Do You Opt Out Of The Scanners When You Go To The Airport?

[Westside PUFAs]

They give you a hit of radiation.

The TSA worker will roll his/her eyes at you when you say "I opt out." But I say it every time. I don't care. You work for me. I pay my taxes.

 

[ecstatichamster]

always opt out. Who knows what those machines are doing. They have begun an even more molesty patdown but I don't care.

 

[lollipop]

I opt out as well. Need to plan an extra 30 min or so, sometimes they get behind...

 

[Such_Saturation]

No lol, it's always the microwave version. To be honest I always get weapons detected (my ponytail) so I get patted anyway

 

[zztr]

Flying is already a health nightmare in the first place. The air is lousy and diseased and the radiation exposure while airborne is not good. The scanners seem like a minor additional insult. Opting out as a matter of principal is one thing, but if you're doing it for health reasons I have to wonder why you are at an airport.

 

[LukeL]

When I have time to spare I opt out

 

[Mito]

TSA’s website says they use radio frequencies not x-rays.

Safety: Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. This technology uses non-ionizing radio-frequency energy in the millimeter spectrum with no known adverse health effects. It does not use X-ray technology.

 

[raypeatclips]

TSA’s website says they use radio frequencies not x-rays.

Safety: Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. This technology uses non-ionizing radio-frequency energy in the millimeter spectrum with no known adverse health effects. It does not use X-ray technology.

X rays aren't the only dangerous things out there.

 

[x-ray peat]

Flying is already a health nightmare in the first place. The air is lousy and diseased and the radiation exposure while airborne is not good. The scanners seem like a minor additional insult. Opting out as a matter of principal is one thing, but if you're doing it for health reasons I have to wonder why you are at an airport.

The serenity prayer comes to mind.

 

[Mito]

X rays aren't the only dangerous things out there.

Thanks for that clip. I wonder if the airport security scanners have more or less effect than a digital x-ray or making calls on a cell phone?

 

[Mito]

Peat thinks airport scanners are not as dangerous as digital x-rays but he said there is some evidence they effect DNA.

This article discusses and links to the DNA studies FACT CHECK: Did a Study Prove That Airport Scanners 'Rip Apart' Your DNA?

Study Shows How Airport Body Scanners Can Rip Apart & Alter Your DNA

 

[Tarmander]

The extra 10 minutes it takes to get a pat down is a small price to pay to opt out of a relatively untested technology. Just as a general philosophy, new tech these days has cost and efficiency as its highest value. Long term health is way way down on the list. Think of drugs, basically if it doesn't kill you within a couple years, it's a go as all else can be obfuscated, delayed, and argued in court.

 

[dfspcc20]

I paid the ~$90 to get TSA pre-check. With it, I don't even need to ask to opt-out of the scanner; I just get directed to the metal detector instead. I travel alone often enough (2-3x/year) for it to be worth it.
I hardly ever travel internationally so I didn't bother with the Global Entry or whatever it's called.
When I'm traveling with my family (with young children), they've never asked us to go through the scanner; not sure if that's policy or what.

 

[lollipop]

I paid the ~$90 to get TSA pre-check. With it, I don't even need to ask to opt-out of the scanner; I just get directed to the metal detector instead. I travel alone often enough (2-3x/year) for it to be worth it.
I hardly ever travel internationally so I didn't bother with the Global Entry or whatever it's called.
When I'm traveling with my family (with young children), they've never asked us to go through the scanner; not sure if that's policy or what.

I did the same. Works great - fast easy.

 

[Ideonaut]

I did the same. Works great - fast easy.

I almost always get "TSA PRE" on my boarding passes without paying.

 

[dfspcc20]

I've also been told that if you tell them that you're unable to lift your arms upright, then they have to let you go through the metal detector.
Having your arm in a makeshift sling might help.

 

[charlie]

If I ever have to go to another airport, I will definitely opt opt. I would rather drive.

 

[grabster]

Cars with adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance emit mm waves. Self driving cars may end up using mm wave radar.... Not sure how the power levels compare.

 

[dd99]

Just flying out of Heathrow. Wasn't allowed to opt out. Either get a scan or leave the airport.

 

[Rafael Lao Wai]

Just flying out of Heathrow. Wasn't allowed to opt out. Either get a scan or leave the airport.

Wow. That sucks! Is that even legal? I thought you had the right to opt out and still make it into the airplane.