So.....airport security......

[2vermont]

I haven't taken a flight in years...as in prior to 9/11. I know we have had threads about TSA security in the past, but it's now become more real to me.

Do I actually have a choice when it comes to the type of security measures? What have you done in the past? All I can think about are the body scans and I'm not liking it.

[Deleted]

I opt out of the full body scanners (you always have the choice to opt out.) They do a full body pat down then and depending on who does it, it may be super invasive or not at all. Mine wasn't that bad - she ran her hands around my bra strap/underwire (but did not actually touch my breasts) and ran her hands up the inside of my legs but not all the way up. It took about 30 seconds. I have heard that some are a lot more invasive.

Some airports dont have the body scanners at each lane so you just do the metal detector.

[Chirp]

I think it depends on the airport.

Our local airport doesn't have the big scanners or the TSA groping crew. You just take of your shoes, send your stuff through the x-ray machine and walk through a metal detector, same as before.

[ttt]

Aug 14, 2012 13:00:25 GMT -5 Chirp said:

I think it depends on the airport.

Our local airport doesn't have the big scanners or the TSA groping crew. You just take of your shoes, send your stuff through the x-ray machine and walk through a metal detector, same as before.

This, and even at the big airports, not all the lines are the scanner lines - some are, and some are the regular metal detector ones.

[2vermont]

Aug 14, 2012 13:08:44 GMT -5 ttt said:

Aug 14, 2012 13:00:25 GMT -5 Chirp said:

I think it depends on the airport.

Our local airport doesn't have the big scanners or the TSA groping crew. You just take of your shoes, send your stuff through the x-ray machine and walk through a metal detector, same as before.

This, and even at the big airports, not all the lines are the scanner lines - some are, and some are the regular metal detector ones.

Of course that all makes complete sense when the focus is supposed to be heightened security!

[ECB]

I just flew last week. At BWI, no body scanners. Just the regular metal detector.

We flew out of Salt Lake Sunday- full body scanners. But because DS was with us, they let all 3 of us just go through the metal detector w/ no pat down.

[LoveTrains]

Don't wear a skirt or a dress. If you opt to not go through the x-ray/naked body scanners and get the pat down, they will pat down/rub up your naked leg. It is stupid.

[2vermont]

You mean my see through dress isn't good enough? ;-)

[Deleted]

Aug 14, 2012 13:20:03 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Don't wear a skirt or a dress. If you opt to not go through the x-ray/naked body scanners and get the pat down, they will pat down/rub up your naked leg. It is stupid.

This was the only reason I went through the porno scanner on my trip last weekend. I was trying to pack light, so I didn't want to wear pants and then change. And I had no desire to show the whole airport my pantaloons, so I just sucked it up.

What really kills me is that if the porno scanner is so effective, why do I have to take off my FLIP FLOPS?! Can't it see if there's anything between my foot and that piece of foam?

Also, a funny note: the MKE airport was using porno scanners, but LaGuardia just had regular ol' metal detectors.

2V, don't forget to pack your liquids, aerosols, and gels that go in your carry-ong in a plastic bag. 3.4 ounces or less per container, and you get 1 quart size zip top bag. When you get to the conveyor belt for your things, take off your shoes (trying not to think about what weird foot fungus you're catching) and any overcoat or jacket. Place in bin with your quart size bag. Laptops must come out of the bag, but iPads, phones, mp3 players, and other small electronics don't have to. I never take off my jewelry, and it's never a problem.

[marie427]

Aug 14, 2012 13:13:01 GMT -5 ECB said:

I just flew last week. At BWI, no body scanners. Just the regular metal detector.

We flew out of Salt Lake Sunday- full body scanners. But because DS was with us, they let all 3 of us just go through the metal detector w/ no pat down.

Next time I should grab a kid to avoid the pornoscan.

I've always been able to opt out and a woman will give you the pat down. The times I've had it done, I could tell the agent wasn't thrilled about the whole thing so they were always nice and polite with me.

Also, don't forget to stick your 3 fl.oz or smaller liquids and gels in a quart-sized plastic bag and take it out of your bag and put it separately on the conveyor. Of course, I forgot to take it out of my bag one time so it went through with my suitcase and no one ever said anything. Yay safety!

[marie427]

Aug 14, 2012 14:22:20 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Aug 14, 2012 13:20:03 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Also, a funny note: the MKE airport was using porno scanners, but LaGuardia just had regular ol' metal detectors.

I expect even terrorists to have some standards and avoid flying out of LGA if they can help it.

[jena]

Wear shoes and socks. That way your nekkid feet aren't on the same floor as everyone else's foot fungus.

[Deleted]

Aug 14, 2012 14:25:51 GMT -5 marie427 said:

Aug 14, 2012 14:22:20 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Aug 14, 2012 13:20:03 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Also, a funny note: the MKE airport was using porno scanners, but LaGuardia just had regular ol' metal detectors.

I expect even terrorists to have some standards and avoid flying out of LGA if they can help it.

True. No offense to NYC, but that place was a fucking shithole.

Hey, let's see just how many people we can cram into gates B7 and 8! Restrooms? What do you mean, restrooms? 2 stalls isn't enough for the army of people crammed into approximately 8 square feet?!

The brightside is that it's easily accessible by bus.

[2vermont]

Aug 14, 2012 14:24:07 GMT -5 marie427 said:

Aug 14, 2012 13:13:01 GMT -5 ECB said:

I just flew last week. At BWI, no body scanners. Just the regular metal detector.

We flew out of Salt Lake Sunday- full body scanners. But because DS was with us, they let all 3 of us just go through the metal detector w/ no pat down.

Next time I should grab a kid to avoid the pornoscan.

I've always been able to opt out and a woman will give you the pat down. The times I've had it done, I could tell the agent wasn't thrilled about the whole thing so they were always nice and polite with me.

Also, don't forget to stick your 3 fl.oz or smaller liquids and gels in a quart-sized plastic bag and take it out of your bag and put it separately on the conveyor. Of course, I forgot to take it out of my bag one time so it went through with my suitcase and no one ever said anything. Yay safety!

bridey and marie.....I plan on checking the baggage with that stuff, so I should be good, right? I think the only thing I am going to carry on is my laptop and my fannie pak.

[emilyj]

I usually go out of Atlanta, and some lines have the porn scanner, some don't. I try to always get myself in a line that doesn't have the porn scanner. In airports where I can't avoid the scanner, I always opt out of the porn scanner, and I have never had an issue with the actual pat down. In Vegas I had an agent try to guilt me into the porn scanner, but that was the only issue I've ever had. All of my pat downs have been very non-invasive.

All liquids in 3.4oz containers or less in a quart ziplock bag. Because the rules change all the time, I usually also throw in my mascara, lip gloss and chapstick as well - I lost a Sephora lip gloss in Atlanta once and I was super pissed, so I don't chance it anymore. Some airports will let shaving creme go through, some airports will claim it's a liquid and should be in that ziplock bag. Who knows. I don't see how shaving creme is a liquid, but I guess we have to keep the terrorists guessing somehow!

[marie427]

Hey I like EWR!

2V, that sounds fine. If you check baggage, no need to put your stuff in plastic bags. But they will tell you to take your laptop out of its bag if it's not out yet.

[2vermont]

Aug 14, 2012 14:36:39 GMT -5 emilyj said:

I usually go out of Atlanta, and some lines have the porn scanner, some don't. I try to always get myself in a line that doesn't have the porn scanner. In airports where I can't avoid the scanner, I always opt out of the porn scanner, and I have never had an issue with the actual pat down. In Vegas I had an agent try to guilt me into the porn scanner, but that was the only issue I've ever had. All of my pat downs have been very non-invasive.

All liquids in 3.4oz containers or less in a quart ziplock bag. Because the rules change all the time, I usually also throw in my mascara, lip gloss and chapstick as well - I lost a Sephora lip gloss in Atlanta once and I was super pissed, so I don't chance it anymore. Some airports will let shaving creme go through, some airports will claim it's a liquid and should be in that ziplock bag. Who knows. I don't see how shaving creme is a liquid, but I guess we have to keep the terrorists guessing somehow!

Hmmm...my makeup bag...might need to rethink bringing that on board.

[2vermont]

Another Q: If you aren't taking a direct flight and have to catch another plane in another airport do you have to go through security again? Or are you good to go?

FWIW, I'm flying through Chicago.....never been a fave of mine.

[Deleted]

Aug 14, 2012 14:47:49 GMT -5 2vermont said:

Another Q: If you aren't taking a direct flight and have to catch another plane in another airport do you have to go through security again? Or are you good to go?

FWIW, I'm flying through Chicago.....never been a fave of mine.

Generally, no. The only time I've ever had to do that was going through Philly. Terminal F was completely separate from the rest of the airport and had a separate security check.

[basilosaurus]

Aug 14, 2012 14:26:57 GMT -5 jena said:

Wear shoes and socks. That way your nekkid feet aren't on the same floor as everyone else's foot fungus.

Ugh. Good point. If I'm just flying interisland, I'm always in flip flops (just like I am pretty much everyday) and the floor is so nasty. I miss Japan where on the rare occasion they asked you to take off shoes they gave you slippers to wear.

Most makeup if small enough to be acceptable. If you have something like saline, that's exempt. I used to print out the page that said it was exempt in case anyone ever hassled me, but that was years ago, and I've never had a problem.

If you have a laptop sleeve, you can leave it in that. It just can't be in a bag.

[debatethis]

Aug 14, 2012 14:22:20 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Aug 14, 2012 13:20:03 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Don't wear a skirt or a dress. If you opt to not go through the x-ray/naked body scanners and get the pat down, they will pat down/rub up your naked leg. It is stupid.

This was the only reason I went through the porno scanner on my trip last weekend. I was trying to pack light, so I didn't want to wear pants and then change. And I had no desire to show the whole airport my pantaloons, so I just sucked it up.

What really kills me is that if the porno scanner is so effective, why do I have to take off my FLIP FLOPS?! Can't it see if there's anything between my foot and that piece of foam?

Also, a funny note: the MKE airport was using porno scanners, but LaGuardia just had regular ol' metal detectors.

2V, don't forget to pack your liquids, aerosols, and gels that go in your carry-ong in a plastic bag. 3.4 ounces or less per container, and you get 1 quart size zip top bag. When you get to the conveyor belt for your things, take off your shoes (trying not to think about what weird foot fungus you're catching) and any overcoat or jacket. Place in bin with your quart size bag. Laptops must come out of the bag, but iPads, phones, mp3 players, and other small electronics don't have to. I never take off my jewelry, and it's never a problem.

Ditto all of this and a PSA: ClearCare contact solution will send up an alert so don't bring it with you unless you have an hour to sit around while they send your bottle of contact solution through "extra security precautions" or are willing to chuck the bottle at security.

[2vermont]

Do they put the laptop through the x-ray machine? If so, can that damage it?

[basilosaurus]

Yes, it goes through the xray. It will be fine.

[ESF]

Aug 14, 2012 13:17:55 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

You can request a pat down and I would encourage you to do that. You can ask for the pat down to take place in a private area, but to me that's even creepier. So I would decline that "option." DH has gotten the "executive rubdown" and he said it is kind of jarring, but he doesn't like the scanners and refuses to go through them.

I always decline the private area. I get my pat down out in the open because I want the American public to see what sort of humiliation we force people to endure in the name of national security.

Of course, most of the American public is drugged on the Cinnabon they shoved down their throats while waiting in the security line, so they probably don't pay attention, but in my head I like to think of myself as a martyr for the cause. It helps me cope with the grope.

Also, here's a tip. Don't ask too many questions about the scanner when in line. H did, then decided to go through it. Then they decided to give him the pat down anyway because his question asking raised suspicions.

I don't ever do the liquids in a plastic bag. I have never had a problem. I flew out of five different airports in the last two months, all with lotions in my carry on, and didn't get stopped.

[marynjoe]

Don't get me started. :@

Some places have lines which veer one direction to the EZ Porn Oven, and the other to the metal detector. But sometimes you can't tell which line goes where, and if they see you head for the metal detector, they will steer you towards the EZ Porn Oven.

If you set off the metal detector, they will go straight for the full body grope. They no longer wand if you set it off.

If you opt out of the EZ Porn Oven, say "I Opt Out". You will get the side eye and then you will be felt up by a same sex TSA agent. For me, the hands were all the way up my leg, across my crotch, around my butt, over and under my breasts, and inside my pants around the waistline. She touched every single inch of me. If I had been wearing a skirt, she would have been touching my labia. She never stopped until she hit crotch and felt it. At one point I thought she was going for a happy ending. My mom was watching and was shocked at how intrusive it was.

Make sure you tell them that you're keeping your eye on your stuff while you get groped. Both times I told them that and they seemed put off that I wanted to watch my laptop. They don't like it when you do that. But they did finally bring it over in a bin so I had my eyes on it.

Print out all the TSA rules regarding security. Keep them folded in your pants pocket, not in a jacket. Once you are getting groped, you can't reach into your baggage or jacket for the papers to show them that you are right and they are wrong. Keep them in your hand if you have to. Some of them still don't know the rules.

Liquids: keep them all in your one quart bag, but they forget to say something half the time, which makes the whole thing pretty pointless. But, do it anyway and include liquid makeup.

The whole TSA is pretty much a waste of time and money and not effective at stopping much of anything, but as of now, we have to suck it up and go along. Hopefully this will end someday. Just know as much as you can beforehand to be prepared for what to expect. And, be polite. Don't bother trying to be friendly and make small talk. They don't want it. Save your breath and just do what they ask as long as it's within the rules.

[emmybean]

I got felt up every fucking time I went through a security line on my last two flights. FYI, if you are at all sweaty they will grope you, even if you do go through their stupid porn oven.

[2vermont]

Aug 14, 2012 17:36:46 GMT -5 marynjoe said:

Don't get me started.

Some places have lines which veer one direction to the EZ Porn Oven, and the other to the metal detector. But sometimes you can't tell which line goes where, and if they see you head for the metal detector, they will steer you towards the EZ Porn Oven.

If you set off the metal detector, they will go straight for the full body grope. They no longer wand if you set it off.

If you opt out of the EZ Porn Oven, say "I Opt Out". You will get the side eye and then you will be felt up by a same sex TSA agent. For me, the hands were all the way up my leg, across my crotch, around my butt, over and under my breasts, and inside my pants around the waistline. She touched every single inch of me. If I had been wearing a skirt, she would have been touching my labia. She never stopped until she hit crotch and felt it. At one point I thought she was going for a happy ending. My mom was watching and was shocked at how intrusive it was.

Make sure you tell them that you're keeping your eye on your stuff while you get groped. Both times I told them that and they seemed put off that I wanted to watch my laptop. They don't like it when you do that. But they did finally bring it over in a bin so I had my eyes on it.

Print out all the TSA rules regarding security. Keep them folded in your pants pocket, not in a jacket. Once you are getting groped, you can't reach into your baggage or jacket for the papers to show them that you are right and they are wrong. Keep them in your hand if you have to. Some of them still don't know the rules.

Liquids: keep them all in your one quart bag, but they forget to say something half the time, which makes the whole thing pretty pointless. But, do it anyway and include liquid makeup.

The whole TSA is pretty much a waste of time and money and not effective at stopping much of anything, but as of now, we have to suck it up and go along. Hopefully this will end someday. Just know as much as you can beforehand to be prepared for what to expect. And, be polite. Don't bother trying to be friendly and make small talk. They don't want it. Save your breath and just do what they ask as long as it's within the rules.

This is disgusting.

Thanks for the info though. I'd rather expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised.

[2vermont]

I just checked in online.....there are now fees for checking bags??? This is just ridiculous. So exactly what do we get for our ticket price? An uncomfortable seat and peanuts?

[swsaradee]

Aug 15, 2012 7:55:04 GMT -5 2vermont said:

I just checked in online.....there are now fees for checking bags??? This is just ridiculous. So exactly what do we get for our ticket price? An uncomfortable seat and peanuts?

You don't even get peanuts anymore. Some flights have snacks for sale though.

I opt for the porno scanner. I prefer it to the groping.

[2vermont]

Aug 15, 2012 8:10:46 GMT -5 swsaradee said:

Aug 15, 2012 7:55:04 GMT -5 2vermont said:

I just checked in online.....there are now fees for checking bags??? This is just ridiculous. So exactly what do we get for our ticket price? An uncomfortable seat and peanuts?

You don't even get peanuts anymore. Some flights have snacks for sale though.

I opt for the porno scanner. I prefer it to the groping.

Snacks for sale? I know this is so not that important but this irks the hell out of me.

Maybe I should opt for the porno scan one way and the groping the other way and see which one I hate the least for my next trip.