of the APD). I would like the name and number for who is in charge of Public Relations at (airport name)”
After everything has been exhausted, resort to the pat-down. If asked why you’re causing such a fuss, well, pick one.
PR reports that four scientists from UCSF wrote to Presidentail Science Adviser John Holdren about cancer risks of Millimeter-wave scanning, that used in the backscatter. ( http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/11/12/131275949/protests-mount-over-safety-and-privacy-of-airport-scanners )CBS news reports the TSA has never caught a terrorist ( http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/19/eveningnews/main6500349.shtml )Backscatters are able to save pictures – US marshals in florida federal courthouse saved 35,000 images. ( http://gizmodo.com/5690749/these-are-the-first-100-leaked-body-scans )Backscatter images are REALLY graphic ( http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/airport%20scan04%20square.jpg )Backscatter does not stop criminals, as a man was caught with 12 IDs and no official identification in Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pensylvania ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/police-john-doe-who-landed-at-pa-airport-had-12-fake-ids/2011/05/26/AGfEoxBH_story.html )
Excellent. Thanks for sharing your experience. I have been determined to opt out if ever asked, and now thanks to you sharing this i have no qualms about doing it and will do so with a calm and relaxed energy. 🙂
My 6 year old daughter uses an insulin pump which is not removable, and contains electronic components that make security equipment go crazy. For this reason, we have OPTED OUT many times, and have always found the TSA personnel to be friendly, efficient and concerned about my daughters comfort. I’m glad you had the same experience!
Thank you, Russell, for expanding your website to include this article about our diminishing rights in this country! Just like your fellow Raw Foodist, Mike Adams from NaturalNews.com OR NewsTarget.com (same destination), he has also been posting about REFUSING AIRPORT BODY SCANNERS, and the unbelievable POWER that the TSA now commands! For several years, Mike has been writing articles to WAKE UP the SHEEPLE to refuse the pat-downs AND new scanners. Here is the newest info:1. the TSA has repeatedly said that the new scanners are “safe” for humans because of the “diffuse” x-ray scanning. WRONG! When medical experts began looking into this new machine, they have discovered that IN REALITY, the machine uses a SINGLE, NARROW, X-RAY BEAM to rapidly arc over the specific area in rapid “slices”, just like an MRI would! The end result? This new scanner delivers an incredibly unacceptable and UNPRECEDENTED level of radiation to each square millimeter of tissue and organs in the target area – YOUR ENTIRE BODY!!!2. There is a THIRD OPTION that they NEVER tell you about! Remember the old “metal detector scanner” we used to use? It is still there! IT IS THE THIRD OPTION! YES–you do NOT have to use the new scanner, and you do NOT have to submit to a potential pat-down sexual abuse, because YOU CAN DEMAND to use the old metal detector scanner still sitting there!!! Amazing, isn’t it?
3. If you are not YET scared about the potential and exponentially-growing power of the TSA, did you read the news the other day about the TSA threatening the STATE OF TEXAS that IF they dare to pass the proposed legislation to BAN pat-downs at ALL Texas airports, the TSA will divert ALL AIRPLANE TRAFFIC FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS!!! As Mike calls this “Economic Terrorism” by the TSA, the state of Texas BACKED DOWN from passing their airport legislation! THAT IS POWER, folks! And every one of us should be terrified!
What’s next for the TSA? Well, ALL PUBLIC EVENTS will be CONTROLLED by TSA PAT-DOWNS AND BODY INSPECTIONS!!! Think ALL planes, trains, buses, sporting events, concerts, proms….churches? If THIS doesn’t smack of “1984” ….. The worst part of this whole TSA thing, is that it has rapidly grown from 125 employees to 63,000+!!! How many employees do you think they have screened out for sexual offenses? Obviously not enough, judging by some of the sexual pat-downs that have been increasingly reported. Can you really imagine the NECESSITY and LEGALITY of a stranger TSA agent patting down a 2 year-old AND sticking their hands down her pants to finger her? And the Sheeple parents stand there and watch?
Mike and Russell are absolutely correct in standing up for their RIGHTS and asking their readers to do the same. IF WE do NOT nip this NOW, we who love our ORIGINAL FREEDOMS that have been hijacked in this country, WE will ALL be looking for a NEW COUNTRY…or we will be very miserably controlled Sheeples in a Hitler-like US! NOT U.S.A.! BIG difference!
THANK YOU, Russell, for speaking out your TRUTH and asking us to do the same. I WILL. I am.
Good for you! I haven’t been asked to go through one yet, but this has certainly inspired me to opt out. Thanks, Russell!