Airport Security Meltdown

Petit392 · August 2013

Just need to be talked off the ledge here...so I'm at the airport and just went through security. When I approached the full body scanner, I asked to opt out to be safe. The guy said the machine was perfectly safe, emitted no x-rays (it's a millimeter wave scanner not the back scatter x-ray kind), and would not let me opt out. So, I did it. And now I'm sitting here, scaring myself to death while reading up on google. I feel like such an idiot...anyone else experience this??

RanFan28 · August 2013

STOP LOOKING AT GOOGLE!!!

edenkeever · August 2013

They are not allowed to force you to go through that. I always ask for a pat down just to be on the safe side. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with going through it though. I would have gone nuts on that dude if he tried to tell me that I had to do it...

RanFan28 · August 2013

TB ate the rest of my post. While I think it's annoying that you couldn't opt out, you and baby are going to be okay. Getting yourself all worked up will be more worrisome than the actual scan. Just relax. You're okay.

Petit392 · August 2013

Can't even tell you how comforting it was to check this after only posting a few minutes ago to see all your responses. THANK YOU! I seriously had a major freak out. On my way home, I'll get the pat down and be insistent no matter what - if nothing else, so that I don't drive myself crazy again. Thanks again everyone...

grannyweatherwax · August 2013

TSA is a bitch. But stay off the google. Seriously.

JRT512 · August 2013

You're fine! The machines don't use X-rays. Cell phone radiation, UV rays and visible light all have a higher frequency than the scanner. But they shouldn't have forced you either way, not cool.

Petit392 · August 2013

I know, that guy was a complete assh*le. It wouldn't have been that much of an inconvenience for them either!

Petit392 · August 2013

@Cashingn2 - didn't know if the boards allowed it, but mighty glad they do!

Paddlefisher · August 2013

#1 - Someone needs to report that asshole for not giving you the option to have pat-down instead. UNACCEPTABLE.

#2 - Backscatter is a form of X-ray. I see no reason why people think the laws of physics and ionizing radiation operate differently at an airport than elsewhere.

#3 - By riding in an airplane, you are going to be exposed to more X-rays than the Backscatter body scanner at the airport. The baby will be fine. But you are completely in the right to be upset.

JRT512 said:

You're fine! The machines don't use X-rays. Cell phone radiation, UV rays and visible light all have a higher frequency than the scanner. But they shouldn't have forced you either way, not cool.

Paddlefisher · August 2013

Oops. I just saw that you said it was wave scanner not back scatter. If he was correct that the machine was millimeter wave scanner, you are in good shape. They don't produce ionizing radiation, and chronic toxicity assays (test longterm low-dose exposures, rather than higher does acute testing) show no effects.

Sorry... I admit I get all worked up and see red when TSA people claim that backscatter has no x-rays. These people don't know the first thing about ionizing radiation. All they know is what they were trained to say or their supervisor tells them. If the chain of command says it, well then it must be true! Their objective is to get as many people to go through the scanners as they can because it's much faster than patting everyone down.

And this is not even getting into the privacy issues of these machines being a virtual strip search.

zou bisou · August 2013

You probably don't want to go through the trouble reporting that TSA person, but I think you have grounds too.

The technology is supposed to be safe. But the paranoid side of me, and my general lack of confidence in the average TSA worker and preference for privacy, feels better avoiding it. If the machine was malfunctioning or emitting too much radiation, I'm pretty sure it would take till people were walking out with glowing skin and three eyes before they did anything about it.

backoffunicorn · August 2013

No need to stress about it. I talked to my doctor about it right when I got pregnant b/c I travel a lot and she said that the full body scanners are no big deal.

Lyzza350 · August 2013

Omg bullshit!!!! First off let me say I'm sure the baby is ok. But not letting you opt out is out freeking rageous. I hate when ppl abuse their power. You should 100 percent complain!

Lyzza350 · August 2013

zou bisou said:
But the paranoid side of me, and my general lack of confidence in the average TSA worker and preference for privacy, feels better avoiding it. If the machine was malfunctioning or emitting too much radiation, I'm pretty sure it would take till people were walking out with glowing skin and three eyes before they did anything about it.

lol so true.

Petit392 · August 2013

Thanks everyone. I actually spoke to a friend's brother who is an OBGYN and he said I am fine. But to be prepared for my ride home, to get a note from my doc in case TSA is difficult again. But it's still scary!

mightymousy · August 2013

SailorTink said:

First, don't worry! You and baby are fine. Second, that guy is a d!ck. They cannot force you through that.

This for sure!

Aycul18 · August 2013

Sorry the guy was such an Ass, but glad you posted this as I am traveling Wednesday as well, and honestly didn't even think about the scanner!

Yogakitten · August 2013

I travel frequently for work and always ask for the pat down (even prior to pregnancy). He absolutely was not allowed to tell you no to the pat down. Next time, ask to speak to his manager and get his name. I've had guys give me a hard time, but I've always smiled sweetly and said that I'd just feel more comfortable with the pat down. I've never had someone tell me no.

Petit392 · August 2013

Yogakitten - I'm definitely not taking no for an answer when I travel back home this week!

Yogakitten · August 2013

Good for you. I'm sure you know this, but I wouldn't be rude about it even if the next guy has a poor attitude about it, because they can certainly make life difficult for you. Just be calm and pleasant, but hold firm. By the way, a trip or two through those scanners makes no difference, your baby is just fine.

But this is your health, and the TSA gave you an option to exercise your own judgment over how those machines impact it, so you shouldnt be made to feel badly for doing so.

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