In case you Turn Down Airport Nudie Scans After Oct. 31, You may get Groped Very Hard [Airports]

The whole body scans at airports-the ones that reveal your naughty bits in great detail-are fortunately optional, given prior abuse . But after Oct. 31, whenever you opt out, it feels like you’ll be more thoroughly ” screened” than ever .

While turning down the whole body scan has always led to a patdown, there’s a newer ” enhanced” screening procedure that’s being tested at some airports while you opt out, like at Boston’s Logan airport . Here’s what’s it like described on Daily Kos :

Two (female) TSA officers stepped over to me, and gave me the most recent procedure, which included touching my face and hair, and in between and directly under my breasts. Very similar to a medical appointment, they explained the motions they might make before actually touching me, and both women were professional and polite concerning the screening – even apologetic about it – but I couldn’t help but think this was overly invasive overkill.

And on another blog :

Immediately, the screeners we very rude to me and ordered me to sit, which I did. I waited with out communication and no acknowledgement that my wallet and carry-ons had long since come through their screening, and were waiting on the opposite side for anyone to pick out up.

Finally a team came to visit, had me wade through the metal detector, collect my things and go to a separate area. These screeners were very pleasant, if also thorough–they took every single item in every pocket of every bag and swabbed each separately, and scanned for explosives. They patted me down and asked lots of questions.

The Transportation Security Administration confirms to Christopher Elliott that it ” is inside the means of implementing an enhanced pat-down at security checkpoints as one of our many layers of security,” that is being tested in Boston and Las Vegas.

They’re more coy about how and when the brand new, gropier screening technique will probably be implemented across the country, but the gist of Elliott’s conversation with the TSA is that it’s either going to roll out out nationwide on Oct. 31, or it’s going to be phased in gradually. (I’d guess in time for holiday travel.) So get able to spread ‘em. Or, um, spread ‘em. [ Elliott.org via BoingBoing ]

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This post is tagged: christopher elliott, medical appointment, screening procedure, screening technique, security checkpoints, transportation security administration