As the CEO of B2BGateway www.b2bgateway.net, I travel on a regular basis. One of the difficulties while traveling is the improved security procedures. Yes, we all want to be safe, but security measures can often be intrusive and irritating. Much discussion has been given recently to the controversial backscatter imaging, and I have been through the machines several times. After doing some research on the radiation received, the “naked” images generated and the overall inconvenience of the process, I found out that passengers have the right to Opt-Out of backscatter.
Recently, while standing in a metal detector line with all my belongings in their respective trays, the backscatter attendant called me over. I pretended to not hear him, but he persisted. He insisted that I come over to his line, at which point I told him “I choose to opt-out”. I assumed he would say, “Oh that is fine, carry on with the metal detector, and have a great day”. He did not.
The backscatter attendant yelled to the other security employees, “WE HAVE AN OPT OUT!” He told me to leave my belongings on the metal detector line and stand in the center of the, now closed, backscatter line with my arms extended. The attendant put on a pair of purple rubber gloves, (which is never a good sign), and we proceeded to have a very intimate 15 minutes, in plain view of everyone in security.
When the groping was over, my next stop was explosives screening. Two security representatives unpacked my entire suitcase and briefcase. All of my clothing, suits, shoes, undergarments, etc. were spread out onto tables for full viewing. Ten minutes went by as security swabbed my belongings for explosives. When they were done they said, “You are free to go, pack up your possessions.”
Opting-out added over 30 minutes to the security experience, and although some might find the groping gratifying, I prefer to have candlelight and wine before I am touched that intimately. I recently read that this Wednesday, (the busiest US air travel day) is National Opt-Out day, in protest of the backscatter machines. If it took me an extra 30 minutes to get through the security process, please plan accordingly if you are heading home for Thanksgiving. With that said, I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.
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