First-Hand Account Of TSA Pat Down
BOSTON (CBS) -- The day started off well, especially since I, and everyone else, was prepped for the worst.
But when I went through security at 7:15 am, the line was almost non-existent. I'd brought my flip camera, and my goal was to go to New York City and back again for a firsthand look at security.
From the early morning, TSA and airport workers told me how surprisingly quiet it was.
WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong reports
As my bags went through the conveyor belt scanner as usual, I chose to mix things up, and opt-out of the controversial full-body scanner to see what the fuss was about.
My pat down at Logan was thorough, and I can certainly see why some people might find it uncomfortable. But I have to say, TSA employees could not have been more polite; they explained everything step by step. The whole process took only about two minutes.
What made me feel more uncomfortable were a couple of dirty looks from other passengers.
People heard me request the pat-down, and even though the TSA worker didn't blink when I asked, the other travelers within earshot may have suspected I was someone trying to slow things down with a boycott, part of the "national opt-out day" we heard so much about. A day, by the way, that never seemed to materialize.
Once Boston was in the distance, I looked forward to seeing how LaGuardia handled things.
But New York City was not that different.
There were very long lines but pre-security was no problem.
Post-security was another story.
I saw two women getting pat-downs there.
My terminal there didn't have those full-body scanners -- just metal detectors, so there was no way to opt-out.
If you got a pat down there, it meant you triggered something.
But it was just as aggressive as the opt-out
The pat-down certainly isn't the worst experience in the world, and TSA workers handle it very professionally.
But you're left wondering if it's the most effective procedure.
