The opt-out wasn't to try and get rid of the excessive patdown. It was too make everyone at the airport aware of this new procedure and how excessive it is.

My understanding is that is true however what I was hearing all over the airwaves prior to the op-out that there would be demonstrations in an attempt to slow down the process enough to draw the attention desired.

However as I said, that didn't happen although there were apparently a few demonstrators. Travelers just wanted to get where they were going without too much intrusion (time wasted) I suppose.

I would assume that to be true. I didn't pay too much attention to it. Just heard some things on the radio on the way to work.