I don't see how the 'opt-out' can work.

[immoderate]

About 2-3% of passengers get taken out of the security lines for special treatment. So, it seems to me, that only those 2% will be affected, and the regular lines will move normally, and the planes will take off on time.

Only those who refuse the body scans will get backed up, and critics will say it was "their choice" and I think it will have little effect.

I guess nobody really knows yet what will happen, but it seems that it will fizzle to me.

--imm

[shanti]

1. i flew last saturday

from SMF-SNA. no groping or xrays involved. i only had to go thru the normal metal detector. not sure how it's going to go on the turnaround tho...

[MineralMan]

2. True enough. It seems that most people don't know that only

part of the people passing through security are being sent through the scanner. The rest are going through the metal detector, as usual. Those who don't beep it will pick up their stuff and go on to their gate. Same as it ever was.

Most of the people who go through the scanner will also go from there to pick up their stuff and go to their gate. Only a very small percentage of the passengers going through security screening are going to get any other checks. Just like in the past.

If you've got no metal stuff in your pockets, you're not going to beep the metal detector. If you don't have any unusual stuff on your person, you won't likely be delayed after going through the scanner. Just like always. Not many people are going to get a hands-on search. Just like always.

[Fleshdancer]

3. I was wondering if people were going to purposefully set off the metal detector

From what I understand, if you set off the detector, then you have to choose the full body scanner or the pat down (assuming your airport has the scanner).

[immoderate]

5. Then what happens? If you succeed, you miss your flight.

People buy tickets to miss a flight. Can't be too many so dedicated.

--imm

[Fleshdancer]

6. no, the point is to force the pat down to slow everything down, not to miss your flight.

and the more pat downs there are, the higher chance of abuses will occur which undermines the entire policy.

[immoderate]

8. If nobody misses a flight, what's the point. And "abuse is not an excuse."

That's not a real quote, but you can quote me. I thought it sounded like something Jesse Jackson (who never met a rhyme he didn't like) might say. :)

--imm

[Fleshdancer]

10. flights will be missed, but that happens every year regardless.

I have no idea how this will play out, but I'm all for a non-violent protest.

[laughingliberal]

4. Might as well not try anything. It's doomed to fail. Just get in line and follow along. Baaaa. nt

[immoderate]

7. How do you see this tactic working? Should I hold my breath while you figure?

I didn't say, "Don't try anything," I asked how this is supposed to work.

--imm

[laughingliberal]

9. Well, I think it will generate some press. And if it doesn't, try something else.

It took more than one lunch counter sit in before the civil rights movement gained any traction. When you're fighting entrenched authority, it will take more than one action on one day. It takes a lot of little actions day after day after day until you get there.

[immoderate]

12. The press will cover it. I agree that it will take more than this.

--imm

[laughingliberal]

13. Have to start with something. A journey of 10,000 miles starts with the first step & all that. nt

[Fleshdancer]

11. It's a form of protest. I don't think an immediate change is expected by anyone doing it. n/t

[immoderate]

14. If you miss a flight, it's an expensive protest.

Otherwise, I'm not saying that we shouldn't protest, but questioning how this will play out.

--imm

[Fleshdancer]

15. If you miss a flight, the airline tries to get you on the next flight out

You've already been issued your boarding pass and you've already checked in so if security is slowing everything down, the airlines have to accommodate you the best they can. Options include getting on the next plane, refund, or voucher.

There's already a chance you could miss your flight anyway due to weather, plane problems, etc.

[immoderate]

16. Well, now we know that it didn't.

Looks like the gummint roped a dope.

--imm