If you think Australian security is a nightmare, try the US TSA!
I refuse the scanners out of principle, and they get pretty huffy when you opt out. In fact every time I have been put in the scanning line they do not tell you what it is for.
You need to ask them and no matter how polite you ask, you get attitude. You then must wait about 10 minutes until someone is available to frisk you. your hand luggage is left at the xray point for anyone to nick, and you're groped like a teenage boy is discovering the opposite sex for the first time.
Let's prey we don't go down this rediculous path hey!