As an opposite point - the airports I've been to have been pretty easy to opt-out, though they usually have snippy comments about "saying it up front".
That being said, did your airport not have signs talking about the pilot, and it being optional? I would of pointed to that if I was told no.
That being said, did your airport not have signs talking about the pilot, and it being optional? I would of pointed to that if I was told no.