I operate one of these machines at a large airport and yes, the machine does respond differently to braids (and also to people with hair gel and to crewcuts!) I have never seen anyone be subjected to a full-body pat-down as a result- that sounds SO ridiculous! Instead, they are shown the image scan and we look at their hari. Sometimes we ask them to lift it or part it; this is to men AND women. It’s never more than 1-=15 seconds, it’s done respectfully, and I have NEVER witnessed anyone, regardless of race of gender, that walked away upset.
I can’t help wonder how valid these stories are or maybe that things are dramatically different in other parts of the country. I work in one of the busiest terminals in America and my fellow officers are multicultural and multinational. We treat the passengers, for the most part, with dignity and respect.
