I discovered yesterday on my way home from the Wise Traditions seminar that I had unknowingly received a bon voyage blast of radiation from a body scanner on my way out of town via Tampa International Airport.
A radiation expert that I was chatting up in the van on the way to Dallas airport yesterday clued me in.
Apparently, some TSA agents are now flat out lying to airline passengers about the machines they operate.
I never got the memo.
I have to admit that I haven’t been keeping up with the roll-out of body scanner machines across the United States over the past year. Â I knew some of the larger hubs had them but had not read or heard anywhere in my local community that Tampa International now has them too.
So, on my way through security last Thursday I wasn’t anticipating anything different at the security check.
As I dutifully removed my shoes, I first sensed something was very wrong when I saw the big security box that people were walking through after stepping inside and placing their feet on the appropriate spots and putting their hands in the air.
I figured that must be a body scanner so I told the TSA agent when it was my turn that I wanted a pat-down instead.
“We don’t do pat-downs here”, he said.
“This machine here doesn’t have any radiation – if it did, I wouldn’t be standing so close“, he assured me.
Skeptical and taken aback but the TSA agent’s answer, I went ahead and proceeded through the big box to be checked.
Big mistake. Â Big HUGE mistake.
So, after the conference on the way home, the radiation expert I was talking to in the shuttle told me that the big box that I had stepped into was indeed a body scanner and that I had received a not so small dose of radiation as a thank you for my lemming-like behavior.
Sure enough, when I arrived at Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport, I talked to the baggage check-in agent and he told me that yes, Dallas has body scanners and that you can, of course, choose a pat-down if you like.
When I arrived at my terminal’s security point, the machine used was the exact same box like the one I walked through in Tampa International. Â The people went inside and stood exactly as I had and put their hands in the air the same way.
When it was my turn to be checked, I requested a pat-down.
“Of course, that is your choice”, said the TSA agent.
She proceeded to give me a manual pat-down, which I have to say was no big deal at all. Â At no time, did I feel uncomfortable or violated in any way.
So, what happened at TIA and why in the world did that TSA agent so unlawfully mislead me? Â Why did I receive such a completely different answer at Tampa International Airport and at Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport?
My thought is that the TSA agent believed 100% what he was telling me. Â I did not sense or see any body language that indicated that he knew he was lying. Â I think the man was told an untruth from his superior or someone else at TSA and is simply passing on the lies to airline passengers.
The important takeaway of this post is BEWARE. Â Be prepared for lies from TSA when you travel and when in doubt, insist on a pat-down.
I am now on the hunt for some black algae which will apparently release that radiation from my body. Â Any tips?
UPDATE: The program TSA Precheck is now available for those travelers who wish to avoid x-ray body scanners and avoid long security lines.
Okay, I just flew with the two youngest of my kids. This just gives me chills because the toddler had to walk through herself and I carried the baby through. Plus, I had two bottles of raw milk which I was required to have scanned. They put it in a small round hole, pressed a button, and then gave it back. I asked what they were doing. He said he was scanning it. I asked how the machine worked, he said his job is to press the button and I could have the baby bottles back if they light was green. He gave back both bottles and then I GAVE THEM TO MY KIDS. I didn’t know what else to do. Two flights, a layover and half a day on a plane with no real food available, and two babies who needed milk. Bleech, Wonder what I exposed my babies to now!?!
Sarah Have you been able to find any black algae? You might contact Ingrid at this site http://www.bioethika.com/ Not sure she can help but she sure does know a lot.
Done deal Sarah!! I will let you know as soon as we know! 😉
I am a flight attendant. Due to the massive outcry from aircrew when the scanners were first introduced, crew in uniform were exempted from using them. We refused to use them and the industry can’t function when the crews won’t go to work. If passengers could organize and refuse to fly, there would be changes.
I’ve only once been asked to use the scanner, when traveling on company business out of uniform. I opted for a pat down, which I’ve had many, many times before. This time, the process was very uncomfortable, with the TSA agent actually grabbing and poking between my legs. I was horrified and very upset. I’ve had that happen before in the U.K, but they’ve always been physically abusive to flight crews and I expect it there. I wasn’t prepared for the shock of this in the U.S. Now, I always wear my uniform, even if I’m traveling on vacation or other personal business. I get enough radiation exposure just flying so often. I don’t need it going through security. I don’t want naked pictures taken of me. And I don’t want to undergo a gynecological exam multiple times a day just to get to work.
Hi Sarah,
I’ve read that food diatomaceous earth is good for radiation. By they way, what do you think about being exposed to wifi in schools?
Wifi can be a problem if 24/7. If you have a break at night at home, I think it might be fine. But I know others have an opinion that it is a problem regardless. I am trying to mitigate at home and make sure we don’t have exposure while we sleep at least.
Sara, it was so nice to meet you this weekend at the conference! I would suggest that anyone traveling/flying contact the TSA Customer Service Center (1-866-289-9673). They will be able to provide you with Points of Contacts for each Airport. I contacted them and explained that I was traveling with my son who is immuno-compromised. I told them that radiation was not an option, he would be wearing a face mask, and fresh gloves would need to be worn if a pat down was necessary. We were also carrying liquid medications that needed to be refrigerated (these of course needed to be tested for explosives). All went well and we had an agent who walked us through the security screening at each airport. It took extra time from a planning perspective but it was worth it!
OK here is the mistake you made, remember what you say is very important. It is as important as how you say it. You must say loud and clear, several times calmly of course, “I Opt Out””
If they say ‘what or Huh” you must again state calmly and clearly and as many times as needed, “I Opt Out” !! I want a pat down is not going to cut it.
Further the machines are all dangerous, all of them no matter what you are told or
how they look. To learn about radiation detox please go to the Dr Sircus blog, go to the bottom of the page and he has tons of info, in a nutshell you need baking soda and magnesium and iodine. The Modiflan is also good as is asthaxtin. Let’s all help each other
and work to get rid of this TSA, If we the people all say no, then this deadly security theater is over! This means Everyone has to say “I Opt Out” without fail, everytime they fly!!
I have to admit I feel a little better knowing that it wasn’t just ME being unaware because the same happened to me (Ontario Airport, California) WITH my 9yo daughter. When I figured out what had happened (about immediately) I was so upset and felt like I had just let down my guard for the health of my child. I felt sick about it, truly. We are driving next year to CA instead.
Hi Sarah,
I have a two month old and am nursing. In the last month my teeth have become very sensitive to harder foods like nuts. I took cod liver oil during the first month but have run out and not reordered it. Is is possible that the lack of cod liver oil is causing the sensitivity or would something else be the cause? I do drink kefir smoothies and try to eat 2 eggs a day. We only drink raw milk. No liver or organ meats are on the menu though. Thank you for your input or anyone else who adds to it!
YES. You need that A/D/K to keep the bones strong. Get some cod liver oil and liver asap.
Cod liver oil/high vitamin butter on its way! Thank you, Sarah
Sarah, so sorry that you went through such a disconcerting and frustrating event! They really are making things so hard for everyone! I am sorry for those who are working in that environment all day long… kinda makes me think of the coal miners of the past…being lied to and having their health stolen! It was a real joy to meet you at the conference; we have come home on fire, from this, our first one! I have been telling everyone who merely leaves a slight gap in the conversation, how WONDERFUL it was to be filled up with great food, great information, and great PEOPLE! Thanks so much! Knowing that you were going to be there was the catalyst to get my daughter and me to move some mountains and go! God bless!
So awesome to meet you also! I met so many wonderful people that I now consider friends this past weekend. Thanks so much for introducing yourself 🙂