Opting Out of the TSA Porn Scan - My experience

During my flight home, we had to make a transfer in Dallas. Because this was an international flight, I had to go through security a second time. Normally not a big deal. Standard procedure is to put my shoes, belt, watch, phone, money, keys, and dignity into a tray. Take my laptop out of its bag, walk through the metal detector, have them pull me aside to puzzle over my camera bag and the many cables, lenses, and gadgets in it, run it through their bomb sniffer device, and then be on my merry way.

Not this time.

The security line was a bit longer than I’m used to, and they only had one walk-through metal detector active. The other active device was the good ‘ol Porn Scan that everyone’s grown to love.

I was one of the candidates chosen for the pornscan. They were putting roughly 2 out of 3 people through the scan so it’s not a case of me being singled out. Just a case of being chosen.

Here’s the thing. With all the bad press these devices have gotten, the potentially inconclusive evidence regarding the radiation exposure these cause, the fact that some of these devices save images permanently, and the fact that they don’t necessarily prevent the underwear bomber from striking again, I chose to opt out. After all. I’m a human being. I have my rights to privacy, health, and safety just like everyone else. The scan itself is an unnecessary security measure and y'know what? I’ve been flying since I was 12. In that time, metal detectors have always been sufficient. Why should I present my genetalia to the camera in an effort to make some security theater happen?

So they ask me to walk up to the backscatter machine. I ask them if I can opt out. They look me in the eye, say okay, and walk me through the X-Ray like normal and then have me stand off to the side. Here’s where it gets uncomfortable. The lady that walked me through the x-ray screams out at the top of her lungs “WE HAVE AN OPT-OUT HERE!” for all 100+ people in line behind me to hear. Moments pass and nobody shows up. So again, she screams “WE HAVE A MALE OPT-OUT IN NEED OF A PAT-DOWN HERE!”

I’m standing right next to the backscatter machine and the metal detector in line of sight for anyone going through the security screening. People are now staring at me. All 100+ people in line looking at me with judging eyes. Anyone who would have had any inkling of an idea to opt out in their minds has now officially been deterred. Just to drive the point home, she screams it out again. My bags are now through the x-ray and people are shuffling by them, getting their stuff. Nobody is keeping an eye on my exposed laptop, camera, cell phone, passport, or ID. My wallet and passport were taken from me and run through the x-ray and left in a tray next to the other bags. Right there for anyone to steal. Over $4000 in electronic equipment, priceless travel photos, and my full identity - right there for anyone to take and they don’t even let me walk near them to keep an eye on them. They’re also not watching the bags. I’m already a little annoyed. I exercised my rights as a traveler. In response, I was publically ousted as someone who chose not to “follow the rules”. With the number of people blazing through security behind me, I was anxious about my things. The lady who pulled me out yelled at me to stop fidgeting even when I asked her multiple times if someone was watching my things. She just said to stay put.

Eventually, a male officer finally showed up and walked with me to get my bags. When I went to reach for them, he yelled out “DO NOT TOUCH THE BAGS” - again, out loud for others to hear. Fine. Whatever. I get it. It’s possible 'evidence’ or a possible 'hazard’. Lets get on with it. I point out my bags, he hauls them over to another table and just throws them there with more force than necessary - just enough to make me cringe. All $4k of camera and laptop gear. Only I treat my gear like that. I know what it can handle. You sir, do not. Again, this was done right in front of the security line and scanners for all to see.

Next up, he opens my wallet, takes out all the cards, and digs through every nook and cranny and stuffs it all back together - nowhere near in the organized fashion I try to keep it. We can’t take the risk of a passenger sneaking a knife or bomb onto a plane with their wallet now, can we?

Finally, the patdown. I knew ahead of time that he’d be required to touch my genitalia. My opting out was a silent protest of the scanner. I’m cool with that. I know there’s no escape from the invasive view of my body. He informs me of the process - fairly standard and more or less what I’ve come to expect from what I’ve read online. Puts on some new gloves and gets to work. First thing - this is not a standard patdown. More of a rubdown. Almost every major surface of my body was touched with heavy pressure. Enough that he nearly pulled my pants down when he ran his hands over my legs. When he got to my left 'inner thighs’, it wasn’t a touch. Nope. More of a thump. Squeezed my thighs, ran his hands up and smacked them into my balls. Nearly a punch but not quite. Just hard enough to make me squirm and want to cup my balls, but not quite enough to make me yell out in pain. I figured he was done with my groin. Nope. Moves onto the right leg and does the same thing again. On to the patdown from the back. Same process. Again. Back to the legs and inner thigh area. Same pressure to the balls. Same desire to want to squirm. I did. He yelled at me to sit still. People were watching. People KNEW this was happening. They KNEW this was happening because I chose to not follow the 'standard procedure’.

Finally, he was done. But not quite. The invasive patdown clearly was not enough. Out came the bomb sniffer. Again - my gadgets were swabbed, my clothes were swabbed, and into the machine it went. Only then did they let me go.

In all of this, they did not even offer to take me into a private room. In all of this, they ignored my request to go to a private room. Though, in their defence, I only asked once. Through all of it, I was put on display to all that could see - “this is what happens if you don’t go through the scanner”.

You know what? It still doesn’t change the fact that I WILL go through the patdown again if I’m asked to go through the scanner. I WILL go through the humiliation again. I WILL stand proud and take that abuse - if only to protest these scanners and the security theater involved.

I have nothing to hide. I have no desire to hurt anyone. But I have every desire to make their lives harder - if only to convince others to do the same. Maybe then these scanners will be removed from airports and maybe then, we’ll be able to travel with our dignity in tact.