My very inappropriate TSA experience at MSP

I’ve been skeptical of the new TSA procedures, but have attempted to approach it with fairness and an open mind.  My experience today at MSP (Minneapolis, St. Paul airport) has woefully soured my opinion on this new process and on my opinion of TSA’s professionalism.

Since it was Thanksgiving eve and the weather at MSP was a bit dodgy, I thought it best to arrive early.   Just as I was arriving the TSA was spinning up their “full body scan” machine.  I observed several people in front of me go through it.  I noted that every single person that went through the machine was patted down after they came out of the machine.  I already have concerns about the radiation exposure to frequent flyers due to these machines, so I figured if I am going to be patted down anyway I might as well exercise my right to opt-out of the process, should I be selected.  This would require a pat-down, but if everyone were being patted down anyway, I figured what’s the difference?  It would be like skipping one un-neccessary step.

When my turn came, I was selected for the body-scanner.  I told the agent that I would like to opt-out of the full body scanner.  He looked visibly annoyed as if I were some crazed person with a cause.  (The only cause I am interested in is my health.)  The agent asked me “For what reason are you opting out.”  I explained that I am a very frequent flyer and I have concerns about my health with these brand new machines.  He told me “You are listening to crazy people, there is absolutely ZERO (emphasized) radiation in these machines.”  (This is entirely untrue.)  He said “Go stand over there until we get to you.” I moved over to an area to the side of the line.  I did not move though the metal detector.  I was still in the queue area. My possessions meanwhile went through the X-Ray machine.

I waited about 10-20 minutes while they processed every single person in line behind me. (I can’t be certain of the exact time since my cell phone had already passed through the X-ray and was no longer accessible to me as a time-keeping device.)   I asked twice “Did you all forget about me?” (to which I was told I had to wait for an available agent. I assume the ones that were standing around with no apparent purpose were not “available”).  I also asked “Is someone watching my things while I am stuck on this side” (This question was ignored.)  Eventually, when TSA felt I had waited a sufficiently punitive amount of time I was approached by a fairly pleasant gentleman who once again tried to get me to “opt-in”.  He explained “there is no radiation” and we “are going to have to do an uncomfortable pat-down if you don’t go through the machine”.   I pointed out that they were patting down everyone that went through the machine anyway.  He said “It’s a quicker pat-down with the back of the hand.”  (I took this as an implication being that the front of the hand will be used if I opt out.).  At this point, simply on principle and because I react negatively to pressure, I continued my insistance on opting out.  Please keep in mind that I was pleasant and polite, but firm during this entire process.  The TSA gentleman brought me through security, completely bypassing the metal detector, which was a bit odd to me, and quite different than past-weeks at MSP and certainly different from the procedures at ATL, DCA, and other airports.

Once I arrived on the other side of security and only then, did they bother to go grab my bag and my laptop which was laying there for at least 10-20 minutes, unattended.  The agent now explained to me the pat-down process.  Another female agent walked to our location and informed me that if I had any questions, I should ask the gentleman explaining the process to me.  (TSA needs a second agent to walk over and tell me to ask the first agent if I had any questions?)

I’ve been previously patted down 15-20 times since they have started this new process, but I have never have I had a pat-down like I was subjected to today.  I was told to remove everything from my pockets. I do not think this particular activity was unreasonable considering I was escorted past, and not through the metal detector.  It was at this point that something happened which I thought was only a bad rumor spread by people trying to get some attention for themselves: The agent put his hand inside my pants and felt around.  This was in full-public view of everyone in the screening line!  In an attempt to be fair, I was offered multiple times to be screened in private. Had I known what was about to happen, I certainly would have opted for the private screening.

After the pat-down, the TSA agent ran his gloves for explosive residue.  I was unable to touch my belongings until this was complete.  (I’m glad I was not coming home from a hunting or I may have had gunpowder on me.)

When he was finished, and before the TSA agent informed me that I was free to go, he once again informed me that the machine had “no radiation at all”. (I’m thinking this is a new TSA talking point.) He continued by informing me that the pat-downs “aren’t going away”, so I should “get used to (the body scanners)”.  In my mind, this underlined to me that this whole experience was punitive, and an effort to get me to comply with the body scanners for future flights. I was unfortunate enough to do my normal “opt out” on “National opt out” day.  I suspect the TSA agents took this personally.

If this keeps up, or if the machines become mandatory, I will be flying much less, assuming I can change my job, which is difficult to do in this economy. Flying is a key requirement for my job, and this was a part of my job that I previously enjoyed.  I didn’t feel this way until today.  As I type this, my hands are still visibly shaking by what just happened to me.

I’ve gone through this screening process before.  Indeed, I’ve been patted down many times before.  While awkward, I’ve never felt as if I were targeted with an unpleasant experience because I exercised my legal right to opt out of the body scanners.  I’ve tried to take a balanced view on this entire process and on the TSA.  However, if this is the way TSA wants to win over travelers, they are failing miserably.

If TSA reads this post and wants to verify my story, I am sure there were plenty of cameras and audio recording equipment around the screening area that can corroborate the events described here.

(Unedited draft post)

Explore posts in the same categories: airline, Travel, TSA