airport security

i'd been queueing for the security checks for 10 mns so i'd heard the announcement several times by now: passengers were free to opt out of the new security system but if they did, they'd have to be patted down. sounded good to me so when the guy gestured toward the big machine (as opposed to the simple metal detector), i asked to opt out. oh boy, did that create a bit of a scene. the guy looked crestfallen. why did i want to opt out? because i could. but i'd be patted down! not a problem. but, but, it wasn't X-rays, it was ultrasounds and nothing could be seen, etc. that's ok, i said, i still wanted to opt out. oh.

i was asked to wait on the side until a woman came to pick me up. she took my stuff and explained what she was going to do. then she asked if it was ok to do it 'out here' or whether i'd rather have the privacy of a cubicle. uh... this was just a pat down, right? in which case, i was fine with doing it in full view of everyone. after a very thorough pat down, she put a piece of tape on my clothes and then put it to some kind of detector. turned out she was checking for chemicals. it was quite an experience.

i realise that the fact that this was Miami and it was 28°C outside and that i was wearing jeans, closed shoes and 2 layers of top clothing (including a warm sweater) was perhaps the reason they asked me to go through the big machine but seriously, the temperature change between outside and inside is not something i like - plus i was going to spend more than 8 hours in a plane, a cold place. but what i find really funny is how the announcement clearly states you have a choice but that when it comes down to it, they're not too happy about you choosing the other option.