X-ray backscatter security scanners

[OakLeaf]

We last flew in October - Columbus, OH has the machines but hadn't started using them (at least, I didn't see anyone going through them) - Newark, NJ didn't have them yet. So it's not entirely the size of the airport.

[Catrin]

I am just not going to do it. I am not going through those machines and I am NOT going to go through all of that with TSA staff. Therefore I won't be flying. If'en I can't get there by bike, car, or train then I won't be going

Thankfully all of my family are within a 12 hour drive outside of my sister in San Diego. I further reserve the right to change my mind for special circumstances, but they would have to be da*n special circumstances indeed.

[badgercat]

I just flew from Phoenix to Philadelphia and back. Those are both pretty large airports, but I didn't encounter any of this business on either end. So... who knows how/when this is all actually rolling out.

[OakLeaf]

EPIC has a list, but it doesn't look like it's been updated since September, and obviously a lot of it has been rolled out since then. Columbus isn't on their list.

[emily_in_nc]

Since we're building a condo in Belize, I can't opt out of flying. We put down our deposit BEFORE all these new TSA requirements went into effect, unfortunately. Perhaps we would not have if we could have seen the future.

On the positive side, if many people refuse to fly b/c of all this, it should keep Belize from growing too fast. But I'd much rather none of us be subjected to this level of privacy invasion.

Interesting about an underwire bra setting off the metal detectors; I wear underwire bras AND have a metal plate in my pelvis and four pins, and I've never set off a detector. You'd think they'd have them set on the same sensitivity level USA-wide at least.

[OakLeaf]

You'd think they'd have them set on the same sensitivity level USA-wide at least.

Not even close. Which also raises questions about the backscatter machines, never mind the recent scandals about medical radiation overdosing.

As much as TSA employees are everyone's least favorite workers right now (mine included), I think employee health is a much bigger issue than traveler health. They're exposed to the stuff all day long. I read in a non-reliable source, and haven't bothered to verify, that they're not even ALLOWED to wear dosimeters, let alone provided with any. And of course the law that created TSA stripped the workers of all of the usual employee protections.

[Biciclista]

Knot, you asked why; because some big fat cat sold some other big fat cat a bill of goods.

Donald flew this weekend in bike duds. Worked very well.

no gropes, no xrays.