swachterswachter@toot.boston
Oct 13, 2026, 11:09 PMOk mastodon, what are the magic words to opt out of the biometric screening at the airport?
Replies
- swachterswachter@toot.bostonOct 14, 2026, 12:44 PM
Update: we wound up in a security line with no camera so it didn’t matter. Opting out of the millimeter scan was no bigger an issue than usual although we did get some impressive eyerolls from TSA. 🤷♀️
Oct 13, 2026, 11:31 PM@swachter the facial rec camera? I typically just say “I’d rather not do the camera if you don’t mind” like a midwesterner, and they just say “cool no prob”. I have had a few weird things happen since I started doing that, like my name mysteriously being spelled wrong on my ticket. Seems not coincidental but I’m rarely in a rush.
Oct 13, 2026, 11:50 PM
garlandgarland@social.seattle.wa.usOct 14, 2026, 12:08 AM@swachter At TSA screening? I just say “I would like to opt out of facial recognition.” No one has ever batted an eye or given me a hard time about it.
I also suggest wearing a face mask so you’re not accidentally scanned by the camera before you have a chance to opt out. The TSA agent will ask you to briefly remove the mask to visually compare your appearance to your photo ID.
(Germs are another good reason to wear an N95 mask in an airport.)
Oct 14, 2026, 12:48 AM@swachter I’ve just said, “I’d like to opt out.” Hasn’t been an issue at all.
SpookJ 👻SnoopJ@hachyderm.ioOct 14, 2026, 4:13 AM@beep @swachter yea, same. I've opted out of multiple screening procedures this way. These days, I do it only for the photo but it is still a traveler's right to do so for millimeter-wave scans (if not one whose exercising brings a LOT more scrutiny to the traveler)
For best results, declare it early. As soon as you step up to the ID check for the photo, and as soon as you're able to for millimeter-wave. The TSA agents will inevitably have an attitude about this, but you get less "you are beneath me and spoiling my day" energy from them if they know about it as soon as they can act on it.
- swachterswachter@toot.bostonOct 14, 2026, 4:29 AM
@SnoopJ @beep Yeah I’ve been opting out of the millimeter wave thing for as long as it’s been a thing. I just don’t fly much (since 2020) and have no idea what the airport experience is like these days. I mean my default assumption is always “shittier than the last time” but that’s not exactly helpful or actionable.
- Oct 14, 2026, 10:26 AM
@swachter I hear you 💜 I’ve also flown a *lot* less since 2020, but—and data point of one here, of course—the airport experience hasn’t been demonstrably worse for me.
Hope your travels are as smooth as possible!
Oct 14, 2026, 4:37 AM
hendecagon (andy)hendecagon@glammr.usOct 14, 2026, 3:14 AM@swachter I also just say, "no thanks, i'm opting out," and it seems to annoy them but then they just look at my id. last time the TSA agent said, "you know we have your photo already, right?" and I just said, "that's creepy." It was awkward. i still opted out.
MinmiTheDinominmi@sfba.socialOct 14, 2026, 4:35 AM“Then I guess you don’t need another one!”
- MinmiTheDinominmi@sfba.socialOct 14, 2026, 4:38 AM
@swachter when I did it I just said “I’m opting out, thanks!” And they didn’t care. FWIW it seemed like they had to check ids and take the pic so skipping the pic saved them time.
ApiaryApiary@mastodon.socialOct 14, 2026, 12:56 PM@swachter if you end up at a camera spot, you have to opt out quickly. If you wait until they say something you are sometimes too late. “I would like to opt out, please” is enough.