There are many rules when you set foot in an airport, but not all of them apply to you.
Do you present a REAL ID document? Yes, you must do this or face a $45 fee. Lost shoes during security screening? No, that’s not a thing anymore.
But when it comes to airport security technology, passengers have more choice than many realize, a point that has recently sparked debate online.
In a Thursday, December 18 post on X, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s daughter, Evita Duffy-Alfonso, said she was forced to wait for a pat-down after choosing not to use a full-body scanner when passing through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint because she is pregnant.
“Almost missed my flight this morning after TSA made me wait 15 minutes for a pat down,” she wrote. “After finally getting the absurdly invasive pat-down, I barely made my flight. All this for an unconstitutional agency that isn’t even good at its job.”
Duffy-Alfonso went on to accuse TSA workers of trying to “pressure me and another pregnant woman to just walk through the scanner because it’s ‘safe’.”
Her post brought renewed attention to a little-known but legal option: Travelers can opt out of TSA’s body scanning technology and instead request an alternative screening.
Family members of Sean Duffy, US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of transportation as he testifies during a confirmation hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on January 15, 2025.
TSA urges travelers to avoid two tempting airport freebies
The TSA says passengers whose boarding passes indicate enhanced screening may still be required to undergo scanning in a “very limited number of circumstances,” but the agency is legally required to honor opt-out requests, even if it means additional screening and longer wait times.
If you have a medical, personal or privacy-based reason to avoid scanning technology at airport security, here’s what you need to know about requesting alternative screening — and how to prepare for the process.
Can I decline a face scan at airport security screening?
Yes, participation is voluntary. You will need to (politely) tell the TSA officer that you do not want to participate, and they will use the standard ID verification process. You must not lose your place in line.
If you choose the biometric scan, TSA says your photo and personal data will be deleted after your identity is verified.
“TSA is using facial matching technology at the airport to improve and automate passenger identity verification, not for law enforcement or immigration enforcement purposes. Additionally, TSA does not tolerate racial profiling,” the agency says.
Can I opt out of the full body scanner during TSA screening?
Yes, it is legal to decline the scan. You will need to (again, politely) tell the agent that you are “opting out” of the scan with as much notice as you can. The agent can initially notify you that the scanner is a safe tool, to see if you will reconsider, or they can immediately perform a manual search – collquially known as “pat down.”
“A pat-down may include an inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes covering the head and sensitive areas such as the chest, groin, and buttocks. It may be necessary to adjust clothing during the pat-down,” TSA states on its website. “The officer will advise you on the procedure to help you anticipate any action before you feel them. Pat-downs require sufficient pressure to ensure detection, and areas may undergo a pat-down more than once for the TSA officer to confirm no threatening items are detected.”
A traveler in a full body scan before heading to her flight at Pittsburgh International Airport, November 24, 2010.
Passengers with disabilities and/or mobility problems may also request to go through the metal detector or undergo a pat-down.
It is important to note that a pat-down must be done by an officer “of the same sex.” You may have to wait until an appropriate officer can assist you if no one is immediately available.
You should inform the officer performing the pat down of any mobility issues, difficulty staying in the same position for an extended period, if you have external medical devices or if you have any areas of your body that are painful to the touch.
You can request a seat to sit in if needed, as well as a private screening. If you choose a private screening, a second officer must be present.
Contributing: Josh Rivera, USA TODAY
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and can be reached at zwichter@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TSA opt-out debate reignited by Sean Duffy’s pregnant daughter