If I wanted TSA agents to check out my birthday suit, I'd invite 'em to the hot springs. Since I don't have the urge to do that, I question whether I want to walk through one of the backscatter Xray machines, the next of which will be installed next fall at New York's JFK and Los Angeles's LAX after being tested in Phoenix's Sky Harbor airport over the last year. Though I've known about this for over a year, I've been in denial -- it's just too much.
The backscatter (a term which applies to the radiation method used) thingymajig -- also called body imaging -- transmits photos of more than a body's outline to a TSA agent in a remote (50-100 feet away) area. One has to choose between a pat down or this walk of shame through the backscatter thingymajig if one fails whatever the security test may be -- I don't know, but I have failed it in various airports and been pulled out of the security check line for an intimate squeezing... err, pat down. Travelers at Phoenix have been choosing the whole body imaging over the pat down, and travelers at JFK will also have that choice, but LAX passengers will be chosen for the nekkid pitchers randomly.
A good reason to avoid LAX, for me. I don't plan to tape oversize tubes of shampoo to my torso, but even if I were so inclined, I would rather have them discovered through a pat down than have my abs of non-steel image sent to a TSA agent, who has complete authority to save them and print them (though the TSA promises that will only happen if I pose a threat to national security -- which I must, since I periodically get the wand and pat down).
When is it too much? Airport security is crazy, considering how much gets through it and how much gets tossed that was no real threat whatsoever (I've personally accidentally "smuggled" all kinds of forbidden stuff through, like packets of laundry soap, lighters in the days during their banning... serious testers have of TSA security have done much worse/better). Well, I prefer trains as a mode of transport to begin with, and these body imaging machines at airports provide me with another good reason to take the train, I think... and start finding out more about freighter travel.
- Related reading:
- TSA Millimeter Wave Machines Being Installed at New Airports (updated 6/10/2008)
- Air Travel for Beginners
- How to Pack for Airport Security
- TSA Blog
- UPDATES: What is the TSA's Backscatter / Millimeter Wave Technology? | Which Airports Have Full Body Scanners? | COMMENT: Would You Walk Through a Full Body Scanner at the Airport?
are shavers reg & electric allowed thru aorport security ,
Being seen naked was the least of my objections. Being treated like a criminal and unproven doses of radiation was higher on my list. But the more I think about it, I find the entire fiasco outrageous, not to mention extremly dangerous to my rights as a life long citizen. I bought an airline ticket months before San Diego announced this scan scam. If I had known, I would have driven to my destination. This is certainly the last time I fly.
These full-body scanners are both ineffective and very likely dangerous (X-ray back-scatter scanners especially – radiation exposure is additive). Also, they are highly questionable in their method, which is the equivalent of a full-body strip-search. And, they aren’t even able to detect well-concealed weapons, as proved by TSA testing. So, what’s the point in wasting so much money and exposing thousands passengers to unknown radiation dangers?! Personally, I think it’s so that people ‘feel’ safe, even though they really aren’t and are actually in more danger because of radiation!
So, how does Israel, arguably one of the most threatened countries in the world, deal with passenger screening? They don’t need any expensive, radiation-emitting, visual strip-search machines. They simply use profiling, expert questioning techniques, and oh yes, they swab ALL of your luggage in order to detect explosives. Add to that, that they decompress and re-compress all checked luggage (to detonate any pressure-trigger bombs) and you have a safe, highly-effective, and non-invasive screening procedure! They have also developed a system of trained mice (yes, mice!) who are more adept and accurate at sniffing out explosives than dogs.
The passenger screening procedure is both non-invasive and very effective, so much so, that since they implemented these security measures many years ago, they’ve never had a terrorist attack. Now, if only the USA could learn from the experts and save everyone money and health risks!
Really? Come on, people! It’s not as invasive as this “article” as it’s called, puts it. And, it makes it more safe to fly, which, after what our country has been through, is completely fine with me. I have no gripes about being safe!
Nail clippers aren’t even allowed so electric shavers
Probably aren’t either!! Or any other Gel subtance!