Comments on: Five reasons to opt out of TSA pornoscanners this weekend http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 12:05:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Sean M Lawler http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1590198 Sean M Lawler Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1590198  Strangely enough, I have.  Interesting...  Strangely enough, I have.  Interesting…

]]> By: CLamb http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589633 CLamb Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589633  Isn't carrying an aluminum wrapped cucumber in your pants when flying a practice of devout Pastafarians?  Isn’t carrying an aluminum wrapped cucumber in your pants when flying a practice of devout Pastafarians?

]]> By: 1stAfterburner http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589285 1stAfterburner Thu, 22 Nov 2012 02:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589285 When the Israeli Government rejected these machines as worthless security devices when they examined them I knew that our T otally S tupid A gency was putting on a very expensive security "show" for us. When the Israeli Government rejected these machines as worthless security devices when they examined them I knew that our T otally S tupid A gency was putting on a very expensive security “show” for us.

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589212 Mister44 Thu, 22 Nov 2012 01:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589212 I think everyone should take a page out of Derek Small's book and travel with an aluminum wrapped cucumber in their pants on the way home from Thanksgiving. Just to mess with the TSA. I think everyone should take a page out of Derek Small’s book and travel with an aluminum wrapped cucumber in their pants on the way home from Thanksgiving. Just to mess with the TSA.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589168 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589168 Tits or GTFOOLAX? Tits or GTFOOLAX?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589154 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589154 If you've been diligent about doing your Kegel's, you should be able to give the agent a nice surprise. If you’ve been diligent about doing your Kegel’s, you should be able to give the agent a nice surprise.

]]> By: ackpht http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589144 ackpht Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589144 I always opt out, just to mess with them. I have no illusions that the guy reaching around in my pants is eager to do it. I always opt out, just to mess with them. I have no illusions that the guy reaching around in my pants is eager to do it.

]]> By: Mister http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589117 Mister Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589117 I have never been through a pornoscanner and opted out at numerous airports around the US, and honestly, the only time I've ever been hassled about it was at JFK on a busy day. The agents made loud remarks to each other about how they thought people shouldn't be allowed to opt out and so forth, but I held my tongue, let them do their patdown, and moved along. And I have to say, at SFO and RDU the agents were downright pleasant about the whole thing. I have never been through a pornoscanner and opted out at numerous airports around the US, and honestly, the only time I’ve ever been hassled about it was at JFK on a busy day. The agents made loud remarks to each other about how they thought people shouldn’t be allowed to opt out and so forth, but I held my tongue, let them do their patdown, and moved along. And I have to say, at SFO and RDU the agents were downright pleasant about the whole thing.

]]> By: Finnagain http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589106 Finnagain Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589106  Make them take you out to dinner first.  Make them take you out to dinner first.

]]> By: elusis http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589098 elusis Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589098 <a href="http://elusis.livejournal.com/2141915.html" rel="nofollow">Make them look you in the eye.</a> Make them look you in the eye.

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589088 Cowicide Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589088 Ut oh, the TSA exposed the breasts of a teen girl who's the grand niece of a republican politician... http://rockwallheraldbanner.com/topnews/x1332336113/TSA-screening-incident-of-Ralph-Hall-s-grand-niece-sparks-federal-investigation-according-to-reports Ut oh, the TSA exposed the breasts of a teen girl who’s the grand niece of a republican politician…

http://rockwallheraldbanner.com/topnews/x1332336113/TSA-screening-incident-of-Ralph-Hall-s-grand-niece-sparks-federal-investigation-according-to-reports

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589031 EH Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589031 <i>It has been reported that the pat-downs are less invasive/aggressive when the agent knows he/she is being recorded.</i> As it is with all bad cops. It has been reported that the pat-downs are less invasive/aggressive when the agent knows he/she is being recorded.

As it is with all bad cops.

]]> By: Finnagain http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589008 Finnagain Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589008 1. 2.. 5! three, Sir. 1. 2.. 5!

three, Sir.

]]> By: Sean M Lawler http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1589003 Sean M Lawler Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1589003  I think the opportune time would be to hand this to them when they ask you if you have anything in your pockets.  I've opted out every single instance I've flown since they've installed these scanners, and I swear they're getting more and more methodical around the groin.  Too bad I live in a flyover state with a train-hating governor so my job forces me to use air travel.  I think the opportune time would be to hand this to them when they ask you if you have anything in your pockets. 

I’ve opted out every single instance I’ve flown since they’ve installed these scanners, and I swear they’re getting more and more methodical around the groin.  Too bad I live in a flyover state with a train-hating governor so my job forces me to use air travel.

]]> By: Drew from Zhrodague http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588999 Drew from Zhrodague Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588999 Could have just been how PIT was that day. There was one guy in front of me to check IDs in the First Class line. There were 80-120 people in a steerage lines waiting, which had backed-up past the glass elevator. I didn't get any included wine in First Class. Could have just been how PIT was that day. There was one guy in front of me to check IDs in the First Class line. There were 80-120 people in a steerage lines waiting, which had backed-up past the glass elevator.

I didn’t get any included wine in First Class.

]]> By: TWX http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588984 TWX Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588984 I've flown first-class through Boston Logan, Philadelphia International (both domestically and internationally) and Phoenix Sky Harbor, and all that the priority/first class line does is get to the ID check desk faster.  No priority through the screen process itself, just entry into it sooner. I’ve flown first-class through Boston Logan, Philadelphia International (both domestically and internationally) and Phoenix Sky Harbor, and all that the priority/first class line does is get to the ID check desk faster.  No priority through the screen process itself, just entry into it sooner.

]]> By: Drew from Zhrodague http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588973 Drew from Zhrodague Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588973 Or, go First Class. My recent trip from PIT, I somehow managed to get a first-class ticket. There's a separate line, to a separate security gate, with their own metal-detector - no mmwave, no pornoscanner. If you pay more, you get better treatment. I hate that, and that is supposed to be illegal. Or, go First Class. My recent trip from PIT, I somehow managed to get a first-class ticket. There’s a separate line, to a separate security gate, with their own metal-detector – no mmwave, no pornoscanner. If you pay more, you get better treatment. I hate that, and that is supposed to be illegal.

]]> By: brantcantwatch http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588941 brantcantwatch Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588941 Citizens are allowed, as per the TSA website, to take video of pat-downs on their phones, as long as you don't impede the TSA's progress. It has been reported that the pat-downs are less invasive/aggressive when the agent knows he/she is being recorded. However, you would need someone else (a companion or a stranger not affiliated with the airline or airport) to take the video. Citizens are allowed, as per the TSA website, to take video of pat-downs on their phones, as long as you don’t impede the TSA’s progress. It has been reported that the pat-downs are less invasive/aggressive when the agent knows he/she is being recorded. However, you would need someone else (a companion or a stranger not affiliated with the airline or airport) to take the video.

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588908 Cowicide Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588908 Print out this picture and hand it to the TSA agent: http://i.imgur.com/Uonir.jpg Print out this picture and hand it to the TSA agent:

http://i.imgur.com/Uonir.jpg

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588861 mccrum Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588861 I've never had any issues time-wise or hassle-wise with the pat downs.  But then, I also add  time like gracchus. I’ve never had any issues time-wise or hassle-wise with the pat downs.  But then, I also add  time like gracchus.

]]> By: gracchus http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588856 gracchus Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588856 Both times I've had the opportunity to opt out, the TSA agents asking were not happy. In both cases (at 2 separate airports) they dropped the customer service smiles, pointed me over the screening area, and made me wait 5-10 minutes extra while they took their time "finding" someone to do the pat-down. I get to the airport early so there's no problem for me, but I could see some of my fellow opt-outers getting antsy at the prospect of missing their flights. The agents doing the pat-downs were professional and pleasant, but the other ones were definitely giving me the stink-eye. Both times I’ve had the opportunity to opt out, the TSA agents asking were not happy. In both cases (at 2 separate airports) they dropped the customer service smiles, pointed me over the screening area, and made me wait 5-10 minutes extra while they took their time “finding” someone to do the pat-down.

I get to the airport early so there’s no problem for me, but I could see some of my fellow opt-outers getting antsy at the prospect of missing their flights. The agents doing the pat-downs were professional and pleasant, but the other ones were definitely giving me the stink-eye.

]]> By: lasershark http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588844 lasershark Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588844 "ok, i'll go through with you" everyone just say that to every tsa officer "i'll do it if you'll do it" you'll be doing it how many times a year? and them how many times a day? then wait for the scientific evidence to arrive “ok, i’ll go through with you”

everyone just say that to every tsa officer

“i’ll do it if you’ll do it”

you’ll be doing it how many times a year? and them how many times a day?

then wait for the scientific evidence to arrive

]]> By: Zuhaib Siddique http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588840 Zuhaib Siddique Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588840 I have always opted out but it seems everytime I have they have increased the level of discomfort as a way to stop it.  I do have to say the TSA agent in SFO recently was very nice and understanding, dont know is after some of the bad press they got recently or what. I have always opted out but it seems everytime I have they have increased the level of discomfort as a way to stop it.  I do have to say the TSA agent in SFO recently was very nice and understanding, dont know is after some of the bad press they got recently or what.

]]> By: watchmeboogie http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588839 watchmeboogie Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588839 And remember when refusing, just be polite and friendly about it and you'll find that your subsequent experiences will be conducted as pleasantly as is possible when a stranger is cupping your crotch in the middle of an airport. And remember when refusing, just be polite and friendly about it and you’ll find that your subsequent experiences will be conducted as pleasantly as is possible when a stranger is cupping your crotch in the middle of an airport.

]]> By: Kevin Pierce http://boingboing.net/2012/11/21/five-reasons-to-opt-out-of-tsa.html#comment-1588837 Kevin Pierce Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=195484#comment-1588837 Reason #1 is reason enough - I just say "I'm not going in there" to the TSA personnel.    Only once have I been asked "Why not?" and I tell them about reason #1, adding, "You may want to reconsider standing close to that thing for a prolonged period." Bringing up any of the others reasons is just asking for "special hassling." Reason #1 is reason enough – I just say “I’m not going in there” to the TSA personnel.   

Only once have I been asked “Why not?” and I tell them about reason #1, adding, “You may want to reconsider standing close to that thing for a prolonged period.”

Bringing up any of the others reasons is just asking for “special hassling.”

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