4 ms·

I stopped flying altogether when the body scanners became mandatory. Biometric collection frightens me because it could be used in the future for presently-unkn

I stopped flying altogether when the body scanners became mandatory. Biometric collection frightens me because it could be used in the future for presently-unknowable reasons and purposes which today might seem absurd but in the future could be terrifying. It’s hard to discuss without sounding like I’m wearing a tinfoil hat, but then I would never have believed in the 80’s that in the 00’s I’d consent to have an agent put his hand down my pants in order to board a plane, certainly would never have believed we’d actually have a Department of Homeland Security, TSA, FEMA...

mLuby 7y ago
I hear you. You can opt out of all of it (so far). Checkpoint body scanner opts out to a full body pat-down (which takes maybe 5-10 extra minutes, but not that bad). This new facial recognition boarding system airlines are rolling out can be opted out of. That should be it in terms of biometrics needed to fly. Unless you include some countries' customs, which collect face photos or fingerprints or vials of blood——those you can't dodge without diplomatic privilege or a private jet.
- Something1234 7y ago
  What country demands a vial of blood? Asking so I can avoid ever traveling there.
  - mLuby 7y ago
    My sarcasm didn't make it through the internet. :D
- buffaloo 7y ago
  Has the mandatory scanner policy changed? TSA was opt out until 2015, when TSA ended right to opt out. Has the right to opt out been restored? https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/what-the-tsas-new-body-scanner-rules-mean-for-you/2015/12/30/f739e922-a4f5-11e5-9c4e-be37f66848bb_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/what-the-tsa...
  - mLuby 7y ago
    I was speaking from personal experience but I guess it's just that I haven't been "selected for enhanced screening" (yet). Most likely still in effect. >Either way, barring a major outcry, the new opt-out rules are likely to stick. If your enemy cannot be defeated in one stroke, bleed him to death by a thousand small cuts.
  - komali2 7y ago
    I opted out today, and on Friday, and last month. They've been much more willing to harass me about how it's going to add ten minutes wait time but they haven't denied me an opt out. I've never walked through a scanner in the tens of times I've been through the airport.
  - xfitm3 7y ago
    You can still opt out unless you see SSSS on your boarding pass.

mLuby 7y ago

I hear you. You can opt out of all of it (so far). Checkpoint body scanner opts out to a full body pat-down (which takes maybe 5-10 extra minutes, but not that bad). This new facial recognition boarding system airlines are rolling out can be opted out of. That should be it in terms of biometrics needed to fly. Unless you include some countries' customs, which collect face photos or fingerprints or vials of blood——those you can't dodge without diplomatic privilege or a private jet.

Something1234 7y ago
What country demands a vial of blood? Asking so I can avoid ever traveling there.
- mLuby 7y ago
  My sarcasm didn't make it through the internet. :D
buffaloo 7y ago
Has the mandatory scanner policy changed? TSA was opt out until 2015, when TSA ended right to opt out. Has the right to opt out been restored? https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/what-the-tsas-new-body-scanner-rules-mean-for-you/2015/12/30/f739e922-a4f5-11e5-9c4e-be37f66848bb_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/what-the-tsa...
- mLuby 7y ago
  I was speaking from personal experience but I guess it's just that I haven't been "selected for enhanced screening" (yet). Most likely still in effect. >Either way, barring a major outcry, the new opt-out rules are likely to stick. If your enemy cannot be defeated in one stroke, bleed him to death by a thousand small cuts.
- komali2 7y ago
  I opted out today, and on Friday, and last month. They've been much more willing to harass me about how it's going to add ten minutes wait time but they haven't denied me an opt out. I've never walked through a scanner in the tens of times I've been through the airport.
- xfitm3 7y ago
  You can still opt out unless you see SSSS on your boarding pass.