Our week long vacation to Aruba was scheduled to start on August 1st, but thanks to the TSA we were robbed a day!
You see, what had happened was, we arrived at the airport in good time, and made it through security just fine. It wasn't until after we continued onto the sky train, to head to our gate, that we realized our terrible mistake...
We had taken the wrong train! No problem though right? We just go back and get on the right train... Wrong!! So wrong in fact we had to go back through security all over again!
So if that's not bad enough, between the time crunch and standing in a 30+ minute line again, we have serious concerns about the negative effects of the full body scanners.
These scanners are now a standard part of the TSA Security process, and gone are the days of requesting to go through the metal detector instead. Now, in order to opt out of the harmful radiation blast, you have to do a pat down.
This opt out process is not a fun one. First of all the staff act as though you are the most insignificant passenger in the airport. As if they could be any less personable already...!
Then you are made to stand awkwardly to the side while you "wait for an available agent," all the while our bags, which have gone through the xray machine, are sitting unattended completely out of our reach.
Fat chance they'd chase down the bad guy if someone runs off with our thousands of dollars worth of camera gear. And nevermind the constant loud speaker reminding you to "never leave your bags unattended."
It gets worse. After a long anxiety laden wait, they come and walk you back to the screening area, where they give you the most personally violating pat down you'll ever have in your life.
I do massage therapy for a living and have no problem getting in people's personal space, but even I feel like they go way too far. They firmly grope the entire exterior of your body, in a way that if I did so at my office, the government would take away my license!
After round 2 of security we had officially missed our flight. Two hours and two invasive pat downs later we left the airport. Feeling sad, exhausted, and violated.
Our suitcases, however, made the flight. Which according to Southwest staff members, meant now we have to pick up the bags at our connection in Ft Lauderdale and check them in all over again. Which also means another round with TSA Security.
The next day, after making it through Orlando security and another pat down, we caught our flight and made it to baggage claim in Ft Lauderdale Airport.
Aaaannnnddd, turns out they had already sent the bags to Aruba. Despite the fact that we where told that luggage going on international flights is never sent without the passenger being on the flight.
SO back to security... For no reason this time. Ft Lauderdale was a small improvement from Orlando, at least the staff where much more approachable, but the process was no less invasive and uncomfortable.
After all that drama, despite the fact that it was only 9:30am, we stopped at a place called Burger Fi, and had a beer! The place is pretty cool, we have one in Orlando and love their quinoa burger, it's so crispy!
Sorry for the lack of pictures, but how crazy is this?! This was on the news at BurgerFi while we where there eating.
We enjoyed our food and made our connection. Next stop, Aruba! Lots of pictures coming soon.
Thanks for reading, and hopefully despite this information you too will opt out of the body scanners, they really are harmful to your health. Just take the pat down and pretend you're getting a massage!