The Consumerist has an interesting story about a pregnant woman who refused initially to go through a Full Body Scanner/Millimetre Wave Scanner/Nude-o-Scope and wished to exercise her right (as it is in the USA) to a full pat down instead.
I’m going to paste over the quotes.
The two TSA agents asked me, “Why don’t you want to go through this?” I said, “I don’t trust it.” They said, “Why don’t you trust it?” I said, “I am pregnant and would rather be pat down.” And they said, “Oh but you get ultrasounds, don’t you?”
I answered yes and the TSA officer said, “Oh it is less than an ultrasound, and it’s really easy so just go through.”
The TSA officers are doctors now??
They repeated again for me to just go through the scanner and it would be done in 5 seconds. I was literally in tears because I wanted a pat-down instead of going through the machine, and I felt they declined me that option. No matter how much I pushed for a hand pat-down, they pushed harder for the machine.
Then, after I stood in the machine, the officer waiting on the other side of it patronized me by cooing, “There, that was easy, wasn’t it?”
I mentioned that I was forced to do it and went to the belt to take my possessions, while tears ran from my eyes.
I really felt the TSA agents were just being lazy since a pat down obviously takes more time for them, but I also feel like when I specifically ask for something that is an option for me, I should be able to get it.
The TSA’s response to this is quite frankly appalling, with them recommending them to use the feedback page (and I’ve had to use a few times – to no success of response either).
Neither was the word “Sorry” used at any time.
Well done TSA. Again, you’ve shown what a caring understanding organisation you AREN’T.
As a reminder and as stated above, in the USA YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF A FULL BODY SCAN AND REQUEST OTHER FORMS OF SCANNING INCLUDING A FULL PAT DOWN. Should your TSA representative decide this right does not apply to you, call a supervisor or as the TSA staffer to consult the regulations and standard operating procedures.
http://consumerist.com/2010/09/pregnant-traveler-tsa-screeners-bullied-me-into-full-body-scan.html
