Optional photographing by TSA

[IGoToDU]

I am currently leaving Baltimore, Washington, International Airport, and still feeling pretty salty. I know it’s coming upon all of us to be well briefed on situations where we encounter government these days, and I truly wish I had thought to do the research before I was in the situation!, But as I was stepping up to TSA pre-boarding, I was told I needed to step in front of the screen for a photo to be taken, and I did not even see beneath where the lens was to take the picture that in parentheses it said optional. By then, the agent had already taken my photo. Please forgive me if this subject has been discussed already on DU. I just feel like I need to comfort of all of you around me right now because I’m feeling like I just put myself in some kind of situation of danger.

[CincyDem]

1. Not sure if policies are the same but saw someone object 4-5 weeks ago.

It was at the top of the jetway, after his boarding pass was scanned. He was just ahead of me.

He said he didn’t want to be photographed. They asked him to step out of line for a conversation. He asked why if the photo was optional and the guy said “the photo’s optional but a conversation isn’t”. He ended up on the plane but he was darn close to being last to board.

Unfortunate reality in today’s increasing police state is that voluntary compliance seems to be elevating to involuntary compliance more and more.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. What danger do you think you're in?

It's definitely one of those things that if you have the time and privilege to spend, objecting is not hard. It also depends greatly on the TSA crew you're working with. If you fly a lot from a regional airport, you're likely to see the same people. If you're getting on in an unfamiliar hub, it might feel more intimidating to object. I know people who have objected and had to answer a few extra questions, and people who have objected and the agent says, "oh okay," and spends 10 extra seconds looking at the ID.