Flying concerns?

[nh10ring]

Our family plans to return to WDW this fall, and it was our intent to fly down from New Hampshire. But, I am hearing horror stories about TSA and the security checks. If we stay with plans to fly, then it sounds like I have a choice of asking my wife and kids to be molested during a pat down or exposed to excess radiation produced by the body scanners. Neither one seems all that appealing. I figure a good many of you fly to Disney from all over the country. Am I being paranoid or do I have good reason to be concerned?

 

[CaptainShortty]

You're being way to paranoid. Sorry to be so blunt about it but honestly, the security checks are not nearly as bad as everyone says they are. You are in the scanner for a mear 10 seconds (or less) and it is a simple, easy procedure. It doesn't hurt and going through it once it going to give you no worse radiation poisoning than using your cell phone all the time. If you are still wary of the radiation you can opt for the pat down which yes, is more aggressive than in past years but if you take it in good stride and a "it is what it is" attitude, you'll be fine. If you're really worried about it. Try flying out of a smaller airport if that is an option. Some of them don't yet have the radiation scanners and it will be like flying in olden times. Don't let something so small ruin your vacation plans, it's totally not worth it.

 

[lebeau]

I just get my family tipsy enough that we don't mind the aggressive pat-down... :lookaroun

Okay, we haven't actually flown since the new procedures went into place. We'll probably take our chances with the radiation. Maybe one of us will get super powers?

 

[mr_braver23]

You're being way to paranoid. Sorry to be so blunt about it but honestly, the security checks are not nearly as bad as everyone says they are. You are in the scanner for a mear 10 seconds (or less) and it is a simple, easy procedure. It doesn't hurt and going through it once it going to give you no worse radiation poisoning than using your cell phone all the time. If you are still wary of the radiation you can opt for the pat down which yes, is more aggressive than in past years but if you take it in good stride and a "it is what it is" attitude, you'll be fine. If you're really worried about it. Try flying out of a smaller airport if that is an option. Some of them don't yet have the radiation scanners and it will be like flying in olden times. Don't let something so small ruin your vacation plans, it's totally not worth it.

Completely agree! Security is nothing like you see in TV
Go enjoy!! It's Disney for crying out loud!!!!

 

[fosse76]

Completely agree! Security is nothing like you see in TV
Go enjoy!! It's Disney for crying out loud!!!!

I bet the people who do suffer the unecessary intrusions would wholeheartedly disagree. As for the radiation, the science is out on that, but I wouldn't take the TSA's word for it that the scanners are harmless.

Personally, they are complete nonsense and not needed. Plus the body scanners slow the security lines significantly. Metal detectors took maybe a few seconds at most (with obvious exceptions of those who set it off). Body scanners take at least 10 seconds per person, much longer than a metal detector, and what's the point? Metal detectors would stop you from bringing weapons on the plane anyway.

 

[MissM]

I don't think it makes you paranoid at all. I personally refuse to fly while such Draconian measures are in place. I'm with Benjamin Franklin on this topic: They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

But that's me personally. I do believe it's up to each of us to decide if we want to participate in such measures or not and which is the greater inconvenience: being treated like a criminal to get on an airplane, or face long, possible multi-day trips by car. I chose car. However, no one can make that decision for you but you.

 

[bamillerpa]

We are having the same discussions around my house. We live in central Pa and I just absolutely refuse to fly. I know some people don't mind getting patted down or going through the scanners but I have an intense fear of it all. I feel completely violated and exposed and just cannot make myself do it. My husband on the other hand could care less. He doesn't want to sit in the car for two days. I always remind him that our 13 year old daughter really doesn't need to be felt up and he usually backs down. So, we are driving down in April, and again in either September or October.

I know it sounds like I'm definitely saying to drive but it's really up to the individual person. If you have the same type of fear that I have it's not worth the anxiety but if you're like my husband then go ahead and fly.

 

[nh10ring]

I don't think it makes you paranoid at all. I personally refuse to fly while such Draconian measures are in place. I'm with Benjamin Franklin on this topic: They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

But that's me personally. I do believe it's up to each of us to decide if we want to participate in such measures or not and which is the greater inconvenience: being treated like a criminal to get on an airplane, or face long, possible multi-day trips by car. I chose car. However, no one can make that decision for you but you.

Thanks MissM. And I thought I was the only one to feel that way. I am really put off about the idea of having to go thru what I consider "invasive measures" just to fly out of a major airport. I am 100% for driving, but time constraints may prevent that. I have seen some of the youtube videos and read enough radiation reports to be concerned for my family. I love Disney, but not sure I love it so much that it's worth giving my kids cancer or PTSD from the airport experience.

Just read today that Rand Paul was detained for not cooperating with the security checks at the airport. Not really sure where common sense comes into play, but I don't think he is the terrorist type of guy looking to bring Jihad to America. I sure miss the good 'ol days.

 

[nepalostparks]

By all means, the issue is certainly a personal one that everyone has to deal with themselves.

Keep in mind, not every passenger gets a pat down or body scan. They are generally only required if you trigger an alarm at the metal detector. Be sure to visit TSA.gov before flying and read all of the information, including on what to take out of your pockets, things to avoid wearing that might trigger the alarm, etc.

Personally, myself and my travelling companions have never set off an alarm or received any additional physical screening. My partner has had his bag inspected off to the side, as did his mother on one occasion. All told, the process took an extra 60 or 90 seconds for that.

I know I have nothing to hide, and for me personally, the small inconvenience a pat down or body scan may cause me is not enough to keep me from flying. But to each their own.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

My parents have flown several times & haven't had anything bad to say about the new measures. I think you'll always hear horror stories if people have them, but rarely will people who weren't bothered ever talk about it.

The new procedures don't bother me - but then I'm severely phobic when it comes to flying. So it will make me more confident getting on a plane.

 

[nh10ring]

We are having the same discussions around my house. We live in central Pa and I just absolutely refuse to fly. I know some people don't mind getting patted down or going through the scanners but I have an intense fear of it all. I feel completely violated and exposed and just cannot make myself do it. My husband on the other hand could care less. He doesn't want to sit in the car for two days. I always remind him that our 13 year old daughter really doesn't need to be felt up and he usually backs down. So, we are driving down in April, and again in either September or October.

I know it sounds like I'm definitely saying to drive but it's really up to the individual person. If you have the same type of fear that I have it's not worth the anxiety but if you're like my husband then go ahead and fly.

Thanks bamillerpa. Your arguement sounds just like mine. I am really surprised that driving is a hard sell on my wife because 1) she loved our first road trip, 2) she is very modest and I would think be uncomfortable with an aggressive pat-down and 3) Is very protective of our children and 4) is a health guru who won't sleep with an alarm clock next to the bed because of the slightest risk of cancer. So I say let's drive. The bigger issue is that driving would add another 4-6 days onto our vacation. But before making the call, I wanted to get a fair opinion form others out there. I really apppreciate ALL the feedback, whether it is for or against security checks.

 

[DisneyJoe]

As a physically challenged individual, I am screened and scanned and patted down and swabbed every single time I fly - and never have felt violated - just annoyed sometimes when I need to politely teach the procedures to them - lol.

I much prefer a 2 hour and 15 minute flight to an 18 hour car ride.

 

[Tater48]

Security is nothing like you see in TV

I totally disagree. I know it's not like this for everyone, but it is just like it is on TV for me every time I board an airplane, as it is for countless others. Even though I have been cleared through the DHS and have a redress number issued by them, obviously the TSA does not recognize it, even though they fall under their jurisdiction, and I am still on their "watch" list, which they will tell you they do not keep. All of this after being a Law Enforcement Officer for 27 years.
You can "opt out" of the backspatter scan and go with just the pat down. This is the path I have taken after a couple of years of going through both. They don't like it when you do this, but all you have to do is request a supervisor. I figure that I can inconvenience them just as much as they inconvenience me.

 

[CaptainShortty]

By all means, the issue is certainly a personal one that everyone has to deal with themselves.

Keep in mind, not every passenger gets a pat down or body scan. They are generally only required if you trigger an alarm at the metal detector. Be sure to visit TSA.gov before flying and read all of the information, including on what to take out of your pockets, things to avoid wearing that might trigger the alarm, etc.

Personally, myself and my travelling companions have never set off an alarm or received any additional physical screening. My partner has had his bag inspected off to the side, as did his mother on one occasion. All told, the process took an extra 60 or 90 seconds for that.

I know I have nothing to hide, and for me personally, the small inconvenience a pat down or body scan may cause me is not enough to keep me from flying. But to each their own.

That depends on the airport. At JFK as far as I've seen everyone goes through the body scanner unless they opt out for the pat down.

 

[bamillerpa]

I know it's an 18 hour drive for us which can't compare to a few hours flight time but keep in mind that when people say it's only a two hour flight they aren't adding in the time it takes to get to the airport, check your luggage, get through the security madness and are actually allowed to board. This can take many, many extra hours and then just hope that there's no delays. I know that driving is still the longer option but I prefer to be in charge and at least I feel like I'm accomplishing something as I'm traveling down the highway instead of sitting in an airport. This is how I felt even before they added the extra security.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I know it's an 18 hour drive for us which can't compare to a few hours flight time but keep in mind that when people say it's only a two hour flight they aren't adding in the time it takes to get to the airport, check your luggage, get through the security madness and are actually allowed to board. This can take many, many extra hours and then just hope that there's no delays. I know that driving is still the longer option but I prefer to be in charge and at least I feel like I'm accomplishing something as I'm traveling down the highway instead of sitting in an airport. This is how I felt even before they added the extra security.

Agreed that many people don't think about these things.

For us, it's 1 hour to airport, and we arrive 2 hours before so we leave our house 3 hours before the flight takes off.

- Let's say the flight is 9am.
- We leave at 6am and
- arrive a little before 7am.
- We check our bags, go thru security, and get to our gate usually at least an hour before take off, if not sooner. We usually eat breakfast or a snack.
- We board the plane and fly, landing, if on time, around 11:15am (lately we've been 10-15 minutes early!). Give 20 minutes to deplane, hit the restroom, and walk to Magical Express.
- we've never waited more than 20 minutes to board DME and perhaps 10 on the bus for it to depart
- 50-60 minutes to WDW

Best case we are at our resort by 12:30 or 1pm, usual worst case 2pm. Worst case door to door is 8 hours - unless there are major delays - which can happen while driving too.

 

[nh10ring]

I know it's an 18 hour drive for us which can't compare to a few hours flight time but keep in mind that when people say it's only a two hour flight they aren't adding in the time it takes to get to the airport, check your luggage, get through the security madness and are actually allowed to board. This can take many, many extra hours and then just hope that there's no delays. I know that driving is still the longer option but I prefer to be in charge and at least I feel like I'm accomplishing something as I'm traveling down the highway instead of sitting in an airport. This is how I felt even before they added the extra security.

It is about a 24 hour drive for us, but there is something to be said about the roadtrip experience. Our children learned a lot about our country on our first trip down. They learned about each state we went through and the got to see that not every place is as quiet and quaint as our sleepy little New England town. Time passed quickly while listening to the unabridged audiotapes of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn (you know, the books that are now banned in several schools). The trip was almost as fun as the Disney vacation itself. And those breakfast buns at the Holiday Inn Expresses are to die for

 

[ddbowdoin]

At least out of Logan they have yet to install every line with a full body scanner, so I always get in line with the old school machine. I fly with 4,000 dollars worth of camera gear that is heavy, massive, looks weird and I never have a problem.

 

[SyracuseOrange]

As a physically challenged individual, I am screened and scanned and patted down and swabbed every single time I fly - and never have felt violated - just annoyed sometimes when I need to politely teach the procedures to them - lol.

I much prefer a 2 hour and 15 minute flight to an 18 hour car ride.

Agreed.

Going through a 10-second pat down is totally worth it to cut down your trip from several days of driving to several hours of flying.

Plus, you don't always get patted down, or even forced to go through the body scanner.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Too paranoid? Not really. It is a personal decision what you are willing to put up with.

My family (35 strong) and I choose flying (many trips) and we have never ever been patted down. Even if I was, I seriously doubt anyone, me or the TSA agent, would get any thrill. I am not easily offended, so I may not be the best person to ask.

Enjoy WDW however you choose to get there.