Pat downs in San Pedro?

[Scotto97]

I've cruised out of LA (San Pedro) many times and never been subjected to a physical pat down once successfully through the metal detectors but have heard they are now subjecting passengers to this invasive procedure

 

Is this true?

[LucyR.]

I can stay in my wheel chair and they will pat me down with their hands.

 

If I stand up they use that thing or pat me down. It doesn't bother me.

 

For your information.... I have seen police walking out of the ship with a passenger who committed a crime on the ship after the cruise is over.

 

It pays to be careful. Security is important for single/solo me who always cruises alone. We all have to be careful too.

[satxdiver]

We sailed out of San Pedro last October and did not see any pat downs. It is an invasive procedure and I am not sure what they are looking to find that a metal detector could not. What is next now, full body scans? Where does it stop? Maybe we should all board airplane and ships naked so they can be assured of safety.

[Mommypig]

We sailed out of San Pedro last October and did not see any pat downs. It is an invasive procedure and I am not sure what they are looking to find that a metal detector could not. What is next now, full body scans? Where does it stop? Maybe we should all board airplane and ships naked so they can be assured of safety.

 

 

While I do not enjoy pat downs, I don't view them as invasive but rather as necessary to ensure safety of all. The first one I had I was 6 months pregnant, flying from West Berlin to Munich, back in early 1981. They made sure I was actually pregnant. This was not long after the Octoberfest bombing. Having flown much recently with my TravelScoot tricycle or wheelchair, I have had pat downs almost every time. The TSA agents have always been respectful to me, telling me what they were going to do, using the back of their hands, and were gentle on my injured hip. I haven't had a pat down boarding a ship yet, but if that's all that's standing between me and lunch in the MDR, pat away.

 

Pat downs and security lines are part of the cost of traveling in today's world. Just because YOU are a good person who would never hurt anyone doesn't mean that the guy behind you is.

 

 

 

 

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Carnival 24 cruise days

Princess 79 cruise days, plus 142 cruise days scheduled

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[RocketMan275]

I've cruised out of LA (San Pedro) many times and never been subjected to a physical pat down once successfully through the metal detectors but have heard they are now subjecting passengers to this invasive procedure

 

Is this true?

 

Do you have an alternative to propose?

[kendon]

After flying El Al to Israel with the security measures they take, I was sure that when I got on that plane I would be getting to my destination safely. Very small price to pay in this very scary world we live in.

[RickEk]

Sailed out of San Pedro last Friday. No pat down.

[maggie.1008]

I cruised on Princess in Oct. Nov. and again last week all out of San Pedro. I was not pat down and did not see anyone else pat down.

[PescadoAmarillo]

I saw none in San Pedro on January 24. I did see some on the Grand Princess in ports, but they were professionally done by the security staff.

[TucsonRick]

Many cruisers have pacemakers or other implanted devices / hardware. These require pat-downs. I have discovered that security people world wide know what "pacemaker" means regardless of their language and do not force me to go thru the metal detector.

 

Rick

[buchananglasgow]

We sailed out of San Pedro last October and did not see any pat downs. It is an invasive procedure and I am not sure what they are looking to find that a metal detector could not. What is next now, full body scans? Where does it stop? Maybe we should all board airplane and ships naked so they can be assured of safety.

 

we have to go through a full body scanner in Glasgow airport ( where a few yrs ago we had a terrorist attack), if you don't you don't fly. Every time I beep the hand held scanner and it's straight into the machine I go. I'm happy that they take trouble to scan everyone. Better safety , I'm happy with that. When you have nothing to hide, what's the problem.

[Colo Cruiser]

They do what is necessary, if you want to sail/fly then it is what it is.

[Cruiserkenn]

Sailed out of San Pedro last Friday. No pat down.

 

Thanks, RickEk, for your as always timely comments.

 

Usually on Princess, if there are post metal detector pat downs, it is due to something unexpected alarming the metal detectors.

 

Usually I don't have a problem but over the years, things can happen.

One time, a magnifying glass in my backpack mystified security. It was fine once they found it.

 

Another time, a forgotten set Apple iPhone ear buds in my pocket freaked out security. Again AOK once they found them.

 

As others have said, better safe than sorry.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Cruisin'Rabbit

[jagsfan]

I'm surprised that anybody objects to professionally done pat downs in this day and age. I had to sit down in Calgary so a TSA agent could feel my feet. I felt silly, but the metal in my left foot beeped. I'm all for whatever keeps us safe and feeling secure when we travel.

 

 

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[elliair]

After flying El Al to Israel with the security measures they take, I was sure that when I got on that plane I would be getting to my destination safely. Very small price to pay in this very scary world we live in.

 

How can one be assured of reaching their destination when the airline can be ditched into the ocean by the pilot or copilot? No one is assured of getting to their destination safely, and to believe so is foolish. On our recent cruise to Hawaii, we left Ensenada only to be turned around by the military some where between Ensenada and San Francisco. All the captain would say is "due to a military situation." What was that situation? A Korean sub ready to blow us out of the water? Anything could happen. We got a fly by by a fighter jet, that was awesome.

[schlot]

I'm surprised that anybody objects to professionally done pat downs in this day and age. I had to sit down in Calgary so a TSA agent could feel my feet. I felt silly, but the metal in my left foot beeped. I'm all for whatever keeps us safe and feeling secure when we travel.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Although I have no personal issues with a pat down I completely understand the original posters concern.

 

There is a fine line between safety and losing personal freedoms and we should always be wary of giving up our personal freedoms in the name of that safety.

[critterchick]

Although I have no personal issues with a pat down I completely understand the original posters concern.

 

There is a fine line between safety and losing personal freedoms and we should always be wary of giving up our personal freedoms in the name of that safety.

 

You have then freedom to refuse a pat down. Of course, you will then be waving goodbye as your plane/ship leaves. I have not read the cruise contract lately, but I bet there's a clause in which you agree to any and all security-related searches.

 

The only time I've seen a pat down at the pier is when somebody has gone through the metal detector, set it off,gone through again and still set it off.

 

And for those who want to smuggle illegal substances onboard, be aware that there is a handsome Golden Retriever sniffing bags on the promenade deck. He alerted on a backpack in front of us and the young woman to whom it belonged was escorted onboard for a complete search of the bag. I do not know the outcome.

[schlot]

You have then freedom to refuse a pat down. Of course, you will then be waving goodbye as your plane/ship leaves. I have not read the cruise contract lately, but I bet there's a clause in which you agree to any and all security-related searches.

 

The only time I've seen a pat down at the pier is when somebody has gone through the metal detector, set it off,gone through again and still set it off.

 

And for those who want to smuggle illegal substances onboard, be aware that there is a handsome Golden Retriever sniffing bags on the promenade deck. He alerted on a backpack in front of us and the young woman to whom it belonged was escorted onboard for a complete search of the bag. I do not know the outcome.

 

Very true indeed. But I also think it is healthy to ask and challenge things like this. Going along with something just because everyone else does is rarely a good reason for doing something.

Edited February 3, 2015 by schlot

[Roses2]

DH has a pacemaker and I have an artificial hip as well as both knees being artificial. That being said, he doesn't go through the "gate" while I do - now setting off the alarm the majority of the time. Hence we both are checked over by hand or wand. It doesn't take long and the people have always been nice about it. Neither of us has any objection to this because we would rather be safe.

 

P&J

[Tahoe Boater]

I have a huge issue if I am ever asked for a pat down. However, that aside. I have never been asked in my 30 or so cruises. Including San Francisco last October and last Friday in San Pedro.

[Colo Cruiser]

I have a huge issue if I am ever asked for a pat down. However, that aside. I have never been asked in my 30 or so cruises. Including San Francisco last October and last Friday in San Pedro.

 

You can protest all you want, if you refuse. You may be denied boarding.

[Husky61]

You have then freedom to refuse a pat down. Of course, you will then be waving goodbye as your plane/ship leaves.

 

You certainly have the right to refuse a pat down before boarding a cruise ship, but you will be punished for refusing the pat down by not being allowed on board.:(

[kendon]

How can one be assured of reaching their destination when the airline can be ditched into the ocean by the pilot or copilot? No one is assured of getting to their destination safely, and to believe so is foolish. On our recent cruise to Hawaii, we left Ensenada only to be turned around by the military some where between Ensenada and San Francisco. All the captain would say is "due to a military situation." What was that situation? A Korean sub ready to blow us out of the water? Anything could happen. We got a fly by by a fighter jet, that was awesome.

 

I'm not that naive. Yes, of course no is 100% sure. I look both ways when crossing the street to improve my chances of getting to the other side safely, but something can fall out of the sky above killing me. I wasn't talking about ditching the plane, but was referring to checking personal belongs and a pat down before boarding. It IS a small price to pay to DECREASE your chances of problems in the air.

[srpilo]

I think some need to be reminded that flying and cruising are completely different forms travel, and where as screening and possible pat downs are required by federal law to board an aircraft, no such law or federal requirement exists for boarding or sailing on a cruise ship. In fact many of the articles considered dangerous and screened for when boarding an aircraft are readily available onboard a cruise ship in the dining room and gift shop.

 

So please if you feel that unwarranted pat down and an invasion of your rights through nothing more than a Princess corporate policy is acceptable , and even though without probable cause it is forbidden at almost any other in time in your life even by the police is acceptable , please do not besmirch posters here who see the ridiculousness and charade of such a feeble show of so called security by allowing a minimum wage stranger to fondle your body

 

To me it's unacceptable on MANY levels and has nothing to do with safety onboard

Srpilo

[LovetheSea]

If they need to pat me down. I will have no problem with it. Even if the person is a "minimum wage" worker. Like that has anything to do with it. Any millionaire who works there can do it to . I always feel lately like getting on a cruise ship was like getting on a plane . They scan your carry-ons, search inside your suitcases if they find something questionable. That to me feels more like a violation. What really bugs me that in the world we live in today, we have to worry so much about random individuals carrying out some sort of terrorist act.