? about flying and screening machines

nbbride06 · May 2011

Leaving for our babymoon today and I don't want to go through the full body screening machines. When do I ask to be patted down instead? Right before I would go through the machine or do I try to find somebody and tell them before that?

meg211 · May 2011

First try to get in the line that isn't using the full body scanner. Then if you have to, right before you step through, tell the person there can you go through the regular metal detector instead. If they say no, then ask for the pat down then.

absent*minded · May 2011

If they motion you toward the scanner (not the metal detector), just say "I'd like to opt out, please."

IME if you puff out your pg belly they won't try to make you go through the scanner.

Have fun on your babymoon!

Five_letter · May 2011

I mentioned I was pregnant and they sent me through the machine anyway. Said there was more harmful things coming out of my cell phone.

I was 7 months pregnant, and very obviously pregnant.

Hope you have better luck than I did requesting a pat down.

anakalia10 · May 2011

I flew last month- my security line had both the regular metal detectors and the screening machine. The TSA agent waved me (and I was carrying DS) through the metal detector and didn't request that I go through the screening machine. If she would have asked me to go through the screening machine, I would have told her that I opt out.

They may not ask you to go through the screening machine- so I wouldn't say anything unless presented with that requirement. If you announce to them that you refuse to do it (before you are even asked), I think they are required to do the pat-down.

anakalia10 · May 2011

Five_letter:

I mentioned I was pregnant and they sent me through the machine anyway. Said there was more harmful things coming out of my cell phone.

I was 7 months pregnant, and very obviously pregnant.

Hope you have better luck than I did requesting a pat down.

Did you actually refuse? Or just try to not "have" to do it?

lucylea · May 2011

I would wait until you are told which line to go through and then if you are really against it tell them you would like to opt out and have a pat down instead. Remember that while they are required to allow your request, they aren't necessarily going to do it in as timely of fashion as going through the scanner would be. Personally, I would just do the scanner, its not that big of a deal.

outlandartist · May 2011

At a larger airport I got in the line with just the metal detector. But at a small airport there was only one line. The lady noticed my belly and directed me to the metal detector, while others were directed to the body scanner. If she had pointed me toward the body scan, I would have opted out. Thankfully they were randomly sending some people through the metal detector and no one was getting a pat down if they refused the body scan.

outlandartist · May 2011

Five_letter:
I mentioned I was pregnant and they sent me through the machine anyway. Said there was more harmful things coming out of my cell phone.
I was 7 months pregnant, and very obviously pregnant.
Hope you have better luck than I did requesting a pat down.

She violated your legal right to opt out! I heard you can ask for a supervisor if they don't grant your request.

amygoable · May 2011

Five_letter:
I mentioned I was pregnant and they sent me through the machine anyway. Said there was more harmful things coming out of my cell phone.
I was 7 months pregnant, and very obviously pregnant.
Hope you have better luck than I did requesting a pat down.

Cell phones give of RF waves, but not radiation. TSA employees suck.

mbritto4 · May 2011

I flew in February and my OB told me you get more radiation sitting on the airplane than you do in those machines. MH travels weekly and not all lines at all airports make you go thru them, and then its every X number of people.

absent*minded · May 2011

amygoable:
Five_letter:
I mentioned I was pregnant and they sent me through the machine anyway. Said there was more harmful things coming out of my cell phone.
I was 7 months pregnant, and very obviously pregnant.
Hope you have better luck than I did requesting a pat down.
Cell phones give of RF waves, but not radiation. TSA employees suck.

Exactly. I had one tell me that it was just like getting an ultrasound at the doctor's office. Um, wrong.

You have a legal right to opt out. The only thing that the TSA employee should say to you to your request is to ask you to step aside. They are not allowed to make editorial comments, and if they do, you can ask to speak to a supervisor.

What frustrates me the most about all of this ridiculousness is that I don't think that it makes us safer at all. It's just another big PITA.

absent*minded · May 2011

mbritto4:
I flew in February and my OB told me you get more radiation sitting on the airplane than you do in those machines.

Only if they are working correctly. However the TSA has not shown that they calibrate or maintain the machines properly. I feel badly for the workers- they could be exposed to radiation and not even know it as the TSA will not allow them to wear monitors.

The whole thing is just ridiculous.

ejs207 · May 2011

The practice I go to recommends opting out of the backscatter machines b/c the testing done by the government has not been released to the medical community.

I have flown twice this pregnancy. The first time, I was waved through to just the metal detector. The second time, the TSA agent actually closed the backscatter machine a few people ahead of me (after making eye contact) and then re-opened it a few people behind me.

I get the feeling most agents will be accomodating and it is your right to opt out. Like people said, it could take longer, so get to the airport early.

MuseumMaven · May 2011

I've flown twice, and I just chose a line with metal detectors. If I had been selected for a backscatter, I would have opted out. Like PPs said, they are required by law to allow you to opt out and get the pat-down.

Yes, supposedly the machines expose you to less radiation than flying. But they have not been tested for pregnancy, therefore I reserve my right to be a paranoid mommy!

Shannon5085 · May 2011

amygoable:
Five_letter:
I mentioned I was pregnant and they sent me through the machine anyway. Said there was more harmful things coming out of my cell phone.
I was 7 months pregnant, and very obviously pregnant.
Hope you have better luck than I did requesting a pat down.
Cell phones give of RF waves, but not radiation. TSA employees suck.

TSA currently uses two types of body scanners. The back scatter and the Millimeter wave. The back scatter is indeed an X-ray, and I personally wouldn't go through it. The other, is obviously millimeter waves, and produces a tiny amount of radiation... yes, less than your cell phone or riding on a plane.

Everything gives off small amounts of radiation, including your cell phone and even you and the food you eat.

Ignorant people suck

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